Chamberlain University NR 226 Exam 1 (PDF)
| 2026/2027 | Nursing Fundamentals, Critical
Thinking, and Clinical Reasoning Q&A |
Nursing Program
Question 1
While assessing a patient, the nurse observes that the patient's intravenous (IV) line
is not infusing at the ordered rate. The nurse assesses the patient for pain at the IV
site, checks the flow regulator on the tubing, looks to see if the patient is lying on the
tubing, checks the point of connection between the tubing and the IV catheter, and
then checks the condition of the site where the intravenous catheter enters the
patient's skin. After the nurse readjusts the flow rate, the infusion begins at the
correct rate. This is an example of:
A. Inference
B. Diagnostic reasoning
C. Competency
D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse systematically gathers information, considers possible causes, tests corrective
options, and resolves the immediate IV infusion problem. This practical trial-and-error
approach is problem solving.
Option A is incorrect: An inference involves drawing a conclusion from observed cues.
Although the nurse assesses cues, the primary activity is correcting the immediate infusion
problem rather than forming a conclusion about the patient's condition.
,Option B is incorrect: Diagnostic reasoning is used to identify or explain a patient health
problem. The focus here is the functioning of the IV system rather than analysis of the
patient's health status.
Option C is incorrect: Competency refers to the nurse's ability to perform a skill safely and
correctly. The scenario primarily demonstrates a systematic problem-solving process, not
demonstration of competency alone.
Question 2
The nurse sits down to talk with a patient who lost her sister 2 weeks ago. The
patient reports she is unable to sleep, feels very fatigued during the day, and is
having trouble at work. The nurse asks her to clarify the type of trouble. The patient
explains she can't concentrate or even solve simple problems. The nurse records the
results of the assessment, describing the patient as having ineffective coping. This is
an example of:
A. Diagnostic reasoning
B. Competency
C. Inference
D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The nurse collects assessment data, recognizes patterns, interprets the cues, and reaches a
nursing diagnosis of ineffective coping. This is the diagnostic reasoning process.
Option B is incorrect: Competency refers to the nurse's ability to perform nursing skills
safely. It does not describe the interpretation of patient data and formulation of a diagnosis.
Option C is incorrect: An inference is a judgment made from available cues. Although
diagnostic reasoning uses inference, the scenario demonstrates the broader process of
clustering, interpreting, and naming a patient problem.
, Option D is incorrect: Problem solving focuses on finding a solution to an immediate
issue. Here, the nurse is identifying and labeling the patient's health problem rather than
testing solutions.
Question 3
A nurse has worked on an oncology unit for 3 years. One patient has become visibly
weaker and states, "I feel funny." The nurse knows how patients often have behavior
changes before developing sepsis when they have cancer. The nurse asks the patient
questions to assess thinking skills and notices the patient shivering. The nurse goes
to the phone, calls the physician, and begins the conversation by saying, "I believe
that your patient is developing sepsis. I want to report symptoms I'm seeing." What
examples of critical thinking concepts does the nurse show? Select all that apply.
A. Experience
B. Ethical
C. Analyticity
D. Self-confidence
E. Risk taking
Correct Answers: C and D
Rationale:
The nurse demonstrates analyticity by gathering additional data, analyzing the findings,
and anticipating sepsis. The nurse demonstrates self-confidence by trusting that
assessment, communicating the concern directly, and contacting the physician promptly.
Option A is incorrect: Experience contributes to the nurse's knowledge, but in this
framework it is considered part of the critical thinking model rather than a specific critical-
thinking concept.
Option B is incorrect: Ethical reasoning relates to moral standards and deciding what
ought to be done. No ethical conflict or moral judgment is central to this assessment
situation.
| 2026/2027 | Nursing Fundamentals, Critical
Thinking, and Clinical Reasoning Q&A |
Nursing Program
Question 1
While assessing a patient, the nurse observes that the patient's intravenous (IV) line
is not infusing at the ordered rate. The nurse assesses the patient for pain at the IV
site, checks the flow regulator on the tubing, looks to see if the patient is lying on the
tubing, checks the point of connection between the tubing and the IV catheter, and
then checks the condition of the site where the intravenous catheter enters the
patient's skin. After the nurse readjusts the flow rate, the infusion begins at the
correct rate. This is an example of:
A. Inference
B. Diagnostic reasoning
C. Competency
D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse systematically gathers information, considers possible causes, tests corrective
options, and resolves the immediate IV infusion problem. This practical trial-and-error
approach is problem solving.
Option A is incorrect: An inference involves drawing a conclusion from observed cues.
Although the nurse assesses cues, the primary activity is correcting the immediate infusion
problem rather than forming a conclusion about the patient's condition.
,Option B is incorrect: Diagnostic reasoning is used to identify or explain a patient health
problem. The focus here is the functioning of the IV system rather than analysis of the
patient's health status.
Option C is incorrect: Competency refers to the nurse's ability to perform a skill safely and
correctly. The scenario primarily demonstrates a systematic problem-solving process, not
demonstration of competency alone.
Question 2
The nurse sits down to talk with a patient who lost her sister 2 weeks ago. The
patient reports she is unable to sleep, feels very fatigued during the day, and is
having trouble at work. The nurse asks her to clarify the type of trouble. The patient
explains she can't concentrate or even solve simple problems. The nurse records the
results of the assessment, describing the patient as having ineffective coping. This is
an example of:
A. Diagnostic reasoning
B. Competency
C. Inference
D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The nurse collects assessment data, recognizes patterns, interprets the cues, and reaches a
nursing diagnosis of ineffective coping. This is the diagnostic reasoning process.
Option B is incorrect: Competency refers to the nurse's ability to perform nursing skills
safely. It does not describe the interpretation of patient data and formulation of a diagnosis.
Option C is incorrect: An inference is a judgment made from available cues. Although
diagnostic reasoning uses inference, the scenario demonstrates the broader process of
clustering, interpreting, and naming a patient problem.
, Option D is incorrect: Problem solving focuses on finding a solution to an immediate
issue. Here, the nurse is identifying and labeling the patient's health problem rather than
testing solutions.
Question 3
A nurse has worked on an oncology unit for 3 years. One patient has become visibly
weaker and states, "I feel funny." The nurse knows how patients often have behavior
changes before developing sepsis when they have cancer. The nurse asks the patient
questions to assess thinking skills and notices the patient shivering. The nurse goes
to the phone, calls the physician, and begins the conversation by saying, "I believe
that your patient is developing sepsis. I want to report symptoms I'm seeing." What
examples of critical thinking concepts does the nurse show? Select all that apply.
A. Experience
B. Ethical
C. Analyticity
D. Self-confidence
E. Risk taking
Correct Answers: C and D
Rationale:
The nurse demonstrates analyticity by gathering additional data, analyzing the findings,
and anticipating sepsis. The nurse demonstrates self-confidence by trusting that
assessment, communicating the concern directly, and contacting the physician promptly.
Option A is incorrect: Experience contributes to the nurse's knowledge, but in this
framework it is considered part of the critical thinking model rather than a specific critical-
thinking concept.
Option B is incorrect: Ethical reasoning relates to moral standards and deciding what
ought to be done. No ethical conflict or moral judgment is central to this assessment
situation.
