GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU131: Fundamentals of Nursing — Comprehensive Final Examination (Fall 2026)
Student Name:
Date: ______________ Score: _____ / 150
___________________________
Instructions: Read each multiple-choice question carefully. Select the single best answer (A, B, C, or D). For examination study and
rationalization review, the correct answer is marked with a green checkmark and accompanied by a comprehensive clinical rationale
highlighted in yellow. All content is strictly grounded in Galen College of Nursing NU131 source objectives.
1. Which event formally marks the end of puberty and the beginning of adolescence in female patients?
A) The presence of axillary body odor
B) The emergence of formal operational thought
C) The initiation of the rapid height growth spurt
D) The onset of menses (menarche)
✔ Correct Answer: D — The onset of menses (menarche)
Rationale: According to Polan Chapter 10, puberty (preadolescence) ends and adolescence begins specifically with the onset of menses for girls and
the development of sperm for boys.
2. When assessing physical growth patterns during adolescent puberty, which body part is typically first to show the
effects of the growth spurt?
A) The feet
B) The hands and wrists
C) The broad shoulders and trunk
D) The long bones of the legs
✔ Correct Answer: A — The feet
Rationale: Source objectives state that the feet are usually the first part of the body to show the effects of the adolescent growth spurt, followed
sequentially by the legs and trunk.
3. A nurse observes an early adolescent exhibiting clumsiness and awkward physical movements. What is the primary
underlying cause for this motor presentation?
A) Rapid physical growth spurts altering body proportions
B) Delayed fine motor development in the CNS
C) Cerebellar impairment common to preadolescence
D) Regression of gross motor skills during puberty
✔ Correct Answer: A — Rapid physical growth spurts altering body proportions
Rationale: At the beginning of adolescence, teens experience temporary clumsiness due to rapid physical growth spurts, though their motor skills
ultimately become comparable to adults.
4. According to Freud's psychosexual theory, which developmental stage corresponds to adolescence, and what is the
nurse's primary guidance regarding masturbation?
A) Genital stage; advise strict supervision to avoid social role confusion
B) Phallic stage; instruct parents to limit alone time to prevent behavioral regression
C) Genital stage; educate parents that masturbation is normal and allow for privacy
D) Latency stage; advise parents to discipline sexual self-stimulation immediately
✔ Correct Answer: C — Genital stage; educate parents that masturbation is normal and allow for privacy
Rationale: Freud's genital stage occurs during adolescence. Adolescents compare themselves to peers and body changes; masturbation is normal,
and nurses should teach parents to allow for privacy.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 1
, 5. Why is adolescent pregnancy considered particularly dangerous for a young mother's physiological health?
A) Her cardiac output is insufficient to support placental circulation
B) Her renal nephron count is at its lowest lifespan efficiency
C) Her immune system completely rejects fetal protein structures
D) Her still-growing body competes for essential nutrients with the developing fetus
✔ Correct Answer: D — Her still-growing body competes for essential nutrients with the developing fetus
Rationale: In adolescent pregnancy, the young mother's still-growing body competes for nutrients with the developing fetus, causing maternal
mortality rates to double.
6. According to Erikson, what is the primary psychosocial crisis of adolescence, and which parenting style best supports
its resolution?
A) Industry vs. Inferiority; Permissive parenting style
B) Intimacy vs. Isolation; Authoritarian parenting style
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion; Democratic parenting style
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation; Uninvolved parenting style
✔ Correct Answer: C — Identity vs. Role Confusion; Democratic parenting style
Rationale: Adolescents experience Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion as they search for personal identity and separate from family. A democratic
family style best supports this search.
7. A nurse is evaluating an adolescent's cognitive development according to Piaget. Which cognitive characteristic is
typical of the Formal Operations stage?
A) Inability to comprehend hypothetical situations or consequences
B) Reliance strictly on concrete physical objects for problem-solving
C) Ability to engage in abstract, logical, and scientific reasoning
D) Egocentric thinking dominated by magical beliefs
✔ Correct Answer: C — Ability to engage in abstract, logical, and scientific reasoning
Rationale: Piaget's Formal Operations stage in adolescents is characterized by logical thinking, abstract thought, critical thinking, scientific reasoning,
and understanding consequences.
