OSTOMY ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ health. Answer: a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-
being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
▶ illness. Answer: the unique response of a person to a disease; an
abnormal process involving changed level of functioning
▶ wellness. Answer: an active state of being healthy by living a lifestyle
promoting good physical, mental, and emotional health
▶ nursing theory. Answer: differentiates nursing from other disciplines and
activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting,
and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices
▶ evidence-based practice (EBP). Answer: a problem-solving approach to
making clinical decisions, using the best evidence available; blends both
science and art of nursing so best outcomes are achieved; may consist of
specific nursing interventions or use guidelines established for the care of
patients
▶ steps in implementing EBP. Answer: Step 1: ask a question about a
clinical area of interest or an intervention
Step 2: collect the most relevant and best evidence
Step 3: Critically appraise the evidence
Step 4: integrate the evidence w/ clinical expertise, patient preferences,
and values in making a decision to change
Step 5: evaluate the practice decision or change
▶ human dimensions that compose the whole person. Answer: physical,
intellectual, environmental, spiritual, sociocultural, and emotional
▶ acute illness. Answer: rapid onset of symptoms and lasts only a short
time; examples: cold, diarrhea, pneumonia, appendicitis
,▶ chronic illness. Answer: slow onset, characteristics: permanent change,
caused by change in anatomy, requires special patient education, long
period of care or support; examples: heart disease, diabetes, lung
diseases, and arthritis
▶ stages-of-illness behaviors. Answer: Stage 1: experiencing symptoms
Stage 2: assuming the sick role
Stage 3: assuming a dependent role
Stage 4: achieving recovery and rehabilitation
▶ primary health promotion. Answer: directed towards PROMOTING
health and PREVENTING the development of disease processes or injury;
example: immunization clinic, family planning services, accident prevention
education
▶ secondary health promotion. Answer: focus on SCREENING for early
detection of disease with prompt diagnosis and treatment of any found;
example: assessing children for normal growth and development and
encourage regular medical, dental and vision exams
▶ tertiary health promotion. Answer: after an illness is diagnosed and
treated;
example: teaching a patient with diabetes how to recognize and prevent
complications, refer woman to support group after removal of breast due to
cancer
▶ maslow hierarchy of needs. Answer: provides a framework for nursing
assessment and for understanding the needs of patients at all levels; many
nursing interventions are aimed at meeting patients' basic human needs
▶ Maslows level 1: physiologic needs. Answer: oxygen, food, water, sex,
rest, physical activity; physiologic needs are highest priority
▶ Maslows level 2: safety and security needs. Answer: both physical and
emotional components; being protected from potential or actual harm
▶ Maslows level 3: love and belonging needs. Answer: often called higher-
level needs; understanding and acceptance of others in both giving and
receiving love; feeling of belonging; unmet needs produce loneliness and
isolation
, ▶ Maslows level 4: self-esteem needs. Answer: need for a person to feel
good about oneself, to feel pride and a sense of accomplishment, and to
believe that others also respect and appreciate those accomplishments;
positive self-esteem facilitates the person's confidence and independence
▶ Maslows level 5: Self-Actualization. Answer: acceptance of self and
others as they are; each lower level must be met; focus of interest on
problems outside oneself; respect for all people; focus on strengths and
possibilities vs problems
▶ autonomy. Answer: respect rights of patients to make health care
decisions
▶ nonmaleficence. Answer: avoid causing harm
▶ beneficence. Answer: benefit the patient; balance benefits against risks
and harms
▶ nurse practice acts. Answer: each state has its own; protects public with
legal scope of nursing practice
▶ standards. Answer: used as guidelines for peer review (ANA)
▶ establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship. Answer: -reduce
anxiety through therapeutic communication, teaching, and acceptance
-remember that the patient has concerns and needs other medical ones
-communicate with the patient as an individual
-take time to learn about the patient being admitted
-provide for the family participation in all aspects of care
▶ when does discharge planning start?. Answer: as soon as the patient
comes in the door
▶ oral temperature for healthy adult. Answer: 37.0 C, 98.6 F
▶ pulse rate for healthy adult. Answer: 60-100 (80 average)
▶ respirations for healthy adult. Answer: 12 to 20 breaths/min
