Galen College NUR 170 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Med-Surg Q&A |
Medical-Surgical Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which actions contaminate the sterile
field? (Select all that apply)
A) A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is placed on the field.
B) A contaminated instrument touches the outer edge of the sterile field.
C) A sterile instrument is dropped onto the near side of the sterile field.
D) The nurse turns to address the client's question concerning the procedure.
E) The procedure is postponed for 30 minutes to accommodate the client.
F) A liquid is poured into a sterile container from a distance of 25 cm.
Correct Answer: A, D, E, F
Rationale: Any object that is not sterile, including cotton balls that are not
individually wrapped, contaminates the field. Turning away from the field
breaks sterility because the nurse cannot guarantee the field remained
unexposed. A sterile field should be prepared immediately before use;
postponing increases contamination risk. Liquids should be poured from a
height of no more than 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) to avoid splashing.
2. What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A) Reduce the number of microorganisms
B) Eliminate all microorganisms
C) Clean the surgical site
D) Prevent infection after surgery
Correct Answer: Eliminate all microorganisms
,Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate all
microorganisms, including spores, from a specific area. This is achieved
through the use of sterile equipment, sterile gloves, and maintaining a sterile
field. Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number of
microorganisms.
3. A sterile field should be maintained at or above which level?
A) Waist level
B) Chest level
C) Shoulder level
D) Knee level
Correct Answer: Waist level
Rationale: A sterile field must remain at or above waist level to prevent
contamination from non-sterile areas below the waist. This principle
minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the sterile field.
4. A patient is admitted with a urinary tract infection and is prescribed an
antibiotic. Which of the following is the most important instruction for the
nurse to give the patient?
A) Take the medication with food.
B) Take the medication until symptoms resolve.
C) Take the medication as prescribed and complete the entire course.
D) Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
Correct Answer: Take the medication as prescribed and complete the entire
course.
,Rationale: It is essential to instruct the patient to take the antibiotic as
prescribed and to complete the entire course of therapy. This prevents the
development of antibiotic resistance. Stopping early can lead to a relapse of
the infection.
5. 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.
Correct Answer: Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. It breaks the chain of
infection at the transmission link.
6. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place
the patient in which type of room?
A) Standard private room with the door closed.
B) Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
C) Positive-pressure room.
D) Room with a HEPA filter only.
Correct Answer: Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles. Airborne
precautions require a negative-pressure room, with the door kept closed, and
, healthcare workers wearing N95 respirators. Private rooms and HEPA filters
alone are insufficient.
7. A client with a history of falls is being discharged home. Which of the
following is the most important recommendation to improve safety in the
home?
A) Install grab bars in the bathroom
B) Place throw rugs on slippery floors
C) Keep the home dimly lit to reduce glare
D) Remove all handrails
Correct Answer: Install grab bars in the bathroom
Rationale: Installing grab bars in the bathroom is an important home
modification to prevent falls. The home should be well-lit, throw rugs should
be removed, and handrails should be maintained.
8. Which interventions can the nurse initiate to prevent falls in the hospital?
(Select all that apply)
A) Keep the bed in the lowest position.
B) Keep the call light within reach.
C) Place the client in restraints at night.
D) Use bed alarms.
E) Keep the room cluttered.
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Fall prevention interventions include keeping the bed in the lowest
position, keeping the call light within reach, using bed alarms, and keeping
Medical-Surgical Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which actions contaminate the sterile
field? (Select all that apply)
A) A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is placed on the field.
B) A contaminated instrument touches the outer edge of the sterile field.
C) A sterile instrument is dropped onto the near side of the sterile field.
D) The nurse turns to address the client's question concerning the procedure.
E) The procedure is postponed for 30 minutes to accommodate the client.
F) A liquid is poured into a sterile container from a distance of 25 cm.
Correct Answer: A, D, E, F
Rationale: Any object that is not sterile, including cotton balls that are not
individually wrapped, contaminates the field. Turning away from the field
breaks sterility because the nurse cannot guarantee the field remained
unexposed. A sterile field should be prepared immediately before use;
postponing increases contamination risk. Liquids should be poured from a
height of no more than 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) to avoid splashing.
2. What is the primary goal of surgical asepsis?
A) Reduce the number of microorganisms
B) Eliminate all microorganisms
C) Clean the surgical site
D) Prevent infection after surgery
Correct Answer: Eliminate all microorganisms
,Rationale: Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) aims to eliminate all
microorganisms, including spores, from a specific area. This is achieved
through the use of sterile equipment, sterile gloves, and maintaining a sterile
field. Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number of
microorganisms.
3. A sterile field should be maintained at or above which level?
A) Waist level
B) Chest level
C) Shoulder level
D) Knee level
Correct Answer: Waist level
Rationale: A sterile field must remain at or above waist level to prevent
contamination from non-sterile areas below the waist. This principle
minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the sterile field.
4. A patient is admitted with a urinary tract infection and is prescribed an
antibiotic. Which of the following is the most important instruction for the
nurse to give the patient?
A) Take the medication with food.
B) Take the medication until symptoms resolve.
C) Take the medication as prescribed and complete the entire course.
D) Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
Correct Answer: Take the medication as prescribed and complete the entire
course.
,Rationale: It is essential to instruct the patient to take the antibiotic as
prescribed and to complete the entire course of therapy. This prevents the
development of antibiotic resistance. Stopping early can lead to a relapse of
the infection.
5. 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.
Correct Answer: Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent the
transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. It breaks the chain of
infection at the transmission link.
6. A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. The nurse should place
the patient in which type of room?
A) Standard private room with the door closed.
B) Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
C) Positive-pressure room.
D) Room with a HEPA filter only.
Correct Answer: Negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles. Airborne
precautions require a negative-pressure room, with the door kept closed, and
, healthcare workers wearing N95 respirators. Private rooms and HEPA filters
alone are insufficient.
7. A client with a history of falls is being discharged home. Which of the
following is the most important recommendation to improve safety in the
home?
A) Install grab bars in the bathroom
B) Place throw rugs on slippery floors
C) Keep the home dimly lit to reduce glare
D) Remove all handrails
Correct Answer: Install grab bars in the bathroom
Rationale: Installing grab bars in the bathroom is an important home
modification to prevent falls. The home should be well-lit, throw rugs should
be removed, and handrails should be maintained.
8. Which interventions can the nurse initiate to prevent falls in the hospital?
(Select all that apply)
A) Keep the bed in the lowest position.
B) Keep the call light within reach.
C) Place the client in restraints at night.
D) Use bed alarms.
E) Keep the room cluttered.
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Fall prevention interventions include keeping the bed in the lowest
position, keeping the call light within reach, using bed alarms, and keeping
