NU 136 • FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING • STUDY RESOURCE
NU 136 EXAM 5
STUDY GUIDE (2026/2027)
Fundamentals of Nursing • Questions, Answers & Rationales
52 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Review the rationale and the reason each distractor is less
appropriate. These are original educational practice questions
Course content varies by institution and instructor. Compare this guide with your syllabus, class notes, and
assigned readings.
High-Yield Topic Map
• Restraint alternatives, fall prevention, mobility aids, and safe handling
• Sensory impairment, delirium, communication accessibility, and dignity
• Enteral feeding, aspiration prevention, respiratory care, and oxygen safety
• Medication administration, allergies, medication reconciliation, and adverse effects
• Specimen collection, urinary catheter troubleshooting, skin protection, and basic first aid
• Neurovascular assessment, fracture precautions, and venous thromboembolism prevention
• Confidentiality, discharge planning, teach-back, and end-of-life communication
Practice Questions
Question 1. Which action should the nurse take before applying a prescribed physical restraint?
A. Apply it as soon as the client becomes restless
B. Try less restrictive measures and follow the required order and monitoring policy
C. Use it for staff convenience
D. Tie it to a movable side rail
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Restraints are a last resort for safety after less restrictive alternatives are considered.
Follow legal and facility requirements for authorization, monitoring, reassessment, and timely removal.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Restlessness alone does not justify immediate restraint.
C. Restraints must never be used for convenience or punishment.
D. Attaching a restraint to a movable side rail can cause injury.
Key Clinical Concept: Restraint safety
Question 2. A confused client repeatedly attempts to get out of bed. Which initial intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Assess for pain, toileting needs, and other reversible causes while making the environment safer
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
, NU 136 • FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING • STUDY RESOURCE
B. Apply restraints immediately
C. Turn off the call light
D. Leave the bed in a high position
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: New or worsening agitation may reflect unmet needs or acute illness. Assess causes, use
reorientation and purposeful rounding, and implement individualized fall precautions.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Restraints are not the first-line response and may worsen agitation or injury risk.
C. The client should have access to a means of requesting help.
D. A high bed increases injury risk if the client falls.
Key Clinical Concept: Fall-risk assessment
Question 3. A nurse is preparing to use an electric heating pad for a client with reduced sensation.
What is the safest action?
A. Use the highest setting for faster relief
B. Place it directly against bare skin
C. Avoid unsupervised heat because reduced sensation increases burn risk
D. Leave it on while the client sleeps
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Rationale: Reduced sensation limits the client's ability to detect excessive heat. Follow orders and
policy, use safer alternatives when appropriate, and never leave a heating device unattended.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. High heat can cause burns.
B. Direct contact can increase burn risk.
D. Sleeping reduces the ability to notice injury.
Key Clinical Concept: Heat and cold safety
Question 4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a cane. Which instruction is correct for a client
with weakness in the right leg?
A. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it after the weak leg
B. Hold the cane in the left hand and advance it with the right leg
C. Hold the cane in either hand; the side never matters
D. Move the strong leg first while leaving the cane behind
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: A cane is generally held on the stronger side and advanced with the weaker leg, followed
by the stronger leg. Confirm the prescribed technique and fit.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Holding the cane on the weak side reduces support from the stronger side.
C. The side affects stability and is not arbitrary.
D. The cane should move with the weak leg to widen support.
Key Clinical Concept: Assistive-device use
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
, NU 136 • FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING • STUDY RESOURCE
Question 5. A client is using crutches after lower-extremity surgery. Which finding indicates the
crutches may be fitted incorrectly?
A. The client can bear weight through the handgrips
B. The top pads press tightly into the axillae
C. The elbows are slightly flexed while holding the handgrips
D. The client keeps the crutches stable before stepping
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Crutch weight should be borne through the hands, not the axillae; pressure in the axilla
can injure nerves and vessels. Fit and gait should be checked by a qualified clinician.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Weight through the hands is appropriate when instructed.
C. Slight elbow flexion supports controlled use.
D. Stabilizing the crutches before stepping promotes safety.
Key Clinical Concept: Crutch safety
Question 6. Which action best supports safe feeding for a client who has weakness after a stroke
but has been cleared for oral intake?
A. Feed the client while lying flat
B. Position upright and follow the prescribed texture and swallowing plan
C. Offer large bites to reduce meal time
D. Rush the client when they pause
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Upright positioning, prescribed texture/consistency, small manageable amounts, and an
unhurried pace help reduce aspiration risk. Follow the speech-language pathology plan.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Lying flat increases aspiration risk.
C. Large bites can overwhelm swallowing ability.
D. Rushing reduces safety and dignity.
Key Clinical Concept: Safe feeding
Question 7. A client with diabetes has decreased sensation in both feet. Which teaching is most
important?
A. Walk barefoot indoors to strengthen the feet
B. Inspect feet daily and report wounds or color changes promptly
C. Use a heating pad on cold feet
D. Cut calluses with a razor
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Daily foot inspection can identify injuries early when sensation is reduced. Well-fitting
footwear, safe nail care, and prompt reporting of wounds help prevent complications.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
NU 136 EXAM 5
STUDY GUIDE (2026/2027)
Fundamentals of Nursing • Questions, Answers & Rationales
52 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Review the rationale and the reason each distractor is less
appropriate. These are original educational practice questions
Course content varies by institution and instructor. Compare this guide with your syllabus, class notes, and
assigned readings.
