RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
SC H OOL OF NU RSING
NUR 2790 Final Exam: Professional
Nursing III (PN3)
Course: NUR 2790 - Professional Nursing
III
Exam: Comprehensive Final Examination
Questions: 100 Multiple Choice
Academic Year: 2026 - 2027
L a t est 2 02 6 /2 02 7 Up d a t e | Quest ions a nd Ver ified Answer s
, NUR 2790 Final Exam: Professional Nursing III | Rasmussen University | 2026/2027
Section 1: Leadership, Management, and Delegation (Q1-Q25)
Q1: A nurse manager on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to implement a new evidence-based fall
prevention protocol. The manager holds a staff meeting, presents the evidence, and asks each nursing team
member for input on how to adapt the protocol for their specific patient population. Which leadership style is
the nurse manager demonstrating?
A. Autocratic leadership
B. Democratic leadership [CORRECT]
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Transactional leadership
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse manager is demonstrating democratic leadership by actively soliciting input from team members during the
decision-making process. Democratic leadership (also called participative leadership) involves the leader seeking input, encouraging
open communication, and considering team perspectives before making decisions. This style promotes staff engagement, ownership of
changes, and often leads to better implementation outcomes because staff feel heard and invested. Autocratic leadership centralizes
all decision-making with the leader without team input, which is more appropriate in emergencies. Laissez-faire leadership provides
minimal direction and high autonomy, which is effective only with highly experienced, self-motivated teams. Transactional leadership
focuses on supervision, rewards, and punishments based on performance rather than collaborative decision-making.
Q2: A charge nurse is making patient assignments for the upcoming shift. There is an experienced LPN, a new
graduate RN, and two nursing assistants available. Which task is most appropriate for the charge nurse to
delegate to the LPN?
A. Performing the initial admission assessment on a newly admitted patient with chest pain
B. Administering oral medications to a stable patient with controlled hypertension [CORRECT]
C. Developing the nursing care plan for a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes
D. Teaching a patient how to perform self-catheterization at home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oral medications to a stable patient is within the LPN scope of practice and is an appropriate delegation
task. The Five Rights of Delegation must be followed: Right Task (medication administration to stable patients is appropriate for
LPNs), Right Circumstances (the patient is stable with controlled hypertension), Right Person (the LPN is licensed and competent),
Right Direction (clear instructions provided), and Right Supervision (the RN supervises and evaluates outcomes). The RN cannot
delegate assessment, diagnosis, care planning, or patient teaching, as these require RN-level education and judgment. The initial
admission assessment, nursing care plan development, and patient education are all RN responsibilities that cannot be delegated to an
LPN or UAP.
Q3: A nursing student is studying the QSEN competencies. Which competency focuses on using information
technology to manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making?
A. Patient-Centered Care
B. Teamwork and Collaboration
C. Informatics [CORRECT]
D. Quality Improvement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informatics is the QSEN competency that focuses on using information technology to manage knowledge, mitigate errors,
and support clinical decision-making. It encompasses the use of electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, barcode
medication administration, and other health information technologies to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
Patient-Centered Care focuses on recognizing the patient as a full partner in care. Teamwork and Collaboration emphasizes effective
communication and teamwork across disciplines. Quality Improvement involves using data to monitor outcomes and improve care
, processes. Each QSEN competency has specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) that nursing students must develop.
Q4: A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first using the ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) prioritization framework?
A. A patient who is scheduled for a dressing change on a surgical wound
B. A patient who reports pain at a level of 6 out of 10 following abdominal surgery
C. A patient who has developed new-onset stridor and restlessness after a tonsillectomy [CORRECT]
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation following a knee replacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, the nurse should prioritize the patient with new-onset stridor and restlessness after a
tonsillectomy. Stridor indicates upper airway obstruction, which is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate assessment
and intervention (Airway is the first priority). Post-tonsillectomy bleeding or edema can cause airway compromise that may rapidly
progress to complete obstruction. The dressing change is a routine task that can wait. Pain management is important but is a lower
priority than airway patency. Ambulation assistance is also important but not an immediate life-threatening concern. The ABC
framework establishes that Airway always takes precedence, followed by Breathing, then Circulation, after which other needs such
as pain, mobility, and routine care are addressed.