AND COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
▶ health. Answer: a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-
being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
▶ illness. Answer: the unique response of a person to a disease; an
abnormal process involving changed level of functioning
▶ wellness. Answer: an active state of being healthy by living a lifestyle
promoting good physical, mental, and emotional health
▶ nursing theory. Answer: differentiates nursing from other disciplines and
activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting,
and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices
▶ evidence-based practice (EBP). Answer: a problem-solving approach to
making clinical decisions, using the best evidence available; blends both
science and art of nursing so best outcomes are achieved; may consist of
specific nursing interventions or use guidelines established for the care of
patients
▶ steps in implementing EBP. Answer: Step 1: ask a question about a
clinical area of interest or an intervention
Step 2: collect the most relevant and best evidence
Step 3: Critically appraise the evidence
Step 4: integrate the evidence w/ clinical expertise, patient preferences,
and values in making a decision to change
Step 5: evaluate the practice decision or change
▶ human dimensions that compose the whole person. Answer: physical,
intellectual, environmental, spiritual, sociocultural, and emotional
▶ acute illness. Answer: rapid onset of symptoms and lasts only a short
time; examples: cold, diarrhea, pneumonia, appendicitis
,▶ chronic illness. Answer: slow onset, characteristics: permanent change,
caused by change in anatomy, requires special patient education, long
period of care or support; examples: heart disease, diabetes, lung
diseases, and arthritis
▶ stages-of-illness behaviors. Answer: Stage 1: experiencing symptoms
Stage 2: assuming the sick role
Stage 3: assuming a dependent role
Stage 4: achieving recovery and rehabilitation
▶ primary health promotion. Answer: directed towards PROMOTING
health and PREVENTING the development of disease processes or injury;
example: immunization clinic, family planning services, accident prevention
education
▶ secondary health promotion. Answer: focus on SCREENING for early
detection of disease with prompt diagnosis and treatment of any found;
example: assessing children for normal growth and development and
encourage regular medical, dental and vision exams
▶ tertiary health promotion. Answer: after an illness is diagnosed and
treated;
example: teaching a patient with diabetes how to recognize and prevent
complications, refer woman to support group after removal of breast due to
cancer
▶ maslow hierarchy of needs. Answer: provides a framework for nursing
assessment and for understanding the needs of patients at all levels; many
nursing interventions are aimed at meeting patients' basic human needs
▶ Maslows level 1: physiologic needs. Answer: oxygen, food, water, sex,
rest, physical activity; physiologic needs are highest priority
▶ Maslows level 2: safety and security needs. Answer: both physical and
emotional components; being protected from potential or actual harm
▶ Maslows level 3: love and belonging needs. Answer: often called higher-
level needs; understanding and acceptance of others in both giving and
receiving love; feeling of belonging; unmet needs produce loneliness and
isolation
, ▶ Maslows level 4: self-esteem needs. Answer: need for a person to feel
good about oneself, to feel pride and a sense of accomplishment, and to
believe that others also respect and appreciate those accomplishments;
positive self-esteem facilitates the person's confidence and independence
▶ Maslows level 5: Self-Actualization. Answer: acceptance of self and
others as they are; each lower level must be met; focus of interest on
problems outside oneself; respect for all people; focus on strengths and
possibilities vs problems
▶ autonomy. Answer: respect rights of patients to make health care
decisions
▶ nonmaleficence. Answer: avoid causing harm
▶ beneficence. Answer: benefit the patient; balance benefits against risks
and harms
▶ nurse practice acts. Answer: each state has its own; protects public with
legal scope of nursing practice
▶ standards. Answer: used as guidelines for peer review (ANA)
▶ establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship. Answer: -reduce
anxiety through therapeutic communication, teaching, and acceptance
-remember that the patient has concerns and needs other medical ones
-communicate with the patient as an individual
-take time to learn about the patient being admitted
-provide for the family participation in all aspects of care
▶ when does discharge planning start?. Answer: as soon as the patient
comes in the door
▶ oral temperature for healthy adult. Answer: 37.0 C, 98.6 F
▶ pulse rate for healthy adult. Answer: 60-100 (80 average)
▶ respirations for healthy adult. Answer: 12 to 20 breaths/min
