KAPLAN INTEGRATED
EXAM: FUNDAMENTALS D
NGN 2026 Complete
Question Practice Exam
with Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: CLINICAL JUDGMENT & THE NURSING PROCESS
(Questions 1-15)
Q1. What are the steps of clinical judgment in the correct order?
A) Analyze cues → Recognize cues → Prioritize hypotheses → Generate solutions
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
B) Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Prioritize hypotheses → Generate
solutions → Take action → Evaluate outcomes
C) Generate solutions → Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Prioritize hypotheses
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
D) Prioritize hypotheses → Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Generate solutions
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model requires nurses to
first recognize cues (identify relevant data), then analyze cues (connect data and
find patterns), prioritize hypotheses (determine most likely/dangerous problem),
generate solutions (identify interventions), take action (implement best
intervention), and finally evaluate outcomes .
Q2. What is the first step in the clinical judgment process?
A) Analyze cues
B) Prioritize hypotheses
C) Recognize cues
D) Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Recognizing cues is the initial step where the nurse identifies relevant
clinical data from assessment findings, vital signs, laboratory results, and patient
history. Without recognizing cues first, the nurse cannot proceed to analysis or
prioritization .
Q3. What is the final step in the clinical judgment process?
A) Take action
B) Generate solutions
C) Prioritize hypotheses
D) Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse determines whether
implemented actions were effective, whether patient goals were met, and if further
intervention is needed. This completes the cyclical process .
Q4. What does it mean to "analyze cues" in clinical judgment?
A) Identify all possible patient problems
B) Connect data and identify patterns
C) Implement nursing interventions
D) Determine if outcomes were met
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves connecting pieces of clinical data, identifying
patterns, and interpreting what the data means for the patient's condition. This step
occurs after recognizing cues and before prioritizing hypotheses .
Q5. What does it mean to "prioritize hypotheses" in clinical judgment?
A) List all possible nursing diagnoses
B) Determine the most likely or most dangerous problem
C) Implement the first intervention identified
D) Collect more assessment data
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Prioritizing hypotheses requires the nurse to evaluate which potential
problems are most likely and which pose the greatest threat to patient safety. This
guides the selection of nursing interventions .
Q6. When should the nurse "take action" according to clinical judgment?
A) Immediately after recognizing cues
B) Before analyzing cues
C) After selecting the best intervention
D) Before prioritizing hypotheses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Taking action occurs after generating and selecting the best
intervention. The nurse must analyze the situation, prioritize the problem, and
determine appropriate solutions before implementing action .
Q7. What is the priority framework for clinical decision making?
A) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B) Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs)
C) Safety, Comfort, Rest
D) Acute before Chronic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ABC priority framework (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is the
standard for emergency and clinical decision making. Airway is always first,
EXAM: FUNDAMENTALS D
NGN 2026 Complete
Question Practice Exam
with Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: CLINICAL JUDGMENT & THE NURSING PROCESS
(Questions 1-15)
Q1. What are the steps of clinical judgment in the correct order?
A) Analyze cues → Recognize cues → Prioritize hypotheses → Generate solutions
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
B) Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Prioritize hypotheses → Generate
solutions → Take action → Evaluate outcomes
C) Generate solutions → Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Prioritize hypotheses
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
D) Prioritize hypotheses → Recognize cues → Analyze cues → Generate solutions
→ Take action → Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model requires nurses to
first recognize cues (identify relevant data), then analyze cues (connect data and
find patterns), prioritize hypotheses (determine most likely/dangerous problem),
generate solutions (identify interventions), take action (implement best
intervention), and finally evaluate outcomes .
Q2. What is the first step in the clinical judgment process?
A) Analyze cues
B) Prioritize hypotheses
C) Recognize cues
D) Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Recognizing cues is the initial step where the nurse identifies relevant
clinical data from assessment findings, vital signs, laboratory results, and patient
history. Without recognizing cues first, the nurse cannot proceed to analysis or
prioritization .
Q3. What is the final step in the clinical judgment process?
A) Take action
B) Generate solutions
C) Prioritize hypotheses
D) Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse determines whether
implemented actions were effective, whether patient goals were met, and if further
intervention is needed. This completes the cyclical process .
Q4. What does it mean to "analyze cues" in clinical judgment?
A) Identify all possible patient problems
B) Connect data and identify patterns
C) Implement nursing interventions
D) Determine if outcomes were met
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves connecting pieces of clinical data, identifying
patterns, and interpreting what the data means for the patient's condition. This step
occurs after recognizing cues and before prioritizing hypotheses .
Q5. What does it mean to "prioritize hypotheses" in clinical judgment?
A) List all possible nursing diagnoses
B) Determine the most likely or most dangerous problem
C) Implement the first intervention identified
D) Collect more assessment data
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Prioritizing hypotheses requires the nurse to evaluate which potential
problems are most likely and which pose the greatest threat to patient safety. This
guides the selection of nursing interventions .
Q6. When should the nurse "take action" according to clinical judgment?
A) Immediately after recognizing cues
B) Before analyzing cues
C) After selecting the best intervention
D) Before prioritizing hypotheses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Taking action occurs after generating and selecting the best
intervention. The nurse must analyze the situation, prioritize the problem, and
determine appropriate solutions before implementing action .
Q7. What is the priority framework for clinical decision making?
A) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B) Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs)
C) Safety, Comfort, Rest
D) Acute before Chronic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ABC priority framework (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is the
standard for emergency and clinical decision making. Airway is always first,
