EXAM 3- NSG 122 NURSING FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE|
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- The Nursing Process and Critical Thinking*
*- Patient Safety and Infection Control*
*- Vital Signs and Health Assessment*
*- Medication Administration and Pharmacology*
*- Ethics, Legal Principles, and Professional Standards*
*- Patient Communication and Documentation*
*- Nutrition, Fluid Balance, and Electrolytes*
*- Mobility, Positioning, and Skin Integrity*
*- Pain Management and Comfort*
*- Emergency Care and CPR*
,Introduction
This practice examination is designed to assess foundational knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
essential for nursing students entering professional practice. The exam evaluates competency across core
domains including the nursing process, patient safety, infection control, vital signs assessment, medication
administration, ethics and legal compliance, communication techniques, and basic patient care interventions.
The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure mirrors real licensing examination formats, emphasizing
critical thinking and prioritization in clinical situations. Questions range from foundational theory to applied
professional knowledge, requiring learners to integrate regulatory standards, ethical principles, and
evidence-based practices. Success on this assessment demonstrates readiness for real-world nursing
responsibilities and the ability to make safe, defensible decisions in diverse healthcare settings.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to take a patient's vital signs. Which of the following represents the normal adult
respiratory rate range?
A. 8 to 12 breaths per minute
B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
C. 20 to 30 breaths per minute
D. 30 to 40 breaths per minute
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: The normal adult respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Rates below 12 indicate
bradypnea, while rates above 20 indicate tachypnea, both requiring clinical assessment.
Question 2
When performing hand hygiene, what is the FIRST step a nurse should take?
A. Apply soap to hands
B. Wet hands with water
C. Remove jewelry from hands
D. Rub hands together for 15 seconds
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: The first step of hand hygiene is removing jewelry from hands, as jewelry can harbor
microorganisms and interfere with proper cleaning. Hands should be wet before applying soap, and rubbing
should occur for at least 15-20 seconds.
Question 3
A patient with MRSA requires isolation. Which precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions only
B. Droplet precautions only
C. Contact precautions
D. No special precautions needed
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) requires contact precautions because it
spreads through direct contact. Airborne precautions are for tuberculosis, and droplet precautions are for
illnesses like influenza.
Question 4
Which route of medication administration has the FASTEST absorption rate?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Intravenous administration provides the fastest medication absorption because the drug is
delivered directly into the bloodstream. Oral administration has the slowest absorption due to gastrointestinal
processing.
Question 5
A patient's blood pressure reading is 145/92 mmHg. How should the nurse classify this reading?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE|
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- The Nursing Process and Critical Thinking*
*- Patient Safety and Infection Control*
*- Vital Signs and Health Assessment*
*- Medication Administration and Pharmacology*
*- Ethics, Legal Principles, and Professional Standards*
*- Patient Communication and Documentation*
*- Nutrition, Fluid Balance, and Electrolytes*
*- Mobility, Positioning, and Skin Integrity*
*- Pain Management and Comfort*
*- Emergency Care and CPR*
,Introduction
This practice examination is designed to assess foundational knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
essential for nursing students entering professional practice. The exam evaluates competency across core
domains including the nursing process, patient safety, infection control, vital signs assessment, medication
administration, ethics and legal compliance, communication techniques, and basic patient care interventions.
The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure mirrors real licensing examination formats, emphasizing
critical thinking and prioritization in clinical situations. Questions range from foundational theory to applied
professional knowledge, requiring learners to integrate regulatory standards, ethical principles, and
evidence-based practices. Success on this assessment demonstrates readiness for real-world nursing
responsibilities and the ability to make safe, defensible decisions in diverse healthcare settings.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to take a patient's vital signs. Which of the following represents the normal adult
respiratory rate range?
A. 8 to 12 breaths per minute
B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
C. 20 to 30 breaths per minute
D. 30 to 40 breaths per minute
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: The normal adult respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Rates below 12 indicate
bradypnea, while rates above 20 indicate tachypnea, both requiring clinical assessment.
Question 2
When performing hand hygiene, what is the FIRST step a nurse should take?
A. Apply soap to hands
B. Wet hands with water
C. Remove jewelry from hands
D. Rub hands together for 15 seconds
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: The first step of hand hygiene is removing jewelry from hands, as jewelry can harbor
microorganisms and interfere with proper cleaning. Hands should be wet before applying soap, and rubbing
should occur for at least 15-20 seconds.
Question 3
A patient with MRSA requires isolation. Which precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions only
B. Droplet precautions only
C. Contact precautions
D. No special precautions needed
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) requires contact precautions because it
spreads through direct contact. Airborne precautions are for tuberculosis, and droplet precautions are for
illnesses like influenza.
Question 4
Which route of medication administration has the FASTEST absorption rate?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Intravenous administration provides the fastest medication absorption because the drug is
delivered directly into the bloodstream. Oral administration has the slowest absorption due to gastrointestinal
processing.
Question 5
A patient's blood pressure reading is 145/92 mmHg. How should the nurse classify this reading?
