Chamberlain University
1 MAXE • 422 RN
★ ★
C College of Nursing
J O U R N E Y T O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y CO M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E
EST. 1889
NR 224 — Examination 1
F U N D A M E N TA LS O F N U R S I N G : C L I N I C A L D E C I S I O N M A K I N G , I N F E C T I O N CO N T R O L , V I TA L S I G N S &
M O B I L I TY
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University COURSE CODE NR 224
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Examination 1 — Fundamentals of Nursing TOTAL QUESTIONS 35 Questions
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Nursing process steps, critical thinking attitudes, and clinical judgment concepts are testable content.
▸ Infection control — standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions with PPE donning/doffing order — is emphasized
throughout.
▸ Vital sign interpretation, pulse pressure, MAP, orthostatic hypotension, and temperature conversion are core competencies.
▸ Mobility, crutch gaits, immobility complications, and safe patient transfer are essential skills.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for NCLEX board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current evidence-based nursing practice and ANA standards.
SECTION I — CLINICAL DECISION MAKING, NURSING PROCESS & Questions 1
CRITICAL THINKING –5
1. What is clinical decision making?
A. A method of documenting patient care in the electronic medical record
B. Problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select appropriate treatment
C. The process of delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel
D. A standardized checklist for performing head-to-toe assessments
CORRECT ANSWER B — Problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select appropriate
treatment
RATIONALE Clinical decision making is a problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select
appropriate treatment. It requires integration of the nursing process, critical thinking, and clinical judgment.
The nurse assesses patient needs, identifies problems (diagnosis), and chooses evidence-based
interventions. This is the foundational cognitive framework that guides all nursing actions. It is distinct from
documentation (A), delegation (C), or checklist-based assessment (D), though it informs all of these activities.
, 2. What is clinical judgment?
A. A judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients
B. Following physician orders without question
C. Using only evidence-based protocols for all decisions
D. Documenting assessment findings in the medical record
CORRECT ANSWER A — A judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients
RATIONALE Clinical judgment is a judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients. It develops over time
with clinical experience and reflection, integrating knowledge, experience, and critical thinking. Expert nurses
develop clinical judgment that allows them to recognize subtle changes, anticipate complications, and make
rapid decisions in complex situations. It is distinct from blindly following orders (B), rigidly applying protocols
without individualization (C), or simple documentation (D). Clinical judgment is the culmination of applied
knowledge and experiential learning.
3. What are the five steps of the nursing process in correct order?
A. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Implementation
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Implementation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
RATIONALE The nursing process proceeds in five sequential, interdependent steps: (1) Assessment — the information-
gathering phase where the nurse collects subjective and objective data through health history, physical
examination, and review of diagnostic results. (2) Diagnosis — analyzing assessment data to identify the
patient problem, related factors, and defining characteristics (assessment findings). (3) Planning —
establishing priorities, developing measurable patient outcomes with timelines, and identifying appropriate
nursing interventions. (4) Implementation — providing safe, timely, evidence-based care, including
collaboration with the healthcare team. (5) Evaluation — assessing the patient's progress toward outcomes
and revising the plan of care as needed. This cyclical process repeats as the patient's condition changes.
4. What is a concept map?
A. A list of nursing tasks to complete during a shift
B. A diagram of concepts and their interrelationships; used to enhance learning, cluster cues, and encourage clinical
judgment and critical thinking
C. A hospital policy and procedure document
D. A standardized care plan used for all patients with the same diagnosis
CORRECT ANSWER B — A diagram of concepts and their interrelationships; used to enhance learning, cluster cues, and
encourage clinical judgment and critical thinking
RATIONALE A concept map is a visual diagram of concepts and their interrelationships. In nursing, it is used to organize
information about a client and plan care, helping the nurse cluster assessment cues and connect them to
nursing diagnoses and interventions. Concept maps encourage nonlinear thinking about patient care, which
promotes clinical judgment and critical thinking. Unlike a task list (A), policy document (C), or standardized
care plan (D), a concept map is a cognitive tool that helps the nurse visualize the relationships between
different aspects of the patient's condition and care needs.
