BSN Nursing Fundamentals Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. Which action is
most appropriate when establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build trust
B. Giving advice about the patient's health decisions
C. Establishing clear professional boundaries
D. Encouraging the patient to depend on the nurse
Rationale: Professional boundaries maintain a therapeutic
relationship and prevent the nurse from becoming personally
involved. Sharing personal information or encouraging dependency
can interfere with professional nursing care.
2. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Pulse of 82 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates significant
bradypnea and may reflect respiratory depression. Airway and
breathing problems take priority according to the ABC approach.
1|Page
, 3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which
action best demonstrates adherence to medication safety
principles?
A. Administering medication based on the patient's room number
B. Asking another patient to confirm the patient's identity
C. Using two approved patient identifiers
D. Checking the medication only after administration
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, helps prevent medication errors. Room numbers should not be
used as identifiers.
4. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure
injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences
B. Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees continuously
C. Repositioning the patient regularly and relieving pressure
D. Applying powder directly to all areas of the skin
Rationale: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce
prolonged tissue compression and help prevent pressure injuries.
Reddened areas should not be vigorously massaged.
5. A patient reports pain rated 8/10. What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the patient that pain is expected
B. Wait until the next scheduled medication time
C. Assess the patient's pain characteristics and associated findings
D. Document the pain without further assessment
Rationale: Pain assessment should occur before selecting an
intervention. The nurse should determine location, intensity, quality,
timing, aggravating factors, and associated symptoms.
2|Page
, 6. Which nursing action is most effective for preventing infection
transmission?
A. Wearing gloves for every patient interaction
B. Wearing a surgical mask whenever entering a patient's room
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Keeping all patients in private rooms
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for
preventing transmission of microorganisms. Gloves do not replace
hand hygiene.
7. A nurse is assisting a patient with ambulation after prolonged bed
rest. Which finding requires the nurse to stop the activity?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Slight increase in pulse
C. Dizziness and feeling faint
D. Increased interest in walking
Rationale: Dizziness during ambulation may indicate orthostatic
intolerance and increases the risk of falling. The nurse should assist
the patient to a safe position and reassess.
8. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting mild constipation for two days
C. Patient with new-onset difficulty breathing
D. Patient requesting a change in meal selection
Rationale: New-onset difficulty breathing represents a potential
airway or breathing problem and takes priority over nonurgent needs.
9. Which statement by a patient demonstrates understanding of
deep-breathing exercises?
3|Page
, A. "I should breathe as rapidly as possible."
B. "I should hold my breath for several minutes."
C. "I will take slow, deep breaths and expand my lungs."
D. "I should avoid coughing after deep breathing."
Rationale: Slow, controlled deep breathing promotes lung expansion
and can help prevent atelectasis. It may be combined with coughing
to mobilize secretions.
10. A nurse is transferring a patient from the bed to a
wheelchair. Which action is safest?
A. Leaving the wheelchair unlocked
B. Pulling the patient by the arms
C. Locking the wheelchair and using appropriate transfer assistance
D. Asking the patient to stand without assistance
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents movement during
transfer. Proper body mechanics and appropriate assistance reduce
injury risk for both patient and nurse.
11. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor and concentrated urine
D. Increased urine output
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes,
concentrated urine, decreased urine output, and sometimes poor skin
turgor.
12. Which intervention is appropriate when providing oral care
to an unconscious patient?
4|Page
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. Which action is
most appropriate when establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build trust
B. Giving advice about the patient's health decisions
C. Establishing clear professional boundaries
D. Encouraging the patient to depend on the nurse
Rationale: Professional boundaries maintain a therapeutic
relationship and prevent the nurse from becoming personally
involved. Sharing personal information or encouraging dependency
can interfere with professional nursing care.
2. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Pulse of 82 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates significant
bradypnea and may reflect respiratory depression. Airway and
breathing problems take priority according to the ABC approach.
1|Page
, 3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which
action best demonstrates adherence to medication safety
principles?
A. Administering medication based on the patient's room number
B. Asking another patient to confirm the patient's identity
C. Using two approved patient identifiers
D. Checking the medication only after administration
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, helps prevent medication errors. Room numbers should not be
used as identifiers.
4. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure
injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences
B. Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees continuously
C. Repositioning the patient regularly and relieving pressure
D. Applying powder directly to all areas of the skin
Rationale: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce
prolonged tissue compression and help prevent pressure injuries.
Reddened areas should not be vigorously massaged.
5. A patient reports pain rated 8/10. What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the patient that pain is expected
B. Wait until the next scheduled medication time
C. Assess the patient's pain characteristics and associated findings
D. Document the pain without further assessment
Rationale: Pain assessment should occur before selecting an
intervention. The nurse should determine location, intensity, quality,
timing, aggravating factors, and associated symptoms.
2|Page
, 6. Which nursing action is most effective for preventing infection
transmission?
A. Wearing gloves for every patient interaction
B. Wearing a surgical mask whenever entering a patient's room
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Keeping all patients in private rooms
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for
preventing transmission of microorganisms. Gloves do not replace
hand hygiene.
7. A nurse is assisting a patient with ambulation after prolonged bed
rest. Which finding requires the nurse to stop the activity?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Slight increase in pulse
C. Dizziness and feeling faint
D. Increased interest in walking
Rationale: Dizziness during ambulation may indicate orthostatic
intolerance and increases the risk of falling. The nurse should assist
the patient to a safe position and reassess.
8. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting mild constipation for two days
C. Patient with new-onset difficulty breathing
D. Patient requesting a change in meal selection
Rationale: New-onset difficulty breathing represents a potential
airway or breathing problem and takes priority over nonurgent needs.
9. Which statement by a patient demonstrates understanding of
deep-breathing exercises?
3|Page
, A. "I should breathe as rapidly as possible."
B. "I should hold my breath for several minutes."
C. "I will take slow, deep breaths and expand my lungs."
D. "I should avoid coughing after deep breathing."
Rationale: Slow, controlled deep breathing promotes lung expansion
and can help prevent atelectasis. It may be combined with coughing
to mobilize secretions.
10. A nurse is transferring a patient from the bed to a
wheelchair. Which action is safest?
A. Leaving the wheelchair unlocked
B. Pulling the patient by the arms
C. Locking the wheelchair and using appropriate transfer assistance
D. Asking the patient to stand without assistance
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents movement during
transfer. Proper body mechanics and appropriate assistance reduce
injury risk for both patient and nurse.
11. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor and concentrated urine
D. Increased urine output
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes,
concentrated urine, decreased urine output, and sometimes poor skin
turgor.
12. Which intervention is appropriate when providing oral care
to an unconscious patient?
4|Page
