NUR 155
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 | Galen College of Nur
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 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 College of Nursing D | 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 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 College of Nursing D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Which action is most critical for the nurse to
perform to prevent the spread of this pathogen?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub after every patient contact
B. Wash hands with antimicrobial soap and water
C. Wear a surgical mask when entering the patient’s room
D. Maintain the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow
Answer: B
Rationale
C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers; therefore, physical scrubbing with soap and water is required to
mechanically remove the spores from the hands. 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
When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse notes that the cuff used is too narrow for the patient’s arm
circumference. What impact will this have on the reading?
A. The blood pressure reading will be falsely low
B. The systolic reading will be accurate, but the diastolic will be low
C. The reading will be unaffected if the patient is sitting upright
D. The blood pressure reading will be falsely high
Answer: D
Rationale
Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow for the limb results in a falsely elevated blood pressure reading because
the bladder must be over-inflated 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 3
A patient is diagnosed with a Stage 3 pressure injury. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect to observe during
the skin assessment?
A. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
C. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
D. Full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue
Answer: D
Rationale
Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss where adipose (fat) is visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not
exposed (which would be Stage 4). 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 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 | Galen College of Nur
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 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 College of Nursing D | 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 Foundations of Nursing Exam 3 College of Nursing D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Which action is most critical for the nurse to
perform to prevent the spread of this pathogen?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub after every patient contact
B. Wash hands with antimicrobial soap and water
C. Wear a surgical mask when entering the patient’s room
D. Maintain the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow
Answer: B
Rationale
C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers; therefore, physical scrubbing with soap and water is required to
mechanically remove the spores from the hands. 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
When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse notes that the cuff used is too narrow for the patient’s arm
circumference. What impact will this have on the reading?
A. The blood pressure reading will be falsely low
B. The systolic reading will be accurate, but the diastolic will be low
C. The reading will be unaffected if the patient is sitting upright
D. The blood pressure reading will be falsely high
Answer: D
Rationale
Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow for the limb results in a falsely elevated blood pressure reading because
the bladder must be over-inflated 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 3
A patient is diagnosed with a Stage 3 pressure injury. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect to observe during
the skin assessment?
A. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
C. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
D. Full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue
Answer: D
Rationale
Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss where adipose (fat) is visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not
exposed (which would be Stage 4). 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
