Capstone Fundamentals Assessment
Exam Prep — 2026/2027
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
50 Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Nursing Competency Evaluation
Pre-Licensure Assessment
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
50 Questions | NGN-Aligned | Evidence-Based Practice | QSEN Competencies
Preparation Material — 2026/2027 Edition
, Domain 1: Nursing Process & Clinical Judgment
1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes mellitus. After collecting assessment data, the nurse identifies that the patient lacks
knowledge about blood glucose monitoring. According to the NCSBN Clinical Judgment
Measurement Model (CJMM), which cognitive skill is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Evaluate outcomes
B. Recognize cues
C. Generate solutions
D. Take action
Correct Answer: B. Recognize cues
Rationale: Recognizing cues is the first step in the NCSBN CJMM and involves noticing relevant
clinical data that signals a need for nursing action. In this scenario, identifying that the patient
lacks knowledge about blood glucose monitoring demonstrates the nurse's ability to recognize an
important cue from the assessment data that will inform subsequent planning and intervention.
2. A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult patient at risk for falls. Which nursing
diagnosis statement follows the correct PES (Problem-Etiology-Signs/Symptoms) format
recommended by NANDA-I?
A. Risk for falls related to altered mobility
B. Risk for falls as evidenced by weakness and unsteady gait
C. Fall risk related to history of falls
D. Impaired physical mobility related to muscle weakness
Correct Answer: A. Risk for falls related to altered mobility
Rationale: For risk diagnoses, NANDA-I specifies that the format is 'Risk for [problem] related to
[risk factors].' The correct statement does NOT include 'as evidenced by' because risk diagnoses
address potential problems that have not yet occurred. Option B incorrectly uses signs/symptoms
for a risk diagnosis, and Option D is an actual diagnosis rather than a risk diagnosis.
3. According to Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model, which phase involves the nurse comparing
the patient's current status to expected outcomes and determining whether the plan of care is
effective?
A. Noticing
B. Interpreting
C. Responding
D. Reflecting
Correct Answer: D. Reflecting
Rationale: Tanner's Reflecting phase involves evaluating the effectiveness of nursing actions by
comparing the patient's response to expected outcomes. This meta-cognitive process allows the
nurse to identify what worked, what did not, and how to adjust future care. Noticing involves
initial assessment, Interpreting involves making sense of data, and Responding involves
implementing interventions.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports feeling anxious and reports pain
at 6/10. The nurse administers the prescribed analgesic and provides deep-breathing
exercises. Which step of the ADPIE nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D. Implementation
1
Exam Prep — 2026/2027
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
50 Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales
Comprehensive Nursing Competency Evaluation
Pre-Licensure Assessment
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
50 Questions | NGN-Aligned | Evidence-Based Practice | QSEN Competencies
Preparation Material — 2026/2027 Edition
, Domain 1: Nursing Process & Clinical Judgment
1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes mellitus. After collecting assessment data, the nurse identifies that the patient lacks
knowledge about blood glucose monitoring. According to the NCSBN Clinical Judgment
Measurement Model (CJMM), which cognitive skill is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Evaluate outcomes
B. Recognize cues
C. Generate solutions
D. Take action
Correct Answer: B. Recognize cues
Rationale: Recognizing cues is the first step in the NCSBN CJMM and involves noticing relevant
clinical data that signals a need for nursing action. In this scenario, identifying that the patient
lacks knowledge about blood glucose monitoring demonstrates the nurse's ability to recognize an
important cue from the assessment data that will inform subsequent planning and intervention.
2. A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult patient at risk for falls. Which nursing
diagnosis statement follows the correct PES (Problem-Etiology-Signs/Symptoms) format
recommended by NANDA-I?
A. Risk for falls related to altered mobility
B. Risk for falls as evidenced by weakness and unsteady gait
C. Fall risk related to history of falls
D. Impaired physical mobility related to muscle weakness
Correct Answer: A. Risk for falls related to altered mobility
Rationale: For risk diagnoses, NANDA-I specifies that the format is 'Risk for [problem] related to
[risk factors].' The correct statement does NOT include 'as evidenced by' because risk diagnoses
address potential problems that have not yet occurred. Option B incorrectly uses signs/symptoms
for a risk diagnosis, and Option D is an actual diagnosis rather than a risk diagnosis.
3. According to Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model, which phase involves the nurse comparing
the patient's current status to expected outcomes and determining whether the plan of care is
effective?
A. Noticing
B. Interpreting
C. Responding
D. Reflecting
Correct Answer: D. Reflecting
Rationale: Tanner's Reflecting phase involves evaluating the effectiveness of nursing actions by
comparing the patient's response to expected outcomes. This meta-cognitive process allows the
nurse to identify what worked, what did not, and how to adjust future care. Noticing involves
initial assessment, Interpreting involves making sense of data, and Responding involves
implementing interventions.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports feeling anxious and reports pain
at 6/10. The nurse administers the prescribed analgesic and provides deep-breathing
exercises. Which step of the ADPIE nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D. Implementation
1
