NR-226: CJE Fundamentals
Comprehensive Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
(Questions 1-15)
1. A patient's outcome was to have a pain level of 4 out of 10, 30 minutes after
receiving medication. Thirty minutes later, the patient reported a pain level of
3 out of 10. Has the outcome been?
A) Met
B) Not met
C) Partially met
D) Not enough information
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: A
Rationale: The expected outcome was a pain level of 4 or less. Since the patient
reported a 3, which is better than the target, the outcome has been successfully
met . Evaluation involves comparing actual patient data with expected outcomes to
determine goal attainment.
,2. A patient's outcome at the end of the shift is to ambulate down the hall and
back twice. By the end of the shift, the patient was able to ambulate only once.
Since the outcome was not met, what would be the best recommendation to
change the care plan?
A) Go to the doctor and ask for advice
B) Change the care plan to ambulating once per shift
C) Change the care plan to ambulating three times per shift
D) Continue the care plan to ambulate twice per shift
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: The goal was not met, but this does not automatically mean it should be
lowered. The nurse should analyze why the goal was not met (e.g., fatigue, pain,
lack of time). Continuing the plan allows for further attempts or modifications to
help the patient achieve the original goal .
3. Which of the following is an example of an appropriately written
assessment intervention?
A) Patient will ambulate down the hall 2x daily
B) The patient was able to ambulate down the hall 2x daily
C) Administer pain medications regularly and assess patient's pain
D) The patient's pain is 7/10
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: An assessment intervention involves actions taken by the nurse to
gather data, such as administering medications and then evaluating their
effectiveness (pain assessment). Options A and D are outcomes or data points, not
interventions .
,4. What are the three parts of the nursing diagnosis?
A) Temperature, Pulse, Respirations
B) Problem, Etiology, Symptoms
C) Medical diagnosis, Defining characteristics, Health perception
D) Medical diagnosis, MAR, Potential risks
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The classic PES (Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms) format
structures a nursing diagnosis: identifying the problem (NANDA label), the cause
or related factor (etiology), and the defining characteristics (symptoms) that
support the diagnosis .
5. Which of the following is a correct expected outcome of a nursing
diagnosis?
A) Patient will have no crackles in lower lobes
B) Patient will feel better
C) Patient will ambulate the hall 3 times and back by the end of my shift
D) Patient will experience a decrease in pain level
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Expected outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-bound (SMART). Option C specifies the exact action (ambulate),
frequency (3 times), distance (hall and back), and time (end of shift). "Feel better"
is vague .
, 6. When taking a patient's health history, the nurse nods to certain
information trying to show acceptance or agreement. What non-verbal cue is
the nurse demonstrating?
A) Physical appearance
B) Gestures
C) Touch
D) Posture
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Nodding is a form of gesture—a non-verbal behavior used to
communicate receptiveness, encouragement, or agreement without interrupting the
patient's narrative .
7. You are going into surgery and your nurse says, "I'm sure you're going to
be fine!" What type of interviewing trap is this?
A) Giving unwanted advice
B) Leading or biased question
C) Providing false assurance
D) Talking too much
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: False assurance involves offering reassurance that is not based on facts
or that dismisses the patient's legitimate fears. Telling a patient about to undergo
surgery that they will "be fine" minimizes their anxiety and shuts down further
communication .
Comprehensive Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
(Questions 1-15)
1. A patient's outcome was to have a pain level of 4 out of 10, 30 minutes after
receiving medication. Thirty minutes later, the patient reported a pain level of
3 out of 10. Has the outcome been?
A) Met
B) Not met
C) Partially met
D) Not enough information
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: A
Rationale: The expected outcome was a pain level of 4 or less. Since the patient
reported a 3, which is better than the target, the outcome has been successfully
met . Evaluation involves comparing actual patient data with expected outcomes to
determine goal attainment.
,2. A patient's outcome at the end of the shift is to ambulate down the hall and
back twice. By the end of the shift, the patient was able to ambulate only once.
Since the outcome was not met, what would be the best recommendation to
change the care plan?
A) Go to the doctor and ask for advice
B) Change the care plan to ambulating once per shift
C) Change the care plan to ambulating three times per shift
D) Continue the care plan to ambulate twice per shift
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: The goal was not met, but this does not automatically mean it should be
lowered. The nurse should analyze why the goal was not met (e.g., fatigue, pain,
lack of time). Continuing the plan allows for further attempts or modifications to
help the patient achieve the original goal .
3. Which of the following is an example of an appropriately written
assessment intervention?
A) Patient will ambulate down the hall 2x daily
B) The patient was able to ambulate down the hall 2x daily
C) Administer pain medications regularly and assess patient's pain
D) The patient's pain is 7/10
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: An assessment intervention involves actions taken by the nurse to
gather data, such as administering medications and then evaluating their
effectiveness (pain assessment). Options A and D are outcomes or data points, not
interventions .
,4. What are the three parts of the nursing diagnosis?
A) Temperature, Pulse, Respirations
B) Problem, Etiology, Symptoms
C) Medical diagnosis, Defining characteristics, Health perception
D) Medical diagnosis, MAR, Potential risks
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The classic PES (Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms) format
structures a nursing diagnosis: identifying the problem (NANDA label), the cause
or related factor (etiology), and the defining characteristics (symptoms) that
support the diagnosis .
5. Which of the following is a correct expected outcome of a nursing
diagnosis?
A) Patient will have no crackles in lower lobes
B) Patient will feel better
C) Patient will ambulate the hall 3 times and back by the end of my shift
D) Patient will experience a decrease in pain level
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Expected outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and time-bound (SMART). Option C specifies the exact action (ambulate),
frequency (3 times), distance (hall and back), and time (end of shift). "Feel better"
is vague .
, 6. When taking a patient's health history, the nurse nods to certain
information trying to show acceptance or agreement. What non-verbal cue is
the nurse demonstrating?
A) Physical appearance
B) Gestures
C) Touch
D) Posture
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Nodding is a form of gesture—a non-verbal behavior used to
communicate receptiveness, encouragement, or agreement without interrupting the
patient's narrative .
7. You are going into surgery and your nurse says, "I'm sure you're going to
be fine!" What type of interviewing trap is this?
A) Giving unwanted advice
B) Leading or biased question
C) Providing false assurance
D) Talking too much
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: False assurance involves offering reassurance that is not based on facts
or that dismisses the patient's legitimate fears. Telling a patient about to undergo
surgery that they will "be fine" minimizes their anxiety and shuts down further
communication .