8. An early adolescent student displays concern for others, follows school rules, and seeks trust from parents. According
to Kohlberg, which moral development phase is this?
A) Conventional stage
B) Universal ethical principle stage
C) Pre-conventional stage
D) Transitional post-conventional phase
✔ Correct Answer: A — Conventional stage
Rationale: Early adolescents are in Kohlberg's conventional stage: they follow rules, show concern for others, and wish to be trusted by parents.
9. What is the recommended method of discipline for serious offenses committed by an adolescent?
A) Corporal punishment in front of peers
B) Grounding and democratic removal of privileges
C) Indefinite isolation without explanation
D) Ignoring the behavior to preserve self-esteem
✔ Correct Answer: B — Grounding and democratic removal of privileges
Rationale: NU131 objectives state that grounding is appropriate for serious offenses, and democratic parenting (giving choices and removing
privileges) best fosters moral judgment.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 2
, 10. How many hours of sleep per night are required for an adolescent to be fully rested, and what primary factor increases
this sleep requirement?
A) 5 hours; decreased muscle mass accumulation
B) 6 hours; decreased central nervous system activity
C) At least 8 hours; increased metabolic demand from the growth spurt
D) 10 to 12 hours; regression of circadian biorhythms
✔ Correct Answer: C — At least 8 hours; increased metabolic demand from the growth spurt
Rationale: Adolescents require at least 8 hours of sleep per night to be fully rested due to the increased growth and metabolic demands of the
adolescent growth spurt.
11. What are the average daily caloric requirements for adolescent girls and boys during peak growth?
A) Girls: 2,000 calories/day; Boys: 2,500 calories/day
B) Girls: 2,600 calories/day; Boys: 3,600 calories/day
C) Girls: 1,800 calories/day; Boys: 2,200 calories/day
D) Girls: 3,200 calories/day; Boys: 4,500 calories/day
✔ Correct Answer: B — Girls: 2,600 calories/day; Boys: 3,600 calories/day
Rationale: Due to rapid physical growth, average daily caloric needs increase to 2,600 calories/day for adolescent girls and 3,600 calories/day for
adolescent boys.
12. A 12-year-old female presents with severe willful starvation resulting in a 30% loss of total body weight. Which eating
disorder does this clinical presentation reflect?
A) Maladaptive rumination syndrome
B) Bulimia nervosa
C) Anorexia nervosa
D) Binge-eating disorder
✔ Correct Answer: C — Anorexia nervosa
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by willful starvation resulting in 25% or more of body weight loss, with an average onset age of 9–12
years.
13. What is the first leading cause of death among adolescents, and what key contributing factor is cited in safety
guidelines?
A) Motor vehicle accidents; cellphone usage and lack of driving judgment
B) Unintentional poisoning; recreational drug abuse
C) Homicide; gang activity and peer pressure
D) Suicide; academic failure and depression
✔ Correct Answer: A — Motor vehicle accidents; cellphone usage and lack of driving judgment
Rationale: The 1st leading cause of death in teens is motor vehicle accidents (caused by cellphone usage, lack of judgment/skill, and
drinking/driving). Homicide is 2nd, suicide is 3rd.
14. When conducting a health assessment on an adolescent patient, how should the nurse handle the presence of the
adolescent's parent in the exam room?
A) Ignore the adolescent's preference and defer strictly to the parent's choice
B) Mandate that the parent leave the building during all physical assessments
C) Insist that the parent remain present throughout the entire examination
D) Allow the teen to decide whether the parent should stay or be asked to leave
✔ Correct Answer: D — Allow the teen to decide whether the parent should stay or be asked to leave
Rationale: Nursing implications for adolescent care state that the nurse should allow the teen to decide if the parent should stay, or ask the parent to
leave the room for privacy.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 3
NU131: Fundamentals of Nursing — Comprehensive Final Examination (Fall 2026)
Student Name:
Date: ______________ Score: _____ / 150
___________________________
Instructions: Read each multiple-choice question carefully. Select the single best answer (A, B, C, or D). For examination study and
rationalization review, the correct answer is marked with a green checkmark and accompanied by a comprehensive clinical rationale
highlighted in yellow. All content is strictly grounded in Galen College of Nursing NU131 source objectives.
