top of page

Nurse Test Bank: Nursing Process

Updated: Mar 27, 2022




What is the Nursing Process?


The nursing process is a scientific approach that nurses employ to guarantee that patient care is of high quality. This strategy is split down into five distinct phases. Learn more about the nursing process here.


How well do you understand the Nursing Process?


Use this nurse test bank to test your knowledge. This quiz contains 30 questions with answers and rationales at the end. Good luck!


1. The nurse in charge identifies a patient's responses to actual or potential health problems during which step of the nursing process?

  • A. Assessing

  • B. Diagnosing

  • C. Planning

  • D. Evaluating


2. A female patient is diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis. Which nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority at this time?

  • A. Impaired gas exchange related to increased blood flow

  • B. Fluid volume excess related to peripheral vascular disease

  • C. Risk for injury related to edema

  • D. Altered peripheral tissue perfusion related to venous congestion


3. A nurse is revising a client's care plan. During which step of the nursing process does such a revision take place?

  • A. Assessment

  • B. Planning

  • C. Implementation

  • D. Evaluation


4. Which intervention should the nurse in charge try first for a client that exhibits signs of sleep disturbance?

  • A. Administer sleeping medication before bedtime

  • B. Ask the client each morning to describe the quantity of sleep the night before

  • C. Teach the client relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation

  • D. Provide the client normal sleep aids, such as pillows, back rubs, and snacks


5. A nurse is assigned to care for a postoperative male client who has diabetes mellitus. During the assessment interview, the client reports that he's impotent and says he's concerned about the effect on his marriage. In planning this client's care, the most appropriate intervention would be to:

  • A. Encourage the client to ask questions about personal sexuality

  • B. Provide time for privacy

  • C. Suggest referral to a sex counselor or other appropriate professional

  • D. Provide support for the spouse


6. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a nurse assigns the highest priority to which client needs?

  • A. Elimination

  • B. Security

  • C. Safety

  • D. Belonging


7. A female client who received general anesthesia returns from surgery. Postoperatively, which nursing diagnosis takes the highest priority for this client?

  • A. Risk for aspiration R/T anesthesia

  • B. Deficient fluid volume R/T blood and fluid loss from surgery

  • C. Impaired physical mobility R/T surgery

  • D. Acute pain R/T surgery


8. A male client is admitted to the hospital with blunt chest trauma after a motor vehicle accident. The first nursing priority for this client would be to:

  • A. Assess the client's airway

  • B. Provide pain relief

  • C. Encourage deep breathing and coughing

  • D. Splint the chest wall with a pillow


9. When two nursing diagnoses appear closely related, what should the nurse do first to determine which diagnosis most accurately reflects the needs of a patient?

  • A. Reassess the patient

  • B. Examine the related factors

  • C. Review the defining characteristics,

  • D. Analyze the secondary factors


10. The nurse performs an assessment of a newly admitted patient. The nurse understands that this admission assessment is conducted primarily to:

  • A. Diagnose if the patient is at risk for falls.

  • B. Identify important data

  • C. Establish a therapeutic relationship

  • D. Ensure that the patient's skin is intact


11. The guidelines for writing an appropriate nursing diagnosis include all of the following except:

  • A. State the diagnosis in terms of a problem, not a need

  • B. Use nursing terminology to describe the patient's response

  • C. Use statements that assist in planning independent nursing interventions

  • D. Use medical terminology to describe the probable cause of the patient's response


12. Independent nursing interventions commonly used for immobilized patients include all of the following except:

  • A. Active or passive ROM exercises, body repositioning, and ADLs as tolerated

  • B. Deep-breathing and coughing exercises with the change of position every 2 hours

  • C. Diaphragmatic and abdominal breathing exercises

  • D. Weight-bearing on a tilt table, total parenteral nutrition, and vitamin therapy


