NURS 1202 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING FINAL EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES NEW 2026-2027 UPDATE
144 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply the nursing process and clinical judgment model to prioritize patient care
2 Demonstrate safe medication administration and dosage calculation
3 Implement infection control and standard precautions
4 Manage fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances
5 Provide culturally competent patient education and documentation
6 NURS 1202 Foundations of Nursing Final Exam Review Questions & Correct Answers with Rationales
New 2026
7 2027 Update
8 Foundations of Nursing
9 Applied Nursing
10 Advanced Nursing
11 Nursing Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 144 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NURS
1202 Foundations of Nursing Final Exam Review Questions & Correct Answers with Rationales
New 2026-2027 Update, with the strongest emphasis placed on Apply the nursing process and
clinical judgment model to prioritize patient care, Demonstrate safe medication administration and
dosage calculation and Implement infection control and standard precautions. Every item follows
the wording style and level of reasoning you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a
clear rationale so the correct choice is never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace,
mark the questions that slow you down, then come back to them until the reasoning feels
automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into the exam room recognising the pattern behind
the questions instead of meeting them for the first time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is
what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A nurse assesses a patient with acute heart failure who has been receiving IV
furosemide. Which set of assessment findings most urgently requires
intervention?
A. Blood pressure 106/68 mm Hg, heart rate 92, urine output 40 mL/hr
B. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L, ST depression on ECG, muscle weakness CORRECT
C. Weight loss of 1 kg since admission, dry mucous membranes
D. Serum sodium 136 mEq/L, BUN 18 mg/dL, creatinine 1.1 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Loop diuretics cause hypokalemia; K+ 3.1 with ECG changes and weakness
signals dangerous hypokalemia requiring immediate replacement. Options A, C, and D are within
normal limits or expected diuretic effects.
Q2 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
Which action best demonstrates the nurse's understanding of the principle of
surgical asepsis when preparing a sterile field?
A. Placing sterile items on the edge of the sterile drape
B. Reaching over the sterile field to place a sterile item
C. Considering the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape as non-sterile CORRECT
D. Using a sterile glove to touch the sterile field after touching the patient's skin
RATIONALE: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile drape is considered non-sterile and must not be
used. Options A, B, and D violate sterile technique by contaminating the field.
Page 2
,Q3 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A patient with a new colostomy has a prescription for a low-fiber diet. The patient
asks why. Which rationale is most accurate?
A. Low-fiber diets reduce stool output and prevent blockage in the immediate postoperative
period. CORRECT
B. Fiber increases gas and should be avoided permanently.
C. Low-fiber diets prevent peristomal skin irritation.
D. Fiber is contraindicated with colostomy because it causes diarrhea.
RATIONALE: In the immediate postoperative period, a low-fiber diet minimizes stool bulk and
reduces risk of obstruction. Fiber is gradually reintroduced. Options B, C, and D are incorrect
generalizations.
Q4 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A nurse is calculating the drip rate for an IV infusion. The order is 1000 mL 0.9%
NaCl over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in
gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min CORRECT
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
RATIONALE: Flow rate = (1000 mL / 480 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 2.083 × 15 = 31.25, rounded to 31
gtt/min. Options A, C, and D result from calculation errors.
Page 3
, Q5 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
Which nursing action is most appropriate when a patient refuses a prescribed
blood transfusion due to religious beliefs?
A. Administer the transfusion because it is life-saving.
B. Document the refusal and notify the provider; explore alternative treatments. CORRECT
C. Ask the family to convince the patient to accept.
D. Obtain a court order to proceed.
RATIONALE: Respecting patient autonomy, the nurse documents refusal and collaborates with
the provider for alternatives. Options A, C, and D violate patient rights and informed consent.
Q6 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A patient is prescribed oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment
finding indicates the need to increase the oxygen flow rate?
A. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation 89% on 2 L/min CORRECT
C. Patient reports feeling relaxed
D. Arterial blood gas pH 7.38
RATIONALE: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia requiring increased oxygen.
Options A, C, and D are normal or expected findings.
