with Answers & Rationales | Nursing Fundamentals Guide
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing & Basic Care (Questions 1–25)
1. Which of the following is the primary goal of nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association
(ANA)?
A) To cure all patients of their illnesses
B) To promote, protect, and optimize health and abilities, prevent illness and injury, and alleviate
suffering
C) To follow physician orders without question
D) To reduce healthcare costs
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA defines nursing as the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and
abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering, and advocacy for patients.
2. True or False: The nursing process is a linear, one‑time process that ends after patient discharge.
Answer: False
Rationale: The nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) is cyclical
and ongoing, with continuous reassessment and adjustment.
3. Which step of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective data about the patient?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Answer: C
,Rationale: Assessment is the first step, gathering both subjective (patient‑reported) and objective
(measurable) data.
4. Subjective data includes:
A) Blood pressure reading
B) Patient’s statement of pain level
C) Laboratory results
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the patient or family (e.g., “My pain is 8/10”).
Objective data are measurable or observed by the nurse.
5. True or False: A nursing diagnosis is the same as a medical diagnosis.
Answer: False
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis describes a patient’s response to a health problem (e.g., “Acute Pain”),
whereas a medical diagnosis identifies a disease (e.g., “Myocardial Infarction”).
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery. The nurse understands
that this order is primarily to:
A) Prevent aspiration during anesthesia
B) Reduce nausea after surgery
C) Allow the patient to lose weight
D) Save food costs
Answer: A
Rationale: NPO status reduces the risk of aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during sedation
and anesthesia.
7. Which of the following is a correct example of an expected outcome statement?
,A) “Patient will ambulate in the hallway.”
B) “Patient will be able to walk 50 feet with a walker without shortness of breath by discharge.”
C) “Patient will try to walk.”
D) “Patient will improve mobility.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Expected outcomes must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time‑bound
(SMART).
8. True or False: A nurse may delegate any task to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) as long as the
nurse is busy.
Answer: False
Rationale: Delegation must follow the five rights: right task, right circumstance, right person, right
direction/communication, and right supervision/evaluation. Not all tasks are delegable.
9. Which of the following is a correct principle of body mechanics when lifting a patient?
A) Keep feet close together
B) Lift with the back muscles
C) Keep the load close to the body
D) Twist the torso to reach the patient
Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the load close to the body reduces strain on the lower back. Feet should be
shoulder‑width apart, lift with legs, and avoid twisting.
10. A patient who is immobile is at risk for which complication?
A) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
B) Pressure injury
C) Constipation
D) All of the above
, Answer: D
Rationale: Immobility increases risk of DVT, pressure ulcers, constipation, pneumonia, muscle atrophy,
and contractures.
11. True or False: A pressure injury staging system includes “Deep Tissue Pressure Injury” as a stage.
Answer: True
Rationale: The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) staging includes Deep Tissue Pressure
Injury, Stage 1‑4, and Unstageable.
12. A nurse is repositioning a patient every 2 hours. This intervention is primarily to prevent:
A) Falls
B) Pressure injuries
C) Hypothermia
D) Aspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure on bony prominences, reducing the risk of pressure
injuries.
13. Which of the following is a sign of adequate hydration?
A) Dark, concentrated urine
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Urine output of 30 mL/hour
D) Thirst
Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate hydration typically results in urine output of at least 30 mL/hour (0.5 mL/kg/hour)
and pale yellow urine.