PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
WGU D439 Foundations of Nursing
Comprehensive 200-Question Practice Exam
Original multiple-choice questions with answers and detailed rationales
PASSPOINTPRO
Page 1
,PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
How to Use This Practice Exam
Choose the best answer before reviewing the answer and explanation shown beneath each item. Mark concepts that
need more study, then retake those questions after reviewing your course materials. The exam is divided into four
print-friendly sections of 50 questions.
Content coverage includes safety, infection control, nursing process, clinical judgment, communication, ethics,
delegation, documentation, vital signs, pain, oxygenation, medications, nutrition, elimination, skin integrity, mobility,
hygiene, culture, lifespan care, and end-of-life care.
Page 2
,PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
Section 1: Questions 1-50
Select the best answer. The correct answer and rationale follow each question.
1. Before administering a medication, which action best verifies the patient's identity?
A. Use the name printed on the door
B. Ask the patient to confirm the room number
C. Compare two approved identifiers with the medication record
D. Recognize the patient by appearance
Answer: C - Compare two approved identifiers with the medication record
Explanation: Two approved identifiers reduce wrong-patient errors; room number and physical recognition are not
acceptable identifiers. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent
harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
2. When should a nurse use soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before entering every patient room regardless of task
B. After caring for a patient with suspected C. difficile
C. After touching intact skin when hands are not soiled
D. Before taking a blood pressure
Answer: B - After caring for a patient with suspected C. difficile
Explanation: Soap and water physically removes C. difficile spores, which alcohol-based products do not reliably eliminate.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
3. Which intervention is most appropriate for a hospitalized patient at high risk for falls?
A. Raise all four side rails continuously
B. Encourage the patient to walk alone to build confidence
C. Keep the bed low, call light within reach, and use nonskid footwear
D. Restrict oral fluids to reduce toileting
Answer: C - Keep the bed low, call light within reach, and use nonskid footwear
Explanation: A low bed, accessible call light, and nonskid footwear reduce risk while preserving mobility; four raised rails
can function as a restraint. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and
prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
4. Which item should be available at the bedside of a patient with seizure precautions?
A. Suction equipment
B. Wrist restraints
C. A tongue blade
D. A heating pad
Answer: A - Suction equipment
Explanation: Suction equipment supports airway management after a seizure; nothing should be forced into the patient's
mouth and restraints should not be applied during a seizure. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and
the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing
standards for this situation.
Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
5. What must the nurse do before applying a restraint to a confused patient?
A. Tie the restraint to a movable side rail
B. Obtain permission from the patient's roommate
C. Try less restrictive alternatives and assess the cause of the behavior
D. Apply the restraint and request an order at discharge
Answer: C - Try less restrictive alternatives and assess the cause of the behavior
Explanation: Restraints are a last resort after less restrictive measures fail; they require appropriate authorization,
monitoring, and attachment to the bed frame. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's
duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards
for this situation.
6. A fire starts in a patient's room. According to RACE, what is the nurse's first action?
A. Extinguish the fire before moving the patient
B. Contain the fire by closing every unit door
C. Rescue anyone in immediate danger
D. Activate the alarm before approaching the room
Answer: C - Rescue anyone in immediate danger
Explanation: RACE begins with Rescue, followed by Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish or Evacuate. This choice reflects safe,
patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe,
inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
7. Which action is safe when oxygen is in use?
A. Allow smoking near an open window
B. Apply petroleum jelly to dry nasal passages
C. Use a frayed electrical cord if the device still works
D. Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and petroleum products
Answer: D - Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and petroleum products
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, so flames, sparks, smoking, and petroleum-based products must be avoided.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
8. Which action contaminates a sterile field?
A. Reaching across the field
B. Keeping sterile items above waist level
C. Opening the first wrapper flap away from the body
D. Placing the field on a dry waist-high surface
Answer: A - Reaching across the field
Explanation: Reaching across a sterile field risks dropping microorganisms onto it; sterile items must remain visible, dry,
and above waist level. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent
harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
9. Which item of personal protective equipment is generally removed first because it is most contaminated?
A. Gown ties
B. Gloves
C. Mask
D. Goggles
Answer: B - Gloves
Explanation: Gloves usually have the greatest contamination and are generally removed first without touching bare skin.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
Page 4
WGU D439 Foundations of Nursing
Comprehensive 200-Question Practice Exam
Original multiple-choice questions with answers and detailed rationales
PASSPOINTPRO
Page 1
,PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
How to Use This Practice Exam
Choose the best answer before reviewing the answer and explanation shown beneath each item. Mark concepts that
need more study, then retake those questions after reviewing your course materials. The exam is divided into four
print-friendly sections of 50 questions.