Q5: A nurse is preparing to give a bedside handoff report using the SBAR format. Which component of SBAR
includes the patient current vital signs, assessment findings, and the nurse clinical judgment about the
situation?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment [CORRECT]
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Assessment component of SBAR includes the nurse clinical evaluation of the situation, including current vital signs,
assessment findings, and clinical judgment about what is happening with the patient. SBAR is a standardized communication tool:
Situation (what is happening right now), Background (relevant clinical context and history), Assessment (the nurse clinical evaluation
and interpretation of data), and Recommendation (what the nurse believes needs to be done). The Situation is a brief statement of the
current problem. The Background provides the clinical context. The Recommendation suggests specific actions. Including the
Assessment component is critical because it conveys the nurse professional judgment and helps the receiving nurse or provider
understand the clinical significance of the situation.
Q6: A nurse manager is experiencing a conflict between two staff nurses regarding scheduling preferences. One
nurse wants every weekend off, while the other wants no evening shifts. After listening to both nurses, the
manager works with them to develop a schedule that partially accommodates both, though neither gets exactly
what they want. Which conflict resolution strategy did the nurse manager use?
A. Avoiding
B. Compromising [CORRECT]
C. Collaborating
D. Competing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse manager used compromising, which involves both parties giving up something to reach a middle-ground
solution. In compromising, neither party fully achieves their desired outcome, but both gain some satisfaction. This differs from
collaborating (win-win), where both parties work together to find a creative solution that fully meets the needs of both. Avoiding
involves ignoring or withdrawing from the conflict. Competing (forcing) involves one party pursuing their position at the expense of
the other. While compromising is a reasonable approach, collaborating is generally considered the most effective conflict resolution
strategy in healthcare because it promotes mutual understanding, preserves relationships, and often leads to more sustainable
solutions.
Q7: A nursing unit is implementing a new electronic health record system. The nurse manager creates a vision
for how the new system will improve patient safety, inspires the staff to embrace the change, and encourages
, each team member to develop innovative ways to use the system in their daily practice. Which leadership style
best describes this approach?
A. Transformational leadership [CORRECT]
B. Transactional leadership
C. Autocratic leadership
D. Laissez-faire leadership
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership is characterized by the leader creating a compelling vision, inspiring and motivating
followers toward shared goals, encouraging innovation, and fostering individual growth. The nurse manager in this scenario is
exhibiting key transformational leadership behaviors: articulating a vision (improved patient safety), inspiring staff to embrace
change, and encouraging innovation in daily practice. Transformational leaders are particularly effective during organizational
change because they address the emotional and motivational aspects of transition. Transactional leadership focuses on exchanges
(rewards for compliance), autocratic leadership uses centralized control, and laissez-faire leadership provides minimal guidance.
None of these other styles emphasize vision, inspiration, and innovation as core components.
Q8: A nurse is caring for a patient who requires a Foley catheter insertion. Which task can the nurse
appropriately delegate to a nursing assistant (UAP)?
A. Performing the catheter insertion
B. Documenting the catheter insertion in the electronic health record
C. Measuring and recording the urine output after catheter insertion [CORRECT]
D. Assessing the patient for signs of urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Measuring and recording urine output is a task that falls within the UAP scope of practice because it involves basic data
collection (vital signs, I&O; monitoring). The UAP can measure, record, and report urine output to the RN. The RN must then
interpret the data and make clinical decisions. Catheter insertion is an invasive procedure that requires nursing education and skill,
and is within the RN or LPN scope depending on state regulations and facility policy, not UAP scope. Documenting the catheter
insertion in the EHR requires nursing judgment and is an RN responsibility. Assessing for signs of urinary tract infection requires
clinical judgment and cannot be delegated to UAP. The key principle is that the RN can delegate basic care tasks and data collection
to UAP but must retain assessment, teaching, planning, and evaluation.
Q9: A nurse manager is applying the management function of controlling. Which action best demonstrates this
function?
A. Developing a staffing schedule for the upcoming month
B. Comparing patient fall rates to the established benchmark and implementing corrective actions [CORRECT]
C. Interviewing candidates for an open staff nurse position
D. Establishing goals for reducing hospital-acquired infections on the unit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The management function of controlling involves monitoring performance, comparing actual outcomes to established
standards or benchmarks, and taking corrective action when deviations are identified. Comparing patient fall rates to benchmarks
and implementing corrective actions directly demonstrates this function. The management functions follow the POSDC framework:
Planning (setting goals and objectives), Organizing (structuring resources and roles), Staffing (recruiting and selecting personnel),
Directing (guiding and supervising staff), and Controlling (monitoring and evaluating performance). Developing a staffing schedule
is organizing. Interviewing candidates is staffing. Establishing goals for reducing infections is planning. Controlling ensures that the
plans developed during the planning phase are being effectively implemented and produces the desired outcomes.
