NU 136/NU136 Exam 1 | Fundamentals of Nursing (2026) Actual Q&A PDF | Galen Colleg

Galen College of Nursing NU 136/NU136: Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 1 Practice Test Question 1 – Clinical Decision-Making The nurse is caring for a patient who is two days post-operative from abdominal surgery. The patient’s vital signs are stable, but they report a pain level of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. The nurse reviews the medication administration record and administers the prescribed analgesic. Thirty minutes later, the nurse reassesses the patient’s pain level, which is now a 2. This reassessment is a component of which phase of the nursing process? A) Assessment B) Planning C) Implementation D) Evaluation Correct Answer: D Rationale: The evaluation phase involves determining whether the patient’s goals or outcomes have been met after nursing interventions have been implemented. The reassessment of pain after administering medication directly measures the effectiveness of that intervention. Question 2 – Safety and Infection Control A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter for a patient. After performing hand hygiene and applying clean gloves, which action is essential for preventing a bloodborne pathogen exposure? A) Recapping the used needle with the one-handed scoop method. B) Placing the used needle and syringe directly into a puncture-proof sharps container. C) Disconnecting the needle from the syringe before discarding it into the regular trash. D) Carefully removing the needle from the IV hub and placing it on the bedside table for later use. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Immediate and direct disposal of the entire sharp device into a designated, puncture-resistant sharps container is the required safety practice. This action minimizes the risk of needlestick injuries, which are a primary route of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Question 3 – Mobility and Immobility The nurse is assisting a patient who has left-sided weakness from a stroke to transfer from the bed to a chair. Which action should the nurse take to ensure a safe transfer? A) Position the chair on the patient’s strong (right) side. B) Position the chair on the patient’s weak (left) side. C) Ask the patient to place their hands around the nurse’s neck for support. D) Use a gait belt and stand directly in front of the patient to pivot. Correct Answer: A Rationale: Positioning the chair on the patient’s stronger side allows the patient to lead with their more functional leg and pivot towards it, utilizing their maximum strength and stability. This promotes independence and safety while lowering the risk of falls. Question 4 – Hygiene and Comfort An older adult patient with dry, flaking skin on their lower extremities asks the nurse about the best way to manage this condition. Which instruction is most appropriate? A) “Use a mild soap and apply a moisturizing lotion immediately after bathing.” B) “Bathe twice a day with hot water to soothe the skin and improve circulation.” C) “Apply rubbing alcohol to the affected areas to help dry out the flaking skin.” D) “Use an antibacterial soap to prevent infection in the dry, cracked skin areas.” Correct Answer: A Rationale: Using a mild soap and applying a moisturizer right after bathing traps moisture in the skin, which is the most effective way to manage dry skin. Frequent or hot bathing and harsh soaps can strip the skin of its natural oils, worsening the condition. Question 5 – Vital Signs and Measurement The nurse is preparing to obtain a patient’s blood pressure using an electronic (oscillometric) device. The patient is sitting in a chair with the arm resting unsupported at their side. What is the nurse’s priority action? A) Obtain the reading as the patient is positioned correctly. B) Place the patient’s arm on a bedside table to support it at heart level. C) Ask the patient to hold their arm out straight and parallel to the floor. D) Deflate the cuff completely and re-inflate it to get a more accurate reading. Correct Answer: B Rationale: For an accurate blood pressure measurement, the patient’s arm must be supported and positioned so that the midpoint of the cuff is at the level of the right atrium. The nurse’s priority is to adjust the patient’s position to ensure this requirement is met before taking the reading. Question 6 – Nutritional and Metabolic Patterns The nurse is teaching a patient with a new diagnosis of heart failure about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice, if selected by the patient, indicates the teaching was effective? A) A baked potato with salt-free seasoning. B) A sandwich with three slices of deli ham. C) A bowl of canned vegetable soup. D) A serving of salted peanuts. Correct Answer: A Rationale: A baked potato with a salt-free seasoning is a fresh, whole food that is naturally low in sodium. Deli meats, canned soups, and salted peanuts are all processed or prepared foods that contain high amounts of sodium to enhance flavor and preservation. Question 7 – Safety and Infection Control The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions due to a Clostridioides difficile (C. Diff) infection. Which action is most important for the nurse to perform to prevent the spread of infection? A) Donning an N95 respirator mask before entering the room. B) Performing hand hygiene with soap and water after removing gloves. C) Placing the patient in a room with negative-pressure airflow. D) Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon exiting the room. Correct Answer: B Rationale: C. Diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The physical action of washing with soap and water is necessary to mechanically remove the spores from the hands, making this the most critical action for preventing transmission. Question 8 – Urinary Elimination A patient has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse notes that the urine in the drainage bag has a distinct odor and is cloudy. What is the nurse’s priority action? A) Irrigate the catheter to remove any sediment. B) Increase the patient’s oral fluid intake. C) Notify the healthcare provider of the findings. D) Empty the drainage bag to prevent backflow. Correct Answer: C Rationale: Cloudy urine with a foul odor is a classic sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), a significant complication of an indwelling catheter. The nurse’s priority is to recognize the potential infection and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible intervention. Question 9 – Mobility and Immobility The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a cane. The patient has weakness in their right leg. Which statement indicates the patient understands the correct technique? A) “I will hold the cane in my right hand.” B) “I will move the cane forward with my left leg.” C) “I will hold the cane in my left hand.” D) “I will move my right leg forward after moving the cane.” Correct Answer: C Rationale: The cane should be held on the side of the stronger leg to provide support and distribute weight away from the weaker side. The patient moves the cane and the weaker leg forward together, then bears weight through the cane and the stronger leg. Question 10 – Professional Behaviors A nurse is reviewing a patient’s electronic health record (EHR) and notices they have accessed the record of a celebrity patient who is not assigned to their care. Which action best demonstrates professional and ethical behavior in this situation? A) Discussing the celebrity’s condition with their colleague in the break room. B) Closing the record immediately and only accessing information required for their assigned patients. C) Taking a quick look to satisfy their curiosity, as no harm is intended. D) Taking a screenshot to share with a friend who is a fan of the celebrity. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Accessing a patient’s health record without a professional “need to know” is a breach of confidentiality and a violation of HIPAA. The only appropriate action is to respect patient privacy by only accessing the health information that is directly necessary to perform their job duties. Question 11 – Oxygenation and Perfusion The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient’s oxygen saturation is 89%. Which action should the nurse take first? A) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min. B) Assess the patient’s respiratory rate and depth. C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately. D) Place the patient in a high Fowler’s position.