NUR 210 & NUR 242 | Nursing Fundamentals & Med-Surg
Foundations Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |Galen College
1. Which action is considered the most effective way to break the chain of
infection in a clinical setting?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B. Performing consistent hand hygiene
C. Wearing a gown for all patient interactions
D. Keeping all patient room doors closed
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the single most effective intervention to
prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
2. When a nurse moves a patient’s leg away from the midline of the body, which
range of motion (ROM) movement is being performed?
A. Adduction
B. Flexion
C. Abduction
D. Extension
Answer: C
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the
body, while adduction moves it toward the midline.
,3. A patient is identified as a high fall risk. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Apply soft wrist restraints
B. Administer a sedative as prescribed
C. Place the bed in the lowest position
D. Raise all four side rails
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the bed in the lowest position is a primary safety intervention. Four side
rails are considered a restraint and should be avoided unless necessary.
4. Which stage of pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness loss of
skin with exposed dermis, appearing as a pink or red wound bed?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 4
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 2
Answer: D
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness skin loss with exposed
dermis. Stage 1 is non-blanchable erythema, and Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss
into the fat layer.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection. At what
angle should the needle be inserted?
A. 15 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: B
, Rationale: IM injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to ensure the medication
reaches the muscle tissue below the subcutaneous layer.
6. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the
nurse address first?
A. Physiological needs (e.g., oxygenation)
B. Safety and security
C. Self-esteem needs
D. Love and belonging
Answer: A
Rationale: Physiological needs such as breathing, food, and water are the base of the
pyramid and must be satisfied before higher-level needs.
7. What is the primary purpose of an incentive spirometer after surgery?
A. To measure lung volume for diagnostic purposes
B. To provide supplemental oxygen to the patient
C. To promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis
D. To decrease the work of breathing during sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps keep the alveoli
open and prevents lung collapse (atelectasis) postoperatively.
8. Which vital sign change is a classic indicator of orthostatic hypotension?
A. Decrease in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when standing up
B. Increase in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when sitting up
C. Decrease in heart rate of 10 bpm when standing
D. Increase in diastolic BP of 20 mmHg when standing
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg
or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
Foundations Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |Galen College
1. Which action is considered the most effective way to break the chain of
infection in a clinical setting?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B. Performing consistent hand hygiene
C. Wearing a gown for all patient interactions
D. Keeping all patient room doors closed
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the single most effective intervention to
prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
2. When a nurse moves a patient’s leg away from the midline of the body, which
range of motion (ROM) movement is being performed?
A. Adduction
B. Flexion
C. Abduction
D. Extension
Answer: C
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the
body, while adduction moves it toward the midline.
,3. A patient is identified as a high fall risk. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Apply soft wrist restraints
B. Administer a sedative as prescribed
C. Place the bed in the lowest position
D. Raise all four side rails
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the bed in the lowest position is a primary safety intervention. Four side
rails are considered a restraint and should be avoided unless necessary.
4. Which stage of pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness loss of
skin with exposed dermis, appearing as a pink or red wound bed?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 4
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 2
Answer: D
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness skin loss with exposed
dermis. Stage 1 is non-blanchable erythema, and Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss
into the fat layer.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection. At what
angle should the needle be inserted?
A. 15 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: B
, Rationale: IM injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to ensure the medication
reaches the muscle tissue below the subcutaneous layer.
6. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the
nurse address first?
A. Physiological needs (e.g., oxygenation)
B. Safety and security
C. Self-esteem needs
D. Love and belonging
Answer: A
Rationale: Physiological needs such as breathing, food, and water are the base of the
pyramid and must be satisfied before higher-level needs.
7. What is the primary purpose of an incentive spirometer after surgery?
A. To measure lung volume for diagnostic purposes
B. To provide supplemental oxygen to the patient
C. To promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis
D. To decrease the work of breathing during sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps keep the alveoli
open and prevents lung collapse (atelectasis) postoperatively.
8. Which vital sign change is a classic indicator of orthostatic hypotension?
A. Decrease in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when standing up
B. Increase in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when sitting up
C. Decrease in heart rate of 10 bpm when standing
D. Increase in diastolic BP of 20 mmHg when standing
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg
or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