Q10: A nurse is providing care to a patient who refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. The
patient is awake, alert, and oriented. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting the patient
decision?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy [CORRECT]
SC H OOL OF NU RSING
NUR 2790 Final Exam: Professional
Nursing III (PN3)
Course: NUR 2790 - Professional Nursing
III
Exam: Comprehensive Final Examination
Questions: 100 Multiple Choice
Academic Year: 2026 - 2027
L a t est 2 02 6 /2 02 7 Up d a t e | Quest ions a nd Ver ified Answer s
, NUR 2790 Final Exam: Professional Nursing III | Rasmussen University | 2026/2027
Section 1: Leadership, Management, and Delegation (Q1-Q25)
Q1: A nurse manager on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to implement a new evidence-based fall
prevention protocol. The manager holds a staff meeting, presents the evidence, and asks each nursing team
member for input on how to adapt the protocol for their specific patient population. Which leadership style is
the nurse manager demonstrating?
A. Autocratic leadership
B. Democratic leadership [CORRECT]
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Transactional leadership
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse manager is demonstrating democratic leadership by actively soliciting input from team members during the
decision-making process. Democratic leadership (also called participative leadership) involves the leader seeking input, encouraging
open communication, and considering team perspectives before making decisions. This style promotes staff engagement, ownership of
changes, and often leads to better implementation outcomes because staff feel heard and invested. Autocratic leadership centralizes
all decision-making with the leader without team input, which is more appropriate in emergencies. Laissez-faire leadership provides
minimal direction and high autonomy, which is effective only with highly experienced, self-motivated teams. Transactional leadership
focuses on supervision, rewards, and punishments based on performance rather than collaborative decision-making.
Q2: A charge nurse is making patient assignments for the upcoming shift. There is an experienced LPN, a new
graduate RN, and two nursing assistants available. Which task is most appropriate for the charge nurse to
delegate to the LPN?
A. Performing the initial admission assessment on a newly admitted patient with chest pain
B. Administering oral medications to a stable patient with controlled hypertension [CORRECT]
C. Developing the nursing care plan for a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes
D. Teaching a patient how to perform self-catheterization at home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oral medications to a stable patient is within the LPN scope of practice and is an appropriate delegation
task. The Five Rights of Delegation must be followed: Right Task (medication administration to stable patients is appropriate for
LPNs), Right Circumstances (the patient is stable with controlled hypertension), Right Person (the LPN is licensed and competent),
Right Direction (clear instructions provided), and Right Supervision (the RN supervises and evaluates outcomes). The RN cannot
delegate assessment, diagnosis, care planning, or patient teaching, as these require RN-level education and judgment. The initial
admission assessment, nursing care plan development, and patient education are all RN responsibilities that cannot be delegated to an
LPN or UAP.
Q3: A nursing student is studying the QSEN competencies. Which competency focuses on using information
technology to manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making?
A. Patient-Centered Care
B. Teamwork and Collaboration
C. Informatics [CORRECT]
D. Quality Improvement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informatics is the QSEN competency that focuses on using information technology to manage knowledge, mitigate errors,
and support clinical decision-making. It encompasses the use of electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, barcode
medication administration, and other health information technologies to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
Patient-Centered Care focuses on recognizing the patient as a full partner in care. Teamwork and Collaboration emphasizes effective
communication and teamwork across disciplines. Quality Improvement involves using data to monitor outcomes and improve care
, processes. Each QSEN competency has specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) that nursing students must develop.
Q4: A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first using the ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) prioritization framework?
A. A patient who is scheduled for a dressing change on a surgical wound
B. A patient who reports pain at a level of 6 out of 10 following abdominal surgery
C. A patient who has developed new-onset stridor and restlessness after a tonsillectomy [CORRECT]
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation following a knee replacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, the nurse should prioritize the patient with new-onset stridor and restlessness after a
tonsillectomy. Stridor indicates upper airway obstruction, which is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate assessment
and intervention (Airway is the first priority). Post-tonsillectomy bleeding or edema can cause airway compromise that may rapidly
progress to complete obstruction. The dressing change is a routine task that can wait. Pain management is important but is a lower
priority than airway patency. Ambulation assistance is also important but not an immediate life-threatening concern. The ABC
framework establishes that Airway always takes precedence, followed by Breathing, then Circulation, after which other needs such
as pain, mobility, and routine care are addressed.
