Page 1 of 75
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE EXAM BANK |
100 EXAM-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES
Nursing / Clinical
Exam coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1-25): Nursing Process, Ethics, Legal, & Critical
Thinking.
• Section 2 (Q26-50): Vital Signs, Assessment, & Oxygenation.
• Section 3 (Q51-75): Mobility, Safety, Perioperative & Wound
Care.
• Section 4 (Q76-100): Med Admin, Elimination, Nutrition, &
End-of-Life.
Section 1: Question 1-25 – Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
& Legal/Ethical Principles
Question 1
A 68-year-old male patient is admitted with dehydration and
confusion. The nurse notes that the patient's skin turgor is poor,
mucous membranes are dry, and urine output has decreased to
20 mL/hour over the last 4 hours. In applying the nursing
process, which action should the nurse prioritize immediately
after completing the initial assessment?
, Page 2 of 75
A. Formulate a nursing diagnosis of Deficient Fluid Volume.
B. Implement a fluid replacement protocol without a physician's
order.
C. Evaluate the patient's intake and output from the previous
shift.
D. Delegate the measurement of vital signs to the nursing
assistant.
CORRECT ANSWER: A ✓
RATIONALE: The nursing process follows a sequential order:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. After gathering assessment data (poor turgor, dry
mucosa, low urine output), the next logical step is to analyze the
data and formulate a nursing diagnosis (Deficient Fluid Volume)
before planning or implementing interventions. Option B
bypasses the diagnostic and planning phases, C is an
evaluation step that occurs later, and D is implementation
without proper diagnosis.
Question 2
A newly licensed nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who
refuses to ambulate despite the provider's order. The patient
states, "I am in too much pain to walk." The nurse reviews the
pain medication administration record and notes that the last
dose was given 2 hours ago. Which critical thinking attitude is
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the nurse demonstrating when the nurse decides to reassess
the patient's pain level and offer alternative pain relief measures
before insisting on ambulation?
A. Intellectual humility
B. Independent thinking
C. Fairness in reasoning
D. Curiosity and inquiry
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✓
RATIONALE: Independent thinking involves questioning
assumptions and exploring alternatives rather than rigidly
following a routine. By reassessing pain and seeking
alternatives instead of forcing ambulation, the nurse
demonstrates independent thinking. Intellectual humility (A) is
recognizing one's limitations; fairness (C) is avoiding bias;
curiosity (D) is wanting to learn more—neither directly
addresses the decision to modify the plan based on patient
feedback.
Question 3
An 82-year-old patient in a long-term care facility has a living
will that clearly states "no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
in the event of cardiac arrest." The patient's adult child arrives
and demands that the staff "do everything possible" to save the
parent. The nurse is aware of the legal implications. Which
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action by the nurse is most appropriate according to legal and
ethical standards?
A. Initiate CPR immediately because the child has medical
power of attorney.
B. Contact the facility's ethics committee and delay any
decision until they convene.
C. Respect the living will and do not initiate CPR while
explaining the directive to the child.
D. Administer emergency drugs but withhold defibrillation as a
compromise.
CORRECT ANSWER: C ✓
RATIONALE: A living will is a legally binding advanced directive
that must be honored. The patient's autonomy and right to self-
determination take precedence over family wishes when the
document is valid and clearly applicable. Option C respects
both the law and ethical principle of autonomy. A violates the
directive, B unnecessarily delays care, and D provides partial
treatment which is not legally or ethically sound.
Question 4
During a change-of-shift handoff, the night nurse reports that a
patient with heart failure has had a 2-kg weight gain in 24 hours,
increased dyspnea, and crackles auscultated in the lung bases.
The day nurse uses the SBAR (Situation-Background-
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE EXAM BANK |
100 EXAM-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES
Nursing / Clinical
Exam coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1-25): Nursing Process, Ethics, Legal, & Critical
Thinking.
• Section 2 (Q26-50): Vital Signs, Assessment, & Oxygenation.
• Section 3 (Q51-75): Mobility, Safety, Perioperative & Wound
Care.
• Section 4 (Q76-100): Med Admin, Elimination, Nutrition, &
End-of-Life.
Section 1: Question 1-25 – Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
& Legal/Ethical Principles
Question 1
A 68-year-old male patient is admitted with dehydration and
confusion. The nurse notes that the patient's skin turgor is poor,
mucous membranes are dry, and urine output has decreased to
20 mL/hour over the last 4 hours. In applying the nursing
process, which action should the nurse prioritize immediately
after completing the initial assessment?
, Page 2 of 75
A. Formulate a nursing diagnosis of Deficient Fluid Volume.
B. Implement a fluid replacement protocol without a physician's
order.
C. Evaluate the patient's intake and output from the previous
shift.
D. Delegate the measurement of vital signs to the nursing
assistant.
CORRECT ANSWER: A ✓
RATIONALE: The nursing process follows a sequential order:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and
Evaluation. After gathering assessment data (poor turgor, dry
mucosa, low urine output), the next logical step is to analyze the
data and formulate a nursing diagnosis (Deficient Fluid Volume)
before planning or implementing interventions. Option B
bypasses the diagnostic and planning phases, C is an
evaluation step that occurs later, and D is implementation
without proper diagnosis.
Question 2
A newly licensed nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who
refuses to ambulate despite the provider's order. The patient
states, "I am in too much pain to walk." The nurse reviews the
pain medication administration record and notes that the last
dose was given 2 hours ago. Which critical thinking attitude is
, Page 3 of 75
the nurse demonstrating when the nurse decides to reassess
the patient's pain level and offer alternative pain relief measures
before insisting on ambulation?
A. Intellectual humility
B. Independent thinking
C. Fairness in reasoning
D. Curiosity and inquiry
CORRECT ANSWER: B ✓
RATIONALE: Independent thinking involves questioning
assumptions and exploring alternatives rather than rigidly
following a routine. By reassessing pain and seeking
alternatives instead of forcing ambulation, the nurse
demonstrates independent thinking. Intellectual humility (A) is
recognizing one's limitations; fairness (C) is avoiding bias;
curiosity (D) is wanting to learn more—neither directly
addresses the decision to modify the plan based on patient
feedback.
Question 3
An 82-year-old patient in a long-term care facility has a living
will that clearly states "no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
in the event of cardiac arrest." The patient's adult child arrives
and demands that the staff "do everything possible" to save the
parent. The nurse is aware of the legal implications. Which
, Page 4 of 75
action by the nurse is most appropriate according to legal and
ethical standards?
A. Initiate CPR immediately because the child has medical
power of attorney.
B. Contact the facility's ethics committee and delay any
decision until they convene.
C. Respect the living will and do not initiate CPR while
explaining the directive to the child.
D. Administer emergency drugs but withhold defibrillation as a
compromise.
CORRECT ANSWER: C ✓
RATIONALE: A living will is a legally binding advanced directive
that must be honored. The patient's autonomy and right to self-
determination take precedence over family wishes when the
document is valid and clearly applicable. Option C respects
both the law and ethical principle of autonomy. A violates the
directive, B unnecessarily delays care, and D provides partial
treatment which is not legally or ethically sound.
Question 4
During a change-of-shift handoff, the night nurse reports that a
patient with heart failure has had a 2-kg weight gain in 24 hours,
increased dyspnea, and crackles auscultated in the lung bases.
The day nurse uses the SBAR (Situation-Background-