Page 4
REVIEW QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES NEW 2026-2027 UPDATE
144 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply the nursing process and clinical judgment model to prioritize patient care
2 Demonstrate safe medication administration and dosage calculation
3 Implement infection control and standard precautions
4 Manage fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances
5 Provide culturally competent patient education and documentation
6 NURS 1202 Foundations of Nursing Final Exam Review Questions & Correct Answers with Rationales
New 2026
7 2027 Update
8 Foundations of Nursing
9 Applied Nursing
10 Advanced Nursing
11 Nursing Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 144 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NURS
1202 Foundations of Nursing Final Exam Review Questions & Correct Answers with Rationales
New 2026-2027 Update, with the strongest emphasis placed on Apply the nursing process and
clinical judgment model to prioritize patient care, Demonstrate safe medication administration and
dosage calculation and Implement infection control and standard precautions. Every item follows
the wording style and level of reasoning you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a
clear rationale so the correct choice is never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace,
mark the questions that slow you down, then come back to them until the reasoning feels
automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into the exam room recognising the pattern behind
the questions instead of meeting them for the first time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is
what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A nurse assesses a patient with acute heart failure who has been receiving IV
furosemide. Which set of assessment findings most urgently requires
intervention?
A. Blood pressure 106/68 mm Hg, heart rate 92, urine output 40 mL/hr
B. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L, ST depression on ECG, muscle weakness CORRECT
C. Weight loss of 1 kg since admission, dry mucous membranes
D. Serum sodium 136 mEq/L, BUN 18 mg/dL, creatinine 1.1 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Loop diuretics cause hypokalemia; K+ 3.1 with ECG changes and weakness
signals dangerous hypokalemia requiring immediate replacement. Options A, C, and D are within
normal limits or expected diuretic effects.
Q2 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
Which action best demonstrates the nurse's understanding of the principle of
surgical asepsis when preparing a sterile field?
A. Placing sterile items on the edge of the sterile drape
B. Reaching over the sterile field to place a sterile item
C. Considering the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape as non-sterile CORRECT
D. Using a sterile glove to touch the sterile field after touching the patient's skin
RATIONALE: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile drape is considered non-sterile and must not be
used. Options A, B, and D violate sterile technique by contaminating the field.
Page 2
,Q3 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A patient with a new colostomy has a prescription for a low-fiber diet. The patient
asks why. Which rationale is most accurate?
A. Low-fiber diets reduce stool output and prevent blockage in the immediate postoperative
period. CORRECT
B. Fiber increases gas and should be avoided permanently.
C. Low-fiber diets prevent peristomal skin irritation.
D. Fiber is contraindicated with colostomy because it causes diarrhea.
RATIONALE: In the immediate postoperative period, a low-fiber diet minimizes stool bulk and
reduces risk of obstruction. Fiber is gradually reintroduced. Options B, C, and D are incorrect
generalizations.
Q4 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A nurse is calculating the drip rate for an IV infusion. The order is 1000 mL 0.9%
NaCl over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in
gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min CORRECT
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
RATIONALE: Flow rate = (1000 mL / 480 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 2.083 × 15 = 31.25, rounded to 31
gtt/min. Options A, C, and D result from calculation errors.
Page 3
, Q5 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
Which nursing action is most appropriate when a patient refuses a prescribed
blood transfusion due to religious beliefs?
A. Administer the transfusion because it is life-saving.
B. Document the refusal and notify the provider; explore alternative treatments. CORRECT
C. Ask the family to convince the patient to accept.
D. Obtain a court order to proceed.
RATIONALE: Respecting patient autonomy, the nurse documents refusal and collaborates with
the provider for alternatives. Options A, C, and D violate patient rights and informed consent.
Q6 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL TO PRIORITIZE
PATIENT CARE
A patient is prescribed oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment
finding indicates the need to increase the oxygen flow rate?
A. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation 89% on 2 L/min CORRECT
C. Patient reports feeling relaxed
D. Arterial blood gas pH 7.38
RATIONALE: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia requiring increased oxygen.
Options A, C, and D are normal or expected findings.
Page 4
