NU 136 – THEORY EXAM 3 (GALEN COLLEGE, 2025 EDITION) –
COMPLETE Q&A GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND NURSING
FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
Which of the following is the final step in the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
E) Evaluation
Correct Answer: E) Evaluation
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, cyclical method for patient care. The five
steps, in order, are Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Evaluation is the final step, where the effectiveness of the care is determined.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of the assessment portion of the nursing process?
A) To analyze patient data.
B) To develop a plan of care.
C) To carry out interventions.
D) To collect patient data.
E) To determine patient response to treatment.
Correct Answer: D) data collection
Rationale: The assessment phase is the foundational step of the nursing process, where the
nurse systematically collects comprehensive data about the patient's health status,
including subjective and objective information.
Question 3
The nursing diagnosis portion of the nursing process is primarily used for:
A) Collecting patient information.
B) Analyzing the collected data to identify health problems.
C) Setting patient goals.
D) Implementing nursing interventions.
E) Evaluating treatment effectiveness.
Correct Answer: B) analyzing the data
Rationale: Following data collection, the nursing diagnosis phase involves analyzing and
synthesizing the assessment data to identify the patient's actual or potential health
problems and issues.
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Question 4
What is the main purpose of the planning portion of the nursing process?
A) To collect patient data.
B) To analyze patient data.
C) To determine patient response to treatment.
D) To outline the steps to resolve the identified health problem.
E) To carry out nursing interventions.
Correct Answer: D) the steps to resolve the health problem present
Rationale: The planning phase involves setting patient-centered goals and outcomes, and
then developing specific nursing interventions (steps) to achieve those desired outcomes
and resolve the identified health problems.
Question 5
The implementation portion of the nursing process involves:
A) Collecting assessment data.
B) Analyzing diagnostic findings.
C) Carrying out the steps of the planning portion.
D) Evaluating patient responses.
E) Identifying expected outcomes.
Correct Answer: C) carrying out the steps of the planning portion
Rationale: Implementation is the action phase of the nursing process, where the nurse
performs the planned interventions and carries out the care activities designed to help the
patient achieve their goals.
Question 6
What is the evaluation portion of the nursing process used for?
A) To collect new data.
B) To formulate new diagnoses.
C) To assess the patient's response to the treatment.
D) To develop a new plan of care.
E) To determine future interventions.
Correct Answer: C) to assess the patients respose to the treatment
Rationale: The evaluation phase is where the nurse determines if the patient's goals and
expected outcomes have been met. This involves assessing the patient's response to the
implemented interventions and comparing actual outcomes to desired outcomes.
Question 7
How often is the nursing care plan typically updated?
A) Only upon patient discharge.
B) Once a week.
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C) Every 24 hours (daily).
D) Only if the patient's condition changes significantly.
E) At the beginning of each shift.
Correct Answer: C) every 24 hours
Rationale: Nursing care plans are dynamic and must be updated regularly to reflect the
patient's current status, progress towards goals, and any changes in their condition or
needs. A daily (every 24 hours) update frequency ensures ongoing relevance.
Question 8
Which of the following are characteristics of an expected outcome in the nursing process?
(Select all that apply)
A) Realistic
B) Attainable
C) Abstract
D) Have a set timeline
E) Focused on the nurse's actions
Correct Answer: A) realistic, B) attainable, D) have a set timeline
Rationale: Expected outcomes (goals) should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable
(and realistic), Relevant, and Time-bound (have a set timeline). They should be patient-
centered, not nurse-focused, and concrete, not abstract.
Question 9
Who should have access to a patient's records?
A) All healthcare personnel in the facility.
B) Only physicians involved in the patient's care.
C) Only those who are directly involved in the patient's care.
D) Only the patient and their immediate family.
E) Only administrative staff for billing purposes.
Correct Answer: C) only those who are directly involved in the patients care
Rationale: Access to patient records is governed by HIPAA and ethical principles of
confidentiality. Only individuals who have a legitimate "need to know" and are directly
involved in the patient's care (treatment, payment, healthcare operations) should have
access.
