NSG 3100 Fundamental Concepts & Skills for Nursing Practice
Exams 1, 2 & 3 | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice
Questions and Verified Answers | Galen College Complete Q&A
Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: BASIC CONCEPTS, SAFETY, INFECTION CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATION (Questions 1–67)
1. Which action should the nurse perform before every patient contact?
A) Apply sterile gloves
B) Review the medication record
C) Perform hand hygiene
D) Put on a gown
Answer: C – Perform hand hygiene.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to reduce the transmission of
microorganisms and prevent healthcareassociated infections. It should be performed before and after
every patient contact, before aseptic tasks, and after exposure to body fluids.
2. Which step of the nursing process involves collecting patient information?
A) Planning
B) Assessment
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: B – Assessment.
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of subjective and objective data that forms the basis
for nursing care. Planning involves setting goals, implementation involves carrying out interventions,
and evaluation involves determining whether goals were met.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client. Which action demonstrates the best
practice for preventing medication errors?
A) Administer all medications at the same time
B) Compare the medication label with the MAR at the bedside
C) Verify the client's name using two identifiers before administration
D) Ask the client if they recognize the medication
Answer: C – Verify the client's name using two identifiers before administration.
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) is a standard safety practice to
ensure correct patient identification and reduce medication errors.
4. Which of the following is the most effective way to break the chain of infection?
A) Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B) Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
C) Using disposable equipment only
D) Placing all patients on contact precautions
Answer: B – Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent transmission of pathogens in
healthcare settings.
5. A client with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place the client in which type of
room?
A) Standard private room
B) Airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure)
C) Contact precautions room
D) Droplet precautions room
Answer: B – Airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure).
,Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include a private room with negative
pressure and an N95 respirator for healthcare workers.
6. Which assessment question should the nurse use to clarify patient information that has been
obtained?
A) "What are the most important things you need to know about your diet?"
B) "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
C) "Have we talked about all of the tissues that you have with wound care?"
D) "Can you talk about your discomfort?"
Answer: B – "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
Rationale: This question uses clarification to verify the accuracy of information obtained from the
patient.
7. Which essential critical thinking indicator is the nurse using when she tries out a new way to apply a
dressing?
A) Curiosity
B) Discipline
C) Creativity
D) Persistence
Answer: C – Creativity.
Rationale: Creativity in critical thinking involves finding new and innovative ways to solve problems or
perform tasks.
8. The nurse on the surgical unit has a multiple patient assignment. On beginning the shift, the nurse
determines that the first patient to see in the morning is the individual who:
A) Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
B) Requires instruction for wound care
C) Needs to be transferred from bed to chair
D) Received pain medication 5 minutes ago
, Answer: A – Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg.
Rationale: A blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which may be a sign of shock or
hypovolemia. This is a priority assessment using the ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy.
9. For the process of reflection, the nurse asks himor herself which of the following?
A) "How do I report the increased blood pressure reading?"
B) "Why is the patient having pain now?"
C) "Did the patient's respiratory status just change?"
D) "How should I have taught the patient to do selfinjection more efficiently?"
Answer: D – "How should I have taught the patient to do selfinjection more efficiently?"
Rationale: Reflection involves reviewing one's own actions and considering how they could be improved
in the future.
10. The nurse is using the personal critical thinking indicator of honesty when he or she does which of
the following?
A) Recognizes when personal biases may affect care
B) Seeks evidence to support clinical decisions
C) Admits when a mistake has been made
D) Questions routine practices
Answer: C – Admits when a mistake has been made.
Rationale: Honesty in critical thinking involves admitting errors and being truthful about one's
limitations and mistakes.
11. In planning for the patient assignment, the nurse prioritizes his schedule on the basis of the patient's
needs and conditions. In reviewing the nursing diagnoses, which of the following patients should be
seen first in the morning?
