FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING Practice Exam #1
(Questions 1–100) Instructions: Each Question Has
Four Options. The Correct Answer Is In Bold. The
Rationale Is In Italics.
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Q1–10)
Q1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which step
involves collecting objective and subjective data?
• A) Planning
• B) Implementation
• C) Assessment
• D) Evaluation
o No – Assessment is the correct step for data collection. Evaluation
determines if goals were met. The answer shown is incorrect; the
correct answer should be Assessment. Let me correct this
immediately.
CORRECTED Q1: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which
step involves collecting objective and subjective data?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves
systematically collecting patient data, including subjective
, information (what the patient says) and objective information
(observable, measurable data).
Q2. A nurse identifies that a patient's blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and the
patient reports feeling dizzy. The nurse determines that this patient has a risk for
falls. This is an example of which step of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Nursing diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o Nursing diagnosis is the clinical judgment about a patient's response
to health conditions. The nurse has analyzed assessment data (low BP,
dizziness) and identified a risk for falls as the nursing diagnosis.
Q3. Which of the following is an example of a subjective data?
• A) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
• B) Wound appears clean and dry
• C) Patient states, "I feel nauseated"
• D) Temperature 98.6°F
o Subjective data are information perceived only by the patient, such as
feelings, perceptions, and concerns. "I feel nauseated" is a direct
patient statement. The other options are objective, measurable data.
Q4. A nurse writes a goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway without
shortness of breath by day 2 post-surgery." This goal is written during which
phase of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
, • D) Implementation
o Planning involves setting measurable, achievable goals and outcomes
and selecting nursing interventions. The goal statement with a time
frame and specific criteria occurs in the planning phase.
Q5. A nurse elevates a patient's edematous legs and applies compression
stockings. This action occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Implementation
o Implementation is the action phase where the nurse performs the
nursing interventions identified during the planning phase. Elevating
legs and applying stockings are direct nursing actions.
Q6. A nurse reviews a patient's response to pain medication 30 minutes after
administration. The nurse documents that pain has decreased from 8/10 to
3/10. This is an example of:
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o *Evaluation determines whether the patient's outcomes or goals
have been met after implementing nursing interventions. The nurse is
comparing the response (pain 3/10) to the expected outcome.*
Q7. A nurse notices that a patient's oxygen saturation has dropped from 95% to
88%. The nurse's immediate action is to check the pulse oximeter probe
placement. This is an example of:
, • A) Implementing an order
• B) Evaluating an outcome
• C) Critical thinking in assessment
• D) Planning a goal
o Critical thinking involves recognizing a change in condition (low SpO₂),
considering possible causes (probe placement), and taking
appropriate action. This demonstrates clinical judgment in real-time
assessment.
Q8. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is written correctly?
• A) Pain related to incisional trauma
• B) Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient-reported
pain score of 7/10 and grimacing
• C) Risk for infection
• D) Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility
o A correctly written nursing diagnosis includes the problem (Acute
Pain), etiology (related to surgical incision), and defining
characteristics (as evidenced by pain score and grimacing). It is
specific and actionable.
Q9. The nurse prioritizes airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) when caring
for a patient. This reflects which type of priority setting?
• A) First-level priority problem
• B) Second-level priority problem
• C) Third-level priority problem
• D) Collaborative problem
o First-level priority problems are immediate threats to patient survival,
including ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). These are addressed
(Questions 1–100) Instructions: Each Question Has
Four Options. The Correct Answer Is In Bold. The
Rationale Is In Italics.
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Q1–10)
Q1. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which step
involves collecting objective and subjective data?
• A) Planning
• B) Implementation
• C) Assessment
• D) Evaluation
o No – Assessment is the correct step for data collection. Evaluation
determines if goals were met. The answer shown is incorrect; the
correct answer should be Assessment. Let me correct this
immediately.
CORRECTED Q1: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which
step involves collecting objective and subjective data?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves
systematically collecting patient data, including subjective
, information (what the patient says) and objective information
(observable, measurable data).
Q2. A nurse identifies that a patient's blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and the
patient reports feeling dizzy. The nurse determines that this patient has a risk for
falls. This is an example of which step of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Nursing diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o Nursing diagnosis is the clinical judgment about a patient's response
to health conditions. The nurse has analyzed assessment data (low BP,
dizziness) and identified a risk for falls as the nursing diagnosis.
Q3. Which of the following is an example of a subjective data?
• A) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
• B) Wound appears clean and dry
• C) Patient states, "I feel nauseated"
• D) Temperature 98.6°F
o Subjective data are information perceived only by the patient, such as
feelings, perceptions, and concerns. "I feel nauseated" is a direct
patient statement. The other options are objective, measurable data.
Q4. A nurse writes a goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway without
shortness of breath by day 2 post-surgery." This goal is written during which
phase of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
, • D) Implementation
o Planning involves setting measurable, achievable goals and outcomes
and selecting nursing interventions. The goal statement with a time
frame and specific criteria occurs in the planning phase.
Q5. A nurse elevates a patient's edematous legs and applies compression
stockings. This action occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Implementation
o Implementation is the action phase where the nurse performs the
nursing interventions identified during the planning phase. Elevating
legs and applying stockings are direct nursing actions.
Q6. A nurse reviews a patient's response to pain medication 30 minutes after
administration. The nurse documents that pain has decreased from 8/10 to
3/10. This is an example of:
• A) Assessment
• B) Diagnosis
• C) Planning
• D) Evaluation
o *Evaluation determines whether the patient's outcomes or goals
have been met after implementing nursing interventions. The nurse is
comparing the response (pain 3/10) to the expected outcome.*
Q7. A nurse notices that a patient's oxygen saturation has dropped from 95% to
88%. The nurse's immediate action is to check the pulse oximeter probe
placement. This is an example of:
, • A) Implementing an order
• B) Evaluating an outcome
• C) Critical thinking in assessment
• D) Planning a goal
o Critical thinking involves recognizing a change in condition (low SpO₂),
considering possible causes (probe placement), and taking
appropriate action. This demonstrates clinical judgment in real-time
assessment.
Q8. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is written correctly?
• A) Pain related to incisional trauma
• B) Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient-reported
pain score of 7/10 and grimacing
• C) Risk for infection
• D) Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility
o A correctly written nursing diagnosis includes the problem (Acute
Pain), etiology (related to surgical incision), and defining
characteristics (as evidenced by pain score and grimacing). It is
specific and actionable.
Q9. The nurse prioritizes airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) when caring
for a patient. This reflects which type of priority setting?
• A) First-level priority problem
• B) Second-level priority problem
• C) Third-level priority problem
• D) Collaborative problem
o First-level priority problems are immediate threats to patient survival,
including ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). These are addressed
