Page 1 of 55
ROSDAHL'S TEXTBOOK OF BASIC NURSING QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing
Questions 1–40: The Nature of Nursing & Nursing Heritage
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing as defined in
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing treatments
B. Promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting people toward optimal functioning
C. Performing surgical procedures independently
D. Managing hospital administrative tasks
Answer: B. Rationale: Nursing focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, care of
individuals experiencing illness, and restoration and maintenance of health.
2. A nurse is demonstrating professional accountability in practice, so which action
best reflects this concept?
A. Asking another nurse to accept responsibility for an assigned task
B. Accepting responsibility for one's own nursing actions
C. Performing only tasks that are convenient
D. Documenting care before providing it
Answer: B. Rationale: Accountability means being answerable for one's decisions,
actions, and professional practice.
3. Which of Florence Nightingale's nursing principles is still practiced in modern
healthcare settings today?
A. The nurse's role is defined by the physician's orders
B. The nurse is tasked with the responsibility of keeping the environment clean
C. The nurse's primary role is to spend time caring for others
D. The nurse is viewed as an independent healthcare provider
Answer: B. Rationale: Nightingale emphasized environmental sanitation, including
cleanliness and fresh air, as vital to recovery.
4. A student is studying the history of nursing and asks about the contribution of
Roman Matron Phoebe to the origins of nursing, so which answer is correct?
A. Established the first gerontological facility
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B. Was the first deaconess and visiting nurse
C. Established inns and hospitals for pilgrims
D. Was the namesake of the first free hospital in Rome in 390 AD
Answer: B. Rationale: Phoebe was a Roman matron who served as the first deaconess
and visiting nurse.
5. Which nursing programs were established based on the Nightingale plan of
nursing education? (Select all that apply.)
A. Kaiserswerth School for Nursing
B. Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing
C. Connecticut Training School in New Haven
D. Boston Training School at Massachusetts
E. St. Thomas Hospital in London
Answer: B, C, D. Rationale: Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing, Connecticut Training
School, and Boston Training School were all established based on the Nightingale plan.
6. A beginning nursing student asks about the principles taught by the
Nightingale Nursing School, so which principles should be included in the
response? (Select all that apply.)
A. Cleanliness is vital to recovery
B. Cure is better than prevention
C. The nurse must work as a member of a team
D. The nurse should be healthy in both mind and body
E. The nurse must use discretion but follow the physician's orders
Answer: A, C, D. Rationale: Nightingale principles included cleanliness, teamwork, and
the nurse's health in mind and body. Prevention was emphasized over cure.
7. Which finding is considered objective data during a nursing assessment?
A. "I feel nauseated."
B. "My pain is severe."
C. Blood pressure is 148/88 mm Hg.
D. "I am worried about surgery."
Answer: C. Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained
through examination, observation, or measurement.
8. A nurse is collecting subjective data from a patient, so which of the following is
an example of subjective data?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. "My abdomen hurts when I move."
D. Oxygen saturation of 92%
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Answer: C. Rationale: Subjective data consist of information reported by the client, such
as symptoms and feelings.
9. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting information about the
client?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D. Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection and organization of
subjective and objective client information.
10. A nurse identifies "Impaired Physical Mobility" after reviewing assessment
findings, so this is an example of which nursing process phase?
A. Assessment
B. Nursing diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: B. Rationale: Nursing diagnoses identify client responses to health conditions
based on assessment findings.
11. Which action occurs during the planning phase of the nursing process?
A. Collecting the initial health history
B. Establishing measurable client goals
C. Carrying out prescribed interventions
D. Determining whether goals were met
Answer: B. Rationale: Planning includes setting priorities, establishing expected
outcomes, and selecting appropriate interventions.
12. A nurse determines that a client's condition has improved after interventions,
so which nursing process step is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D. Rationale: Evaluation determines whether expected outcomes have been
achieved and whether the plan needs modification.
13. Which goal is written correctly according to nursing process standards?
A. Client will feel better.
B. Client will improve mobility.
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C. Client will ambulate 50 meters with a walker by 1800.
D. Client will have normal activity.
Answer: C. Rationale: Effective goals are specific, measurable, realistic, and time limited.
14. Which action demonstrates evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Following tradition without question
B. Using only personal experience
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and client preferences
D. Using the same intervention for every client
Answer: C. Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence
with clinical expertise and individual client values and circumstances.
15. Which ethical principle refers to the client's right to make personal healthcare
decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: B. Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects the client's right to
make personal healthcare decisions.
16. A nurse is caring for a patient who adheres to a philosophy of Christian
Science, so which action should the nurse take to facilitate communication
between the patient and the healthcare team?
A. Ignore the patient's religious beliefs
B. Facilitate communication between the patient, the family, and the healthcare team
C. Discourage the patient from practicing their faith
D. Make decisions for the patient without consulting them
Answer: B. Rationale: The nurse should facilitate communication between the patient,
family, and healthcare team to ensure culturally competent care.
17. What contribution did Roman Matron Saint Marcella make to the origins of
nursing?
A. First to teach nursing skills
B. Was the first deaconess and visiting nurse
C. Established inns and hospitals for pilgrims
D. Was the namesake of the first free hospital in Rome in 390 AD
Answer: C. Rationale: Saint Marcella established inns and hospitals for pilgrims.
