Nursing Process NCLEX Questions: What You Need to Know

When preparing for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, one of the most essential areas to master is the nursing process. Understanding how to apply the five steps of this process helps you deliver patient-centred care and ensures success in answering NCLEX questions accurately. This article will explore the nursing process in-depth and provide tips, examples, and practice strategies specifically designed to tackle nursing process NCLEX questions confidently.

Whether you’re studying the NCLEX nursing process, NCLEX PN nursing process questions, or looking for effective nclex practice questions nursing process, this guide covers it all.

What is the Nursing Process?

The nursing process is a structured, systematic method used by nurses to ensure high-quality care. It guides clinical reasoning and helps nurses prioritize patient needs based on evidence-based practices.

The Five Steps of the Nursing Process:

Let’s go deeper into each of these steps.

1. Assessment: The Foundation of Care

In the assessment phase, nurses gather health information from multiple sources:

• Subjective Data: What the patient says (e.g., “I feel dizzy”).

• Objective Data: Observable and measurable facts (e.g., temperature of 101°F).

Tip for NCLEX:

Always assess before you act. If you’re unsure what to do next, ask yourself, “Do I have enough information?”

Example NCLEX Question:

A patient reports shortness of breath. What should the nurse do first?
A) Give oxygen
B) Elevate head of bed
C) Assess respiratory rate
D) Call the physician
Correct Answer: C) Assess respiratory rate

2. Diagnosis: Identifying Patient Problems

This step involves critical thinking to interpret data and identify actual or potential health issues.

Nurses use NANDA-I-approved nursing diagnoses, such as:

• Acute Pain

• Risk for Falls

• Impaired Gas Exchange

Common NCLEX Tip:

Don’t confuse medical diagnosis (e.g., pneumonia) with nursing diagnosis (e.g., ineffective airway clearance).

Example NCLEX PN Nursing Process Question:

A patient with COPD is coughing up thick sputum. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
A) Ineffective airway clearance
B) Risk for aspiration
C) Risk for infection
D) Anxiety
Correct Answer: A) Ineffective airway clearance

3. Planning: Setting SMART Goals

Nursing goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).

Example:

The patient will maintain oxygen saturation above 95% within 2 hours of oxygen therapy.

NCLEX Strategy:

Select answers with measurable goals and realistic timeframes.

4. Implementation: Taking Action

This is where nursing interventions are carried out, such as:

• Administering medications

• Repositioning patients

• Providing health education

Priority Reminder:

Use the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to prioritize actions.

Common NCLEX Keywords:

• Initiate

• Administer

• Encourage

• Educate

Example NCLEX Practice Question Nursing Process:

A patient post-op is reluctant to cough due to pain. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Call the doctor
B) Offer a cough suppressant
C) Encourage use of a pillow to splint the incision
D) Reassure the patient
Correct Answer: C) Encourage use of a pillow

5. Evaluation: Measuring Outcomes

In this final step, the nurse reviews whether patient goals were met and what changes, if any, should be made to the care plan.

NCLEX Focus:

Look for outcomes and signs of improvement or worsening.

Example:

If the goal was to reduce fever, has the patient’s temperature normalized?

How the Nursing Process is Tested on the NCLEX

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN heavily rely on the nursing process framework. Here’s how:

You’ll find nursing process NCLEX questions across all categories, not just patient care plans.

How to Approach Nursing Process NCLEX Questions

Here are proven strategies:

1. Always Start with an Assessment

If the question involves decision-making, ask: “Do I have enough information?” If not, assess first.

2. Identify the Step in the Question

Look for keywords:

• “Collect” → Assessment

• “Determine problem” → Diagnosis

• “Set goal” → Planning

• “Carry out” → Implementation

• “Check results” → Evaluation

3. Use Maslow’s Hierarchy + ABCs

• Airway > Breathing > Circulation

• Then address safety, pain, and psychosocial needs.

4. Eliminate Wrong Answers First

If an answer is unrelated to the patient’s needs or is not measurable, it’s probably wrong.

Sample NCLEX Practice Set: Nursing Process Focused

Common Pitfalls in NCLEX Nursing Process Questions

• Jumping to implementation without assessment

• Choosing goals without timeframes

• Using medical diagnoses instead of nursing diagnoses

• Not evaluating after care is delivered

Final Comments

Understanding the nursing process is more than an academic task—it’s a life-saving skill. On the NCLEX, these questions test your ability to think like a nurse. Whether you’re tackling the nclex nursing process, NCLEX PN nursing process questions, or working through nclex practice questions nursing process, the key is to know the steps deeply and apply them logically.

Mastering the nursing process helps you not just pass the NCLEX but also thrive in your nursing career.