HONDROS COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 155 — Critical Thinking for the Practical Nurse
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Comprehensive Question Bank NCLEX-style · Final Exam Review
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart and decides which information is
pertinent to the current condition. This is an example of which thinking skill
in Tanner's Model?
A. Clustering related information
B. Recognizing inconsistencies
C. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant
D. Determining the importance of information
Correct answer: C. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant
Rationale:
Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant involves deciding which information is pertinent
to the matter at hand and associated with the current condition. Option A is grouping;
B is mismatched data; D is evaluating the significance of information.
, Question 2
A nurse recognizes that a patient's situation is different from what is
expected. This is an example of which thinking skill in Tanner's Model?
A. Identifying signs and symptoms
B. Gathering complete and accurate data
C. Assessing systematically and comprehensively
D. Identifying assumptions
Correct answer: A. Identifying signs and symptoms
Rationale:
Identifying signs and symptoms is the ability to recognize that a situation is different,
changed, or not of a normal state—indicating that something is different than
expected. Option B is data collection; C is organized assessment; D is misconception.
, Question 3
A nurse is prioritizing patient care using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Which need should be addressed first?
A. Self-esteem
B. Safety
C. Belonging
D. Physiological
Correct answer: D. Physiological
Rationale:
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs prioritizes physiological needs first (breathing,
sustenance, water, exertion, sex, sleep, homeostasis). Safety (B), Belonging (C), and
Self-esteem (A) are higher-level needs that follow physiological needs.
Question 4
A nurse is using the SPICES tool and asks about bowel and bladder control.
Which component is being assessed?
A. Sleep Disorders
B. Problems with Eating or Feeding
C. Incontinence
D. Confusion
Correct answer: C. Incontinence
Rationale:
The 'I' in SPICES stands for Incontinence (bowel and/or bladder). Option A is Sleep
Disorders; B is Problems with Eating or Feeding; D is Confusion.
, Question 5
A nurse is ranking patient problems in order of importance. This action is
an example of which thinking skill in Tanner's Model?
A. Setting priorities
B. Delegating
C. Evaluating data
D. Clustering related information
Correct answer: A. Setting priorities
Rationale:
Setting priorities is a thinking skill within the Responding stage of Tanner's Model. It
involves comparing and sorting through information and ranking it in order of
importance. Option B is Delegating; C is Reflecting; D is Interpreting.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 155 — Critical Thinking for the Practical Nurse
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Comprehensive Question Bank NCLEX-style · Final Exam Review
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart and decides which information is
pertinent to the current condition. This is an example of which thinking skill
in Tanner's Model?
A. Clustering related information
B. Recognizing inconsistencies
C. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant
D. Determining the importance of information
Correct answer: C. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant
Rationale:
Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant involves deciding which information is pertinent
to the matter at hand and associated with the current condition. Option A is grouping;
B is mismatched data; D is evaluating the significance of information.
, Question 2
A nurse recognizes that a patient's situation is different from what is
expected. This is an example of which thinking skill in Tanner's Model?
A. Identifying signs and symptoms
B. Gathering complete and accurate data
C. Assessing systematically and comprehensively
D. Identifying assumptions
Correct answer: A. Identifying signs and symptoms
Rationale:
Identifying signs and symptoms is the ability to recognize that a situation is different,
changed, or not of a normal state—indicating that something is different than
expected. Option B is data collection; C is organized assessment; D is misconception.
, Question 3
A nurse is prioritizing patient care using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Which need should be addressed first?
A. Self-esteem
B. Safety
C. Belonging
D. Physiological
Correct answer: D. Physiological
Rationale:
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs prioritizes physiological needs first (breathing,
sustenance, water, exertion, sex, sleep, homeostasis). Safety (B), Belonging (C), and
Self-esteem (A) are higher-level needs that follow physiological needs.
Question 4
A nurse is using the SPICES tool and asks about bowel and bladder control.
Which component is being assessed?
A. Sleep Disorders
B. Problems with Eating or Feeding
C. Incontinence
D. Confusion
Correct answer: C. Incontinence
Rationale:
The 'I' in SPICES stands for Incontinence (bowel and/or bladder). Option A is Sleep
Disorders; B is Problems with Eating or Feeding; D is Confusion.
, Question 5
A nurse is ranking patient problems in order of importance. This action is
an example of which thinking skill in Tanner's Model?
A. Setting priorities
B. Delegating
C. Evaluating data
D. Clustering related information
Correct answer: A. Setting priorities
Rationale:
Setting priorities is a thinking skill within the Responding stage of Tanner's Model. It
involves comparing and sorting through information and ranking it in order of
importance. Option B is Delegating; C is Reflecting; D is Interpreting.