Nursing Process and Critical Thinking Test
Bank Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which step of the nursing process involves collecting
comprehensive data about a client’s health status?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Assessment is the first step where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data to understand the client’s condition.
2. A nurse recognizes that prioritization of care is essential. Which
framework is most appropriate for determining which patient
needs immediate attention?
A) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
B) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
C) Nursing Process
D) Patient Satisfaction Scores
Rationale: The ABC framework ensures life-threatening issues are
addressed first, reflecting critical thinking in prioritization.
3. During the planning phase, the nurse writes measurable goals.
Which of the following is an example of a correctly written goal?
,A) The patient will feel better.
B) The patient will be comfortable.
C) The patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the
shift.
D) The patient will eat more.
Rationale: Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-bound (SMART).
4. Critical thinking in nursing requires:
A) Following orders without question
B) Memorizing medical texts
C) Analyzing data to make informed decisions
D) Relying solely on intuition
Rationale: Critical thinking involves logical reasoning and evidence-
based decision-making, not just intuition or rote memorization.
5. The nurse uses subjective data during assessment. Which
example fits this category?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Temperature 101°F
C) Patient reports feeling dizzy
D) Oxygen saturation 95%
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient tells the nurse, while
objective data are measurable.
6. Which type of nursing diagnosis addresses a potential problem
that the patient is at risk for developing?
,A) Actual nursing diagnosis
B) Collaborative problem
C) Risk nursing diagnosis
D) Wellness diagnosis
Rationale: Risk diagnoses identify potential problems before they
occur, enabling preventive interventions.
7. A nurse evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention. Which
question demonstrates proper evaluation?
A) Did the patient receive medication?
B) Was the patient admitted on time?
C) Did the patient’s pain decrease after the intervention?
D) Did the nurse chart accurately?
Rationale: Evaluation focuses on outcomes and whether
interventions achieved the desired effect.
8. A client is post-operative and has difficulty breathing. What is
the nurse’s first action?
A) Notify the family
B) Document findings
C) Assess airway and breathing
D) Administer pain medication
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to the ABC
rule, which is critical thinking in acute situations.
9. Which action demonstrates reflective thinking in nursing
practice?
, A) Administering routine medications
B) Reviewing the outcomes of patient care and considering
improvements
C) Following a checklist
D) Documenting vital signs
Rationale: Reflective thinking involves analyzing past experiences to
improve future patient care.
10. The nurse identifies that a patient has a urinary tract infection.
Which type of nursing diagnosis is this?
A) Risk
B) Wellness
C) Actual
D) Potential
Rationale: An actual nursing diagnosis describes a current problem
validated by signs and symptoms.
11. Which statement is an example of a SMART goal?
A) Patient will feel better soon.
B) Patient will verbalize pain relief within 2 hours of intervention.
C) Patient will be happier.
D) Patient will walk sometime.
Rationale: SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable,
relevant, and time-bound.
12. A nurse is caring for multiple patients. Which situation should
be addressed first?
Bank Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which step of the nursing process involves collecting
comprehensive data about a client’s health status?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Assessment is the first step where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data to understand the client’s condition.
2. A nurse recognizes that prioritization of care is essential. Which
framework is most appropriate for determining which patient
needs immediate attention?
A) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
B) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
C) Nursing Process
D) Patient Satisfaction Scores
Rationale: The ABC framework ensures life-threatening issues are
addressed first, reflecting critical thinking in prioritization.
3. During the planning phase, the nurse writes measurable goals.
Which of the following is an example of a correctly written goal?
,A) The patient will feel better.
B) The patient will be comfortable.
C) The patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the
shift.
D) The patient will eat more.
Rationale: Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-bound (SMART).
4. Critical thinking in nursing requires:
A) Following orders without question
B) Memorizing medical texts
C) Analyzing data to make informed decisions
D) Relying solely on intuition
Rationale: Critical thinking involves logical reasoning and evidence-
based decision-making, not just intuition or rote memorization.
5. The nurse uses subjective data during assessment. Which
example fits this category?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Temperature 101°F
C) Patient reports feeling dizzy
D) Oxygen saturation 95%
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient tells the nurse, while
objective data are measurable.
6. Which type of nursing diagnosis addresses a potential problem
that the patient is at risk for developing?
,A) Actual nursing diagnosis
B) Collaborative problem
C) Risk nursing diagnosis
D) Wellness diagnosis
Rationale: Risk diagnoses identify potential problems before they
occur, enabling preventive interventions.
7. A nurse evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention. Which
question demonstrates proper evaluation?
A) Did the patient receive medication?
B) Was the patient admitted on time?
C) Did the patient’s pain decrease after the intervention?
D) Did the nurse chart accurately?
Rationale: Evaluation focuses on outcomes and whether
interventions achieved the desired effect.
8. A client is post-operative and has difficulty breathing. What is
the nurse’s first action?
A) Notify the family
B) Document findings
C) Assess airway and breathing
D) Administer pain medication
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to the ABC
rule, which is critical thinking in acute situations.
9. Which action demonstrates reflective thinking in nursing
practice?
, A) Administering routine medications
B) Reviewing the outcomes of patient care and considering
improvements
C) Following a checklist
D) Documenting vital signs
Rationale: Reflective thinking involves analyzing past experiences to
improve future patient care.
10. The nurse identifies that a patient has a urinary tract infection.
Which type of nursing diagnosis is this?
A) Risk
B) Wellness
C) Actual
D) Potential
Rationale: An actual nursing diagnosis describes a current problem
validated by signs and symptoms.
11. Which statement is an example of a SMART goal?
A) Patient will feel better soon.
B) Patient will verbalize pain relief within 2 hours of intervention.
C) Patient will be happier.
D) Patient will walk sometime.
Rationale: SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable,
relevant, and time-bound.
12. A nurse is caring for multiple patients. Which situation should
be addressed first?
