NUR 155
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
NUR 155 Exam 2 | Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing Foundations & Med-Surg Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NUR 155 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NUR 155 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and uses a cuff that is too narrow for the patient’s arm circumference.
What effect will this have on the reading?
A. Only the diastolic pressure will be elevated.
B. The reading will be falsely low.
C. The reading will be unaffected but difficult to hear.
D. The reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Rationale
Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow results in a falsely high blood pressure reading because the cuff must
be inflated more to occlude the artery. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect
choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated
complications.
Question 2
During the assessment of a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a difference between the apical pulse and the radial pulse.
What is this clinical finding called?
A. Pulse rhythm
B. Pulse amplitude
C. Pulse pressure
D. Pulse deficit
Answer: D
Rationale
A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse rate is higher than the radial pulse rate, indicating that some heart contractions
are not strong enough to produce a palpable peripheral pulse. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
When performing the ‘Planning’ phase of the nursing process, which activity is the nurse primarily engaged in?
A. Collecting subjective and objective data.
B. Carrying out nursing interventions.
C. Establishing patient goals and expected outcomes.
D. Determining if the patient has met specific criteria.
Answer: C
Rationale
The planning phase involves setting priorities, establishing goals, and choosing nursing interventions to achieve those goals.
Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common
misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
NUR 155 Exam 2 | Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing Foundations & Med-Surg Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NUR 155 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NUR 155 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Review | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and uses a cuff that is too narrow for the patient’s arm circumference.
What effect will this have on the reading?
A. Only the diastolic pressure will be elevated.
B. The reading will be falsely low.
C. The reading will be unaffected but difficult to hear.
D. The reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Rationale
Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow results in a falsely high blood pressure reading because the cuff must
be inflated more to occlude the artery. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect
choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated
complications.
Question 2
During the assessment of a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a difference between the apical pulse and the radial pulse.
What is this clinical finding called?
A. Pulse rhythm
B. Pulse amplitude
C. Pulse pressure
D. Pulse deficit
Answer: D
Rationale
A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse rate is higher than the radial pulse rate, indicating that some heart contractions
are not strong enough to produce a palpable peripheral pulse. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
When performing the ‘Planning’ phase of the nursing process, which activity is the nurse primarily engaged in?
A. Collecting subjective and objective data.
B. Carrying out nursing interventions.
C. Establishing patient goals and expected outcomes.
D. Determining if the patient has met specific criteria.
Answer: C
Rationale
The planning phase involves setting priorities, establishing goals, and choosing nursing interventions to achieve those goals.
Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common
misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
