NUR155/NUR 155 Final Exam V2 | Critical
Thinking for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a client. Which of the following describes
the correct order of the steps in this process?
A. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
B. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
C. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic method that begins with Assessment to
gather data. This is followed by Diagnosis, Planning of care, Implementation of
interventions, and finally Evaluation of the outcomes. Following this specific sequence
ensures that nursing care is organized, purposeful, and client-centered.
2. Which component of critical thinking involves the nurse’s ability to look for patterns and
categorize data?
A. Inference
B. Evaluation
C. Analysis
,D. Interpretation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Interpretation is the ability to understand and explain the meaning of data by
looking for patterns and categorizing information. This skill allows the nurse to make sense
of complex clinical situations by organizing assessment findings into meaningful clusters.
Mastery of interpretation is essential for moving from raw data to clinical conclusions.
3. An LPN is caring for a patient who reports sharp chest pain that increases with deep
breaths. This information is considered which type of data?
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Secondary data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be
measured directly by the nurse, such as feelings or pain descriptions. In this scenario, the
patient’s report of sharp chest pain is a personal perception and must be documented as
subjective. The nurse should always use the patient’s own words when documenting such
symptoms.
, 4. A nurse identifies that a patient’s blood pressure has dropped from 120/80 to 90/50
mmHg. What is the nurse’s priority action based on the nursing process?
A. Assess the patient for symptoms of shock
B. Document the finding in the medical record
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer a bolus of intravenous fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process when a change in
patient status occurs. The nurse must gather more data to determine if the patient is
symptomatic or stable before taking further action. Comprehensive assessment informs the
nurse’s next steps and ensures that interventions are appropriate for the patient’s current
state.
5. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient should the nurse prioritize first?
A. A patient who feels lonely and lacks a support system
B. A patient requesting information about their new medication
C. A patient who expresses concern about their body image
D. A patient who is experiencing difficulty breathing
Correct Answer: D
Thinking for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a client. Which of the following describes
the correct order of the steps in this process?
A. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
B. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
C. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic method that begins with Assessment to
gather data. This is followed by Diagnosis, Planning of care, Implementation of
interventions, and finally Evaluation of the outcomes. Following this specific sequence
ensures that nursing care is organized, purposeful, and client-centered.
2. Which component of critical thinking involves the nurse’s ability to look for patterns and
categorize data?
A. Inference
B. Evaluation
C. Analysis
,D. Interpretation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Interpretation is the ability to understand and explain the meaning of data by
looking for patterns and categorizing information. This skill allows the nurse to make sense
of complex clinical situations by organizing assessment findings into meaningful clusters.
Mastery of interpretation is essential for moving from raw data to clinical conclusions.
3. An LPN is caring for a patient who reports sharp chest pain that increases with deep
breaths. This information is considered which type of data?
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Secondary data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be
measured directly by the nurse, such as feelings or pain descriptions. In this scenario, the
patient’s report of sharp chest pain is a personal perception and must be documented as
subjective. The nurse should always use the patient’s own words when documenting such
symptoms.
, 4. A nurse identifies that a patient’s blood pressure has dropped from 120/80 to 90/50
mmHg. What is the nurse’s priority action based on the nursing process?
A. Assess the patient for symptoms of shock
B. Document the finding in the medical record
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer a bolus of intravenous fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process when a change in
patient status occurs. The nurse must gather more data to determine if the patient is
symptomatic or stable before taking further action. Comprehensive assessment informs the
nurse’s next steps and ensures that interventions are appropriate for the patient’s current
state.
5. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient should the nurse prioritize first?
A. A patient who feels lonely and lacks a support system
B. A patient requesting information about their new medication
C. A patient who expresses concern about their body image
D. A patient who is experiencing difficulty breathing
Correct Answer: D
