Galen NSG 3100 Exam 1 | Fundamental Concepts & Skills I
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A newly admitted patient reports severe abdominal pain and has a rigid abdomen on
inspection. The nurse gathers vital signs, reviews the medical history, and prepares to notify the
provider. Which step of the nursing process is the nurse primarily performing when collecting
and organizing these data?
A) Assessment, focusing on systematic collection of subjective and objective data
B) Diagnosis, assigning a formal nursing diagnosis without further validation
C) Planning, writing specific outcome statements before data are complete
D) Evaluation, determining whether previously set goals have been met
Correct Answer: Assessment, focusing on systematic collection of subjective and objective data
Rationale: Assessment is the deliberate collection and organization of data that forms the
foundation for subsequent steps. Diagnosis, planning, and evaluation occur after sufficient data
have been gathered and analyzed.
2. A nurse reviews a patient's falling blood pressure, rising heart rate, and cool clammy skin and
concludes that the patient is likely experiencing early hypovolemic shock. Which cognitive skill is
the nurse demonstrating by linking these findings to a physiologic pattern?
A) Clinical judgment that synthesizes cues and recognizes a deteriorating pattern
B) Simple recall of isolated vital-sign normal ranges without interpretation
C) Delegation of all further assessment to unlicensed assistive personnel
D) Documentation of findings without any analysis or prioritization
Correct Answer: Clinical judgment that synthesizes cues and recognizes a deteriorating pattern
,Rationale: Clinical judgment involves noticing relevant cues, interpreting their meaning, and
recognizing patterns that require action. Isolated recall, delegation without assessment, and
documentation alone do not constitute interpretive clinical judgment.
3. After completing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse identifies that a postoperative patient
has diminished breath sounds at the bases, a productive cough, and a low-grade fever. Which
nursing diagnosis statement is written in the correct PES format?
A) Ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions as evidenced by diminished breath
sounds and productive cough
B) Patient has pneumonia and needs antibiotics and incentive spirometry every hour
C) Risk for infection related to surgical incision without supporting signs or symptoms
D) Acute pain related to surgery as evidenced by patient stating pain is controlled
Correct Answer: Ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions as evidenced by
diminished breath sounds and productive cough
Rationale: A correct nursing diagnosis includes the problem (P), etiology (E), and defining
characteristics or signs/symptoms (S). The other options either lack the proper structure,
reverse the evidence, or describe medical rather than nursing diagnoses.
4. A nurse is planning care for a patient with limited mobility who is at risk for pressure injuries.
The nurse writes a goal that the patient will remain free of skin breakdown during the hospital
stay. Which characteristic makes this an appropriately written outcome statement?
A) It is patient-centered, measurable, and time-limited
B) It focuses exclusively on nursing actions rather than patient status
C) It is broad and open-ended so that any improvement can be claimed as success
D) It describes the medical diagnosis rather than a patient response
Correct Answer: It is patient-centered, measurable, and time-limited
,Rationale: Effective outcome statements are patient-centered, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-limited (SMART). Goals focused on nursing actions, vague criteria, or medical
diagnoses do not meet these standards.
5. Which assessment question should the nurse use to clarify patient information that has been
obtained?
A) "What are the most important things you need to know about your diet?"
B) "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
C) "Have we talked about all of the issues that you have with wound care?"
D) "Can you talk about your discomfort?"
Correct Answer: "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood
pressure?"
Rationale: Clarification is used to verify the accuracy of information the nurse has received. This
question directly seeks validation of previously obtained data. The other options are used to
explore needs, check for completeness, or evaluate understanding.
6. Which essential critical thinking indicator is the nurse using when she tries out a new way to
apply a dressing?
A) Curiosity
B) Discipline
C) Creativity
D) Persistence
Correct Answer: Creativity
, Rationale: Creativity in critical thinking involves thinking of new and innovative ways to solve
problems. Trying a new approach to a familiar task demonstrates creativity. Curiosity is the
desire to learn more, discipline is following a systematic approach, and persistence is continuing
despite obstacles.
7. The nurse on the surgical unit has a multiple patient assignment. On beginning the shift, the
nurse determines that the first patient to see in the morning is the individual who:
A) Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
B) Requires instruction for wound care
C) Needs to be transferred from bed to chair
D) Received pain medication 5 minutes ago
Correct Answer: Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
Rationale: Using the ABC framework and Maslow's hierarchy, physiological stability takes
priority. A blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension and potential hemodynamic
instability, requiring immediate assessment. Teaching, transfers, and recently administered pain
medication are lower priorities.
8. For the process of reflection, the nurse asks him- or herself which of the following?
A) "How do I report the increased blood pressure reading?"
B) "Why is the patient having pain now?"
C) "Did the patient's respiratory status just change?"
D) "How should I have taught the patient to do self-injection more efficiently?"
