Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Exam
Instructions: Each question has four options. The correct answer is in bold. The
rationale is in italics. This exam covers basic nursing concepts, the nursing
process, vital signs, asepsis, safety, mobility, hygiene, nutrition, elimination,
medication administration, and legal/ethical principles.
Section 1: The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–10)
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
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
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 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 (37°C)
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
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
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
*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. 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
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.
Q8. 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
First-level priority problems are immediate threats to patient survival,
including ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). These are addressed before
second-level (health threats) or third-level (long-term) problems.
Q9. A nurse delegates vital signs measurement to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). The nurse remains responsible for:
• A) Performing the task personally
• B) Ensuring the task is completed correctly and following up
• C) Documenting the task as delegated
• D) Avoiding any involvement after delegation
The nurse retains accountability for the task and patient outcomes.
Delegation transfers responsibility for task completion but not
accountability. The nurse must follow up, evaluate results, and intervene if
needed.
Q10. A nurse is using critical thinking to prioritize care for four patients. Which
patient should the nurse see first?
• A) A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
• B) A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
• C) A patient with new-onset confusion and oxygen saturation of 88%
• D) A patient asking for a glass of water
*New-onset confusion with hypoxemia (SpO₂ 88%) indicates potential acute
deterioration. This patient has highest priority (airway/breathing). Pain,
ambulation, and thirst are lower priority.*
Section 2: Vital Signs (Questions 11–25)
Instructions: Each question has four options. The correct answer is in bold. The
rationale is in italics. This exam covers basic nursing concepts, the nursing
process, vital signs, asepsis, safety, mobility, hygiene, nutrition, elimination,
medication administration, and legal/ethical principles.
Section 1: The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–10)
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
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
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 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 (37°C)
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
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
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
*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. 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
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.
Q8. 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
First-level priority problems are immediate threats to patient survival,
including ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). These are addressed before
second-level (health threats) or third-level (long-term) problems.
Q9. A nurse delegates vital signs measurement to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). The nurse remains responsible for:
• A) Performing the task personally
• B) Ensuring the task is completed correctly and following up
• C) Documenting the task as delegated
• D) Avoiding any involvement after delegation
The nurse retains accountability for the task and patient outcomes.
Delegation transfers responsibility for task completion but not
accountability. The nurse must follow up, evaluate results, and intervene if
needed.
Q10. A nurse is using critical thinking to prioritize care for four patients. Which
patient should the nurse see first?
• A) A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
• B) A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
• C) A patient with new-onset confusion and oxygen saturation of 88%
• D) A patient asking for a glass of water
*New-onset confusion with hypoxemia (SpO₂ 88%) indicates potential acute
deterioration. This patient has highest priority (airway/breathing). Pain,
ambulation, and thirst are lower priority.*
Section 2: Vital Signs (Questions 11–25)
