,NSG 3213 Final Exam | Fundamentals of Nursing
(2026) Q&A | South College
1. What is the primary purpose of critical thinking in nursing practice?
A) To memorize facts for examinations
B) To make reasoned judgments using evidence and patient data
C) To follow physician orders without question
D) To complete tasks as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: To make reasoned judgments using evidence and patient data
Rationale: Critical thinking in nursing involves purposeful, outcome-directed
reasoning that integrates evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to
make safe decisions. Memorization, unquestioning obedience, and speed alone do
not reflect the disciplined reasoning required for safe nursing practice.
2. Which action best demonstrates clinical reasoning when a patient’s condition
changes?
A) Continuing the current plan without reassessment
B) Recognizing the change, analyzing the data, and adjusting the plan
C) Waiting for the next scheduled assessment
D) Documenting the change without further action
Correct Answer: Recognizing the change, analyzing the data, and adjusting the
plan
,Rationale: Clinical reasoning involves noticing a change, interpreting its
significance, responding appropriately, and reflecting on the outcome. Continuing
unchanged, delaying assessment, or documenting without action does not reflect
reasoned clinical judgment.
3. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) To replace clinical judgment with research alone
B) To integrate the best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
C) To follow tradition because “we have always done it this way”
D) To rely solely on personal opinion
Correct Answer: To integrate the best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research
evidence, the nurse’s clinical expertise, and the patient’s values and preferences.
Replacing judgment with research alone, relying on tradition, or using personal
opinion alone does not meet the standard of evidence-based care.
4. Which statement best describes the purpose of the nursing process?
A) To diagnose medical disease
B) To provide a systematic method for delivering nursing care
C) To replace the physician’s treatment plan
D) To document only abnormal findings
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic method for delivering nursing care
, Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered framework for
delivering care that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation,
and evaluation. It does not diagnose medical disease, replace medical treatment,
or focus only on abnormal findings.
5. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective
data?
A) Diagnosis
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data regarding a patient’s
health status to inform care decisions. Diagnosis follows data interpretation,
planning establishes goals, and evaluation measures outcomes.
6. Which component of the nursing process involves setting measurable, patient-
centered goals?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Planning
(2026) Q&A | South College
1. What is the primary purpose of critical thinking in nursing practice?
A) To memorize facts for examinations
B) To make reasoned judgments using evidence and patient data
C) To follow physician orders without question
D) To complete tasks as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: To make reasoned judgments using evidence and patient data
Rationale: Critical thinking in nursing involves purposeful, outcome-directed
reasoning that integrates evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to
make safe decisions. Memorization, unquestioning obedience, and speed alone do
not reflect the disciplined reasoning required for safe nursing practice.
2. Which action best demonstrates clinical reasoning when a patient’s condition
changes?
A) Continuing the current plan without reassessment
B) Recognizing the change, analyzing the data, and adjusting the plan
C) Waiting for the next scheduled assessment
D) Documenting the change without further action
Correct Answer: Recognizing the change, analyzing the data, and adjusting the
plan
,Rationale: Clinical reasoning involves noticing a change, interpreting its
significance, responding appropriately, and reflecting on the outcome. Continuing
unchanged, delaying assessment, or documenting without action does not reflect
reasoned clinical judgment.
3. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) To replace clinical judgment with research alone
B) To integrate the best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
C) To follow tradition because “we have always done it this way”
D) To rely solely on personal opinion
Correct Answer: To integrate the best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research
evidence, the nurse’s clinical expertise, and the patient’s values and preferences.
Replacing judgment with research alone, relying on tradition, or using personal
opinion alone does not meet the standard of evidence-based care.
4. Which statement best describes the purpose of the nursing process?
A) To diagnose medical disease
B) To provide a systematic method for delivering nursing care
C) To replace the physician’s treatment plan
D) To document only abnormal findings
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic method for delivering nursing care
, Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered framework for
delivering care that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation,
and evaluation. It does not diagnose medical disease, replace medical treatment,
or focus only on abnormal findings.
5. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective
data?
A) Diagnosis
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data regarding a patient’s
health status to inform care decisions. Diagnosis follows data interpretation,
planning establishes goals, and evaluation measures outcomes.
6. Which component of the nursing process involves setting measurable, patient-
centered goals?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Planning
