Comprehensive Nursing Test Bank 2026 –
Fundamentals and Clinical Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales
Q1: A registered nurse is assessing a patient admitted with dehydration. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
C. Mild thirst
D. Slightly elevated heart rate
☑️☑️☑️ B. Blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
Rationale: Hypotension indicates possible hypovolemic shock, which is life-threatening
and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are concerning but not immediately
life-threatening.
Q2: A registered nurse uses critical thinking when prioritizing care for multiple patient s.
Which patient should be assessed first?
A. Patient with a temperature of 100.4°F
B. Patient with sudden shortness of breath
C. Patient requesting assistance with ambulation
D. Patient with scheduled medication
☑️☑️☑️ B. Patient with sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation).
Q3: During planning care, which action demonstrates proper use of the nursing
process?
A. Performing all tasks without considering the patient ’s needs
B. Prioritizing interventions based on patient assessment data
C. Waiting for a physician to decide interventions
D. Documenting only completed tasks
,☑️☑️☑️ B. Prioritizing interventions based on patient assessment data
Rationale: The nursing process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation; interventions are prioritized based on patient data.
Q4: A registered nurse identifies a patient at risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Restrict all mobility
B. Place the patient in a high bed
C. Keep call light within reach and provide assistance
D. Leave the patient alone to maintain independence
☑️☑️☑️ C. Keep call light within reach and provide assistance
Rationale: Fall prevention includes maintaining safety while promoting independence;
restraints and high beds increase risk.
Q5: A registered nurse notices conflicting information in a patient ’s medical record.
What is the best action?
A. Ignore the conflict
B. Report it to the physician only
C. Verify with the patient and clarify documentation
D. Assume the most recent entry is correct
☑️☑️☑️ C. Verify with the patient and clarify documentation
Rationale: Accuracy and patient safety require clarification of discrepancies before
acting.
Topic: Safety & Infection Control
Q6: Which precaution is required when caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Airborne precautions
☑️☑️☑️ B. Contact precautions
,Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted via contact with contaminated surfaces or hands;
gloves and gowns are required.
Q7: A registered nurse is preparing to give medication via NG tube. What is the best
practice to prevent infection?
A. Wash hands before and after administration
B. Wear sterile gloves
C. Use unclean water to flush the tube
D. Skip hand hygiene if gloves are worn
☑️☑️☑️ A. Wash hands before and after administration
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-associated
infections.
Q8: Which patient action demonstrates understanding of fire safety?
A. Leaving candles burning in the room
B. Using a fire extinguisher incorrectly
C. Knowing the location of the nearest exit
D. Plugging multiple devices into one outlet
☑️☑️☑️ C. Knowing the location of the nearest exit
Rationale: Fire safety includes awareness of evacuation routes and exit locations.
Q9: A registered nurse is caring for a patient with droplet precautions. Which PPE is
required?
A. Gloves and gown
B. Mask and gloves
C. Mask within 3 feet of the patient
D. N95 respirator
☑️☑️☑️ C. Mask within 3 feet of the patient
Rationale: Droplet precautions prevent the spread of pathogens transmitted via large
respiratory droplets; mask use is required when within close contact.
Q10: A patient ’s lab results show WBC 18,000/mm³. Which action should the registered
nurse take first?
, A. Document the results
B. Notify the physician
C. Implement infection control measures
D. Encourage increased fluids
☑️☑️☑️ C. Implement infection control measures
Rationale: High WBC suggests possible infection; protecting other patient s and staff
from infection is the immediate priority.
Q11: When assessing a patient ’s IV site, the registered nurse observes redness,
swelling, and pain. What should the registered nurse do first?
A. Document findings
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Elevate the extremity
☑️☑️☑️ B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
Rationale: Signs of phlebitis or infiltration require immediate discontinuation to prevent
tissue damage or infection.
Q12: A registered nurse is teaching a patient how to prevent urinary tract infections.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Wipe from back to front
B. Drink at least 1 liter of fluid per day
C. Void regularly and after sexual intercourse
D. Avoid all bathroom use
☑️☑️☑️ C. Void regularly and after sexual intercourse
Rationale: Regular voiding and post-intercourse voiding reduce the risk of UTI; wiping
should be front to back.