Correct Answer: "How should I have taught the patient to do self-injection more efficiently?"
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A newly admitted patient reports severe abdominal pain and has a rigid abdomen on
inspection. The nurse gathers vital signs, reviews the medical history, and prepares to notify the
provider. Which step of the nursing process is the nurse primarily performing when collecting
and organizing these data?
A) Assessment, focusing on systematic collection of subjective and objective data
B) Diagnosis, assigning a formal nursing diagnosis without further validation
C) Planning, writing specific outcome statements before data are complete
D) Evaluation, determining whether previously set goals have been met
Correct Answer: Assessment, focusing on systematic collection of subjective and objective data
Rationale: Assessment is the deliberate collection and organization of data that forms the
foundation for subsequent steps. Diagnosis, planning, and evaluation occur after sufficient data
have been gathered and analyzed.
2. A nurse reviews a patient's falling blood pressure, rising heart rate, and cool clammy skin and
concludes that the patient is likely experiencing early hypovolemic shock. Which cognitive skill is
the nurse demonstrating by linking these findings to a physiologic pattern?
A) Clinical judgment that synthesizes cues and recognizes a deteriorating pattern
B) Simple recall of isolated vital-sign normal ranges without interpretation
C) Delegation of all further assessment to unlicensed assistive personnel
D) Documentation of findings without any analysis or prioritization
Correct Answer: Clinical judgment that synthesizes cues and recognizes a deteriorating pattern
,Rationale: Clinical judgment involves noticing relevant cues, interpreting their meaning, and
recognizing patterns that require action. Isolated recall, delegation without assessment, and
documentation alone do not constitute interpretive clinical judgment.
3. After completing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse identifies that a postoperative patient
has diminished breath sounds at the bases, a productive cough, and a low-grade fever. Which
nursing diagnosis statement is written in the correct PES format?
A) Ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions as evidenced by diminished breath
sounds and productive cough
B) Patient has pneumonia and needs antibiotics and incentive spirometry every hour
C) Risk for infection related to surgical incision without supporting signs or symptoms
D) Acute pain related to surgery as evidenced by patient stating pain is controlled
Correct Answer: Ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions as evidenced by
diminished breath sounds and productive cough
Rationale: A correct nursing diagnosis includes the problem (P), etiology (E), and defining
characteristics or signs/symptoms (S). The other options either lack the proper structure,
reverse the evidence, or describe medical rather than nursing diagnoses.
4. A nurse is planning care for a patient with limited mobility who is at risk for pressure injuries.
The nurse writes a goal that the patient will remain free of skin breakdown during the hospital
stay. Which characteristic makes this an appropriately written outcome statement?
A) It is patient-centered, measurable, and time-limited
B) It focuses exclusively on nursing actions rather than patient status
C) It is broad and open-ended so that any improvement can be claimed as success
D) It describes the medical diagnosis rather than a patient response
Correct Answer: It is patient-centered, measurable, and time-limited
,Rationale: Effective outcome statements are patient-centered, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-limited (SMART). Goals focused on nursing actions, vague criteria, or medical
diagnoses do not meet these standards.
5. Which assessment question should the nurse use to clarify patient information that has been
obtained?
A) "What are the most important things you need to know about your diet?"
B) "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
C) "Have we talked about all of the issues that you have with wound care?"
D) "Can you talk about your discomfort?"
Correct Answer: "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood
pressure?"
Rationale: Clarification is used to verify the accuracy of information the nurse has received. This
question directly seeks validation of previously obtained data. The other options are used to
explore needs, check for completeness, or evaluate understanding.
6. Which essential critical thinking indicator is the nurse using when she tries out a new way to
apply a dressing?
A) Curiosity
B) Discipline
C) Creativity
D) Persistence
Correct Answer: Creativity
, Rationale: Creativity in critical thinking involves thinking of new and innovative ways to solve
problems. Trying a new approach to a familiar task demonstrates creativity. Curiosity is the
desire to learn more, discipline is following a systematic approach, and persistence is continuing
despite obstacles.
7. The nurse on the surgical unit has a multiple patient assignment. On beginning the shift, the
nurse determines that the first patient to see in the morning is the individual who:
A) Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
B) Requires instruction for wound care
C) Needs to be transferred from bed to chair
D) Received pain medication 5 minutes ago
Correct Answer: Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
Rationale: Using the ABC framework and Maslow's hierarchy, physiological stability takes
priority. A blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension and potential hemodynamic
instability, requiring immediate assessment. Teaching, transfers, and recently administered pain
medication are lower priorities.
8. For the process of reflection, the nurse asks him- or herself which of the following?
A) "How do I report the increased blood pressure reading?"
B) "Why is the patient having pain now?"
C) "Did the patient's respiratory status just change?"
D) "How should I have taught the patient to do self-injection more efficiently?"
Correct Answer: "How should I have taught the patient to do self-injection more efficiently?"
