NR 222 Final Exam Questions and Correct Answers
with Rationale | Latest Update 2026-2027 | Graded A+
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing process
in health and wellness?
A) To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized, evidence-based care
B) To document tasks completed during a shift for legal purposes
C) To determine the medical diagnosis for a patient
D) To establish the financial cost of patient care
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized,
evidence-based care
Rationale: The nursing process is a critical thinking model used by nurses to deliver
holistic, patient-centered care. It consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. It is not used to determine medical diagnoses,
document tasks, or establish costs.
2. What is the primary function of the assessment phase in the nursing process?
A) Collecting comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health situation
B) Analyzing data to determine nursing diagnoses
C) Developing a plan of care
D) Evaluating progress toward outcomes
Correct Answer: Collecting comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health
situation
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data. This data forms the foundation for subsequent phases.
,Analysis and diagnosis occur after assessment is complete. It is an ongoing process that
requires critical thinking.
3. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which category should the nurse
address first?
A) Safety needs
B) Physiological needs
C) Love and belonging
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs such as oxygen, food, water,
and shelter at the base. These must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed.
Nurses apply this framework to determine which patient needs require immediate
intervention.
4. What is the primary purpose of the SBAR communication tool in nursing
handoff?
A) To document patient vital signs in the medical record
B) To provide a structured framework for conveying critical information during handoff
C) To order medications from the pharmacy
D) To schedule patient appointments
Correct Answer: To provide a structured framework for conveying critical information
during handoff
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It
is a standardized communication tool used to convey critical information during
handoffs, especially in urgent situations. It improves patient safety and reduces
communication errors.
, 5. Which type of data is subjective?
A) Blood pressure reading
B) Patient's report of pain
C) Lung sounds
D) Temperature measurement
Correct Answer: Patient's report of pain
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient reports, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea.
Objective data is measurable and observed by the nurse, such as blood pressure, lung
sounds, and temperature. This distinction is important for accurate documentation and
assessment.
6. What is the best way to document a patient's chief complaint?
A) Use the patient's exact words in quotation marks
B) Summarize the patient's symptoms in your own words
C) Document only the medical diagnosis
D) Use medical terminology only
Correct Answer: Use the patient's exact words in quotation marks
Rationale: Documenting the chief complaint using the patient's exact words in
quotation marks preserves the patient's perspective and ensures accuracy. It is a legal
and professional standard in healthcare documentation. Summarizing in your own
words can introduce bias.
7. Which type of question is most effective in obtaining a comprehensive patient
history?
A) Closed-ended questions
B) Open-ended questions
, C) Leading questions
D) Yes/no questions
Correct Answer: Open-ended questions
Rationale: Open-ended questions are most effective because they allow patients to
describe their symptoms and concerns in their own words without being constrained by
predetermined answers. This yields more comprehensive and accurate information than
closed-ended or leading questions.
8. What is the purpose of the "S" in the OLDCARTS mnemonic for pain assessment?
A) Site of pain
B) Severity of pain (0-10 scale)
C) Source of pain
D) Sensation of pain
Correct Answer: Severity of pain (0-10 scale)
Rationale: In OLDCARTS, "S" stands for Severity, typically assessed using a 0-10 pain
scale. OLDCARTS is a mnemonic for pain assessment: Onset, Location, Duration,
Characteristics, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity.
9. What is the purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS)?
A) To assess the patient's mental status
B) To evaluate the patient's overall health status and identify any missed symptoms
C) To diagnose the patient's condition
D) To complete the physical examination
Correct Answer: To evaluate the patient's overall health status and identify any missed
symptoms
with Rationale | Latest Update 2026-2027 | Graded A+
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing process
in health and wellness?
A) To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized, evidence-based care
B) To document tasks completed during a shift for legal purposes
C) To determine the medical diagnosis for a patient
D) To establish the financial cost of patient care
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized,
evidence-based care
Rationale: The nursing process is a critical thinking model used by nurses to deliver
holistic, patient-centered care. It consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. It is not used to determine medical diagnoses,
document tasks, or establish costs.
2. What is the primary function of the assessment phase in the nursing process?
A) Collecting comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health situation
B) Analyzing data to determine nursing diagnoses
C) Developing a plan of care
D) Evaluating progress toward outcomes
Correct Answer: Collecting comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health
situation
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the nurse collects
subjective and objective data. This data forms the foundation for subsequent phases.
,Analysis and diagnosis occur after assessment is complete. It is an ongoing process that
requires critical thinking.
3. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which category should the nurse
address first?
A) Safety needs
B) Physiological needs
C) Love and belonging
D) Self-actualization
Correct Answer: Physiological needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs such as oxygen, food, water,
and shelter at the base. These must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed.
Nurses apply this framework to determine which patient needs require immediate
intervention.
4. What is the primary purpose of the SBAR communication tool in nursing
handoff?
A) To document patient vital signs in the medical record
B) To provide a structured framework for conveying critical information during handoff
C) To order medications from the pharmacy
D) To schedule patient appointments
Correct Answer: To provide a structured framework for conveying critical information
during handoff
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It
is a standardized communication tool used to convey critical information during
handoffs, especially in urgent situations. It improves patient safety and reduces
communication errors.
, 5. Which type of data is subjective?
A) Blood pressure reading
B) Patient's report of pain
C) Lung sounds
D) Temperature measurement
Correct Answer: Patient's report of pain
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient reports, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea.
Objective data is measurable and observed by the nurse, such as blood pressure, lung
sounds, and temperature. This distinction is important for accurate documentation and
assessment.
6. What is the best way to document a patient's chief complaint?
A) Use the patient's exact words in quotation marks
B) Summarize the patient's symptoms in your own words
C) Document only the medical diagnosis
D) Use medical terminology only
Correct Answer: Use the patient's exact words in quotation marks
Rationale: Documenting the chief complaint using the patient's exact words in
quotation marks preserves the patient's perspective and ensures accuracy. It is a legal
and professional standard in healthcare documentation. Summarizing in your own
words can introduce bias.
7. Which type of question is most effective in obtaining a comprehensive patient
history?
A) Closed-ended questions
B) Open-ended questions
, C) Leading questions
D) Yes/no questions
Correct Answer: Open-ended questions
Rationale: Open-ended questions are most effective because they allow patients to
describe their symptoms and concerns in their own words without being constrained by
predetermined answers. This yields more comprehensive and accurate information than
closed-ended or leading questions.
8. What is the purpose of the "S" in the OLDCARTS mnemonic for pain assessment?
A) Site of pain
B) Severity of pain (0-10 scale)
C) Source of pain
D) Sensation of pain
Correct Answer: Severity of pain (0-10 scale)
Rationale: In OLDCARTS, "S" stands for Severity, typically assessed using a 0-10 pain
scale. OLDCARTS is a mnemonic for pain assessment: Onset, Location, Duration,
Characteristics, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity.
9. What is the purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS)?
A) To assess the patient's mental status
B) To evaluate the patient's overall health status and identify any missed symptoms
C) To diagnose the patient's condition
D) To complete the physical examination
Correct Answer: To evaluate the patient's overall health status and identify any missed
symptoms
