NUR355: EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
1. Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
2. Health Assessment and Physical Examination
3. Perioperative Nursing Care
4. Integumentary System Structure and Function
5. Integumentary Disorders, Burns, Wounds, and Skin Infections
6. Sensory System: Eye and Ear Disorders
7. Cultural Competence and Ethical Practice
8. Evidence-Based Practice and Patient-Centered Care
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates the knowledge and
competency required of nursing students in NUR355 Exam 1. The
examination covers foundational concepts of medical-surgical
nursing, health assessment, perioperative care, integumentary and
sensory system disorders, cultural competence, and evidence-based
practice. Questions incorporate both theoretical foundations and
scenario-based decision-making scenarios that mirror real-world
clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical
reasoning, and application of nursing knowledge to patient care.
Candidates must demonstrate mastery of assessment techniques,
nursing interventions, ethical principles, and patient-centered care
standards. Each item includes a verified correct answer
accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce learning and
support exam preparation.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic otitis media who
,develops sudden onset of vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and
nystagmus. Which pathophysiological mechanism most likely
explains these findings?
A. Eustachian tube dysfunction causing negative middle ear
pressure
B. Erosion of the otic capsule by cholesteatoma leading to
labyrinthitis
C. Perforation of the tympanic membrane with purulent drainage
D. Obstruction of the cochlear aqueduct by inflammatory exudate
🟢 B. Erosion of the otic capsule by cholesteatoma leading to
labyrinthitis
🔴 RATIONALE: Chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma can
erode the otic capsule, leading to labyrinthitis, which presents
with vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and nystagmus.
Eustachian tube dysfunction causes conductive hearing loss, not
sensorineural. Tympanic membrane perforation causes conductive
hearing loss. Cochlear aqueduct obstruction is not a typical
mechanism.
Question 2
The primary way a person is socialized into the dominant culture
is through which process?
A. Acculturation
B. Assimilation
C. Enculturation
D. Cultural relativism
🟢 C. Enculturation
🔴 RATIONALE: Enculturation is the process by which an
individual learns the traditional culture and incorporates its
,practices and values. Acculturation is when a person gives up
some cultural practices. Assimilation is when someone takes on
attributes of a new culture. Cultural relativism is the belief that
behaviors should be judged only from the context of their cultural
system.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing a patient for a thoracentesis for a left-sided
pleural effusion. How should the nurse position the patient?
A. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
B. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
C. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
D. Prone with arms extended forward
🟢 C. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
🔴 RATIONALE: For a thoracentesis, the patient is positioned
sitting upright or lying on the unaffected side with the affected
side's arm extended above the head to widen the intercostal
spaces and facilitate needle insertion.
Question 4
A patient who has been taking prednisone 40 mg daily for 3
weeks tells the nurse he stopped taking the medication 2 days
ago. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A. Document the information and continue the assessment
B. Report the information to the health care provider immediately
C. Instruct the patient to restart the medication at the same dose
D. Ask the patient why he stopped taking the medication
🟢 B. Report the information to the health care provider
immediately
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden cessation of corticosteroids after taking
the medication for a week or more can lead to adrenal
insufficiency, with problems such as severe hypotension and
hypoglycemia. The patient will need immediate evaluation by the
health care provider.
Question 5
Which ethical principle deals with ensuring truthfulness and
commitment?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
🟢 D. Veracity
🔴 RATIONALE: Veracity is the requirement to tell the truth and
requires that intentional misleading or deception of the patient to
influence decisions is not done. Autonomy examines the
individual's personal right to make decisions. Beneficence asks
who benefits from actions taken. Justice examines who will be
vulnerable in any actions taken.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing.
Which statement by the patient indicates teaching was effective?
A. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
B. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
C. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
D. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15
minutes."
🟢 C. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
1. Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
2. Health Assessment and Physical Examination
3. Perioperative Nursing Care
4. Integumentary System Structure and Function
5. Integumentary Disorders, Burns, Wounds, and Skin Infections
6. Sensory System: Eye and Ear Disorders
7. Cultural Competence and Ethical Practice
8. Evidence-Based Practice and Patient-Centered Care
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates the knowledge and
competency required of nursing students in NUR355 Exam 1. The
examination covers foundational concepts of medical-surgical
nursing, health assessment, perioperative care, integumentary and
sensory system disorders, cultural competence, and evidence-based
practice. Questions incorporate both theoretical foundations and
scenario-based decision-making scenarios that mirror real-world
clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical
reasoning, and application of nursing knowledge to patient care.
Candidates must demonstrate mastery of assessment techniques,
nursing interventions, ethical principles, and patient-centered care
standards. Each item includes a verified correct answer
accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce learning and
support exam preparation.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic otitis media who
,develops sudden onset of vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and
nystagmus. Which pathophysiological mechanism most likely
explains these findings?
A. Eustachian tube dysfunction causing negative middle ear
pressure
B. Erosion of the otic capsule by cholesteatoma leading to
labyrinthitis
C. Perforation of the tympanic membrane with purulent drainage
D. Obstruction of the cochlear aqueduct by inflammatory exudate
🟢 B. Erosion of the otic capsule by cholesteatoma leading to
labyrinthitis
🔴 RATIONALE: Chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma can
erode the otic capsule, leading to labyrinthitis, which presents
with vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and nystagmus.
Eustachian tube dysfunction causes conductive hearing loss, not
sensorineural. Tympanic membrane perforation causes conductive
hearing loss. Cochlear aqueduct obstruction is not a typical
mechanism.
Question 2
The primary way a person is socialized into the dominant culture
is through which process?
A. Acculturation
B. Assimilation
C. Enculturation
D. Cultural relativism
🟢 C. Enculturation
🔴 RATIONALE: Enculturation is the process by which an
individual learns the traditional culture and incorporates its
,practices and values. Acculturation is when a person gives up
some cultural practices. Assimilation is when someone takes on
attributes of a new culture. Cultural relativism is the belief that
behaviors should be judged only from the context of their cultural
system.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing a patient for a thoracentesis for a left-sided
pleural effusion. How should the nurse position the patient?
A. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
B. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
C. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
D. Prone with arms extended forward
🟢 C. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
🔴 RATIONALE: For a thoracentesis, the patient is positioned
sitting upright or lying on the unaffected side with the affected
side's arm extended above the head to widen the intercostal
spaces and facilitate needle insertion.
Question 4
A patient who has been taking prednisone 40 mg daily for 3
weeks tells the nurse he stopped taking the medication 2 days
ago. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A. Document the information and continue the assessment
B. Report the information to the health care provider immediately
C. Instruct the patient to restart the medication at the same dose
D. Ask the patient why he stopped taking the medication
🟢 B. Report the information to the health care provider
immediately
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden cessation of corticosteroids after taking
the medication for a week or more can lead to adrenal
insufficiency, with problems such as severe hypotension and
hypoglycemia. The patient will need immediate evaluation by the
health care provider.
Question 5
Which ethical principle deals with ensuring truthfulness and
commitment?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Veracity
🟢 D. Veracity
🔴 RATIONALE: Veracity is the requirement to tell the truth and
requires that intentional misleading or deception of the patient to
influence decisions is not done. Autonomy examines the
individual's personal right to make decisions. Beneficence asks
who benefits from actions taken. Justice examines who will be
vulnerable in any actions taken.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing.
Which statement by the patient indicates teaching was effective?
A. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
B. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
C. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
D. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15
minutes."
🟢 C. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
