18

Keys to Answering Test Questions from Various Levels of the Cognitive Domain
Cognitive Level

Descriptions

Examples of Question Stems

Strategies for Answering Questions

Application

Transfer knowledge from

classroom to clinical practice.

To assess the breath sounds for a client with

heart failure, where should the nurse place the
stethoscope?

Use knowledge and understanding of how to

auscultate breath sounds to assess a particular
client.

Use a formula or guidelines to

perform calculations.

The client is to receive 1,000 ml of fluids in 8 hours.

The intravenous administration set delivers 15
drops per minute. The nurse should regulate the
infusion to provide how many ml per minute?

Apply appropriate formula to calculate an

intravenous fluid drip rate.

Apply knowledge and

understanding to new situations.

Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this

client?

Use knowledge and understanding about

nursing interventions and apply to the clients
particular situation.

The nurse should instruct the client about which of

the following side effects that may occur when the
client takes this drug? Select all that apply.

Apply knowledge and understanding about drug

side effects to instruct a particular client

The nurse is teaching a client to use a metered-dose

inhaler. In which order should the nurse instruct the
client about the steps to take to use the inhaler?

Use knowledge and understanding of correct

order of a skill or procedure to teach a particular
client.

Organize clinical data into relevant

parts in order to make a nursing
diagnosis, form a conclusion, or
make a clinical decision.

Based on the clinical assessment, the nurse should

formulate which nursing diagnosis?

Review the clients signs and symptoms to

determine an appropriate nursing diagnosis.

Review all data to determine if

sufficient data are available to
make a decision.

Which of the following (data) indicates the need for

(nursing action)?

Analyze data to determine which nursing action

to take next.

Analyze data to determine

priorities.

Which client should the nurse care for first?

Organize information about a group of clients

and determine which client requires nursing care
first.

Distinguish relevant from

irrelevant data.

Which (data) indicate the nurse should assess the

client further?

Analyze data and determine if additional data are

needed.

Determine what data are needed

to plan or implement care.

Based on these findings, the nurse determines the

client is in xxxx stage of development.

Analyze data/findings and determine appropriate

stage (of development).

Which client is at risk for xxx?

Analyze data about a group of clients with risk

factors and determine clients risk.

Analysis

Synthesis

Assemble information from

several sources to determine the
best course of action.

Introduction to the NCLEX-RN Licensing Examination and Preparation for Test-Taking

T ABLE 2.2

After reviewing (data from the client and the chart),

the nurse should first?
Based on this information (about side effects of
medication) and the clients current health status the
nurse should instruct the client to xxxx?

Use information from a variety of appropriate

sources such as the client, client responses to
medical and nursing interventions, laboratory
data, diagnostic tests progress notes to
determine appropirate nursing action.

After assessing the client, the nurse reviews the

physician orders. The nurse should do which of the
following first?
After reviewing the clients rhythm strip, pain
medication record, and vital signs chart, the nurse
should next?
Which of the following indicates the nurses best
response to the childs parent?
Evaluation

Determine if the client understands the

instructions based on the criteria established in
the teaching plan.

Use standards of care to

determine the extent to which the
client has met them.

Which of the following indicate the intended

therapeutic effect has occurred?

Evaluate effectiveness of a nursing intervention,

drug, or treatment based on the intended or
expected outcome.

Critique care given by others.

The nurse is observing an unlicensed nursing

personnel turn a client. Which of the following
indicates the nurse should intervene?

Evaluate appropriateness of care given by others

according to standards of care and knowledge of
scope of practice.

The nurse has administered nitroglycerin to a client

with chest pain. In 30 seconds the clients chest pain
should be?

Judge effectiveness of outcome of a nursing

action (administering a drug) based on expected
therapeutic effect.

Which should be included in a discharge plan for the

client? Select all that apply.

Develop a discharge plan.

Which of the following nursing interventions best

meet this clients needs?

Individualize a standardized care plan for a

specific client.

The nurse is planning care for 6 clients. The staffing

for the team includes 1 registered nurse and 1
nursing assistant. Which of the following clients
should be assigned to the nursing assistant? Select
all that apply.

Create a care management plan for a group of

clients and team of health care professionals.

The nurse is gathering information for a hand

off for transferring the client from one nursing
unit to another. The nurse should include which of
the following information in the report. Select all
that apply.

Create a detailed report about the clients health

status.

Create or develop a unique or

individualized plan, report, or
protocol based on client needs.

19

Which statement indicates the client has understood

the nurses teaching?

NCLEX-RN Test Questions and Strategies for Answering Them

Creation

Make judgments about the

effectiveness of nursing care.