Content coverage includes safety, infection control, nursing process, clinical judgment, communication, ethics,
delegation, documentation, vital signs, pain, oxygenation, medications, nutrition, elimination, skin integrity, mobility,
hygiene, culture, lifespan care, and end-of-life care.
Page 2
,PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
Section 1: Questions 1-50
Select the best answer. The correct answer and rationale follow each question.
1. Before administering a medication, which action best verifies the patient's identity?
A. Use the name printed on the door
B. Ask the patient to confirm the room number
C. Compare two approved identifiers with the medication record
D. Recognize the patient by appearance
Answer: C - Compare two approved identifiers with the medication record
Explanation: Two approved identifiers reduce wrong-patient errors; room number and physical recognition are not
acceptable identifiers. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent
harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
2. When should a nurse use soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before entering every patient room regardless of task
B. After caring for a patient with suspected C. difficile
C. After touching intact skin when hands are not soiled
D. Before taking a blood pressure
Answer: B - After caring for a patient with suspected C. difficile
Explanation: Soap and water physically removes C. difficile spores, which alcohol-based products do not reliably eliminate.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
3. Which intervention is most appropriate for a hospitalized patient at high risk for falls?
A. Raise all four side rails continuously
B. Encourage the patient to walk alone to build confidence
C. Keep the bed low, call light within reach, and use nonskid footwear
D. Restrict oral fluids to reduce toileting
Answer: C - Keep the bed low, call light within reach, and use nonskid footwear
Explanation: A low bed, accessible call light, and nonskid footwear reduce risk while preserving mobility; four raised rails
can function as a restraint. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and
prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
4. Which item should be available at the bedside of a patient with seizure precautions?
A. Suction equipment
B. Wrist restraints
C. A tongue blade
D. A heating pad
Answer: A - Suction equipment
Explanation: Suction equipment supports airway management after a seizure; nothing should be forced into the patient's
mouth and restraints should not be applied during a seizure. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and
the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing
standards for this situation.
Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
5. What must the nurse do before applying a restraint to a confused patient?
A. Tie the restraint to a movable side rail
B. Obtain permission from the patient's roommate
C. Try less restrictive alternatives and assess the cause of the behavior
D. Apply the restraint and request an order at discharge
Answer: C - Try less restrictive alternatives and assess the cause of the behavior
Explanation: Restraints are a last resort after less restrictive measures fail; they require appropriate authorization,
monitoring, and attachment to the bed frame. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's
duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards
for this situation.
6. A fire starts in a patient's room. According to RACE, what is the nurse's first action?
A. Extinguish the fire before moving the patient
B. Contain the fire by closing every unit door
C. Rescue anyone in immediate danger
D. Activate the alarm before approaching the room
Answer: C - Rescue anyone in immediate danger
Explanation: RACE begins with Rescue, followed by Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish or Evacuate. This choice reflects safe,
patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining options are less safe,
inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
7. Which action is safe when oxygen is in use?
A. Allow smoking near an open window
B. Apply petroleum jelly to dry nasal passages
C. Use a frayed electrical cord if the device still works
D. Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and petroleum products
Answer: D - Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and petroleum products
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, so flames, sparks, smoking, and petroleum-based products must be avoided.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
8. Which action contaminates a sterile field?
A. Reaching across the field
B. Keeping sterile items above waist level
C. Opening the first wrapper flap away from the body
D. Placing the field on a dry waist-high surface
Answer: A - Reaching across the field
Explanation: Reaching across a sterile field risks dropping microorganisms onto it; sterile items must remain visible, dry,
and above waist level. This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent
harm. The remaining options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
9. Which item of personal protective equipment is generally removed first because it is most contaminated?
A. Gown ties
B. Gloves
C. Mask
D. Goggles
Answer: B - Gloves
Explanation: Gloves usually have the greatest contamination and are generally removed first without touching bare skin.
This choice reflects safe, patient-centered nursing practice and the nurse's duty to assess and prevent harm. The remaining
options are less safe, inaccurate, or outside appropriate nursing standards for this situation.
Page 4
