FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
12TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)PATRICIA A. POTTER;
ANNE G. PERRY; PATRICIA A.
STOCKERT; AMY HALL; WENDY
R. OSTENDORF
TEST BANK
,Question 1
A newly licensed registered nurse asks a preceptor what
distinguishes nursing as a profession from an occupation. Which
response by the preceptor is most accurate?
A. Nursing primarily follows physician-directed tasks without
independent responsibilities.
B. Nursing is characterized by specialized knowledge, ethical
standards, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong
learning.
C. Nursing requires technical skills but does not require
continuing education after licensure.
D. Nursing focuses exclusively on performing treatments
ordered by health care providers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A profession is distinguished by a unique body of knowledge,
adherence to ethical principles, accountability for practice,
service to society, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Registered nurses use clinical judgment, critical thinking,
evidence-based practice, and independent decision-making
within their scope of practice. The remaining options
inaccurately minimize the autonomous and professional
responsibilities of nursing.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for four patients at the beginning of the shift.
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient requesting assistance to complete admission
paperwork.
B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and shortness
of breath.
C. A patient asking for a scheduled bath.
D. A patient requesting information about discharge
prescriptions for tomorrow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The nurse should prioritize assessment using the principles of
airway, breathing, circulation, and patient safety. New-onset
chest pressure with shortness of breath may indicate an acute
cardiac event requiring immediate assessment and
intervention. The remaining concerns are important but are not
as urgent as a potentially life-threatening condition.
Question 3
A nursing student asks why evidence-based practice is
important. Which response by the instructor is best?
A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized procedures.
B. It combines current research, clinical expertise, and patient
, preferences to improve outcomes.
C. It requires nurses to follow physician recommendations
without question.
D. It discourages individualized patient care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research
evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values to support safe,
high-quality care. Clinical judgment remains essential because
each patient's needs and preferences are unique. Evidence-
based practice does not eliminate individualized care or
independent nursing judgment.
Question 4
A nurse notices another nurse preparing to administer
medication intended for one patient to a different patient with
a similar name. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Wait until the medication is administered before reporting
the incident.
B. Immediately intervene to prevent the medication error.
C. Document the near miss in the medical record before
speaking to the nurse.
D. Discuss the situation privately after the medication pass is
completed.
12TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)PATRICIA A. POTTER;
ANNE G. PERRY; PATRICIA A.
STOCKERT; AMY HALL; WENDY
R. OSTENDORF
TEST BANK
,Question 1
A newly licensed registered nurse asks a preceptor what
distinguishes nursing as a profession from an occupation. Which
response by the preceptor is most accurate?
A. Nursing primarily follows physician-directed tasks without
independent responsibilities.
B. Nursing is characterized by specialized knowledge, ethical
standards, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong
learning.
C. Nursing requires technical skills but does not require
continuing education after licensure.
D. Nursing focuses exclusively on performing treatments
ordered by health care providers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A profession is distinguished by a unique body of knowledge,
adherence to ethical principles, accountability for practice,
service to society, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Registered nurses use clinical judgment, critical thinking,
evidence-based practice, and independent decision-making
within their scope of practice. The remaining options
inaccurately minimize the autonomous and professional
responsibilities of nursing.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for four patients at the beginning of the shift.
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient requesting assistance to complete admission
paperwork.
B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and shortness
of breath.
C. A patient asking for a scheduled bath.
D. A patient requesting information about discharge
prescriptions for tomorrow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The nurse should prioritize assessment using the principles of
airway, breathing, circulation, and patient safety. New-onset
chest pressure with shortness of breath may indicate an acute
cardiac event requiring immediate assessment and
intervention. The remaining concerns are important but are not
as urgent as a potentially life-threatening condition.
Question 3
A nursing student asks why evidence-based practice is
important. Which response by the instructor is best?
A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized procedures.
B. It combines current research, clinical expertise, and patient
, preferences to improve outcomes.
C. It requires nurses to follow physician recommendations
without question.
D. It discourages individualized patient care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research
evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values to support safe,
high-quality care. Clinical judgment remains essential because
each patient's needs and preferences are unique. Evidence-
based practice does not eliminate individualized care or
independent nursing judgment.
Question 4
A nurse notices another nurse preparing to administer
medication intended for one patient to a different patient with
a similar name. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Wait until the medication is administered before reporting
the incident.
B. Immediately intervene to prevent the medication error.
C. Document the near miss in the medical record before
speaking to the nurse.
D. Discuss the situation privately after the medication pass is
completed.
