2026/2027
NSG 3850 Exam 4 Galen College of
Nursing Comprehensive Review and
Practice Questions Study Guide
2026/2027
Question 1
What is considered the least effective decision-making process in nursing practice?
A. Evidence-based reasoning
B. Establishing assumptions
C. Critical thinking
D. Analytical reasoning
Correct Answer: B. Establishing assumptions
Rationale: Establishing assumptions is considered the least effective decision-making
approach because it is not grounded in verified data or evidence. It often leads to
inaccurate conclusions and poor patient outcomes. In contrast, critical thinking and
evidence-based reasoning rely on structured analysis and validated information.
Analytical reasoning allows nurses to logically evaluate data before making decisions,
reducing the risk of error.
Question 2
What limitation is associated with the trial-and-error method of problem-solving?
A. High accuracy
B. Lack of structure and exactness
C. Requires advanced expertise
D. Time efficiency
Correct Answer: B. Lack of structure and exactness
Rationale: Trial-and-error lacks systematic reasoning, making it unreliable in clinical
settings where precision is essential. It may lead to inconsistent outcomes and delays
in effective treatment. Structured approaches like the nursing process ensure safer and
more predictable patient care outcomes.
Question 3
The research process in nursing problem-solving is most effective when used by:
,2026/2027
A. Novice nursing students
B. Experienced nurses
C. Unlicensed personnel
D. Patients and families
Correct Answer: B. Experienced nurses
Rationale: Experienced nurses are better equipped to interpret research findings and
apply them in clinical decision-making. Their clinical exposure allows them to
integrate evidence with practice effectively, improving patient outcomes compared to
novice practitioners.
Question 4
Why is the nursing process widely used in healthcare practice?
A. It eliminates the need for documentation
B. It replaces medical diagnosis
C. It standardizes care and promotes patient-centered planning
D. It focuses only on physician instructions
Correct Answer: C. It standardizes care and promotes patient-centered planning
Rationale: The nursing process provides a structured framework that ensures
individualized, goal-directed care. It encourages collaboration between nurse and
patient and ensures continuity across healthcare settings.
Question 5
What does critical thinking enable nurses to do during emergencies?
A. Delay intervention
B. Recognize important clinical cues
C. Avoid decision-making
D. Follow routine procedures only
Correct Answer: B. Recognize important clinical cues
Rationale: Critical thinking helps nurses quickly identify life-threatening changes and
prioritize interventions. It enhances clinical judgment, especially in emergencies
where rapid recognition of cues is essential.
Question 6
A nurse uses balloons and jars instead of a spirometer for a child. This demonstrates:
, 2026/2027
A. Standardized care
B. Routine practice
C. Creativity and critical thinking
D. Delegation
Correct Answer: C. Creativity and critical thinking
Rationale: This adaptation shows the nurse modifying teaching tools to match the
child’s developmental level. It reflects creativity and critical thinking in making care
understandable and effective.
Question 7
A nurse’s “gut feeling” that something is wrong is known as:
A. Deductive reasoning
B. Evidence-based practice
C. Intuition
D. Scientific analysis
Correct Answer: C. Intuition
Rationale: Intuition is the ability to recognize a situation based on experience without
conscious reasoning. It often develops with clinical expertise and pattern recognition
over time.
Question 8
Observing a gunshot wound and predicting hypovolemic shock is an example of:
A. Inductive reasoning
B. Random guessing
C. Trial-and-error
D. Intuition only
Correct Answer: A. Inductive reasoning
Rationale: Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions based on
specific observations. In this case, visible bleeding leads to the conclusion of potential
shock.
Question 9
The nursing process is defined as:
A. A medical treatment plan
B. A systematic method of individualized care
NSG 3850 Exam 4 Galen College of
Nursing Comprehensive Review and
Practice Questions Study Guide
2026/2027
Question 1
What is considered the least effective decision-making process in nursing practice?
A. Evidence-based reasoning
B. Establishing assumptions
C. Critical thinking
D. Analytical reasoning
Correct Answer: B. Establishing assumptions
Rationale: Establishing assumptions is considered the least effective decision-making
approach because it is not grounded in verified data or evidence. It often leads to
inaccurate conclusions and poor patient outcomes. In contrast, critical thinking and
evidence-based reasoning rely on structured analysis and validated information.
Analytical reasoning allows nurses to logically evaluate data before making decisions,
reducing the risk of error.
Question 2
What limitation is associated with the trial-and-error method of problem-solving?
A. High accuracy
B. Lack of structure and exactness
C. Requires advanced expertise
D. Time efficiency
Correct Answer: B. Lack of structure and exactness
Rationale: Trial-and-error lacks systematic reasoning, making it unreliable in clinical
settings where precision is essential. It may lead to inconsistent outcomes and delays
in effective treatment. Structured approaches like the nursing process ensure safer and
more predictable patient care outcomes.
Question 3
The research process in nursing problem-solving is most effective when used by:
,2026/2027
A. Novice nursing students
B. Experienced nurses
C. Unlicensed personnel
D. Patients and families
Correct Answer: B. Experienced nurses
Rationale: Experienced nurses are better equipped to interpret research findings and
apply them in clinical decision-making. Their clinical exposure allows them to
integrate evidence with practice effectively, improving patient outcomes compared to
novice practitioners.
Question 4
Why is the nursing process widely used in healthcare practice?
A. It eliminates the need for documentation
B. It replaces medical diagnosis
C. It standardizes care and promotes patient-centered planning
D. It focuses only on physician instructions
Correct Answer: C. It standardizes care and promotes patient-centered planning
Rationale: The nursing process provides a structured framework that ensures
individualized, goal-directed care. It encourages collaboration between nurse and
patient and ensures continuity across healthcare settings.
Question 5
What does critical thinking enable nurses to do during emergencies?
A. Delay intervention
B. Recognize important clinical cues
C. Avoid decision-making
D. Follow routine procedures only
Correct Answer: B. Recognize important clinical cues
Rationale: Critical thinking helps nurses quickly identify life-threatening changes and
prioritize interventions. It enhances clinical judgment, especially in emergencies
where rapid recognition of cues is essential.
Question 6
A nurse uses balloons and jars instead of a spirometer for a child. This demonstrates:
, 2026/2027
A. Standardized care
B. Routine practice
C. Creativity and critical thinking
D. Delegation
Correct Answer: C. Creativity and critical thinking
Rationale: This adaptation shows the nurse modifying teaching tools to match the
child’s developmental level. It reflects creativity and critical thinking in making care
understandable and effective.
Question 7
A nurse’s “gut feeling” that something is wrong is known as:
A. Deductive reasoning
B. Evidence-based practice
C. Intuition
D. Scientific analysis
Correct Answer: C. Intuition
Rationale: Intuition is the ability to recognize a situation based on experience without
conscious reasoning. It often develops with clinical expertise and pattern recognition
over time.
Question 8
Observing a gunshot wound and predicting hypovolemic shock is an example of:
A. Inductive reasoning
B. Random guessing
C. Trial-and-error
D. Intuition only
Correct Answer: A. Inductive reasoning
Rationale: Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions based on
specific observations. In this case, visible bleeding leads to the conclusion of potential
shock.
Question 9
The nursing process is defined as:
A. A medical treatment plan
B. A systematic method of individualized care
