NUR 101: Introduction to Professional Nursing
200 Exam QUESTIONs with Detailed Answers
PART 1: HISTORY OF NURSING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(QUESTIONs 1-25)
QUESTION 1: Describe the development of nursing in the United States during the 19th century.
Answer: The development of nursing in the US was significantly influenced by Florence Nightingale, who
established the first nursing philosophy based on health maintenance and restoration. Although English,
her work greatly impacted US nursing. The Civil War (1860-1865) spurred major growth in nursing, with
Clara Barton founding the American Red Cross. Nursing in hospitals expanded rapidly in the late 19th
century, moving beyond a domestic role to a more organized occupation .
QUESTION 2: Who was Florence Nightingale and what were her major contributions to nursing?
Answer: Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. She established the first nursing
philosophy based on health maintenance and restoration and developed the first organized program for
training nurses. She is also recognized as the first practicing nurse epidemiologist for her work using
statistics to improve sanitation and infection control during the Crimean War. Her efforts instituted
simple but effective infection control practices that saved countless lives .
QUESTION 3: What role did Clara Barton play in the history of American nursing?
Answer: Clara Barton was a pioneering American nurse who is best known as the founder of the
American Red Cross. Her work during the Civil War was instrumental in providing care to soldiers, and
she dedicated her life to humanitarian efforts, establishing an organization that continues to provide
disaster relief and support to this day .
QUESTION 4: Who was Mary Adelaide Nutting and why is she significant in nursing education?
Answer: Mary Adelaide Nutting was instrumental in moving nursing education from hospital-based
diploma programs into universities. Her work helped establish nursing as an academic discipline, paving
the way for higher education and advanced practice in nursing .
,QUESTION 5: What was Mildred Montag's contribution to nursing education?
Answer: Mildred Montag is credited with starting the two-year nursing program, which led to the
development of the associate degree in nursing (ADN). This innovation helped address nursing shortages
by creating a shorter, more accessible pathway into the profession .
QUESTION 6: What were the characteristics of nursing student life 150 years ago?
Answer: Nursing students 150 years ago typically had no formal classrooms. Students were often
women who needed a job, frequently widows, and were required to be single and white. The schooling
was cheap and often provided accommodations. They wore long-sleeved, heavily starched dresses that
were uncomfortable. They were expected to be kind, pretty, compassionate, and act as the "angel of the
household" while studying basic nursing courses .
QUESTION 7: What are the five key characteristics that identify nursing as a profession? (Select all that
apply)
A. Nursing provides a specific service
B. Nursing requires an extended body of knowledge
C. Nursing has a code of ethics for practice
D. Nursing has a theoretical body of knowledge
E. Nurses have autonomy in decision making and practice
Answer: A, B, C, D, and E. All five characteristics are essential in defining nursing as a profession. Nursing
offers a distinct service, relies on a specialized and evolving body of knowledge, is guided by a formal
code of ethics, utilizes theoretical frameworks for practice, and requires professional autonomy in
decision-making .
QUESTION 8: According to Benner's theory, how would you describe a "Novice" nurse?
Answer: According to Patricia Benner's model, a novice nurse is one who is governed by rules and is
usually inflexible in their practice. They have no previous experience with the situations they encounter
and must rely on learned rules to guide their actions .
QUESTION 9: According to Benner's theory, how would you describe an "Advanced Beginner" nurse?
,Answer: An advanced beginner demonstrates acceptable performance. They have coped with enough
real situations to recognize recurring meaningful components. As noted in the search results, Annie,
who is flexible, performs duties well without supervision, but still needs more experience to develop
consciously planned nursing care, would be considered an advanced beginner .
QUESTION 10: According to Benner's theory, what defines a "Competent" nurse?
Answer: A competent nurse is one who is able to plan nursing care consciously. They have typically been
in the same or similar clinical situations for two to three years and can see the long-term goals of their
actions. They are more efficient and organized than advanced beginners .
QUESTION 11: According to Benner's theory, what defines an "Expert" nurse?
Answer: An expert nurse has an intuitive grasp of the clinical situation. They can perceive a case
immediately, even before a formal diagnosis is made, based on deep experience and pattern
recognition. They no longer rely on analytical rules to connect their understanding to appropriate action
.
QUESTION 12: What is the difference between a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and a "regular" nurse?
Answer: A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who is an expert in a specialized
area of nursing practice. Unlike a staff nurse, a CNS holds an advanced degree (typically a master's or
doctorate) and their role often includes expert clinical practice, education, research, and consultation
within their specialty .
