Fundamentals of Nursing ACTUAL
LATTEST EXAM 2026 VERSION
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1-10)
1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is 2 days post-operative. The patient reports pain at
the incision site. The nurse administers the prescribed analgesic. One hour later, the nurse
reassesses the patient's pain level. This action is an example of which step of the nursing
process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process is ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. Reassessing after an intervention to determine if the goal was met is Evaluation (D).
Assessment (A) is collecting data initially. Diagnosis (B) is identifying the problem. Planning (C) is
setting goals.
2. A patient is admitted with shortness of breath. The nurse gathers data including vital signs,
lung sounds, and the patient's medical history. This is an example of:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Gathering data is the Assessment phase of the nursing process (C). Objective data (A)
1
, are measurable (vital signs). Subjective data (B) are what the patient reports (e.g., "I feel short
of breath"). Implementation (D) is carrying out interventions.
3. The nurse identifies that a patient is at risk for falls. The nurse writes a goal: "The patient
will remain free from injury during the hospital stay." This is an example of which nursing
process step?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Writing goals and expected outcomes occurs during the Planning phase (C). The
nursing diagnosis is "Risk for falls." Implementation (D) is carrying out the interventions (e.g.,
bed alarm, call light within reach).
4. A patient states, "I feel anxious about my surgery tomorrow." The nurse responds, "Tell me
more about what is making you anxious." This is an example of which nursing intervention?
A. Therapeutic communication
B. Physical assessment
C. Delegation
D. Documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: Using open-ended questions ("Tell me more") is a therapeutic communication
technique (A) that encourages the patient to express feelings. It is not a physical assessment (B)
or delegation (C).
5. The nurse collects the following data: blood pressure 140/90, heart rate 88, respiratory rate
20, and the patient reports a headache. These data are:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Both subjective and objective data
D. Evaluation data
Answer: C
Rationale: Vital signs are objective (measurable) data (C). The patient's report of a headache is
subjective data (what the patient tells you). Both types are important for a complete
assessment.
6. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility." The
nurse selects an appropriate intervention. Which is most appropriate?
2
, A. Turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours.
B. Administer pain medication as ordered.
C. Encourage the patient to eat all meals.
D. Assess the patient's mental status.
Answer: A
Rationale: "Impaired Skin Integrity" is related to immobility. Turning and repositioning (A)
directly addresses the cause (pressure) and prevents skin breakdown. The other options do not
directly address the skin issue.
7. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements."
Which goal is measurable and realistic?
A. Patient will eat more food.
B. Patient will gain 2 pounds within 1 week.
C. Patient will enjoy meals.
D. Patient will have a better appetite.
Answer: B
Rationale: A measurable goal includes a specific, quantifiable outcome (B: "gain 2 pounds").
Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. "Eat more"
(A) is vague.
8. The nurse is evaluating a patient's response to pain medication. Which finding indicates the
intervention was effective?
A. The patient's heart rate is 100 bpm.
B. The patient reports pain is now 2/10, down from 8/10.
C. The patient is sleeping.
D. The patient asks for more medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation compares the outcome to the goal. A decrease in the pain scale from 8 to
2 (B) indicates the medication was effective. Sleeping (C) is not a reliable indicator of pain relief.
9. The nurse notices that a patient's wound drainage has changed from serosanguineous to
purulent. What should the nurse do next?
A. Document the finding only.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Change the dressing more frequently.
D. Apply a warm compress.
Answer: B
Rationale: A change to purulent (thick, yellow/green) drainage is a sign of infection. The nurse
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LATTEST EXAM 2026 VERSION
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1-10)
1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is 2 days post-operative. The patient reports pain at
the incision site. The nurse administers the prescribed analgesic. One hour later, the nurse
reassesses the patient's pain level. This action is an example of which step of the nursing
process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process is ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. Reassessing after an intervention to determine if the goal was met is Evaluation (D).
Assessment (A) is collecting data initially. Diagnosis (B) is identifying the problem. Planning (C) is
setting goals.
2. A patient is admitted with shortness of breath. The nurse gathers data including vital signs,
lung sounds, and the patient's medical history. This is an example of:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Gathering data is the Assessment phase of the nursing process (C). Objective data (A)
1
, are measurable (vital signs). Subjective data (B) are what the patient reports (e.g., "I feel short
of breath"). Implementation (D) is carrying out interventions.
3. The nurse identifies that a patient is at risk for falls. The nurse writes a goal: "The patient
will remain free from injury during the hospital stay." This is an example of which nursing
process step?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Writing goals and expected outcomes occurs during the Planning phase (C). The
nursing diagnosis is "Risk for falls." Implementation (D) is carrying out the interventions (e.g.,
bed alarm, call light within reach).
4. A patient states, "I feel anxious about my surgery tomorrow." The nurse responds, "Tell me
more about what is making you anxious." This is an example of which nursing intervention?
A. Therapeutic communication
B. Physical assessment
C. Delegation
D. Documentation
Answer: A
Rationale: Using open-ended questions ("Tell me more") is a therapeutic communication
technique (A) that encourages the patient to express feelings. It is not a physical assessment (B)
or delegation (C).
5. The nurse collects the following data: blood pressure 140/90, heart rate 88, respiratory rate
20, and the patient reports a headache. These data are:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Both subjective and objective data
D. Evaluation data
Answer: C
Rationale: Vital signs are objective (measurable) data (C). The patient's report of a headache is
subjective data (what the patient tells you). Both types are important for a complete
assessment.
6. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility." The
nurse selects an appropriate intervention. Which is most appropriate?
2
, A. Turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours.
B. Administer pain medication as ordered.
C. Encourage the patient to eat all meals.
D. Assess the patient's mental status.
Answer: A
Rationale: "Impaired Skin Integrity" is related to immobility. Turning and repositioning (A)
directly addresses the cause (pressure) and prevents skin breakdown. The other options do not
directly address the skin issue.
7. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements."
Which goal is measurable and realistic?
A. Patient will eat more food.
B. Patient will gain 2 pounds within 1 week.
C. Patient will enjoy meals.
D. Patient will have a better appetite.
Answer: B
Rationale: A measurable goal includes a specific, quantifiable outcome (B: "gain 2 pounds").
Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. "Eat more"
(A) is vague.
8. The nurse is evaluating a patient's response to pain medication. Which finding indicates the
intervention was effective?
A. The patient's heart rate is 100 bpm.
B. The patient reports pain is now 2/10, down from 8/10.
C. The patient is sleeping.
D. The patient asks for more medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation compares the outcome to the goal. A decrease in the pain scale from 8 to
2 (B) indicates the medication was effective. Sleeping (C) is not a reliable indicator of pain relief.
9. The nurse notices that a patient's wound drainage has changed from serosanguineous to
purulent. What should the nurse do next?
A. Document the finding only.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Change the dressing more frequently.
D. Apply a warm compress.
Answer: B
Rationale: A change to purulent (thick, yellow/green) drainage is a sign of infection. The nurse
3
