West Coast University NURS 120 Week 1 Quiz (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Q&A |
Nursing
1. Who was the first nursing philosopher to emphasize the importance of the environment in
healing?
A) Clara Barton
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Mary Mahoney
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory identified clean air, water, and sanitation as
essential foundations for patient recovery. Her work during the Crimean War transformed nursing
into a respected profession. The other figures contributed to nursing and humanitarian efforts but did
not pioneer environmental theory.
2. Which historical figure founded the American Red Cross?
A) Lillian Wald
B) Clara Barton
C) Mary Brewster
D) Harriet Tubman
Correct Answer: Clara Barton
Rationale: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 to provide aid to victims of war and
natural disasters. Her efforts established a lasting organization dedicated to humanitarian relief. The
other individuals were influential in nursing and social reform but did not establish the Red Cross.
3. Which stage of Benner's proficiency levels describes a nurse with some level of experience
with the situation?
A) Novice
B) Competent
C) Advanced Beginner
D) Proficient
Correct Answer: Advanced Beginner
Rationale: An advanced beginner has some experience and can identify meaningful aspects or
principles of nursing care. This stage follows the novice level and precedes competence. Novice nurses
have no experience, while competent and proficient nurses demonstrate greater clinical judgment.
4. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs)?
,A) To set nurse-to-patient ratios
B) To protect public health, safety, and welfare
C) To provide a list of medications nurses can prescribe
D) To determine the starting salary for new graduates
Correct Answer: To protect public health, safety, and welfare
Rationale: Nurse Practice Acts are state-regulated laws that protect the public from unqualified and
unsafe nursing practice. Each state's Board of Nursing enforces the NPA and defines the scope of
practice. The other options do not reflect the primary legislative purpose of NPAs.
5. Which QSEN competency involves using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and
improve health care delivery?
A) Patient-Centered Care
B) Teamwork and Collaboration
C) Quality Improvement
D) Safety
Correct Answer: Quality Improvement
Rationale: Quality Improvement uses data to monitor outcomes and design changes to improve the
quality and safety of health care systems. This competency emphasizes continuous evaluation and
enhancement of care processes. Patient-centered care and teamwork address different aspects of
nursing practice.
6. A nurse provides a patient with information about a surgical procedure and ensures the
patient is not coerced into signing. This is an example of:
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make their own decisions about medical care
without pressure or coercion. Informed consent is a direct application of this ethical principle.
Beneficence and nonmaleficence relate to doing good and avoiding harm, respectively.
7. Which level of prevention focuses on health promotion and protection against specific health
problems?
A) Quaternary Prevention
B) Secondary Prevention
C) Tertiary Prevention
, D) Primary Prevention
Correct Answer: Primary Prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention includes activities like immunizations and health education aimed at
preventing the onset of disease before it occurs. Secondary prevention focuses on early diagnosis,
and tertiary prevention addresses rehabilitation. Quaternary prevention is not a standard
classification.
8. Screening for hypertension in a community health clinic is an example of which level of
prevention?
A) Primary Prevention
B) Secondary Prevention
C) Tertiary Prevention
D) Rehabilitative Prevention
Correct Answer: Secondary Prevention
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early diagnosis and prompt treatment to limit disability
and complications. Screening for hypertension detects the condition early when intervention is most
effective. Primary prevention would prevent hypertension from developing in the first place.
9. Which nurse theorist is associated with the Interpersonal Relations Model?
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Hildegard Peplau
C) Martha Rogers
D) Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: Hildegard Peplau
Rationale: Hildegard Peplau developed the Interpersonal Relations Model, emphasizing that better
communication provides better mental health care. Her theory focuses on the nurse-patient
relationship as central to nursing practice. Virginia Henderson defined nursing needs, while Rogers
and Orem developed different theoretical frameworks.
10. What is the primary focus of Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings?
A) The nursing process
B) The health-illness continuum
C) The interaction between human and environmental energy fields
D) The hierarchy of patient needs
Correct Answer: The interaction between human and environmental energy fields
Rationale: Martha Rogers' theory views humans and environments as irreducible energy fields that
continuously interact. This framework emphasizes holistic care and the dynamic nature of health. The
nursing process and hierarchy of needs are associated with other theoretical approaches.