QUESTION 13: What are the major functions of the American Nurses Association (ANA)?
Answer: The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a national, professional organization for registered
nurses. Its major functions include fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the
professional and economic welfare of nurses, lobbying on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the
public, and creating a code of ethics for the profession. Membership is optional .
QUESTION 14: What is the focus of the National League for Nursing (NLN)?
Answer: The National League for Nursing (NLN) is primarily focused on nursing education. Its members
are often nursing educators and schools of nursing. The NLN promotes excellence in nursing education
to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce to meet the needs of the population .
, QUESTION 15: What is the purpose of a specialty nursing organization?
Answer: Specialty nursing organizations, such as those for oncology or pediatric nurses, focus on the
unique needs and practices of a specific patient population or clinical area. They provide continuing
education, set standards for specialty practice, offer certification, and provide a networking community
for nurses in that field. Membership is optional but can be beneficial for career development .
QUESTION 16: What is the difference between licensure, accreditation, and credentialing?
Answer: Licensure is the process by which a state government determines that a person meets
minimum requirements to practice a profession (e.g., passing the NCLEX). Accreditation is the process by
which an educational program or institution (like a nursing school or hospital) meets certain standards
set by a professional body. Credentialing refers to ways the profession ensures competence, such as
obtaining specialty certification (e.g., becoming a certified RN in a specific field) .
QUESTION 17: What is the "nurse-client relationship" and what are its defining characteristics?
Answer: The nurse-client relationship is a professional relationship where the nurse establishes, directs,
and takes responsibility for the interaction. The client's needs are the priority, and there is an inherent
unequal power dynamic because the nurse has more knowledge, authority, and influence. The
relationship is built on trust, respect, professional intimacy, empathy, and the responsible use of power .
QUESTION 18: What are the five components of a therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
Answer: The five key components are:
1. Trust: Very fragile and easily broken; requires honesty and listening intently.
2. Respect: Recognition of the patient's dignity as a person.
3. Professional Intimacy: Awareness and mindfulness of the personal and private nature of care.
4. Empathy: Understanding and validating the meaning of the patient's experience.
5. Power: The nurse's responsibility to use their greater knowledge, authority, and influence to
advocate for the patient .
200 Exam QUESTIONs with Detailed Answers
PART 1: HISTORY OF NURSING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(QUESTIONs 1-25)
QUESTION 1: Describe the development of nursing in the United States during the 19th century.
Answer: The development of nursing in the US was significantly influenced by Florence Nightingale, who
established the first nursing philosophy based on health maintenance and restoration. Although English,
her work greatly impacted US nursing. The Civil War (1860-1865) spurred major growth in nursing, with
Clara Barton founding the American Red Cross. Nursing in hospitals expanded rapidly in the late 19th
century, moving beyond a domestic role to a more organized occupation .
QUESTION 2: Who was Florence Nightingale and what were her major contributions to nursing?
Answer: Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. She established the first nursing
philosophy based on health maintenance and restoration and developed the first organized program for
training nurses. She is also recognized as the first practicing nurse epidemiologist for her work using
statistics to improve sanitation and infection control during the Crimean War. Her efforts instituted
simple but effective infection control practices that saved countless lives .
QUESTION 3: What role did Clara Barton play in the history of American nursing?
Answer: Clara Barton was a pioneering American nurse who is best known as the founder of the
American Red Cross. Her work during the Civil War was instrumental in providing care to soldiers, and
she dedicated her life to humanitarian efforts, establishing an organization that continues to provide
disaster relief and support to this day .
QUESTION 4: Who was Mary Adelaide Nutting and why is she significant in nursing education?
Answer: Mary Adelaide Nutting was instrumental in moving nursing education from hospital-based
diploma programs into universities. Her work helped establish nursing as an academic discipline, paving
the way for higher education and advanced practice in nursing .
,QUESTION 5: What was Mildred Montag's contribution to nursing education?
Answer: Mildred Montag is credited with starting the two-year nursing program, which led to the
development of the associate degree in nursing (ADN). This innovation helped address nursing shortages
by creating a shorter, more accessible pathway into the profession .
QUESTION 6: What were the characteristics of nursing student life 150 years ago?
Answer: Nursing students 150 years ago typically had no formal classrooms. Students were often
women who needed a job, frequently widows, and were required to be single and white. The schooling
was cheap and often provided accommodations. They wore long-sleeved, heavily starched dresses that
were uncomfortable. They were expected to be kind, pretty, compassionate, and act as the "angel of the
household" while studying basic nursing courses .