Question 10
What is "source-oriented or narrative charting"?
A) Charting that focuses only on the patient's health problems.
B) Charting that is organized according to the source of the information (e.g., nurse's notes,
physician's orders).
C) Charting that emphasizes problem-solving.
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D) Charting that only documents deviations from the norm.
E) Charting that uses nursing diagnoses exclusively.
Correct Answer: B) organized according to the source of the information
Rationale: Source-oriented charting segregates documentation by discipline or department
(e.g., separate sections for nursing, physician, physical therapy). Narrative charting is a
traditional method of recording patient data in a descriptive, chronological format.
Question 11
What is "problem-oriented medical record charting (POMR)"?
A) Charting that is organized by source of information.
B) Charting that focuses only on direct health problems.
C) Charting that focuses on the patient's status with an emphasis on the problem-solving
approach.
D) Charting that only records normal findings.
E) Charting that uses pre-defined templates for documentation.
Correct Answer: C) charting the focuses on the patient's status with an emphasis on the
problem-solving approach
Rationale: POMR organizes the entire medical record around the patient's problems. It
typically uses a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) format, emphasizing a
systematic problem-solving approach to patient care.
Question 12
What is "problem identification, interventions, and evaluation charting (PIE)"?
A) Charting that is organized by source.
B) Charting that primarily documents only deviations.
C) Charting that follows the nursing process and uses nursing diagnoses, placing the plan of care
within the nurses' progress notes.
D) Charting that focuses only on medical diagnoses.
E) Charting that uses flowsheets exclusively.
Correct Answer: C) follows the nursing process and uses nursing diagnosises while placing
the plan of care within the nurses progress notes
Rationale: PIE charting integrates the plan of care directly into the nurse's progress notes,
using a problem-intervention-evaluation format. It aligns closely with the nursing process
and uses nursing diagnoses as its framework.
Question 13
What is "focused charting"?
A) Charting that covers all aspects of patient care comprehensively.
B) Charting that focuses only on the direct health problems of the patient.
C) Charting that documents only normal findings.
COMPLETE Q&A GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND NURSING
FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
Which of the following is the final step in the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
E) Evaluation
Correct Answer: E) Evaluation
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, cyclical method for patient care. The five
steps, in order, are Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Evaluation is the final step, where the effectiveness of the care is determined.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of the assessment portion of the nursing process?
A) To analyze patient data.
B) To develop a plan of care.
C) To carry out interventions.
D) To collect patient data.
E) To determine patient response to treatment.
Correct Answer: D) data collection
Rationale: The assessment phase is the foundational step of the nursing process, where the
nurse systematically collects comprehensive data about the patient's health status,
including subjective and objective information.
Question 3
The nursing diagnosis portion of the nursing process is primarily used for:
A) Collecting patient information.
B) Analyzing the collected data to identify health problems.
C) Setting patient goals.
D) Implementing nursing interventions.
E) Evaluating treatment effectiveness.
Correct Answer: B) analyzing the data
Rationale: Following data collection, the nursing diagnosis phase involves analyzing and
synthesizing the assessment data to identify the patient's actual or potential health
problems and issues.
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Question 4
What is the main purpose of the planning portion of the nursing process?
A) To collect patient data.
B) To analyze patient data.
C) To determine patient response to treatment.
D) To outline the steps to resolve the identified health problem.
E) To carry out nursing interventions.
Correct Answer: D) the steps to resolve the health problem present
Rationale: The planning phase involves setting patient-centered goals and outcomes, and
then developing specific nursing interventions (steps) to achieve those desired outcomes
and resolve the identified health problems.
Question 5
The implementation portion of the nursing process involves:
A) Collecting assessment data.
B) Analyzing diagnostic findings.
C) Carrying out the steps of the planning portion.
D) Evaluating patient responses.
E) Identifying expected outcomes.
Correct Answer: C) carrying out the steps of the planning portion
Rationale: Implementation is the action phase of the nursing process, where the nurse
performs the planned interventions and carries out the care activities designed to help the
patient achieve their goals.