1 MAXE • 422 RN
★ ★
C College of Nursing
J O U R N E Y T O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y CO M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E
EST. 1889
NR 224 — Examination 1
F U N D A M E N TA LS O F N U R S I N G : C L I N I C A L D E C I S I O N M A K I N G , I N F E C T I O N CO N T R O L , V I TA L S I G N S &
M O B I L I TY
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University COURSE CODE NR 224
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Examination 1 — Fundamentals of Nursing TOTAL QUESTIONS 35 Questions
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Nursing process steps, critical thinking attitudes, and clinical judgment concepts are testable content.
▸ Infection control — standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions with PPE donning/doffing order — is emphasized
throughout.
▸ Vital sign interpretation, pulse pressure, MAP, orthostatic hypotension, and temperature conversion are core competencies.
▸ Mobility, crutch gaits, immobility complications, and safe patient transfer are essential skills.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for NCLEX board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current evidence-based nursing practice and ANA standards.
SECTION I — CLINICAL DECISION MAKING, NURSING PROCESS & Questions 1
CRITICAL THINKING –5
1. What is clinical decision making?
A. A method of documenting patient care in the electronic medical record
B. Problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select appropriate treatment
C. The process of delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel
D. A standardized checklist for performing head-to-toe assessments
CORRECT ANSWER B — Problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select appropriate
treatment
RATIONALE Clinical decision making is a problem-solving approach that nurses use to define patient problems and select
appropriate treatment. It requires integration of the nursing process, critical thinking, and clinical judgment.
The nurse assesses patient needs, identifies problems (diagnosis), and chooses evidence-based
interventions. This is the foundational cognitive framework that guides all nursing actions. It is distinct from
documentation (A), delegation (C), or checklist-based assessment (D), though it informs all of these activities.
, 2. What is clinical judgment?
A. A judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients
B. Following physician orders without question
C. Using only evidence-based protocols for all decisions
D. Documenting assessment findings in the medical record
CORRECT ANSWER A — A judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients
RATIONALE Clinical judgment is a judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients. It develops over time
with clinical experience and reflection, integrating knowledge, experience, and critical thinking. Expert nurses
develop clinical judgment that allows them to recognize subtle changes, anticipate complications, and make
rapid decisions in complex situations. It is distinct from blindly following orders (B), rigidly applying protocols
without individualization (C), or simple documentation (D). Clinical judgment is the culmination of applied
knowledge and experiential learning.
3. What are the five steps of the nursing process in correct order?
A. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Implementation
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Implementation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
RATIONALE The nursing process proceeds in five sequential, interdependent steps: (1) Assessment — the information-
gathering phase where the nurse collects subjective and objective data through health history, physical
examination, and review of diagnostic results. (2) Diagnosis — analyzing assessment data to identify the
patient problem, related factors, and defining characteristics (assessment findings). (3) Planning —
establishing priorities, developing measurable patient outcomes with timelines, and identifying appropriate
nursing interventions. (4) Implementation — providing safe, timely, evidence-based care, including
collaboration with the healthcare team. (5) Evaluation — assessing the patient's progress toward outcomes
and revising the plan of care as needed. This cyclical process repeats as the patient's condition changes.
4. What is a concept map?
A. A list of nursing tasks to complete during a shift
B. A diagram of concepts and their interrelationships; used to enhance learning, cluster cues, and encourage clinical
judgment and critical thinking
C. A hospital policy and procedure document
D. A standardized care plan used for all patients with the same diagnosis
CORRECT ANSWER B — A diagram of concepts and their interrelationships; used to enhance learning, cluster cues, and
encourage clinical judgment and critical thinking
RATIONALE A concept map is a visual diagram of concepts and their interrelationships. In nursing, it is used to organize
information about a client and plan care, helping the nurse cluster assessment cues and connect them to
nursing diagnoses and interventions. Concept maps encourage nonlinear thinking about patient care, which
promotes clinical judgment and critical thinking. Unlike a task list (A), policy document (C), or standardized
care plan (D), a concept map is a cognitive tool that helps the nurse visualize the relationships between
different aspects of the patient's condition and care needs.