QUESTION 7: What are the five key characteristics that identify nursing as a profession? (Select all that
apply)
A. Nursing provides a specific service
B. Nursing requires an extended body of knowledge
C. Nursing has a code of ethics for practice
D. Nursing has a theoretical body of knowledge
E. Nurses have autonomy in decision making and practice
Answer: A, B, C, D, and E. All five characteristics are essential in defining nursing as a profession. Nursing
offers a distinct service, relies on a specialized and evolving body of knowledge, is guided by a formal
code of ethics, utilizes theoretical frameworks for practice, and requires professional autonomy in
decision-making .
QUESTION 8: According to Benner's theory, how would you describe a "Novice" nurse?
Answer: According to Patricia Benner's model, a novice nurse is one who is governed by rules and is
usually inflexible in their practice. They have no previous experience with the situations they encounter
and must rely on learned rules to guide their actions .
QUESTION 9: According to Benner's theory, how would you describe an "Advanced Beginner" nurse?
,Answer: An advanced beginner demonstrates acceptable performance. They have coped with enough
real situations to recognize recurring meaningful components. As noted in the search results, Annie,
who is flexible, performs duties well without supervision, but still needs more experience to develop
consciously planned nursing care, would be considered an advanced beginner .
QUESTION 10: According to Benner's theory, what defines a "Competent" nurse?
Answer: A competent nurse is one who is able to plan nursing care consciously. They have typically been
in the same or similar clinical situations for two to three years and can see the long-term goals of their
actions. They are more efficient and organized than advanced beginners .
QUESTION 11: According to Benner's theory, what defines an "Expert" nurse?
Answer: An expert nurse has an intuitive grasp of the clinical situation. They can perceive a case
immediately, even before a formal diagnosis is made, based on deep experience and pattern
recognition. They no longer rely on analytical rules to connect their understanding to appropriate action
.
QUESTION 12: What is the difference between a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and a "regular" nurse?
Answer: A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who is an expert in a specialized
area of nursing practice. Unlike a staff nurse, a CNS holds an advanced degree (typically a master's or
doctorate) and their role often includes expert clinical practice, education, research, and consultation
within their specialty .
QUESTION 13: What are the major functions of the American Nurses Association (ANA)?
Answer: The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a national, professional organization for registered
nurses. Its major functions include fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the
professional and economic welfare of nurses, lobbying on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the
public, and creating a code of ethics for the profession. Membership is optional .
QUESTION 14: What is the focus of the National League for Nursing (NLN)?
Answer: The National League for Nursing (NLN) is primarily focused on nursing education. Its members
are often nursing educators and schools of nursing. The NLN promotes excellence in nursing education
to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce to meet the needs of the population .
, QUESTION 15: What is the purpose of a specialty nursing organization?
Answer: Specialty nursing organizations, such as those for oncology or pediatric nurses, focus on the
unique needs and practices of a specific patient population or clinical area. They provide continuing
education, set standards for specialty practice, offer certification, and provide a networking community
for nurses in that field. Membership is optional but can be beneficial for career development .
QUESTION 16: What is the difference between licensure, accreditation, and credentialing?
Answer: Licensure is the process by which a state government determines that a person meets
minimum requirements to practice a profession (e.g., passing the NCLEX). Accreditation is the process by
which an educational program or institution (like a nursing school or hospital) meets certain standards
set by a professional body. Credentialing refers to ways the profession ensures competence, such as
obtaining specialty certification (e.g., becoming a certified RN in a specific field) .
QUESTION 17: What is the "nurse-client relationship" and what are its defining characteristics?
Answer: The nurse-client relationship is a professional relationship where the nurse establishes, directs,
and takes responsibility for the interaction. The client's needs are the priority, and there is an inherent
unequal power dynamic because the nurse has more knowledge, authority, and influence. The
relationship is built on trust, respect, professional intimacy, empathy, and the responsible use of power .
QUESTION 18: What are the five components of a therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
Answer: The five key components are:
1. Trust: Very fragile and easily broken; requires honesty and listening intently.
2. Respect: Recognition of the patient's dignity as a person.
3. Professional Intimacy: Awareness and mindfulness of the personal and private nature of care.
4. Empathy: Understanding and validating the meaning of the patient's experience.
5. Power: The nurse's responsibility to use their greater knowledge, authority, and influence to
advocate for the patient .
