, NUR 283 – Comprehensive Exams Week 1 to 8:
Master Review Set (2026/2027) Questions and
Answers with Rationale
WEEK 1: Foundations, Professional Roles, &
Legal/Ethical Standards
Question 1
A nurse working on a pediatric unit has received the hand-off
report and is reviewing client data and orders. Which of the
following clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A toddler with bronchiolitis on room air and mild
wheezing.
B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is receiving
oxygen via nasal cannula.
C. A preschooler with otitis media awaiting discharge.
D. A school-age child with a simple fracture in a cast.
Correct Answer: B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who
is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
Rationale: Infants diagnosed with pertussis are at exceptionally
high risk for sudden apnea, severe paroxysmal coughing spells,
and rapid respiratory compromise. Any pediatric client requiring
supplemental oxygen with an active respiratory illness takes
immediate priority over stable or discharging clients.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and realizes the
dosage prescribed exceeds the recommended safe dosage range
in the drug reference book. What is the nurse's primary ethical
and legal obligation?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed since the
physician holds final responsibility.
B. Withhold the medication and contact the prescribing
healthcare provider immediately to clarify.
C. Administer half the dose and document the reasoning in
the chart.
D. Ask the client if they wish to take the prescribed dose.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold the medication and contact the
prescribing healthcare provider immediately to clarify.
Rationale: Nurses are legally and professionally accountable for
every medication they administer. If an order is unsafe or
exceeds safe dosage limits, the nurse must withhold the
medication and contact the prescriber for clarification.
Question 3
A nurse witnesses a client fall in the hospital hallway. After
assessing the client for injuries and ensuring safety, what is the
next essential action the nurse must take?
A. Document the details of the incident in the client's medical
progress notes.
, B. Complete an institutional incident report (variance report)
according to facility policy.
C. Notify the client's family members before informing the
nursing supervisor.
D. Place a note in the client's chart stating an incident report
was filed.
Correct Answer: B. Complete an institutional incident report
(variance report) according to facility policy.
Rationale: Incident reports are internal risk-management
documents used to track adverse events and improve safety.
They are completed separately from the medical record, and the
medical record should never mention that an incident report was
filed.
Question 4
A nurse manager is delegating tasks to assistive personnel (AP).
Which of the following tasks is appropriate to assign to an AP?
A. Assessing the surgical wound healing progress of a client 2
days post-op.
B. Feeding a stable client with dysphagia who is at high risk
for aspiration.
C. Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable client admitted
yesterday.
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic client how to inject
insulin.
Master Review Set (2026/2027) Questions and
Answers with Rationale
WEEK 1: Foundations, Professional Roles, &
Legal/Ethical Standards
Question 1
A nurse working on a pediatric unit has received the hand-off
report and is reviewing client data and orders. Which of the
following clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A toddler with bronchiolitis on room air and mild
wheezing.
B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is receiving
oxygen via nasal cannula.
C. A preschooler with otitis media awaiting discharge.
D. A school-age child with a simple fracture in a cast.
Correct Answer: B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who
is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
Rationale: Infants diagnosed with pertussis are at exceptionally
high risk for sudden apnea, severe paroxysmal coughing spells,
and rapid respiratory compromise. Any pediatric client requiring
supplemental oxygen with an active respiratory illness takes
immediate priority over stable or discharging clients.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and realizes the
dosage prescribed exceeds the recommended safe dosage range
in the drug reference book. What is the nurse's primary ethical
and legal obligation?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed since the
physician holds final responsibility.
B. Withhold the medication and contact the prescribing
healthcare provider immediately to clarify.
C. Administer half the dose and document the reasoning in
the chart.
D. Ask the client if they wish to take the prescribed dose.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold the medication and contact the
prescribing healthcare provider immediately to clarify.
Rationale: Nurses are legally and professionally accountable for
every medication they administer. If an order is unsafe or
exceeds safe dosage limits, the nurse must withhold the
medication and contact the prescriber for clarification.
Question 3
A nurse witnesses a client fall in the hospital hallway. After
assessing the client for injuries and ensuring safety, what is the
next essential action the nurse must take?
A. Document the details of the incident in the client's medical
progress notes.
, B. Complete an institutional incident report (variance report)
according to facility policy.
C. Notify the client's family members before informing the
nursing supervisor.
D. Place a note in the client's chart stating an incident report
was filed.
Correct Answer: B. Complete an institutional incident report
(variance report) according to facility policy.
Rationale: Incident reports are internal risk-management
documents used to track adverse events and improve safety.
They are completed separately from the medical record, and the
medical record should never mention that an incident report was
filed.
Question 4
A nurse manager is delegating tasks to assistive personnel (AP).
Which of the following tasks is appropriate to assign to an AP?
A. Assessing the surgical wound healing progress of a client 2
days post-op.
B. Feeding a stable client with dysphagia who is at high risk
for aspiration.
C. Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable client admitted
yesterday.
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic client how to inject
insulin.
