NURS 402 TRANSITION TO PRACTICE EXAM NEW GRADUATE READINESS] QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM
UPDATE 2026/2027.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse manager is evaluating the safety culture on a medical-surgical unit. Which action best
demonstrates a "just culture" approach to error management?
A. Punishing the nurse who made a medication error.
B. Encouraging reporting of errors to identify systemic flaws.
C. Ignoring minor errors that did not result in patient harm.
D. Focusing primarily on individual accountability.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A just culture balances the need for accountability with the understanding that
errors often stem from systemic issues rather than individual negligence, encouraging open
reporting.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessment of a patient’s surgical incision.
B. Administration of oral antibiotics.
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable patient.
D. Patient education on discharge medications.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: UAPs are trained to perform routine tasks such as vital signs on stable patients;
assessments and medication administration are within the scope of practice for licensed nurses.
An ethical dilemma arises when a patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious
beliefs. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting this decision?
,A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy is the principle that recognizes the patient's right to make their own
healthcare decisions, even when those decisions conflict with medical advice.
A new graduate nurse is preparing to administer an unfamiliar medication. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Ask a peer for instructions.
B. Administer the drug if the dosage seems safe.
C. Consult a reliable drug reference or the hospital formulary.
D. Skip the dose and document it as refused.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standard of care requires nurses to verify medication information
through evidence-based, reliable resources before administration.
A nurse observes a colleague appearing impaired while on duty. What is the mandatory immediate
action?
A. Confront the colleague privately.
B. Ignore the behavior if patient care does not seem affected.
C. Report the observations to the nursing supervisor immediately.
D. Document the behavior in the patient's chart.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Reporting a potentially impaired colleague is a legal and ethical mandate to
ensure patient safety and professional integrity.
,Which statement by a nurse best describes the concept of nursing advocacy?
A. Making decisions for the patient because the nurse is the expert.
B. Ensuring the patient has the information needed to make informed choices.
C. Following physician orders without question to avoid conflict.
D. Focusing solely on the physical care of the patient.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Advocacy involves empowering patients by ensuring they have the necessary
information and support to express their wishes and make informed decisions.
A patient is being discharged with a complex wound dressing. Which action best facilitates
continuity of care?
A. Providing verbal instructions only.
B. Arranging a follow-up appointment with the wound care nurse.
C. Assuming the family will manage the dressing change.
D. Focusing only on hospital discharge paperwork.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuity of care is maintained by establishing clear follow-up plans with
specialized care providers to ensure the transition from hospital to home is seamless.
When using the SBAR communication tool, what information is included in the "Assessment"
section?
A. The patient's name and room number.
B. The nurse's professional opinion of what is happening.
C. Current vital signs and lab results.
D. The specific request for physician action.
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The Assessment component of SBAR requires the nurse to synthesize data and
provide their professional judgment regarding the patient's status.
A nurse is documenting a patient's pain level. Which entry is most legally defensible?
A. Patient complained of a lot of pain.
B. Patient’s pain seems better after medication.
C. Patient reports sharp, throbbing pain at 7/10 in the left hip.
D. Pain management was effective.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Legal documentation must be objective, specific, and measurable to provide an
accurate record of the patient's clinical status.
A nurse is assigned a high-acuity patient and three stable patients. Which strategy is most effective
for time management?
A. Completing all charting at the end of the shift.
B. Prioritizing care based on the urgency and stability of each patient.
C. Performing all tasks for the high-acuity patient first.
D. Assisting peers with their patients to build rapport.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Effective time management in nursing requires prioritizing tasks based on patient
acuity and clinical stability to ensure high-priority needs are addressed first.
What is the primary purpose of a Nurse Practice Act?
A. To protect the public by defining the scope of nursing practice.
B. To establish salary scales for healthcare workers.
C. To dictate hospital management policies.
D. To provide professional development credits.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM
UPDATE 2026/2027.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse manager is evaluating the safety culture on a medical-surgical unit. Which action best
demonstrates a "just culture" approach to error management?
A. Punishing the nurse who made a medication error.
B. Encouraging reporting of errors to identify systemic flaws.
C. Ignoring minor errors that did not result in patient harm.
D. Focusing primarily on individual accountability.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A just culture balances the need for accountability with the understanding that
errors often stem from systemic issues rather than individual negligence, encouraging open
reporting.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessment of a patient’s surgical incision.
B. Administration of oral antibiotics.
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable patient.
D. Patient education on discharge medications.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: UAPs are trained to perform routine tasks such as vital signs on stable patients;
assessments and medication administration are within the scope of practice for licensed nurses.
An ethical dilemma arises when a patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious
beliefs. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting this decision?
,A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy is the principle that recognizes the patient's right to make their own
healthcare decisions, even when those decisions conflict with medical advice.
A new graduate nurse is preparing to administer an unfamiliar medication. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Ask a peer for instructions.
B. Administer the drug if the dosage seems safe.
C. Consult a reliable drug reference or the hospital formulary.
D. Skip the dose and document it as refused.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standard of care requires nurses to verify medication information
through evidence-based, reliable resources before administration.
A nurse observes a colleague appearing impaired while on duty. What is the mandatory immediate
action?
A. Confront the colleague privately.
B. Ignore the behavior if patient care does not seem affected.
C. Report the observations to the nursing supervisor immediately.
D. Document the behavior in the patient's chart.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Reporting a potentially impaired colleague is a legal and ethical mandate to
ensure patient safety and professional integrity.
,Which statement by a nurse best describes the concept of nursing advocacy?
A. Making decisions for the patient because the nurse is the expert.
B. Ensuring the patient has the information needed to make informed choices.
C. Following physician orders without question to avoid conflict.
D. Focusing solely on the physical care of the patient.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Advocacy involves empowering patients by ensuring they have the necessary
information and support to express their wishes and make informed decisions.
A patient is being discharged with a complex wound dressing. Which action best facilitates
continuity of care?
A. Providing verbal instructions only.
B. Arranging a follow-up appointment with the wound care nurse.
C. Assuming the family will manage the dressing change.
D. Focusing only on hospital discharge paperwork.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuity of care is maintained by establishing clear follow-up plans with
specialized care providers to ensure the transition from hospital to home is seamless.
When using the SBAR communication tool, what information is included in the "Assessment"
section?
A. The patient's name and room number.
B. The nurse's professional opinion of what is happening.
C. Current vital signs and lab results.
D. The specific request for physician action.
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The Assessment component of SBAR requires the nurse to synthesize data and
provide their professional judgment regarding the patient's status.
A nurse is documenting a patient's pain level. Which entry is most legally defensible?
A. Patient complained of a lot of pain.
B. Patient’s pain seems better after medication.
C. Patient reports sharp, throbbing pain at 7/10 in the left hip.
D. Pain management was effective.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Legal documentation must be objective, specific, and measurable to provide an
accurate record of the patient's clinical status.
A nurse is assigned a high-acuity patient and three stable patients. Which strategy is most effective
for time management?
A. Completing all charting at the end of the shift.
B. Prioritizing care based on the urgency and stability of each patient.
C. Performing all tasks for the high-acuity patient first.
D. Assisting peers with their patients to build rapport.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Effective time management in nursing requires prioritizing tasks based on patient
acuity and clinical stability to ensure high-priority needs are addressed first.
What is the primary purpose of a Nurse Practice Act?
A. To protect the public by defining the scope of nursing practice.
B. To establish salary scales for healthcare workers.
C. To dictate hospital management policies.
D. To provide professional development credits.
