Galen NSG 3100 Study Guide (Updated 2025/2026 Syllabus)
Disclaimer: This guide is a compilation of fundamental nursing knowledge and is
intended for study support. Always prioritize your specific course materials, lectures, and
syllabus provided by your Galen College instructors.
Unit 1: Nursing Foundations & The Nursing Process
1. What is the primary purpose of the Nursing Process?
ANSWER ✓ The primary purpose of the Nursing Process (ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) is to provide a systematic, critical-thinking
framework for delivering individualized, patient-centered care. It ensures care is logical,
organized, and effective.
2. Differentiate between a Medical Diagnosis and a Nursing Diagnosis.
ANSWER ✓ A Medical Diagnosis identifies a specific disease or pathology (e.g.,
Pneumonia, Diabetes Mellitus). A Nursing Diagnosis is a clinical judgment about an
individual's response to an actual or potential health problem (e.g., Ineffective Airway
Clearance related to retained secretions as manifested by adventitious breath sounds).
3. What is the correct sequence of the Nursing Process?
ANSWER ✓ The correct sequence is: Assessment -> Diagnosis -> Planning -
> Implementation -> Evaluation (ADPIE).
4. In the planning phase of the nursing process, what is the difference between a
goal and an outcome?
ANSWER ✓ A goal is a broad, overall direction (e.g., "Client will achieve improved gas
exchange."). An outcome is a specific, measurable criterion used to evaluate goal
achievement (e.g., "Client's oxygen saturation will remain above 95% on room air within
24 hours.").
5. Why is evaluation a critical step in the nursing process?
, ANSWER ✓ Evaluation determines the effectiveness of the nursing care plan. It answers
the question: "Were the patient goals met?" Based on the evaluation, the care plan is
continued, modified, or discontinued.
Unit 2: Health Assessment
6. When performing a head-to-toe assessment, what is the correct order of
techniques for abdominal assessment?
ANSWER ✓ The correct order is: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation. We
auscultate before palpating and percussing to avoid altering bowel sounds.
7. What are the four primary techniques used in physical assessment?
ANSWER ✓ The four techniques are: Inspection (visual examination), Palpation (feeling
with hands), Percussion (tapping to produce sounds), and Auscultation (listening to
sounds, typically with a stethoscope).
8. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
ANSWER ✓ Subjective data (symptoms) are information reported by the patient (e.g.,
"I have a sharp pain in my side."). Objective data (signs) are observable and measurable
information collected by the nurse (e.g., blood pressure 150/90, wound drainage).
9. When assessing lung sounds, what is the significance of wheezing?
ANSWER ✓ Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound heard most often on expiration.
It signifies narrowed or obstructed airways, commonly associated with asthma, COPD, or
an allergic reaction.
10. What is the purpose of assessing capillary refill?
ANSWER ✓ Capillary refill time assesses peripheral perfusion and hydration. A refill time
of less than 2-3 seconds is generally considered normal. A prolonged refill time may
indicate decreased blood flow, shock, or dehydration.
Disclaimer: This guide is a compilation of fundamental nursing knowledge and is
intended for study support. Always prioritize your specific course materials, lectures, and
syllabus provided by your Galen College instructors.
Unit 1: Nursing Foundations & The Nursing Process
1. What is the primary purpose of the Nursing Process?
ANSWER ✓ The primary purpose of the Nursing Process (ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) is to provide a systematic, critical-thinking
framework for delivering individualized, patient-centered care. It ensures care is logical,
organized, and effective.
2. Differentiate between a Medical Diagnosis and a Nursing Diagnosis.
ANSWER ✓ A Medical Diagnosis identifies a specific disease or pathology (e.g.,
Pneumonia, Diabetes Mellitus). A Nursing Diagnosis is a clinical judgment about an
individual's response to an actual or potential health problem (e.g., Ineffective Airway
Clearance related to retained secretions as manifested by adventitious breath sounds).
3. What is the correct sequence of the Nursing Process?
ANSWER ✓ The correct sequence is: Assessment -> Diagnosis -> Planning -
> Implementation -> Evaluation (ADPIE).
4. In the planning phase of the nursing process, what is the difference between a
goal and an outcome?
ANSWER ✓ A goal is a broad, overall direction (e.g., "Client will achieve improved gas
exchange."). An outcome is a specific, measurable criterion used to evaluate goal
achievement (e.g., "Client's oxygen saturation will remain above 95% on room air within
24 hours.").
5. Why is evaluation a critical step in the nursing process?
, ANSWER ✓ Evaluation determines the effectiveness of the nursing care plan. It answers
the question: "Were the patient goals met?" Based on the evaluation, the care plan is
continued, modified, or discontinued.
Unit 2: Health Assessment
6. When performing a head-to-toe assessment, what is the correct order of
techniques for abdominal assessment?
ANSWER ✓ The correct order is: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation. We
auscultate before palpating and percussing to avoid altering bowel sounds.
7. What are the four primary techniques used in physical assessment?
ANSWER ✓ The four techniques are: Inspection (visual examination), Palpation (feeling
with hands), Percussion (tapping to produce sounds), and Auscultation (listening to
sounds, typically with a stethoscope).
8. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
ANSWER ✓ Subjective data (symptoms) are information reported by the patient (e.g.,
"I have a sharp pain in my side."). Objective data (signs) are observable and measurable
information collected by the nurse (e.g., blood pressure 150/90, wound drainage).
9. When assessing lung sounds, what is the significance of wheezing?
ANSWER ✓ Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound heard most often on expiration.
It signifies narrowed or obstructed airways, commonly associated with asthma, COPD, or
an allergic reaction.
10. What is the purpose of assessing capillary refill?
ANSWER ✓ Capillary refill time assesses peripheral perfusion and hydration. A refill time
of less than 2-3 seconds is generally considered normal. A prolonged refill time may
indicate decreased blood flow, shock, or dehydration.
