NSG 3000 Foundations of Professional Nursing
Practice Comprehensive Practice Exam with 250
Questions Rationales and Study Guide for Fall 2026
Nursing Students
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions Page
1 History and Theories of Nursing Questions
2 Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
3 Communication and Therapeutic Relationships Questions
4 Nursing Process ADPIE Questions
5 Documentation and Informatics Questions
6 Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Questions
7 Cultural Competence and Diversity Questions
8 Professionalism and Role Development Questions
9 Evidence Based Practice Questions
10 Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment Questions
11 Nursing Leadership and Management Questions
SECTION 1 HISTORY AND THEORIES OF NURSING
Questions 1 to 30
Question 1
A nursing student is studying the historical development of professional nursing.
Which individual is credited with establishing the first formal training school for
nurses based on the Nightingale model in the United States
A Dorothea Dix
B Clara Barton
,C Linda Richards
D Isabel Hampton Robb
Answer D Isabel Hampton Robb
Rationale Isabel Hampton Robb was a key figure in American nursing history. She
became superintendent of nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1889 and
established one of the first formal nursing training schools in the US based on
Florence Nightingale educational principles. She also helped found the American
Nurses Association. Dorothea Dix was known for mental health reform Clara
Barton founded the American Red Cross Linda Richards was America first trained
nurse but not credited with establishing the Nightingale model school in the US.
Question 2
A nurse educator is explaining the different levels of nursing education. Which of
the following correctly describes the primary focus of an Associate Degree in
Nursing ADN program
A Preparing nurses for leadership and administrative roles in healthcare
B Focusing on technical bedside nursing skills for direct patient care
C Emphasizing nursing theory research and community health
D Providing advanced practice training for nurse practitioners
Answer B Focusing on technical bedside nursing skills for direct patient care
Rationale The ADN program typically offered at community colleges was
designed to prepare technical bedside nurses for direct patient care in acute care
settings. Option A describes graduate level or BSN programs with leadership
focus. Option C describes BSN or higher education with theory and research
emphasis. Option D describes graduate level nurse practitioner programs.
Question 3
A new graduate nurse is reviewing the Code of Ethics for Nurses. According to
Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics the nurse primary commitment is to
A The healthcare institution employing the nurse
B The physician orders and medical treatment plan
C The patient whether an individual family group community or population
D Maintaining cost effective care for the healthcare system
,Answer C The patient whether an individual family group community or
population
Rationale Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics states the nurse practices with
compassion and respect for the inherent dignity worth and unique attributes of
every person. The nurse primary commitment is to the patient which includes
individuals families groups communities and populations. The nurse is not
primarily committed to the institution physicians or cost saving measures.
Question 4
A nursing instructor is discussing various nursing theorists. Which theorist is
known for the Theory of Human Caring which emphasizes caring as the central
and unifying domain of nursing
A Dorothea Orem
B Hildegard Peplau
C Jean Watson
D Patricia Benner
Answer C Jean Watson
Rationale Jean Watson Theory of Human Caring posits that caring is the essence
and central unifying domain of nursing. She emphasizes the nurse patient
relationship and the importance of caring healing consciousness. Dorothea Orem
is known for the Self Care Deficit Theory. Hildegard Peplau is known for the
Interpersonal Relations Theory. Patricia Benner is known for the Novice to Expert
Theory.
Question 5
A nurse is applying Maslow Hierarchy of Needs when prioritizing patient care.
Which patient need should the nurse address first
A The patient expresses feelings of loneliness and isolation
B The patient has difficulty breathing with oxygen saturation of 88 percent
C The patient is concerned about body image after surgery
D The patient reports feeling anxious about discharge planning
, Answer B The patient has difficulty breathing with oxygen saturation of 88
percent
Rationale Maslow Hierarchy of Needs prioritizes physiological needs air water
food shelter as the most basic and essential for survival. Breathing difficulty with
low oxygen saturation is a physiological need that must be addressed first.
Loneliness body image concerns and anxiety are higher level needs love belonging
esteem and safety that are addressed after physiological needs are met.
Question 6
A nursing student is studying Florence Nightingale contributions to nursing.
Which of the following was a key focus of Nightingale environmental theory
A The importance of sterile technique in surgical settings
B The manipulation of the physical environment to promote healing
C The development of nursing diagnoses
D The establishment of nurse practitioner roles
Answer B The manipulation of the physical environment to promote healing
Rationale Florence Nightingale environmental theory emphasized that the physical
environment fresh air light warmth cleanliness quiet and proper nutrition directly
impacts the patient ability to heal. She believed that nurses should manipulate the
environment to support nature healing processes. Sterile technique was not her
primary focus. Nursing diagnoses and nurse practitioner roles came much later.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. According to Patricia Benner Novice
to Expert Theory which characteristic best describes a nurse at the Advanced
Beginner level
A Relies on rules and guidelines for all clinical decisions
B Demonstrates intuitive grasp of clinical situations
C Can identify patterns and recognize recurring situations based on previous
experience
D Performs tasks efficiently but struggles with prioritizing multiple patient needs
Answer C Can identify patterns and recognize recurring situations based on
previous experience
Practice Comprehensive Practice Exam with 250
Questions Rationales and Study Guide for Fall 2026
Nursing Students
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions Page
1 History and Theories of Nursing Questions
2 Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
3 Communication and Therapeutic Relationships Questions
4 Nursing Process ADPIE Questions
5 Documentation and Informatics Questions
6 Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Questions
7 Cultural Competence and Diversity Questions
8 Professionalism and Role Development Questions
9 Evidence Based Practice Questions
10 Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment Questions
11 Nursing Leadership and Management Questions
SECTION 1 HISTORY AND THEORIES OF NURSING
Questions 1 to 30
Question 1
A nursing student is studying the historical development of professional nursing.
