,OpenStax Fundamentals of
Nursing Student Answer Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Nursing Profession: Evolution, Theories, and Practice..................3
Chapter 2: Communication..............................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Healthcare Delivery Systems.......................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Health, Wellness, and Community-Based Health Care................................................15
Chapter 5: Cultural Competence...................................................................................................20
Chapter 6: Promoting Individualized Care.....................................................................................24
Chapter 7: Vital Signs.....................................................................................................................26
Chapter 8: Admission, Transfer, and Discharge.............................................................................30
Chapter 9: Safety and Security......................................................................................................33
Chapter 10: Infection Control and Prevention..............................................................................36
Chapter 11: Medication Administration........................................................................................40
Chapter 12: Assessment: Recognizing Cues..................................................................................45
Chapter 13: Diagnosis and Planning: Analyzing, Prioritizing, and Generating Solutions..............52
Chapter 14: Implementation and Evaluation: Taking Action, Evaluating Outcomes, and
Documentation..............................................................................................................................57
Chapter 15: Evidence-Based Research, Quality Improvement, and Collaborative Practice.........66
Chapter 16: Legal and Ethical Considerations...............................................................................70
Chapter 17: Patient and Family Education....................................................................................74
Chapter 18: Leadership and Management in Nursing...................................................................78
Chapter 19: Oxygenation and Perfusion........................................................................................84
Chapter 20: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance..................................................................87
Chapter 21: Nutrition.....................................................................................................................90
Chapter 22: Activity.......................................................................................................................93
Chapter 23: Neuromuscular Function...........................................................................................97
Chapter 24: Skin Integrity............................................................................................................100
Chapter 25: Hygiene....................................................................................................................104
Chapter 26: Urinary Elimination..................................................................................................107
Chapter 27: Bowel Elimination....................................................................................................112
2
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8/7/2026
,OpenStax Fundamentals of Nursing Student Answer Guide
Chapter 28: Sleep and Rest..........................................................................................................118
Chapter 29: Sensory Alterations..................................................................................................121
Chapter 30: Pain Assessment......................................................................................................126
Chapter 31: Perioperative Nursing Care......................................................................................130
Chapter 32: Self-Concept.............................................................................................................136
Chapter 33: Sexuality...................................................................................................................139
Chapter 34: Stress, Adaptation, and Homeostasis......................................................................143
Chapter 35: Spirituality................................................................................................................146
Chapter 36: Grief, Loss, Death, and Dying...................................................................................149
Chapter 37: Family Dynamics......................................................................................................154
Chapter 38: Growth and Development.......................................................................................157
Chapter 39: Conception Through Adolescence...........................................................................161
Chapter 40: Young and Middle-Aged Adults...............................................................................164
Chapter 41: Older Adults.............................................................................................................168
Chapter 42: Caring for Patients with Disability and Chronic Illness............................................172
Chapter 43: Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking...................................................................175
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Nursing Profession:
Evolution, Theories, and Practice
Review Questions
1. During the Middle Ages, who primarily undertook nursing duties, and where did they
provide care?
a. family members in their homes
b. monks and nuns in monasteries and convents
c. herbalists in communities
d. military personnel in wartime hospitals
[Answer: B]
3. What milestone marked Florence Nightingale’s influence on the formalization and
professionalization of nursing education?
a. establishment of the ANA
b. creation of the first nursing school
c. introduction of evidence-based practice
d. development of specialized nursing fields
[Answer: B]
5. What nursing program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in health
care and requires graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN for licensure?
a. Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
3
, b. Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)
c. Master of Science in nursing (MSN)
d. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
[Answer: D]
7. What is the primary goal of the Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) program?
a. preparation for leadership roles in academia
b. research-focused doctoral education
c. emphasis on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based decision-making
d. integration of theory, research, and public health in nursing practice
[Answer: C]
9. Which global organization significantly influences the development of the nursing
profession on a global scale and offers guidance regarding the scope of practice for nurses
around the world?
a. state BONs
b. QSEN
c. ICN
d. ANA
[Answer: C]
11. The nurse is precepting a nursing student during a clinical rotation. What statement made
by the student would warrant further education?
a. “Nursing standards serve as a framework for providing safe, quality care.”
b. “Nursing standards align with the overarching principles of the nursing profession.”
c. “Nursing standards articulate the expectations and ethical conduct required of nurses.”
d. “Nursing standards may be incorporated into practice if the nurse chooses to do so.”