13. Independent nursing interventions commonly used for patients with pressure ulcers include:

  • A. changing the patient's position regularly to minimize pressure

  • B. Applying a drying agent such as an antacid to decrease moisture at the ulcer site

  • C. Debriding the ulcer to remove necrotic tissue, which can impede healing

  • D. Placing the patient in a whirlpool bath containing povidone-iodine solution as tolerated


14. While the nurse is providing the patient with personal hygiene, she observes that his skin is excessively dry. During the procedure, he tells her that he is very thirsty. An appropriate nursing diagnosis would be:

  • A. Potential for impaired skin integrity R/T altered gland function

  • B. Potential for impaired skin integrity R/T dehydration

  • C. Impaired skin integrity R/T dehydration

  • D. Impaired skin integrity R/T altered circulation


15. The most important nursing intervention to correct skin dryness is:

  • A. avoid bathing until the condition is remedied and notify the physician

  • B. ask the physician to refer the patient to a dermatologist

  • C. Consult the dietitian about increasing fat intake, and taking necessary measures to prevent infection

  • D. encourage the patient to increase fluid intake, use nonirritating soap, and apply lotion to involved areas


16. Which of the following is an appropriately written nursing diagnosis?

  • A. Pain related to insufficient use of medication

  • B. Pain related to difficulty ambulating

  • C. Anxiety related to the cardiac monitor

  • D. Bedpan required frequently as a result of altered elimination pattern


17. Accountability is a critical aspect of nursing care. An example of accountability is demonstrated by:

  • A. Selecting the medication schedule for the client

  • B. Implementing discharge teaching plans that meet individual needs

  • C. Evaluating the client's outcomes after implementation of care

  • D. Promoting participation of all staff members in unit meetings


18. The nurse is working with a client who is being prepared for a diagnostic test this afternoon. The client tells the nurse she wants to have her hair shampooed. How would the nurse prioritize this client's need?

  • A. Immediate priority

  • B. Low priority

  • C. Intermediate priority

  • D. High priority


19. Nursing interventions should be documented according to specific criteria so they are clearly understood by other members of the nursing team. The most appropriate of the following intervention statements is:

  • A. Offer fluids to the client q 2 hours

  • B. Observe the client's respirations

  • C. Change the client's dressing daily

  • D. Irrigate the nasogastric tube q 2 hours with 30 mL normal saline


20. A nurse who specializes in the care of clients with ostomies shows a client's significant other how to assist with the manipulation of ostomy equipment. The nurse demonstrating the technique to the client is using what type of nursing skill?

  • A. Cognitive

  • B. Interactive

  • C. Affective

  • D. Psychomotor


21. During an interview, the nurse needs to obtain specific information about the signs and symptoms of a health problem. To obtain these data most efficiently, the nurse should use:

  • A. Active listening

  • B. Open-ended questions

  • C. Closed-ended questions

  • D. Seeking clarification


22. Which of the following is classified as subjective data?

  • A. Client appears sleepy

  • B. No distress noted

  • C. Abdomen soft and non-tender

  • D. States feels anxious and tense


23. The nurse uses a variety of skills in the application of the nursing process. An example of a cognitive nursing skill is:

  • A. Providing a soothing bed bath

  • B. Communicating with the client and family

  • C. Giving an injection to the client per physician's orders

  • D. Recognizing the potential complications of a blood transfusion


24. Which of the following is an appropriate etiology for a nursing diagnosis?

  • A. Incisional pain

  • B. Poor hygienic practices

  • C. Needs bedpan frequently

  • D. Inadequate prescription of medication by the physician


25. Nursing interventions should be documented according to specific criteria so they are clearly understood by other members of the nursing team. The intervention statement "Nurse will apply warm, wet soaks to the client's leg while the client is awake" lacks which of the following components?

  • A. Method

  • B. Quantity

  • C. Frequency

  • D. Qualifications of the person who will perform the task


26. Of the following statements, which one is an example of an appropriately written nursing diagnosis?

<