1. Which event formally marks the end of puberty and the beginning of adolescence in female patients?
A) The presence of axillary body odor
B) The emergence of formal operational thought
C) The initiation of the rapid height growth spurt
D) The onset of menses (menarche)
✔ Correct Answer: D — The onset of menses (menarche)
Rationale: According to Polan Chapter 10, puberty (preadolescence) ends and adolescence begins specifically with the onset of menses for girls and
the development of sperm for boys.
2. When assessing physical growth patterns during adolescent puberty, which body part is typically first to show the
effects of the growth spurt?
A) The feet
B) The hands and wrists
C) The broad shoulders and trunk
D) The long bones of the legs
✔ Correct Answer: A — The feet
Rationale: Source objectives state that the feet are usually the first part of the body to show the effects of the adolescent growth spurt, followed
sequentially by the legs and trunk.
3. A nurse observes an early adolescent exhibiting clumsiness and awkward physical movements. What is the primary
underlying cause for this motor presentation?
A) Rapid physical growth spurts altering body proportions
B) Delayed fine motor development in the CNS
C) Cerebellar impairment common to preadolescence
D) Regression of gross motor skills during puberty
✔ Correct Answer: A — Rapid physical growth spurts altering body proportions
Rationale: At the beginning of adolescence, teens experience temporary clumsiness due to rapid physical growth spurts, though their motor skills
ultimately become comparable to adults.
4. According to Freud's psychosexual theory, which developmental stage corresponds to adolescence, and what is the
nurse's primary guidance regarding masturbation?
A) Genital stage; advise strict supervision to avoid social role confusion
B) Phallic stage; instruct parents to limit alone time to prevent behavioral regression
C) Genital stage; educate parents that masturbation is normal and allow for privacy
D) Latency stage; advise parents to discipline sexual self-stimulation immediately
✔ Correct Answer: C — Genital stage; educate parents that masturbation is normal and allow for privacy
Rationale: Freud's genital stage occurs during adolescence. Adolescents compare themselves to peers and body changes; masturbation is normal,
and nurses should teach parents to allow for privacy.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 1
, 5. Why is adolescent pregnancy considered particularly dangerous for a young mother's physiological health?
A) Her cardiac output is insufficient to support placental circulation
B) Her renal nephron count is at its lowest lifespan efficiency
C) Her immune system completely rejects fetal protein structures
D) Her still-growing body competes for essential nutrients with the developing fetus
✔ Correct Answer: D — Her still-growing body competes for essential nutrients with the developing fetus
Rationale: In adolescent pregnancy, the young mother's still-growing body competes for nutrients with the developing fetus, causing maternal
mortality rates to double.
6. According to Erikson, what is the primary psychosocial crisis of adolescence, and which parenting style best supports
its resolution?
A) Industry vs. Inferiority; Permissive parenting style
B) Intimacy vs. Isolation; Authoritarian parenting style
C) Identity vs. Role Confusion; Democratic parenting style
D) Generativity vs. Stagnation; Uninvolved parenting style
✔ Correct Answer: C — Identity vs. Role Confusion; Democratic parenting style
Rationale: Adolescents experience Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion as they search for personal identity and separate from family. A democratic
family style best supports this search.
7. A nurse is evaluating an adolescent's cognitive development according to Piaget. Which cognitive characteristic is
typical of the Formal Operations stage?
A) Inability to comprehend hypothetical situations or consequences
B) Reliance strictly on concrete physical objects for problem-solving
C) Ability to engage in abstract, logical, and scientific reasoning
D) Egocentric thinking dominated by magical beliefs
✔ Correct Answer: C — Ability to engage in abstract, logical, and scientific reasoning
Rationale: Piaget's Formal Operations stage in adolescents is characterized by logical thinking, abstract thought, critical thinking, scientific reasoning,
and understanding consequences.
