NURSING CARE PLANS
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) What is a nursing care plan?
Reference: Chapter 1 — What is a nursing care plan?
Stem: A nurse admits an older adult with heart failure who is
short of breath, anxious, and unable to sleep flat in bed. The
provider has prescribed several medications, but the patient
also needs nursing support for breathing, comfort, and self-
,care. The nurse begins to organize the plan of care. Which
statement best describes the purpose of a nursing care plan?
Options:
A. It lists only the provider’s medical diagnoses and treatments.
B. It provides a framework for individualized nursing care based
on patient needs.
C. It replaces the need for ongoing assessment during the shift.
D. It is used only after discharge teaching is completed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A nursing care plan organizes
assessment data, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and
expected outcomes into an individualized approach to care. It
helps the nurse prioritize patient needs and coordinate
interventions across the shift and across settings. This aligns
with the nursing process and patient-centered care.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Nursing care plans focus on nursing priorities, not only
medical diagnoses or provider treatments.
C. Assessment remains ongoing and drives updates to the plan
of care.
D. Care planning begins on admission and continues throughout
care, not only at discharge.
Teaching Point: Nursing care plans translate assessment data
into individualized nursing action.
,Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1:
What is a nursing care plan?
2) Using nursing care plans: diagnoses, interventions, and
outcomes
Reference: Chapter 1 — How to use nursing care plans:
diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes
Stem: A postoperative client reports pain rated 8/10 and avoids
deep breathing because of discomfort. The nurse selects a
nursing diagnosis, plans interventions, and identifies an
expected outcome. Which sequence best reflects correct care
plan use?
Options:
A. Diagnose, evaluate, assess
B. Assess, diagnose, plan interventions and outcomes
C. Implement, diagnose, discharge
D. Treat, document, reassess later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Care planning follows the nursing
process: assessment data support the nursing diagnosis, which
guides interventions and measurable outcomes. This sequence
allows the nurse to respond logically to patient needs and
evaluate effectiveness. It is the foundation of clinical judgment.
, Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Evaluation occurs after implementation, not before
assessment.
C. Implementation cannot occur before assessment and
diagnosis.
D. Treatment and documentation are important, but they do
not replace the structured nursing process.
Teaching Point: Assessment data should drive the diagnosis,
interventions, and expected outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1:
How to use nursing care plans.
3) Individualizing a care plan
Reference: Chapter 1 — Individualizing a care plan
Stem: Two patients both have impaired mobility after surgery.
One is a marathon runner worried about losing independence;
the other lives alone and has difficulty using a walker. The nurse
wants to individualize care. Which action best supports
individualized planning?
Options:
A. Use the same interventions for both clients to save time.
B. Choose interventions based on each client’s lifestyle, support
system, and goals.
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) What is a nursing care plan?
Reference: Chapter 1 — What is a nursing care plan?
Stem: A nurse admits an older adult with heart failure who is
short of breath, anxious, and unable to sleep flat in bed. The
provider has prescribed several medications, but the patient
also needs nursing support for breathing, comfort, and self-
,care. The nurse begins to organize the plan of care. Which
statement best describes the purpose of a nursing care plan?
Options:
A. It lists only the provider’s medical diagnoses and treatments.
B. It provides a framework for individualized nursing care based
on patient needs.
C. It replaces the need for ongoing assessment during the shift.
D. It is used only after discharge teaching is completed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A nursing care plan organizes
assessment data, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and
expected outcomes into an individualized approach to care. It
helps the nurse prioritize patient needs and coordinate
interventions across the shift and across settings. This aligns
with the nursing process and patient-centered care.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Nursing care plans focus on nursing priorities, not only
medical diagnoses or provider treatments.
C. Assessment remains ongoing and drives updates to the plan
of care.
D. Care planning begins on admission and continues throughout
care, not only at discharge.
Teaching Point: Nursing care plans translate assessment data
into individualized nursing action.
,Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1:
What is a nursing care plan?
2) Using nursing care plans: diagnoses, interventions, and
outcomes
Reference: Chapter 1 — How to use nursing care plans:
diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes
Stem: A postoperative client reports pain rated 8/10 and avoids
deep breathing because of discomfort. The nurse selects a
nursing diagnosis, plans interventions, and identifies an
expected outcome. Which sequence best reflects correct care
plan use?
Options:
A. Diagnose, evaluate, assess
B. Assess, diagnose, plan interventions and outcomes
C. Implement, diagnose, discharge
D. Treat, document, reassess later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Care planning follows the nursing
process: assessment data support the nursing diagnosis, which
guides interventions and measurable outcomes. This sequence
allows the nurse to respond logically to patient needs and
evaluate effectiveness. It is the foundation of clinical judgment.
, Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Evaluation occurs after implementation, not before
assessment.
C. Implementation cannot occur before assessment and
diagnosis.
D. Treatment and documentation are important, but they do
not replace the structured nursing process.
Teaching Point: Assessment data should drive the diagnosis,
interventions, and expected outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1:
How to use nursing care plans.
3) Individualizing a care plan
Reference: Chapter 1 — Individualizing a care plan
Stem: Two patients both have impaired mobility after surgery.
One is a marathon runner worried about losing independence;
the other lives alone and has difficulty using a walker. The nurse
wants to individualize care. Which action best supports
individualized planning?
Options:
A. Use the same interventions for both clients to save time.
B. Choose interventions based on each client’s lifestyle, support
system, and goals.