Question 6
What is the evaluation portion of the nursing process used for?
A) To collect new data.
B) To formulate new diagnoses.
C) To assess the patient's response to the treatment.
D) To develop a new plan of care.
E) To determine future interventions.
Correct Answer: C) to assess the patients respose to the treatment
Rationale: The evaluation phase is where the nurse determines if the patient's goals and
expected outcomes have been met. This involves assessing the patient's response to the
implemented interventions and comparing actual outcomes to desired outcomes.
Question 7
How often is the nursing care plan typically updated?
A) Only upon patient discharge.
B) Once a week.
,[Type here]
C) Every 24 hours (daily).
D) Only if the patient's condition changes significantly.
E) At the beginning of each shift.
Correct Answer: C) every 24 hours
Rationale: Nursing care plans are dynamic and must be updated regularly to reflect the
patient's current status, progress towards goals, and any changes in their condition or
needs. A daily (every 24 hours) update frequency ensures ongoing relevance.
Question 8
Which of the following are characteristics of an expected outcome in the nursing process?
(Select all that apply)
A) Realistic
B) Attainable
C) Abstract
D) Have a set timeline
E) Focused on the nurse's actions
Correct Answer: A) realistic, B) attainable, D) have a set timeline
Rationale: Expected outcomes (goals) should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable
(and realistic), Relevant, and Time-bound (have a set timeline). They should be patient-
centered, not nurse-focused, and concrete, not abstract.
Question 9
Who should have access to a patient's records?
A) All healthcare personnel in the facility.
B) Only physicians involved in the patient's care.
C) Only those who are directly involved in the patient's care.
D) Only the patient and their immediate family.
E) Only administrative staff for billing purposes.
Correct Answer: C) only those who are directly involved in the patients care
Rationale: Access to patient records is governed by HIPAA and ethical principles of
confidentiality. Only individuals who have a legitimate "need to know" and are directly
involved in the patient's care (treatment, payment, healthcare operations) should have
access.
Question 10
What is "source-oriented or narrative charting"?
A) Charting that focuses only on the patient's health problems.
B) Charting that is organized according to the source of the information (e.g., nurse's notes,
physician's orders).
C) Charting that emphasizes problem-solving.
, [Type here]
D) Charting that only documents deviations from the norm.
E) Charting that uses nursing diagnoses exclusively.
Correct Answer: B) organized according to the source of the information
Rationale: Source-oriented charting segregates documentation by discipline or department
(e.g., separate sections for nursing, physician, physical therapy). Narrative charting is a
traditional method of recording patient data in a descriptive, chronological format.
Question 11
What is "problem-oriented medical record charting (POMR)"?
A) Charting that is organized by source of information.
B) Charting that focuses only on direct health problems.
C) Charting that focuses on the patient's status with an emphasis on the problem-solving
approach.
D) Charting that only records normal findings.
E) Charting that uses pre-defined templates for documentation.
Correct Answer: C) charting the focuses on the patient's status with an emphasis on the
problem-solving approach
Rationale: POMR organizes the entire medical record around the patient's problems. It
typically uses a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) format, emphasizing a
systematic problem-solving approach to patient care.
Question 12
What is "problem identification, interventions, and evaluation charting (PIE)"?
A) Charting that is organized by source.
B) Charting that primarily documents only deviations.
C) Charting that follows the nursing process and uses nursing diagnoses, placing the plan of care
within the nurses' progress notes.
D) Charting that focuses only on medical diagnoses.
E) Charting that uses flowsheets exclusively.
Correct Answer: C) follows the nursing process and uses nursing diagnosises while placing
the plan of care within the nurses progress notes
Rationale: PIE charting integrates the plan of care directly into the nurse's progress notes,
using a problem-intervention-evaluation format. It aligns closely with the nursing process
and uses nursing diagnoses as its framework.
Question 13
What is "focused charting"?
A) Charting that covers all aspects of patient care comprehensively.
B) Charting that focuses only on the direct health problems of the patient.
C) Charting that documents only normal findings.
