NR 222 HEALTH & WELLNESS – Exam Review /
Practice Questions | 2026/2027
150 High-Yield Questions with Expert Rationales for
NCLEX Success
1. During a health assessment, which action demonstrates the concept of health promotion?
Asking about the patient’s daily exercise habits – Rationale: Health promotion focuses on
behaviors that prevent disease and enhance wellness.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the components of holistic health. Which statement best
reflects the holistic approach?
Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being are interconnected – Rationale: Holistic
health considers the whole person, not just physical symptoms.
3.
4. A nursing student asks why the Health Belief Model is used in patient education. What is the
primary purpose?
To predict why patients will take preventive health actions – Rationale: The model focuses
on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers.
5. Which patient statement indicates a lack of health literacy?
“I don’t need to read the pill bottle label, I take it like my friend does.” – Rationale: Health
literacy involves understanding and using health information correctly.
6. A nurse is applying the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). Which intervention is
appropriate for a patient in the contemplation stage?
Discussing pros and cons of changing a behavior – Rationale: Contemplation involves
weighing benefits and barriers, not immediate action.
7. Which teaching method is most effective for a visual learner?
Using a diagram of the human heart – Rationale: Visual learners retain information best
through images, charts, and diagrams.
8. A patient newly diagnosed with hypertension asks why lifestyle changes are emphasized over
medication only. What is the best rationale?
, Lifestyle changes can reduce cardiovascular risk more than medication alone – Rationale:
Diet, exercise, and stress management address underlying causes.
9. Which social determinant of health has the greatest impact on long-term wellness outcomes?
Income and socioeconomic status – Rationale: SES affects access to care, nutrition, housing,
and education.
10. A nurse is evaluating a community program’s effectiveness. Which metric best indicates
successful primary prevention?
Lower incidence of new diabetes cases in the community – Rationale: Primary prevention
aims to prevent disease onset.
11. When teaching a patient with low health literacy, which technique is most appropriate?
Using plain language and teach-back method – Rationale: Teach-back confirms understanding
without shame.
12. A patient in the action stage of change wants to quit smoking. Which nursing intervention is
most supportive?
Providing nicotine replacement therapy options and a quit plan – Rationale: Action stage
requires practical strategies and resources.
13. Which statement by a nurse reflects the ethical principle of autonomy?
“You have the right to refuse the vaccination after hearing the risks.” – Rationale:
Autonomy respects patient’s self-determination.
14. A nurse is using the Pender Health Promotion Model. Which factor is most important?
Patient’s perceived self-efficacy – Rationale: Pender emphasizes individual beliefs and
behaviors promoting health.
15. Which example best represents tertiary prevention?
A cardiac rehabilitation program after a heart attack – Rationale: Tertiary prevention
reduces disability and improves quality of life after disease.
16. A patient says, “I know I should lose weight, but I just can’t give up sweets.” According to the
Health Belief Model, this reflects which barrier?
Perceived barrier to behavior change – Rationale: The patient sees giving up sweets as a
major obstacle.
, 17. Which teaching strategy is most effective for an auditory learner in a group setting?
Leading a small-group discussion about stress management – Rationale: Auditory learners
benefit from listening and speaking.
18. A nurse assesses a patient’s readiness to learn about insulin administration. The patient says, “I’ll
never be able to give myself a shot.” Which stage of change is this?
Precontemplation – Rationale: The patient shows no intention or belief in ability to change.
19. Which intervention best addresses the Healthy People 2030 goal of increasing access to
preventive services?
Establishing a mobile health clinic in a rural area – Rationale: Mobile clinics reduce
geographic and financial barriers.
20. A nurse is teaching a patient with low back pain about ergonomics. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
“I should keep my computer screen at eye level and sit with feet flat.” – Rationale:
Ergonomic adjustments prevent strain and injury.
21. For a patient in the preparation stage of exercise behavior, which nursing action is best?
Helping the patient schedule three 20-minute walks per week – Rationale: Preparation
involves planning and small commitments.
22. Which cultural factor most directly influences a patient’s health beliefs?
Family decision-making hierarchy – Rationale: In many cultures, family elders or head
members direct health choices.
23. A nurse uses the teach-back method after explaining colostomy care. Which patient response
confirms learning?
Patient correctly demonstrates bag change without prompting – Rationale: Demonstration
shows skill acquisition, not just recall.
24. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient who avoids check-ups due to fear of
bad news?
Ineffective health management related to fear of diagnosis – Rationale: Fear as a contributing
factor impairs health-seeking behavior.
25. A patient with diabetes asks why foot exams are part of every visit. What is the best rationale?
Neuropathy can reduce sensation, leading to undetected injury – Rationale: Early detection
of foot ulcers prevents amputation.