18. In what time period were monastic orders established to care for the sick?
A. 500 BC
4|Page
ROSDAHL'S TEXTBOOK OF BASIC NURSING QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing
Questions 1–40: The Nature of Nursing & Nursing Heritage
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing as defined in
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing treatments
B. Promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting people toward optimal functioning
C. Performing surgical procedures independently
D. Managing hospital administrative tasks
Answer: B. Rationale: Nursing focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, care of
individuals experiencing illness, and restoration and maintenance of health.
2. A nurse is demonstrating professional accountability in practice, so which action
best reflects this concept?
A. Asking another nurse to accept responsibility for an assigned task
B. Accepting responsibility for one's own nursing actions
C. Performing only tasks that are convenient
D. Documenting care before providing it
Answer: B. Rationale: Accountability means being answerable for one's decisions,
actions, and professional practice.
3. Which of Florence Nightingale's nursing principles is still practiced in modern
healthcare settings today?
A. The nurse's role is defined by the physician's orders
B. The nurse is tasked with the responsibility of keeping the environment clean
C. The nurse's primary role is to spend time caring for others
D. The nurse is viewed as an independent healthcare provider
Answer: B. Rationale: Nightingale emphasized environmental sanitation, including
cleanliness and fresh air, as vital to recovery.
4. A student is studying the history of nursing and asks about the contribution of
Roman Matron Phoebe to the origins of nursing, so which answer is correct?
A. Established the first gerontological facility
1|Page
,Page 2 of 55
B. Was the first deaconess and visiting nurse
C. Established inns and hospitals for pilgrims
D. Was the namesake of the first free hospital in Rome in 390 AD
Answer: B. Rationale: Phoebe was a Roman matron who served as the first deaconess
and visiting nurse.
5. Which nursing programs were established based on the Nightingale plan of
nursing education? (Select all that apply.)
A. Kaiserswerth School for Nursing
B. Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing
C. Connecticut Training School in New Haven
D. Boston Training School at Massachusetts
E. St. Thomas Hospital in London
Answer: B, C, D. Rationale: Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing, Connecticut Training
School, and Boston Training School were all established based on the Nightingale plan.
6. A beginning nursing student asks about the principles taught by the
Nightingale Nursing School, so which principles should be included in the
response? (Select all that apply.)
A. Cleanliness is vital to recovery
B. Cure is better than prevention
C. The nurse must work as a member of a team
D. The nurse should be healthy in both mind and body
E. The nurse must use discretion but follow the physician's orders
Answer: A, C, D. Rationale: Nightingale principles included cleanliness, teamwork, and
the nurse's health in mind and body. Prevention was emphasized over cure.
7. Which finding is considered objective data during a nursing assessment?
A. "I feel nauseated."
B. "My pain is severe."
C. Blood pressure is 148/88 mm Hg.
D. "I am worried about surgery."
Answer: C. Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained
through examination, observation, or measurement.
8. A nurse is collecting subjective data from a patient, so which of the following is
an example of subjective data?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. "My abdomen hurts when I move."
D. Oxygen saturation of 92%
2|Page
,Page 3 of 55
Answer: C. Rationale: Subjective data consist of information reported by the client, such
as symptoms and feelings.
9. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting information about the
client?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D. Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection and organization of
subjective and objective client information.
10. A nurse identifies "Impaired Physical Mobility" after reviewing assessment
findings, so this is an example of which nursing process phase?
A. Assessment
B. Nursing diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: B. Rationale: Nursing diagnoses identify client responses to health conditions
based on assessment findings.
11. Which action occurs during the planning phase of the nursing process?
A. Collecting the initial health history
B. Establishing measurable client goals
C. Carrying out prescribed interventions
D. Determining whether goals were met
Answer: B. Rationale: Planning includes setting priorities, establishing expected
outcomes, and selecting appropriate interventions.
12. A nurse determines that a client's condition has improved after interventions,
so which nursing process step is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D. Rationale: Evaluation determines whether expected outcomes have been
achieved and whether the plan needs modification.
13. Which goal is written correctly according to nursing process standards?
A. Client will feel better.
B. Client will improve mobility.
3|Page
, Page 4 of 55
C. Client will ambulate 50 meters with a walker by 1800.
D. Client will have normal activity.
Answer: C. Rationale: Effective goals are specific, measurable, realistic, and time limited.
14. Which action demonstrates evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Following tradition without question
B. Using only personal experience
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and client preferences
D. Using the same intervention for every client
Answer: C. Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence
with clinical expertise and individual client values and circumstances.
15. Which ethical principle refers to the client's right to make personal healthcare
decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: B. Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects the client's right to
make personal healthcare decisions.
16. A nurse is caring for a patient who adheres to a philosophy of Christian
Science, so which action should the nurse take to facilitate communication
between the patient and the healthcare team?
A. Ignore the patient's religious beliefs
B. Facilitate communication between the patient, the family, and the healthcare team
C. Discourage the patient from practicing their faith
D. Make decisions for the patient without consulting them
Answer: B. Rationale: The nurse should facilitate communication between the patient,
family, and healthcare team to ensure culturally competent care.
17. What contribution did Roman Matron Saint Marcella make to the origins of
nursing?
A. First to teach nursing skills
B. Was the first deaconess and visiting nurse
C. Established inns and hospitals for pilgrims
D. Was the namesake of the first free hospital in Rome in 390 AD
Answer: C. Rationale: Saint Marcella established inns and hospitals for pilgrims.
18. In what time period were monastic orders established to care for the sick?
A. 500 BC
4|Page