A) Altered urinary elimination
B) Change in sleep pattern
Exams 1, 2 & 3 | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice
Questions and Verified Answers | Galen College Complete Q&A
Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: BASIC CONCEPTS, SAFETY, INFECTION CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATION (Questions 1–67)
1. Which action should the nurse perform before every patient contact?
A) Apply sterile gloves
B) Review the medication record
C) Perform hand hygiene
D) Put on a gown
Answer: C – Perform hand hygiene.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to reduce the transmission of
microorganisms and prevent healthcareassociated infections. It should be performed before and after
every patient contact, before aseptic tasks, and after exposure to body fluids.
2. Which step of the nursing process involves collecting patient information?
A) Planning
B) Assessment
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: B – Assessment.
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of subjective and objective data that forms the basis
for nursing care. Planning involves setting goals, implementation involves carrying out interventions,
and evaluation involves determining whether goals were met.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client. Which action demonstrates the best
practice for preventing medication errors?
A) Administer all medications at the same time
B) Compare the medication label with the MAR at the bedside
C) Verify the client's name using two identifiers before administration
D) Ask the client if they recognize the medication
Answer: C – Verify the client's name using two identifiers before administration.
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) is a standard safety practice to
ensure correct patient identification and reduce medication errors.
4. Which of the following is the most effective way to break the chain of infection?
A) Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B) Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
C) Using disposable equipment only
D) Placing all patients on contact precautions
Answer: B – Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent transmission of pathogens in
healthcare settings.
5. A client with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place the client in which type of
room?
A) Standard private room
B) Airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure)
C) Contact precautions room
D) Droplet precautions room
Answer: B – Airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure).
,Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include a private room with negative
pressure and an N95 respirator for healthcare workers.
6. Which assessment question should the nurse use to clarify patient information that has been
obtained?
A) "What are the most important things you need to know about your diet?"
B) "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
C) "Have we talked about all of the tissues that you have with wound care?"
D) "Can you talk about your discomfort?"
Answer: B – "Am I incorrect that you take two medications at home for your blood pressure?"
Rationale: This question uses clarification to verify the accuracy of information obtained from the
patient.
7. Which essential critical thinking indicator is the nurse using when she tries out a new way to apply a
dressing?
A) Curiosity
B) Discipline
C) Creativity
D) Persistence
Answer: C – Creativity.
Rationale: Creativity in critical thinking involves finding new and innovative ways to solve problems or
perform tasks.
8. The nurse on the surgical unit has a multiple patient assignment. On beginning the shift, the nurse
determines that the first patient to see in the morning is the individual who:
A) Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg
B) Requires instruction for wound care
C) Needs to be transferred from bed to chair
D) Received pain medication 5 minutes ago
, Answer: A – Has a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg.
Rationale: A blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which may be a sign of shock or
hypovolemia. This is a priority assessment using the ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy.
9. For the process of reflection, the nurse asks himor herself which of the following?
A) "How do I report the increased blood pressure reading?"
B) "Why is the patient having pain now?"
C) "Did the patient's respiratory status just change?"
D) "How should I have taught the patient to do selfinjection more efficiently?"
Answer: D – "How should I have taught the patient to do selfinjection more efficiently?"
Rationale: Reflection involves reviewing one's own actions and considering how they could be improved
in the future.
10. The nurse is using the personal critical thinking indicator of honesty when he or she does which of
the following?
A) Recognizes when personal biases may affect care
B) Seeks evidence to support clinical decisions
C) Admits when a mistake has been made
D) Questions routine practices
Answer: C – Admits when a mistake has been made.
Rationale: Honesty in critical thinking involves admitting errors and being truthful about one's
limitations and mistakes.
11. In planning for the patient assignment, the nurse prioritizes his schedule on the basis of the patient's
needs and conditions. In reviewing the nursing diagnoses, which of the following patients should be
seen first in the morning?
A) Altered urinary elimination
B) Change in sleep pattern
