Fundamentals Patient Care Exam Prep Pack
Questions And Well Graded Solutions With
Rationales Updated 2026-2027
Master the Chamberlain University NR 226 Fundamentals: Patient Care course with this
comprehensive exam preparation study pack! This verified resource covers key clinical
judgment principles, ADPIE nursing process phases, ethics, prioritization frameworks,
fluid/electrolyte imbalances, IV therapy, and strict I&O calculations. Boost your test scores
with NCLEX-style application questions and high-yield rationales perfect for Exam 1, Exam 2,
and the Final Exam.
Question 1
A nurse takes a patient's blood pressure, pulse, and respirations upon admission to
the floor. Which phase of the nursing process does this action represent?
A) Diagnosis
B) Evaluation
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
C) Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves the systematic collection of objective data (such as
vital signs) and subjective data to establish a baseline for patient care. Diagnosis
involves analyzing the data, Implementation is taking action, and Evaluation
measures the outcomes.
Question 2
A patient states, "My leg feels hot and hurts when I walk." The nurse documents this
information as what type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Secondary data
D) Diagnostic data
B) Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information gathered from the patient's own
perspective, feelings, or descriptions that cannot be directly measured by the nurse.
Objective data is measurable and observable.
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,Question 3
The nurse reviews a patient's laboratory results and notes a white blood cell (WBC)
count of 14,000/mm³. The nurse documents this as what type of data?
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Historical data
D) Intangible data
B) Objective data
Rationale: Laboratory values, diagnostic results, and physical measurements are
clear, measurable, and verifiable, classifying them entirely as objective data.
Question 4
The nurse documents the following: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet down the hallway
with a walker twice daily by day three of hospitalization." This statement is an
example of which component of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Nursing Diagnosis
C) Planning/Outcome Identification
D) Implementation
C) Planning/Outcome Identification
Rationale: Outcomes must be patient-centered, measurable, realistic, and contain a
specific time frame (by day three). This guides the plan of care before interventions
are implemented.
Question 5
A nurse administers an ordered dose of intravenous analgesic to a patient reporting
severe abdominal pain. Which phase of the nursing process is the nurse performing?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
C) Implementation
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,Rationale: Implementation is the action phase of the nursing process where the
nurse carries out specific interventions, such as administering medications, to
achieve patient goals.
Question 6
Thirty minutes after administering an oral pain medication, the nurse returns to ask
the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. Which phase of the nursing
process is being demonstrated?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation involves checking the patient's response to interventions to
determine if the desired outcomes or goals were met, partially met, or not met.
Question 7
A nurse notes that a patient is experiencing short, rapid breaths and has an oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air. Using the ABC prioritization framework, which action
should the nurse take first?
A) Assist the patient into a high-Fowler's position.
B) Administer the scheduled daily oral multi-vitamin.
C) Document the findings in the electronic medical record.
D) Obtain a blood specimen for a routine chemistry panel.
A) Assist the patient into a high-Fowler's position.
Rationale: Airway and Breathing (ABCs) take immediate priority. Elevating the head
of the bed expands the chest cavity and optimizes lung expansion to correct
respiratory distress before performing documentation or routine tasks.
Question 8
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, A patient refuses to take a prescribed blood pressure medication, stating, "It makes
me feel too dizzy." The nurse respects the patient's decision and notifies the
healthcare provider. Which ethical principle is preserved?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
B) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy represents the patient's right to self-determination and
independent decision-making, including the right to refuse treatments or medications
after being fully informed.
Question 9
A nurse ensures that all patients assigned to the medical-surgical unit receive the
same standard of high-quality care regardless of their socioeconomic status or
insurance coverage. Which ethical principle is applied?
A) Fidelity
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Veracity
C) Justice
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness, equity, and treating all individuals equally
regarding the distribution of healthcare resources and standards of care.
Question 10
A nurse promises a patient that they will return in 15 minutes with a warm blanket,
and follows through precisely on that timeline. Which ethical principle has the nurse
demonstrated?
A) Veracity
B) Beneficence
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence
C) Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity means keeping promises, fulfilling commitments, and maintaining
professional loyalty and trust with the patient.
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