Q13: A patient has a latex allergy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Use latex gloves for convenience
B. Mark the patient ’s chart with an allergy alert
Fundamentals and Clinical Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales
Q1: A registered nurse is assessing a patient admitted with dehydration. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
C. Mild thirst
D. Slightly elevated heart rate
☑️☑️☑️ B. Blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
Rationale: Hypotension indicates possible hypovolemic shock, which is life-threatening
and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are concerning but not immediately
life-threatening.
Q2: A registered nurse uses critical thinking when prioritizing care for multiple patient s.
Which patient should be assessed first?
A. Patient with a temperature of 100.4°F
B. Patient with sudden shortness of breath
C. Patient requesting assistance with ambulation
D. Patient with scheduled medication
☑️☑️☑️ B. Patient with sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation).
Q3: During planning care, which action demonstrates proper use of the nursing
process?
A. Performing all tasks without considering the patient ’s needs
B. Prioritizing interventions based on patient assessment data
C. Waiting for a physician to decide interventions
D. Documenting only completed tasks
,☑️☑️☑️ B. Prioritizing interventions based on patient assessment data
Rationale: The nursing process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation; interventions are prioritized based on patient data.
Q4: A registered nurse identifies a patient at risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Restrict all mobility
B. Place the patient in a high bed
C. Keep call light within reach and provide assistance
D. Leave the patient alone to maintain independence
☑️☑️☑️ C. Keep call light within reach and provide assistance
Rationale: Fall prevention includes maintaining safety while promoting independence;
restraints and high beds increase risk.
Q5: A registered nurse notices conflicting information in a patient ’s medical record.
What is the best action?
A. Ignore the conflict
B. Report it to the physician only
C. Verify with the patient and clarify documentation
D. Assume the most recent entry is correct
☑️☑️☑️ C. Verify with the patient and clarify documentation
Rationale: Accuracy and patient safety require clarification of discrepancies before
acting.
Topic: Safety & Infection Control
Q6: Which precaution is required when caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Airborne precautions
☑️☑️☑️ B. Contact precautions
,Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted via contact with contaminated surfaces or hands;
gloves and gowns are required.
Q7: A registered nurse is preparing to give medication via NG tube. What is the best
practice to prevent infection?
A. Wash hands before and after administration
B. Wear sterile gloves
C. Use unclean water to flush the tube
D. Skip hand hygiene if gloves are worn
☑️☑️☑️ A. Wash hands before and after administration
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-associated
infections.
Q8: Which patient action demonstrates understanding of fire safety?
A. Leaving candles burning in the room
B. Using a fire extinguisher incorrectly
C. Knowing the location of the nearest exit
D. Plugging multiple devices into one outlet
☑️☑️☑️ C. Knowing the location of the nearest exit
Rationale: Fire safety includes awareness of evacuation routes and exit locations.
Q9: A registered nurse is caring for a patient with droplet precautions. Which PPE is
required?
A. Gloves and gown
B. Mask and gloves
C. Mask within 3 feet of the patient
D. N95 respirator
☑️☑️☑️ C. Mask within 3 feet of the patient
Rationale: Droplet precautions prevent the spread of pathogens transmitted via large
respiratory droplets; mask use is required when within close contact.
Q10: A patient ’s lab results show WBC 18,000/mm³. Which action should the registered
nurse take first?
, A. Document the results
B. Notify the physician
C. Implement infection control measures
D. Encourage increased fluids
☑️☑️☑️ C. Implement infection control measures
Rationale: High WBC suggests possible infection; protecting other patient s and staff
from infection is the immediate priority.
Q11: When assessing a patient ’s IV site, the registered nurse observes redness,
swelling, and pain. What should the registered nurse do first?
A. Document findings
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Elevate the extremity
☑️☑️☑️ B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
Rationale: Signs of phlebitis or infiltration require immediate discontinuation to prevent
tissue damage or infection.
Q12: A registered nurse is teaching a patient how to prevent urinary tract infections.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Wipe from back to front
B. Drink at least 1 liter of fluid per day
C. Void regularly and after sexual intercourse
D. Avoid all bathroom use
☑️☑️☑️ C. Void regularly and after sexual intercourse
Rationale: Regular voiding and post-intercourse voiding reduce the risk of UTI; wiping
should be front to back.
Q13: A patient has a latex allergy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Use latex gloves for convenience
B. Mark the patient ’s chart with an allergy alert
