NURS 233 EXAM 1 PREP QUESTIONS
AND ALL UPDATED ANSWERS.
Define Assessment - Answer The collection of data about the individual's health state
Define Complete database - Answer subjective data, objective data, lab studies, medical records
This includes a complete health history and a full physical examination. It describes the current and past
health state and forms a baseline against which all future changes can be measured. It yields the first
diagnoses.
Critical Thinking: - Answer Critical thinking is the means by which we learn to assess and modify, if
indicated, before acting.
Diagnostic reasoning - Answer Diagnostic reasoning is the process of analyzing health data and drawing
conclusions to identify diagnoses.
Emergency data base: - Answer This is an urgent, rapid collection of crucial information and often is
compiled concurrently with lifesaving measures. Diagnosis must be swift and sure. For example, a person
is brought into a hospital ED with suspected substance overdose. The first history questions are, "What
did you take?" "How much did you take?" and "When?"
Episodic/Problem-Centered/focused data base - Answer one used for a limited amount of time
concerning just one problem. Focused "mini database"
Evidence based assessments: - Answer use of evidence-based practice - patients need to be treated
with the most current and best-practice techniques
Follow-up database: - Answer The status of any identified problems should be assessed and evaluated
at regular and appropriate intervals
,Health Promotion/disease prevention: - Answer emphasis the link between health and personal
behavior...Prevention can be achieved through counseling from primary care providers designed to
change people's unhealthy behaviors related to smoking, alcohol and other drug use, etc.
Can nurses delegate assessment or evaluation? - Answer No, collecting health assessment data both
subjective and objective cannot be delegated.
Nurses can only delegate tasks
what are the steps of the nursing process - Answer • Assessment
• Nursing Diagnosis
• Outcomes
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation steps
What is the difference between Subjective data/Objective data: - Answer The interview is the first
point of contact with a client and the most important part of data collection. During the interview you
collect *subjective data* (i.e., what the person says about himself or herself) (Fig. 3-1). Although the
purpose of the interview isn't to collect *objective data* (i.e., what you obtain through physical
examination), you will collect some objective data as you note the person's posture, physical
appearance, ability to carry on a conversation, and overall demeanor.
Identify whether the following are Subjective vs objective data examples:
Abdominal pain,
unconscious,
pain at "10,"
scar noted. - Answer Abdominal pain=S, Unconscious=O, Pain at "10"=S, scar noted= O
Why is collecting a complete database important in patient care? What is part of the complete database?
- Answer This screening is important to refer the patient to another professional, help the patient make
,decisions, and perform appropriate treatments. But this database also notes the human responses to
health problems. This factor is important because it provides additional information about the person
that *leads to nursing diagnoses.*
complete database includes subjective data, objective data, patient medical records, and lab studies
Explain the difference between first-level, second-level and third-level problems (patient priorities)? -
Answer • *1st level* - problems that are emergent, life threatening, and immediate, such as
establishing an airway or supporting breathing (ABC's plus V - *a*irway, *b*reathing problems, *c*ardiac
or circulatory problems, *v*ital sign concerns like high fever)
• *2nd level* - problems that are next in urgency - those requiring your prompt intervention to stop
further deterioration (ex. Acute pain, mental status change, abnormal lab values, risk of infection, acute
urinary elimination problems)
•*3rd level* - problems that are important to the patient's health but can be addressed after more
urgent problems are addressed (long term intervention, response to treatment takes longer)
What is the definition and movement behind evidence-based assessments? - Answer • The conviction
that all patients deserve to be treated with the most current and best-practice techniques led to the
development of evidence-based practice
• Used in combination with the clinician's experience, as well as the patient's preferences and values, to
make decisions about care and treatment
Understand the 4 different types of patient data bases: - Answer 1. Complete database: complete
health history and a full physical exam. Describes current and past health state and forms baseline which
all future changes can be measured. Yields the first diagnoses.
2. Focused or problem based database: For a limited or short term problem. You collect a "mini"
database, smaller in scope and more targeted than the complete database. Mainly one problem, one cue
complex, or one body system.
3. Follow-up database: The status of problems should be reevaluated at regular and appropriate intervals
to determine what changes have occurred. This database is used in all settings to follow up both short-
term and chronic health problems.
, 4. Emergency database: Urgent, rapid collections of crucial information and often is compiled
concurrently with lifesaving measures. Diagnoses must be swift and sure.
Why is critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning important in a nurse's decision making? What is the
difference between novice and expert decision making? - Answer • *Expert *decision making is quicker
because of the experts years of experience they are able to intuitively grasp a clinical situation and zero
in on the accurate solution much quicker. The method of moving from novice to expert is through the
use of critical thinking.
The *novice* has no experience with a specified patient population and uses rules to guide
performance.
• Critical thinking is the means by which we learn to assess and modify before acting.
• Critical thinking is required for sound diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgement. *There is not one
protocol/list of rules that will apply to every situation.
Culture: - Answer norms, values, and behaviors of a group
Ethnicity: - Answer social group that may possess shared traits such as common geographic origin,
migratory status, religion, language, values, traditions or symbols, and food preferences
Religion: - Answer refers to an *organized system* of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and
purpose of the universe, especially belief in divine or superhuman power to be obeyed and worshipped
as creator.
Spirituality: - Answer borne out of each person's unique life experience and his or her personal effort
to find *purpose and meaning in life*
Ethnocentrism: - Answer evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the
standards and customs of one's own culture.
Yin/yang theory: - Answer Some Asians believe in this theory, in which health exists when all aspects of
the person are in perfect balance. Yin energy represents the female and negative forces such as
emptiness, darkness, and cold, whereas yang forces are male and positive, emitting warmth and fullness.