[Answer: D]
13. What is the primary purpose of nursing theories?
a. to dictate medical interventions
b. to provide a framework for nursing practice
c. to establish healthcare policies
d. to replace medical guidelines
[Answer: B]
15. In the late twentieth century, what shift occurred in the development of nursing theories?
a. a decline in the emphasis on evidence-based practice
b. a move toward task-oriented approaches
c. a decrease in the importance of research integration
d. a proliferation of theories addressing various aspects of nursing, health, and care
[Answer: D]
17. What does the term “environment” in nursing philosophy encompass?
a. a multifaceted combination of physical, social, cultural, economic, and global factors
b. solely individualized influences
c. physical surroundings without cultural implications
d. exclusively cultural values and customs without broader influences
4
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
8/7/2026
Nursing Student Answer Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Nursing Profession: Evolution, Theories, and Practice..................3
Chapter 2: Communication..............................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Healthcare Delivery Systems.......................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Health, Wellness, and Community-Based Health Care................................................15
Chapter 5: Cultural Competence...................................................................................................20
Chapter 6: Promoting Individualized Care.....................................................................................24
Chapter 7: Vital Signs.....................................................................................................................26
Chapter 8: Admission, Transfer, and Discharge.............................................................................30
Chapter 9: Safety and Security......................................................................................................33
Chapter 10: Infection Control and Prevention..............................................................................36
Chapter 11: Medication Administration........................................................................................40
Chapter 12: Assessment: Recognizing Cues..................................................................................45
Chapter 13: Diagnosis and Planning: Analyzing, Prioritizing, and Generating Solutions..............52
Chapter 14: Implementation and Evaluation: Taking Action, Evaluating Outcomes, and
Documentation..............................................................................................................................57
Chapter 15: Evidence-Based Research, Quality Improvement, and Collaborative Practice.........66
Chapter 16: Legal and Ethical Considerations...............................................................................70
Chapter 17: Patient and Family Education....................................................................................74
Chapter 18: Leadership and Management in Nursing...................................................................78
Chapter 19: Oxygenation and Perfusion........................................................................................84
Chapter 20: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance..................................................................87
Chapter 21: Nutrition.....................................................................................................................90
Chapter 22: Activity.......................................................................................................................93
Chapter 23: Neuromuscular Function...........................................................................................97
Chapter 24: Skin Integrity............................................................................................................100
Chapter 25: Hygiene....................................................................................................................104
Chapter 26: Urinary Elimination..................................................................................................107
Chapter 27: Bowel Elimination....................................................................................................112
2
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
8/7/2026
,OpenStax Fundamentals of Nursing Student Answer Guide
Chapter 28: Sleep and Rest..........................................................................................................118
Chapter 29: Sensory Alterations..................................................................................................121
Chapter 30: Pain Assessment......................................................................................................126
Chapter 31: Perioperative Nursing Care......................................................................................130
Chapter 32: Self-Concept.............................................................................................................136
Chapter 33: Sexuality...................................................................................................................139
Chapter 34: Stress, Adaptation, and Homeostasis......................................................................143
Chapter 35: Spirituality................................................................................................................146
Chapter 36: Grief, Loss, Death, and Dying...................................................................................149
Chapter 37: Family Dynamics......................................................................................................154
Chapter 38: Growth and Development.......................................................................................157
Chapter 39: Conception Through Adolescence...........................................................................161
Chapter 40: Young and Middle-Aged Adults...............................................................................164
Chapter 41: Older Adults.............................................................................................................168
Chapter 42: Caring for Patients with Disability and Chronic Illness............................................172
Chapter 43: Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking...................................................................175
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Nursing Profession:
Evolution, Theories, and Practice
Review Questions
1. During the Middle Ages, who primarily undertook nursing duties, and where did they
provide care?
a. family members in their homes
b. monks and nuns in monasteries and convents
c. herbalists in communities
d. military personnel in wartime hospitals
[Answer: B]
3. What milestone marked Florence Nightingale’s influence on the formalization and
professionalization of nursing education?
a. establishment of the ANA
b. creation of the first nursing school
c. introduction of evidence-based practice
d. development of specialized nursing fields
[Answer: B]
5. What nursing program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in health
care and requires graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN for licensure?
a. Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
3
, b. Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)
c. Master of Science in nursing (MSN)
d. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
[Answer: D]
7. What is the primary goal of the Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) program?
a. preparation for leadership roles in academia
b. research-focused doctoral education
c. emphasis on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based decision-making
d. integration of theory, research, and public health in nursing practice
[Answer: C]
9. Which global organization significantly influences the development of the nursing
profession on a global scale and offers guidance regarding the scope of practice for nurses
around the world?
a. state BONs
b. QSEN
c. ICN
d. ANA
[Answer: C]
11. The nurse is precepting a nursing student during a clinical rotation. What statement made
by the student would warrant further education?
a. “Nursing standards serve as a framework for providing safe, quality care.”
b. “Nursing standards align with the overarching principles of the nursing profession.”
c. “Nursing standards articulate the expectations and ethical conduct required of nurses.”
d. “Nursing standards may be incorporated into practice if the nurse chooses to do so.”
[Answer: D]
13. What is the primary purpose of nursing theories?
a. to dictate medical interventions
b. to provide a framework for nursing practice
c. to establish healthcare policies
d. to replace medical guidelines
[Answer: B]
15. In the late twentieth century, what shift occurred in the development of nursing theories?
a. a decline in the emphasis on evidence-based practice
b. a move toward task-oriented approaches
c. a decrease in the importance of research integration
d. a proliferation of theories addressing various aspects of nursing, health, and care
[Answer: D]
17. What does the term “environment” in nursing philosophy encompass?
a. a multifaceted combination of physical, social, cultural, economic, and global factors
b. solely individualized influences
c. physical surroundings without cultural implications
d. exclusively cultural values and customs without broader influences
4
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
8/7/2026
