RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
,RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
, RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of potential complications?
A) Heart rate 88/min
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
C) Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
D) Respiratory rate 16/min
ANSWER: C) Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
Rationale:
A) Heart rate 88/min is within the normal range of 60-100/min and does not indicate immediate
concern.
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg is within normal limits and does not require reporting.
C) A temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F) is elevated and may indicate infection, especially in a postoperative
client. This should be reported to the provider immediately.
D) Respiratory rate 16/min is within the normal range of 12-20/min and does not indicate concern.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first when identifying the client?
A) Ask the client to state their date of birth
B) Check the client's wristband
C) Ask the client to state their name
D) Verify the client's room number
, RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
ANSWER: B) Check the client's wristband
Rationale:
A) Asking the client to state their date of birth is part of the identification process but should occur after
verifying the wristband.
B) The nurse should first check the client's wristband to confirm identification using two identifiers as
per safety protocols. This is the most reliable method.
C) Asking the client to state their name is important but should be done after the wristband is checked.
D) Room numbers are not reliable identifiers as clients can be transferred between rooms.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low intermittent suction. Which of the
following findings indicates proper placement of the NG tube?
A) The client reports feeling full
B) The gastric aspirate has a pH of 7.0
C) The nurse auscultates air in the stomach after injecting 30 mL of air
D) The tube is taped securely to the client's nose
ANSWER: C) The nurse auscultates air in the stomach after injecting 30 mL of air
Rationale:
A) The client reporting feeling full does not confirm NG tube placement.
B) Gastric aspirate should have a pH of 4.0 or less. A pH of 7.0 may indicate placement in the lungs or
intestines.
C) Auscultating air in the stomach after injecting air is a traditional method to confirm placement,
though x-ray confirmation is the gold standard.
Study Guide and Practice Test
,RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
, RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of potential complications?
A) Heart rate 88/min
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
C) Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
D) Respiratory rate 16/min
ANSWER: C) Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
Rationale:
A) Heart rate 88/min is within the normal range of 60-100/min and does not indicate immediate
concern.
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg is within normal limits and does not require reporting.
C) A temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F) is elevated and may indicate infection, especially in a postoperative
client. This should be reported to the provider immediately.
D) Respiratory rate 16/min is within the normal range of 12-20/min and does not indicate concern.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first when identifying the client?
A) Ask the client to state their date of birth
B) Check the client's wristband
C) Ask the client to state their name
D) Verify the client's room number
, RN Fundamentals 2026 | Ultimate
Study Guide and Practice Test
ANSWER: B) Check the client's wristband
Rationale:
A) Asking the client to state their date of birth is part of the identification process but should occur after
verifying the wristband.
B) The nurse should first check the client's wristband to confirm identification using two identifiers as
per safety protocols. This is the most reliable method.
C) Asking the client to state their name is important but should be done after the wristband is checked.
D) Room numbers are not reliable identifiers as clients can be transferred between rooms.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low intermittent suction. Which of the
following findings indicates proper placement of the NG tube?
A) The client reports feeling full
B) The gastric aspirate has a pH of 7.0
C) The nurse auscultates air in the stomach after injecting 30 mL of air
D) The tube is taped securely to the client's nose
ANSWER: C) The nurse auscultates air in the stomach after injecting 30 mL of air
Rationale:
A) The client reporting feeling full does not confirm NG tube placement.
B) Gastric aspirate should have a pH of 4.0 or less. A pH of 7.0 may indicate placement in the lungs or
intestines.
C) Auscultating air in the stomach after injecting air is a traditional method to confirm placement,
though x-ray confirmation is the gold standard.
