1 M A X E • S L AT N E M A D N U F
★ ★
Nursing Fundamentals Assessment
N Unit 1 — Foundations of Nursing Practice
EST. 2026
E XC E L L E N C E I N N U RS I N G E D U C AT I O N
Fundamentals of Nursing — Exam 1, Unit 1
NURSING PROCESS, CRITICAL THINKING, THEORIES & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
INSTITUTION Nursing Fundamentals Assessment COURSE CODE Fundamentals of Nursing — Unit 1
PROGRAM Practical Nursing (PN) / Associate Degree ACADEMIC YEAR
in Nursing (ADN)
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 1 — Unit TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions
1
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.
▸ Select all that apply questions are indicated — choose every correct option.
▸ Questions cover the nursing process, critical thinking, nursing theories, and professional practice.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current ANA standards and evidence-based nursing practice.
SECTION I — NURSING FUNDAMENTALS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Questions 1 – 50
1. The nurse is caring for Ms. Lee, a client who does not speak English. The nurse learns from the patient's family that
Ms. Lee has specific religious needs that she cannot address because of the hospital routine. Adjustments are made
in the plan of care based on this information. Which phase of the nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment.
B. Diagnosis.
C. Planning Outcomes.
D. Planning Interventions.
E. Implementation.
F. Evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER F — Evaluation.
RATIONALE Making adjustments to the plan of care based on new information reflects the Evaluation phase. Evaluation
determines whether desired outcomes have been achieved and, if not, the care plan is modified. Learning
about the client's unmet religious needs and adjusting the plan accordingly demonstrates ongoing evaluation
and revision. Assessment would be gathering the initial data; planning would be establishing the original
interventions.
,2. Which of the following are characteristics of nursing as a profession? (Select all that apply.)
A. Requires an extended education.
B. Requires a body of knowledge.
C. Provides a specific service.
D. Has autonomy.
E. Incorporates a code of ethics.
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, D, E — All of the above.
RATIONALE Nursing is recognized as a profession because it meets all five criteria: extended education (formal academic
preparation), a specialized body of knowledge (nursing science), provision of a specific service (care of
individuals, families, communities), autonomy in practice (independent judgment within the scope of
practice), and a code of ethics (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). These criteria distinguish professions from
occupations.
3. What is the ANA definition of nursing?
A. The diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual and potential health problems.
B. The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of
suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families,
communities, and populations.
C. The performance of tasks delegated by physicians to ensure patient recovery.
D. The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed.
CORRECT ANSWER B — The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and
injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy
in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
RATIONALE This is the ANA's comprehensive definition of nursing (2015). It encompasses the full scope of nursing
practice: health promotion, illness prevention, alleviation of suffering, diagnosis and treatment of human
responses, and advocacy. The definition emphasizes that nursing addresses human responses to health
problems, not just the medical diagnosis. The other options are incomplete or describe task-oriented
approaches that do not reflect professional nursing.
4. What are the ANA Standards of Practice? (Select all that apply.)
A. Assessment.
B. Diagnosis.
C. Outcomes Identification.
D. Planning.
E. Implementation.
F. Evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, D, E, F — All of the above.
RATIONALE The ANA Standards of Practice comprise the six steps of the nursing process: Assessment (collecting data),
Diagnosis (analyzing data to identify problems), Outcomes Identification (establishing expected outcomes),
Planning (developing a plan with interventions), Implementation (carrying out the plan), and Evaluation
(determining if outcomes were achieved). These standards define the framework for all nursing practice.
, 5. What is the Code of Ethics for nurses?
A. A legal document defining the scope of nursing practice.
B. Statements of the professionals' values and beliefs, based on ethical principles, with commitment to the patient.
C. A list of rules and regulations for hospital employment.
D. A standardized procedure manual for nursing skills.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Statements of the professionals' values and beliefs, based on ethical principles, with commitment
to the patient.