8. An early adolescent student displays concern for others, follows school rules, and seeks trust from parents. According
to Kohlberg, which moral development phase is this?
A) Conventional stage
B) Universal ethical principle stage
C) Pre-conventional stage
D) Transitional post-conventional phase
✔ Correct Answer: A — Conventional stage
Rationale: Early adolescents are in Kohlberg's conventional stage: they follow rules, show concern for others, and wish to be trusted by parents.
9. What is the recommended method of discipline for serious offenses committed by an adolescent?
A) Corporal punishment in front of peers
B) Grounding and democratic removal of privileges
C) Indefinite isolation without explanation
D) Ignoring the behavior to preserve self-esteem
✔ Correct Answer: B — Grounding and democratic removal of privileges
Rationale: NU131 objectives state that grounding is appropriate for serious offenses, and democratic parenting (giving choices and removing
privileges) best fosters moral judgment.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 2
, 10. How many hours of sleep per night are required for an adolescent to be fully rested, and what primary factor increases
this sleep requirement?
A) 5 hours; decreased muscle mass accumulation
B) 6 hours; decreased central nervous system activity
C) At least 8 hours; increased metabolic demand from the growth spurt
D) 10 to 12 hours; regression of circadian biorhythms
✔ Correct Answer: C — At least 8 hours; increased metabolic demand from the growth spurt
Rationale: Adolescents require at least 8 hours of sleep per night to be fully rested due to the increased growth and metabolic demands of the
adolescent growth spurt.
11. What are the average daily caloric requirements for adolescent girls and boys during peak growth?
A) Girls: 2,000 calories/day; Boys: 2,500 calories/day
B) Girls: 2,600 calories/day; Boys: 3,600 calories/day
C) Girls: 1,800 calories/day; Boys: 2,200 calories/day
D) Girls: 3,200 calories/day; Boys: 4,500 calories/day
✔ Correct Answer: B — Girls: 2,600 calories/day; Boys: 3,600 calories/day
Rationale: Due to rapid physical growth, average daily caloric needs increase to 2,600 calories/day for adolescent girls and 3,600 calories/day for
adolescent boys.
12. A 12-year-old female presents with severe willful starvation resulting in a 30% loss of total body weight. Which eating
disorder does this clinical presentation reflect?
A) Maladaptive rumination syndrome
B) Bulimia nervosa
C) Anorexia nervosa
D) Binge-eating disorder
✔ Correct Answer: C — Anorexia nervosa
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by willful starvation resulting in 25% or more of body weight loss, with an average onset age of 9–12
years.
13. What is the first leading cause of death among adolescents, and what key contributing factor is cited in safety
guidelines?
A) Motor vehicle accidents; cellphone usage and lack of driving judgment
B) Unintentional poisoning; recreational drug abuse
C) Homicide; gang activity and peer pressure
D) Suicide; academic failure and depression
✔ Correct Answer: A — Motor vehicle accidents; cellphone usage and lack of driving judgment
Rationale: The 1st leading cause of death in teens is motor vehicle accidents (caused by cellphone usage, lack of judgment/skill, and
drinking/driving). Homicide is 2nd, suicide is 3rd.
14. When conducting a health assessment on an adolescent patient, how should the nurse handle the presence of the
adolescent's parent in the exam room?
A) Ignore the adolescent's preference and defer strictly to the parent's choice
B) Mandate that the parent leave the building during all physical assessments
C) Insist that the parent remain present throughout the entire examination
D) Allow the teen to decide whether the parent should stay or be asked to leave
✔ Correct Answer: D — Allow the teen to decide whether the parent should stay or be asked to leave
Rationale: Nursing implications for adolescent care state that the nurse should allow the teen to decide if the parent should stay, or ask the parent to
leave the room for privacy.
Galen College of Nursing — NU131 Final Examination Page 3