Practice Questions | 2026/2027
150 High-Yield Questions with Expert Rationales for
NCLEX Success
1. During a health assessment, which action demonstrates the concept of health promotion?
Asking about the patient’s daily exercise habits – Rationale: Health promotion focuses on
behaviors that prevent disease and enhance wellness.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the components of holistic health. Which statement best
reflects the holistic approach?
Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being are interconnected – Rationale: Holistic
health considers the whole person, not just physical symptoms.
3.
4. A nursing student asks why the Health Belief Model is used in patient education. What is the
primary purpose?
To predict why patients will take preventive health actions – Rationale: The model focuses
on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers.
5. Which patient statement indicates a lack of health literacy?
“I don’t need to read the pill bottle label, I take it like my friend does.” – Rationale: Health
literacy involves understanding and using health information correctly.
6. A nurse is applying the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). Which intervention is
appropriate for a patient in the contemplation stage?
Discussing pros and cons of changing a behavior – Rationale: Contemplation involves
weighing benefits and barriers, not immediate action.
7. Which teaching method is most effective for a visual learner?
Using a diagram of the human heart – Rationale: Visual learners retain information best
through images, charts, and diagrams.
8. A patient newly diagnosed with hypertension asks why lifestyle changes are emphasized over
medication only. What is the best rationale?
, Lifestyle changes can reduce cardiovascular risk more than medication alone – Rationale:
Diet, exercise, and stress management address underlying causes.
9. Which social determinant of health has the greatest impact on long-term wellness outcomes?
Income and socioeconomic status – Rationale: SES affects access to care, nutrition, housing,
and education.
10. A nurse is evaluating a community program’s effectiveness. Which metric best indicates
successful primary prevention?
Lower incidence of new diabetes cases in the community – Rationale: Primary prevention
aims to prevent disease onset.
11. When teaching a patient with low health literacy, which technique is most appropriate?
Using plain language and teach-back method – Rationale: Teach-back confirms understanding
without shame.
12. A patient in the action stage of change wants to quit smoking. Which nursing intervention is
most supportive?
Providing nicotine replacement therapy options and a quit plan – Rationale: Action stage
requires practical strategies and resources.
13. Which statement by a nurse reflects the ethical principle of autonomy?
“You have the right to refuse the vaccination after hearing the risks.” – Rationale:
Autonomy respects patient’s self-determination.
14. A nurse is using the Pender Health Promotion Model. Which factor is most important?
Patient’s perceived self-efficacy – Rationale: Pender emphasizes individual beliefs and
behaviors promoting health.
15. Which example best represents tertiary prevention?
A cardiac rehabilitation program after a heart attack – Rationale: Tertiary prevention
reduces disability and improves quality of life after disease.
16. A patient says, “I know I should lose weight, but I just can’t give up sweets.” According to the
Health Belief Model, this reflects which barrier?
Perceived barrier to behavior change – Rationale: The patient sees giving up sweets as a
major obstacle.
, 17. Which teaching strategy is most effective for an auditory learner in a group setting?
Leading a small-group discussion about stress management – Rationale: Auditory learners
benefit from listening and speaking.
18. A nurse assesses a patient’s readiness to learn about insulin administration. The patient says, “I’ll
never be able to give myself a shot.” Which stage of change is this?
Precontemplation – Rationale: The patient shows no intention or belief in ability to change.
19. Which intervention best addresses the Healthy People 2030 goal of increasing access to
preventive services?
Establishing a mobile health clinic in a rural area – Rationale: Mobile clinics reduce
geographic and financial barriers.
20. A nurse is teaching a patient with low back pain about ergonomics. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
“I should keep my computer screen at eye level and sit with feet flat.” – Rationale:
Ergonomic adjustments prevent strain and injury.
21. For a patient in the preparation stage of exercise behavior, which nursing action is best?
Helping the patient schedule three 20-minute walks per week – Rationale: Preparation
involves planning and small commitments.
22. Which cultural factor most directly influences a patient’s health beliefs?
Family decision-making hierarchy – Rationale: In many cultures, family elders or head
members direct health choices.
23. A nurse uses the teach-back method after explaining colostomy care. Which patient response
confirms learning?
Patient correctly demonstrates bag change without prompting – Rationale: Demonstration
shows skill acquisition, not just recall.
24. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient who avoids check-ups due to fear of
bad news?
Ineffective health management related to fear of diagnosis – Rationale: Fear as a contributing
factor impairs health-seeking behavior.
25. A patient with diabetes asks why foot exams are part of every visit. What is the best rationale?
Neuropathy can reduce sensation, leading to undetected injury – Rationale: Early detection
of foot ulcers prevents amputation.