RATIONALE The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses articulates the ethical values, obligations, and duties of every nurse. It is
founded on the principle that the nurse's primary commitment is to the patient. It is not a legal document
(that is the Nurse Practice Act), not an employment manual, and not a procedure guide. It guides ethical
decision-making and professional conduct.
6. What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention?
A. Primary avoids disease through wellness; Secondary recognizes disease and reduces impact; Tertiary manages
serious health problems to improve quality of life.
B. Primary treats established disease; Secondary prevents disease; Tertiary provides palliative care only.
C. Primary is for children; Secondary is for adults; Tertiary is for older adults.
D. They are three names for the same concept.
CORRECT ANSWER A — Primary avoids disease through wellness; Secondary recognizes disease and reduces impact;
Tertiary manages serious health problems to improve quality of life.
RATIONALE Primary prevention seeks to avoid disease through wellness activities and screening (mammograms,
immunizations, health education). Secondary prevention recognizes the presence of disease and seeks to
reduce its impact through early treatment and health-promoting behaviors (dietary teaching in diabetes,
blood pressure management). Tertiary prevention manages serious health problems to improve quality of life
and reduce further loss of function (cardiac rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, palliative care).
7. What are Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in order from lowest to highest?
A. Safety → Love/Belonging → Physiological → Esteem → Self-actualization.
B. Physiological → Safety → Love and Belonging → Esteem → Self-actualization.
C. Self-actualization → Esteem → Love/Belonging → Safety → Physiological.
D. Physiological → Love/Belonging → Safety → Esteem → Self-actualization.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Physiological → Safety → Love and Belonging → Esteem → Self-actualization.
RATIONALE Maslow's hierarchy progresses from basic survival needs to higher-level psychological needs: (1) Physiological
needs (food, water, oxygen, rest, shelter, homeostasis), (2) Safety and security (physical and psychological
safety), (3) Love and belonging (relationships, family, intimacy), (4) Esteem (self-esteem, confidence, respect
from others), (5) Self-actualization (fulfilling one's potential). Lower-level needs must be met before the
individual can focus on higher levels. In nursing, physiological and safety needs are always prioritized.
★ ★
Nursing Fundamentals Assessment
N Unit 1 — Foundations of Nursing Practice
EST. 2026
E XC E L L E N C E I N N U RS I N G E D U C AT I O N
Fundamentals of Nursing — Exam 1, Unit 1
NURSING PROCESS, CRITICAL THINKING, THEORIES & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
INSTITUTION Nursing Fundamentals Assessment COURSE CODE Fundamentals of Nursing — Unit 1
PROGRAM Practical Nursing (PN) / Associate Degree ACADEMIC YEAR
in Nursing (ADN)
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 1 — Unit TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions
1
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.
▸ Select all that apply questions are indicated — choose every correct option.
▸ Questions cover the nursing process, critical thinking, nursing theories, and professional practice.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current ANA standards and evidence-based nursing practice.
SECTION I — NURSING FUNDAMENTALS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Questions 1 – 50
1. The nurse is caring for Ms. Lee, a client who does not speak English. The nurse learns from the patient's family that
Ms. Lee has specific religious needs that she cannot address because of the hospital routine. Adjustments are made
in the plan of care based on this information. Which phase of the nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment.
B. Diagnosis.
C. Planning Outcomes.
D. Planning Interventions.
E. Implementation.
F. Evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER F — Evaluation.
RATIONALE Making adjustments to the plan of care based on new information reflects the Evaluation phase. Evaluation
determines whether desired outcomes have been achieved and, if not, the care plan is modified. Learning
about the client's unmet religious needs and adjusting the plan accordingly demonstrates ongoing evaluation
and revision. Assessment would be gathering the initial data; planning would be establishing the original
interventions.
,2. Which of the following are characteristics of nursing as a profession? (Select all that apply.)
A. Requires an extended education.
B. Requires a body of knowledge.
C. Provides a specific service.
D. Has autonomy.
E. Incorporates a code of ethics.
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, D, E — All of the above.
