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NR 224 Fundamentals Skills Exam 1 Chamberlain
2026/2027 Test Bank with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales Grade A
Question 1
While assessing a patient, the nurse observes the patient's IV line is not
infusing at the ordered rate. The nurse assesses the patient for pain at
the IV site, checks the flow regulator on the tubing, looks to see if the
patient is lying on the tubing, checks the point of connection between the
tubing and the IV catheter, and then checks the condition of the site
where the IV catheter enters the patient's skin. After the nurse readjusts
the flow rate, the infusion begins at the correct rate. This is an example
of:
• A. inference
• B. Diagnostic reasoning
• C. Competency
• D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: D. Problem solving
Rationale:
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1. Problem solving involves identifying a problem and taking steps to
resolve it.
2. The nurse systematically assessed potential causes of the infusion
problem.
3. After identifying the issue, the nurse corrected the flow rate.
4. This process matches the definition of problem solving.
Question 2
The nurse sits down to talk with a patient who lost her sister 2 weeks
ago. The patient reports she is unable to sleep, feels very fatigued during
the day, and is having trouble at work. The nurse asks her to clarify the
type of trouble. The patient explains she can't concentrate or even solve
simple problems. The nurse records the results of the assessment,
describing the patient as having ineffective coping. This is an example of:
• A. diagnostic reasoning
• B. Competency
• C. Inference
• D. Problem Solving
Correct Answer: A. diagnostic reasoning
Rationale:
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1. Diagnostic reasoning involves analyzing assessment data to identify a
patient problem.
2. The nurse gathered data, clarified information, and formulated a
nursing diagnosis.
3. The conclusion of "ineffective coping" is a diagnostic statement.
4. This process matches the definition of diagnostic reasoning.
Question 3
A patient on a surgical unit develops sudden shortness of breath and a
drop in BP. The staff respond, but the patient dies 30 minutes later. The
manager on the nursing unit calls the staff involved in the emergency
response together. The staff discusses what occurred over the 30-minute
time frame, the actions taken, and whether other steps should have been
implemented. The nurses in this situation are:
• A. problem solving
• B. showing humility
• C. conducting reflective practice
• D. Exercising responsibility
Correct Answer: C. conducting reflective practice
Rationale:
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1. Reflective practice involves reviewing experiences to improve future
performance.
2. The staff discussed the events and considered alternative actions.
3. This process helps identify lessons learned from the clinical situation.
4. This matches the definition of reflective practice.
Question 4
A nurse has worked on an oncology unit for 3 years. One patient has
become visibly weaker and states, "I feel funny." The nurse knows how
patients often have behavior changes before developing sepsis when
they have cancer. The nurse asks the patient questions to assess
thinking skills and notices the patient shivering. The nurse goes to the
phone, calls the physician, and begins the conversation by saying, "I
believe that your patient is developing sepsis. I want to report symptoms
I'm seeing." What examples of critical thinking concepts does the nurse
show? (Select all that apply)
• A. Experience
• B. Ethical
• C. Analyticity
• D. Self-confidence
NR 224 Fundamentals Skills Exam 1 Chamberlain
2026/2027 Test Bank with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales Grade A
Question 1
While assessing a patient, the nurse observes the patient's IV line is not
infusing at the ordered rate. The nurse assesses the patient for pain at
the IV site, checks the flow regulator on the tubing, looks to see if the
patient is lying on the tubing, checks the point of connection between the
tubing and the IV catheter, and then checks the condition of the site
where the IV catheter enters the patient's skin. After the nurse readjusts
the flow rate, the infusion begins at the correct rate. This is an example
of:
• A. inference
• B. Diagnostic reasoning
• C. Competency
• D. Problem solving
Correct Answer: D. Problem solving
Rationale:
,2|Page
1. Problem solving involves identifying a problem and taking steps to
resolve it.
2. The nurse systematically assessed potential causes of the infusion
problem.
3. After identifying the issue, the nurse corrected the flow rate.
4. This process matches the definition of problem solving.
Question 2
The nurse sits down to talk with a patient who lost her sister 2 weeks
ago. The patient reports she is unable to sleep, feels very fatigued during
the day, and is having trouble at work. The nurse asks her to clarify the
type of trouble. The patient explains she can't concentrate or even solve
simple problems. The nurse records the results of the assessment,
describing the patient as having ineffective coping. This is an example of:
• A. diagnostic reasoning
• B. Competency
• C. Inference
• D. Problem Solving
Correct Answer: A. diagnostic reasoning
Rationale:
,3|Page
1. Diagnostic reasoning involves analyzing assessment data to identify a
patient problem.
2. The nurse gathered data, clarified information, and formulated a
nursing diagnosis.
3. The conclusion of "ineffective coping" is a diagnostic statement.
4. This process matches the definition of diagnostic reasoning.
Question 3
A patient on a surgical unit develops sudden shortness of breath and a
drop in BP. The staff respond, but the patient dies 30 minutes later. The
manager on the nursing unit calls the staff involved in the emergency
response together. The staff discusses what occurred over the 30-minute
time frame, the actions taken, and whether other steps should have been
implemented. The nurses in this situation are:
• A. problem solving
• B. showing humility
• C. conducting reflective practice
• D. Exercising responsibility
Correct Answer: C. conducting reflective practice
Rationale:
, 4|Page
1. Reflective practice involves reviewing experiences to improve future
performance.
2. The staff discussed the events and considered alternative actions.
3. This process helps identify lessons learned from the clinical situation.
4. This matches the definition of reflective practice.
Question 4
A nurse has worked on an oncology unit for 3 years. One patient has
become visibly weaker and states, "I feel funny." The nurse knows how
patients often have behavior changes before developing sepsis when
they have cancer. The nurse asks the patient questions to assess
thinking skills and notices the patient shivering. The nurse goes to the
phone, calls the physician, and begins the conversation by saying, "I
believe that your patient is developing sepsis. I want to report symptoms
I'm seeing." What examples of critical thinking concepts does the nurse
show? (Select all that apply)
• A. Experience
• B. Ethical
• C. Analyticity
• D. Self-confidence