2026/2027 | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Q&A |
Nursing
1. Who was the first nursing philosopher to emphasize the importance of the environment in
healing?
A) Clara Barton
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Mary Mahoney
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory identified clean air, water, and sanitation as
essential foundations for patient recovery. Her work during the Crimean War transformed nursing
into a respected profession. The other figures contributed to nursing and humanitarian efforts but did
not pioneer environmental theory.
2. Which historical figure founded the American Red Cross?
A) Lillian Wald
B) Clara Barton
C) Mary Brewster
D) Harriet Tubman
Correct Answer: Clara Barton
Rationale: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 to provide aid to victims of war and
natural disasters. Her efforts established a lasting organization dedicated to humanitarian relief. The
other individuals were influential in nursing and social reform but did not establish the Red Cross.
3. Which stage of Benner's proficiency levels describes a nurse with some level of experience
with the situation?
A) Novice
B) Competent
C) Advanced Beginner
D) Proficient
Correct Answer: Advanced Beginner
Rationale: An advanced beginner has some experience and can identify meaningful aspects or
principles of nursing care. This stage follows the novice level and precedes competence. Novice nurses
have no experience, while competent and proficient nurses demonstrate greater clinical judgment.
4. What is the primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs)?
,A) To set nurse-to-patient ratios
B) To protect public health, safety, and welfare
C) To provide a list of medications nurses can prescribe
D) To determine the starting salary for new graduates
Correct Answer: To protect public health, safety, and welfare
Rationale: Nurse Practice Acts are state-regulated laws that protect the public from unqualified and
unsafe nursing practice. Each state's Board of Nursing enforces the NPA and defines the scope of
practice. The other options do not reflect the primary legislative purpose of NPAs.
5. Which QSEN competency involves using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and
improve health care delivery?
A) Patient-Centered Care
B) Teamwork and Collaboration
C) Quality Improvement
D) Safety
Correct Answer: Quality Improvement
Rationale: Quality Improvement uses data to monitor outcomes and design changes to improve the
quality and safety of health care systems. This competency emphasizes continuous evaluation and
enhancement of care processes. Patient-centered care and teamwork address different aspects of
nursing practice.
6. A nurse provides a patient with information about a surgical procedure and ensures the
patient is not coerced into signing. This is an example of:
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make their own decisions about medical care
without pressure or coercion. Informed consent is a direct application of this ethical principle.
Beneficence and nonmaleficence relate to doing good and avoiding harm, respectively.
7. Which level of prevention focuses on health promotion and protection against specific health
problems?
A) Quaternary Prevention
B) Secondary Prevention
C) Tertiary Prevention
, D) Primary Prevention
Correct Answer: Primary Prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention includes activities like immunizations and health education aimed at
preventing the onset of disease before it occurs. Secondary prevention focuses on early diagnosis,
and tertiary prevention addresses rehabilitation. Quaternary prevention is not a standard
classification.
8. Screening for hypertension in a community health clinic is an example of which level of
prevention?
A) Primary Prevention
B) Secondary Prevention
C) Tertiary Prevention
D) Rehabilitative Prevention
Correct Answer: Secondary Prevention
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early diagnosis and prompt treatment to limit disability
and complications. Screening for hypertension detects the condition early when intervention is most
effective. Primary prevention would prevent hypertension from developing in the first place.
9. Which nurse theorist is associated with the Interpersonal Relations Model?
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Hildegard Peplau
C) Martha Rogers
D) Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: Hildegard Peplau
Rationale: Hildegard Peplau developed the Interpersonal Relations Model, emphasizing that better
communication provides better mental health care. Her theory focuses on the nurse-patient
relationship as central to nursing practice. Virginia Henderson defined nursing needs, while Rogers
and Orem developed different theoretical frameworks.
10. What is the primary focus of Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings?
A) The nursing process
B) The health-illness continuum
C) The interaction between human and environmental energy fields
D) The hierarchy of patient needs
Correct Answer: The interaction between human and environmental energy fields
Rationale: Martha Rogers' theory views humans and environments as irreducible energy fields that
continuously interact. This framework emphasizes holistic care and the dynamic nature of health. The
nursing process and hierarchy of needs are associated with other theoretical approaches.