Q5: A nurse is preparing to give a bedside handoff report using the SBAR format. Which component of SBAR
includes the patient current vital signs, assessment findings, and the nurse clinical judgment about the
situation?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment [CORRECT]
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Assessment component of SBAR includes the nurse clinical evaluation of the situation, including current vital signs,
assessment findings, and clinical judgment about what is happening with the patient. SBAR is a standardized communication tool:
Situation (what is happening right now), Background (relevant clinical context and history), Assessment (the nurse clinical evaluation
and interpretation of data), and Recommendation (what the nurse believes needs to be done). The Situation is a brief statement of the
current problem. The Background provides the clinical context. The Recommendation suggests specific actions. Including the
Assessment component is critical because it conveys the nurse professional judgment and helps the receiving nurse or provider
understand the clinical significance of the situation.
Q6: A nurse manager is experiencing a conflict between two staff nurses regarding scheduling preferences. One
nurse wants every weekend off, while the other wants no evening shifts. After listening to both nurses, the
manager works with them to develop a schedule that partially accommodates both, though neither gets exactly
what they want. Which conflict resolution strategy did the nurse manager use?
A. Avoiding
B. Compromising [CORRECT]
C. Collaborating
D. Competing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse manager used compromising, which involves both parties giving up something to reach a middle-ground
solution. In compromising, neither party fully achieves their desired outcome, but both gain some satisfaction. This differs from
collaborating (win-win), where both parties work together to find a creative solution that fully meets the needs of both. Avoiding
involves ignoring or withdrawing from the conflict. Competing (forcing) involves one party pursuing their position at the expense of
the other. While compromising is a reasonable approach, collaborating is generally considered the most effective conflict resolution
strategy in healthcare because it promotes mutual understanding, preserves relationships, and often leads to more sustainable
solutions.
Q7: A nursing unit is implementing a new electronic health record system. The nurse manager creates a vision
for how the new system will improve patient safety, inspires the staff to embrace the change, and encourages
, each team member to develop innovative ways to use the system in their daily practice. Which leadership style
best describes this approach?
A. Transformational leadership [CORRECT]
B. Transactional leadership
C. Autocratic leadership
D. Laissez-faire leadership
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership is characterized by the leader creating a compelling vision, inspiring and motivating
followers toward shared goals, encouraging innovation, and fostering individual growth. The nurse manager in this scenario is
exhibiting key transformational leadership behaviors: articulating a vision (improved patient safety), inspiring staff to embrace
change, and encouraging innovation in daily practice. Transformational leaders are particularly effective during organizational
change because they address the emotional and motivational aspects of transition. Transactional leadership focuses on exchanges
(rewards for compliance), autocratic leadership uses centralized control, and laissez-faire leadership provides minimal guidance.
None of these other styles emphasize vision, inspiration, and innovation as core components.
Q8: A nurse is caring for a patient who requires a Foley catheter insertion. Which task can the nurse
appropriately delegate to a nursing assistant (UAP)?
A. Performing the catheter insertion
B. Documenting the catheter insertion in the electronic health record
C. Measuring and recording the urine output after catheter insertion [CORRECT]
D. Assessing the patient for signs of urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Measuring and recording urine output is a task that falls within the UAP scope of practice because it involves basic data
collection (vital signs, I&O; monitoring). The UAP can measure, record, and report urine output to the RN. The RN must then
interpret the data and make clinical decisions. Catheter insertion is an invasive procedure that requires nursing education and skill,
and is within the RN or LPN scope depending on state regulations and facility policy, not UAP scope. Documenting the catheter
insertion in the EHR requires nursing judgment and is an RN responsibility. Assessing for signs of urinary tract infection requires
clinical judgment and cannot be delegated to UAP. The key principle is that the RN can delegate basic care tasks and data collection
to UAP but must retain assessment, teaching, planning, and evaluation.
Q9: A nurse manager is applying the management function of controlling. Which action best demonstrates this
function?
A. Developing a staffing schedule for the upcoming month
B. Comparing patient fall rates to the established benchmark and implementing corrective actions [CORRECT]
C. Interviewing candidates for an open staff nurse position
D. Establishing goals for reducing hospital-acquired infections on the unit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The management function of controlling involves monitoring performance, comparing actual outcomes to established
standards or benchmarks, and taking corrective action when deviations are identified. Comparing patient fall rates to benchmarks
and implementing corrective actions directly demonstrates this function. The management functions follow the POSDC framework:
Planning (setting goals and objectives), Organizing (structuring resources and roles), Staffing (recruiting and selecting personnel),
Directing (guiding and supervising staff), and Controlling (monitoring and evaluating performance). Developing a staffing schedule
is organizing. Interviewing candidates is staffing. Establishing goals for reducing infections is planning. Controlling ensures that the
plans developed during the planning phase are being effectively implemented and produces the desired outcomes.
Q10: A nurse is providing care to a patient who refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. The
patient is awake, alert, and oriented. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting the patient
decision?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy [CORRECT]