Which individual is credited with establishing the first formal training school for
nurses based on the Nightingale model in the United States
A Dorothea Dix
B Clara Barton
,C Linda Richards
D Isabel Hampton Robb
Answer D Isabel Hampton Robb
Rationale Isabel Hampton Robb was a key figure in American nursing history. She
became superintendent of nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1889 and
established one of the first formal nursing training schools in the US based on
Florence Nightingale educational principles. She also helped found the American
Nurses Association. Dorothea Dix was known for mental health reform Clara
Barton founded the American Red Cross Linda Richards was America first trained
nurse but not credited with establishing the Nightingale model school in the US.
Question 2
A nurse educator is explaining the different levels of nursing education. Which of
the following correctly describes the primary focus of an Associate Degree in
Nursing ADN program
A Preparing nurses for leadership and administrative roles in healthcare
B Focusing on technical bedside nursing skills for direct patient care
C Emphasizing nursing theory research and community health
D Providing advanced practice training for nurse practitioners
Answer B Focusing on technical bedside nursing skills for direct patient care
Rationale The ADN program typically offered at community colleges was
designed to prepare technical bedside nurses for direct patient care in acute care
settings. Option A describes graduate level or BSN programs with leadership
focus. Option C describes BSN or higher education with theory and research
emphasis. Option D describes graduate level nurse practitioner programs.
Question 3
A new graduate nurse is reviewing the Code of Ethics for Nurses. According to
Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics the nurse primary commitment is to
A The healthcare institution employing the nurse
B The physician orders and medical treatment plan
C The patient whether an individual family group community or population
D Maintaining cost effective care for the healthcare system
,Answer C The patient whether an individual family group community or
population
Rationale Provision 1 of the ANA Code of Ethics states the nurse practices with
compassion and respect for the inherent dignity worth and unique attributes of
every person. The nurse primary commitment is to the patient which includes
individuals families groups communities and populations. The nurse is not
primarily committed to the institution physicians or cost saving measures.
Question 4
A nursing instructor is discussing various nursing theorists. Which theorist is
known for the Theory of Human Caring which emphasizes caring as the central
and unifying domain of nursing
A Dorothea Orem
B Hildegard Peplau
C Jean Watson
D Patricia Benner
Answer C Jean Watson
Rationale Jean Watson Theory of Human Caring posits that caring is the essence
and central unifying domain of nursing. She emphasizes the nurse patient
relationship and the importance of caring healing consciousness. Dorothea Orem
is known for the Self Care Deficit Theory. Hildegard Peplau is known for the
Interpersonal Relations Theory. Patricia Benner is known for the Novice to Expert
Theory.
Question 5
A nurse is applying Maslow Hierarchy of Needs when prioritizing patient care.
Which patient need should the nurse address first
A The patient expresses feelings of loneliness and isolation
B The patient has difficulty breathing with oxygen saturation of 88 percent
C The patient is concerned about body image after surgery
D The patient reports feeling anxious about discharge planning
, Answer B The patient has difficulty breathing with oxygen saturation of 88
percent
Rationale Maslow Hierarchy of Needs prioritizes physiological needs air water
food shelter as the most basic and essential for survival. Breathing difficulty with
low oxygen saturation is a physiological need that must be addressed first.
Loneliness body image concerns and anxiety are higher level needs love belonging
esteem and safety that are addressed after physiological needs are met.
Question 6
A nursing student is studying Florence Nightingale contributions to nursing.
Which of the following was a key focus of Nightingale environmental theory
A The importance of sterile technique in surgical settings
B The manipulation of the physical environment to promote healing
C The development of nursing diagnoses
D The establishment of nurse practitioner roles
Answer B The manipulation of the physical environment to promote healing
Rationale Florence Nightingale environmental theory emphasized that the physical
environment fresh air light warmth cleanliness quiet and proper nutrition directly
impacts the patient ability to heal. She believed that nurses should manipulate the
environment to support nature healing processes. Sterile technique was not her
primary focus. Nursing diagnoses and nurse practitioner roles came much later.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. According to Patricia Benner Novice
to Expert Theory which characteristic best describes a nurse at the Advanced
Beginner level
A Relies on rules and guidelines for all clinical decisions
B Demonstrates intuitive grasp of clinical situations
C Can identify patterns and recognize recurring situations based on previous
experience
D Performs tasks efficiently but struggles with prioritizing multiple patient needs
Answer C Can identify patterns and recognize recurring situations based on
previous experience