RATIONALE Nursing is recognized as a profession because it meets all five criteria: extended education (formal academic
preparation), a specialized body of knowledge (nursing science), provision of a specific service (care of
individuals, families, communities), autonomy in practice (independent judgment within the scope of
practice), and a code of ethics (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). These criteria distinguish professions from
occupations.
3. What is the ANA definition of nursing?
A. The diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual and potential health problems.
B. The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of
suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families,
communities, and populations.
C. The performance of tasks delegated by physicians to ensure patient recovery.
D. The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed.
CORRECT ANSWER B — The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and
injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy
in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
RATIONALE This is the ANA's comprehensive definition of nursing (2015). It encompasses the full scope of nursing
practice: health promotion, illness prevention, alleviation of suffering, diagnosis and treatment of human
responses, and advocacy. The definition emphasizes that nursing addresses human responses to health
problems, not just the medical diagnosis. The other options are incomplete or describe task-oriented
approaches that do not reflect professional nursing.
4. What are the ANA Standards of Practice? (Select all that apply.)
A. Assessment.
B. Diagnosis.
C. Outcomes Identification.
D. Planning.
E. Implementation.
F. Evaluation.
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, D, E, F — All of the above.
RATIONALE The ANA Standards of Practice comprise the six steps of the nursing process: Assessment (collecting data),
Diagnosis (analyzing data to identify problems), Outcomes Identification (establishing expected outcomes),
Planning (developing a plan with interventions), Implementation (carrying out the plan), and Evaluation
(determining if outcomes were achieved). These standards define the framework for all nursing practice.
, 5. What is the Code of Ethics for nurses?
A. A legal document defining the scope of nursing practice.
B. Statements of the professionals' values and beliefs, based on ethical principles, with commitment to the patient.
C. A list of rules and regulations for hospital employment.
D. A standardized procedure manual for nursing skills.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Statements of the professionals' values and beliefs, based on ethical principles, with commitment
to the patient.
RATIONALE The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses articulates the ethical values, obligations, and duties of every nurse. It is
founded on the principle that the nurse's primary commitment is to the patient. It is not a legal document
(that is the Nurse Practice Act), not an employment manual, and not a procedure guide. It guides ethical
decision-making and professional conduct.
6. What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention?
A. Primary avoids disease through wellness; Secondary recognizes disease and reduces impact; Tertiary manages
serious health problems to improve quality of life.
B. Primary treats established disease; Secondary prevents disease; Tertiary provides palliative care only.
C. Primary is for children; Secondary is for adults; Tertiary is for older adults.
D. They are three names for the same concept.
CORRECT ANSWER A — Primary avoids disease through wellness; Secondary recognizes disease and reduces impact;
Tertiary manages serious health problems to improve quality of life.
RATIONALE Primary prevention seeks to avoid disease through wellness activities and screening (mammograms,
immunizations, health education). Secondary prevention recognizes the presence of disease and seeks to
reduce its impact through early treatment and health-promoting behaviors (dietary teaching in diabetes,
blood pressure management). Tertiary prevention manages serious health problems to improve quality of life
and reduce further loss of function (cardiac rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, palliative care).
7. What are Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in order from lowest to highest?
A. Safety → Love/Belonging → Physiological → Esteem → Self-actualization.
B. Physiological → Safety → Love and Belonging → Esteem → Self-actualization.
C. Self-actualization → Esteem → Love/Belonging → Safety → Physiological.
D. Physiological → Love/Belonging → Safety → Esteem → Self-actualization.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Physiological → Safety → Love and Belonging → Esteem → Self-actualization.
RATIONALE Maslow's hierarchy progresses from basic survival needs to higher-level psychological needs: (1) Physiological
needs (food, water, oxygen, rest, shelter, homeostasis), (2) Safety and security (physical and psychological
safety), (3) Love and belonging (relationships, family, intimacy), (4) Esteem (self-esteem, confidence, respect
from others), (5) Self-actualization (fulfilling one's potential). Lower-level needs must be met before the
individual can focus on higher levels. In nursing, physiological and safety needs are always prioritized.