High-Yield Topic Map
• Restraint alternatives, fall prevention, mobility aids, and safe handling
• Sensory impairment, delirium, communication accessibility, and dignity
• Enteral feeding, aspiration prevention, respiratory care, and oxygen safety
• Medication administration, allergies, medication reconciliation, and adverse effects
• Specimen collection, urinary catheter troubleshooting, skin protection, and basic first aid
• Neurovascular assessment, fracture precautions, and venous thromboembolism prevention
• Confidentiality, discharge planning, teach-back, and end-of-life communication
Practice Questions
Question 1. Which action should the nurse take before applying a prescribed physical restraint?
A. Apply it as soon as the client becomes restless
B. Try less restrictive measures and follow the required order and monitoring policy
C. Use it for staff convenience
D. Tie it to a movable side rail
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Restraints are a last resort for safety after less restrictive alternatives are considered.
Follow legal and facility requirements for authorization, monitoring, reassessment, and timely removal.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Restlessness alone does not justify immediate restraint.
C. Restraints must never be used for convenience or punishment.
D. Attaching a restraint to a movable side rail can cause injury.
Key Clinical Concept: Restraint safety
Question 2. A confused client repeatedly attempts to get out of bed. Which initial intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Assess for pain, toileting needs, and other reversible causes while making the environment safer
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
, NU 136 • FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING • STUDY RESOURCE
B. Apply restraints immediately
C. Turn off the call light
D. Leave the bed in a high position
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: New or worsening agitation may reflect unmet needs or acute illness. Assess causes, use
reorientation and purposeful rounding, and implement individualized fall precautions.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Restraints are not the first-line response and may worsen agitation or injury risk.
C. The client should have access to a means of requesting help.
D. A high bed increases injury risk if the client falls.
Key Clinical Concept: Fall-risk assessment
Question 3. A nurse is preparing to use an electric heating pad for a client with reduced sensation.
What is the safest action?
A. Use the highest setting for faster relief
B. Place it directly against bare skin
C. Avoid unsupervised heat because reduced sensation increases burn risk
D. Leave it on while the client sleeps
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Rationale: Reduced sensation limits the client's ability to detect excessive heat. Follow orders and
policy, use safer alternatives when appropriate, and never leave a heating device unattended.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. High heat can cause burns.
B. Direct contact can increase burn risk.
D. Sleeping reduces the ability to notice injury.
Key Clinical Concept: Heat and cold safety
Question 4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a cane. Which instruction is correct for a client
with weakness in the right leg?
A. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it after the weak leg
B. Hold the cane in the left hand and advance it with the right leg
C. Hold the cane in either hand; the side never matters
D. Move the strong leg first while leaving the cane behind
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: A cane is generally held on the stronger side and advanced with the weaker leg, followed
by the stronger leg. Confirm the prescribed technique and fit.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Holding the cane on the weak side reduces support from the stronger side.
C. The side affects stability and is not arbitrary.
D. The cane should move with the weak leg to widen support.
Key Clinical Concept: Assistive-device use
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
, NU 136 • FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING • STUDY RESOURCE
Question 5. A client is using crutches after lower-extremity surgery. Which finding indicates the
crutches may be fitted incorrectly?
A. The client can bear weight through the handgrips
B. The top pads press tightly into the axillae
C. The elbows are slightly flexed while holding the handgrips
D. The client keeps the crutches stable before stepping
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Crutch weight should be borne through the hands, not the axillae; pressure in the axilla
can injure nerves and vessels. Fit and gait should be checked by a qualified clinician.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Weight through the hands is appropriate when instructed.
C. Slight elbow flexion supports controlled use.
D. Stabilizing the crutches before stepping promotes safety.
Key Clinical Concept: Crutch safety
Question 6. Which action best supports safe feeding for a client who has weakness after a stroke
but has been cleared for oral intake?
A. Feed the client while lying flat
B. Position upright and follow the prescribed texture and swallowing plan
C. Offer large bites to reduce meal time
D. Rush the client when they pause
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Upright positioning, prescribed texture/consistency, small manageable amounts, and an
unhurried pace help reduce aspiration risk. Follow the speech-language pathology plan.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Lying flat increases aspiration risk.
C. Large bites can overwhelm swallowing ability.
D. Rushing reduces safety and dignity.
Key Clinical Concept: Safe feeding
Question 7. A client with diabetes has decreased sensation in both feet. Which teaching is most
important?
A. Walk barefoot indoors to strengthen the feet
B. Inspect feet daily and report wounds or color changes promptly
C. Use a heating pad on cold feet
D. Cut calluses with a razor
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Daily foot inspection can identify injuries early when sensation is reduced. Well-fitting
footwear, safe nail care, and prompt reporting of wounds help prevent complications.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
NU 136 Exam 5 Study Guide | Original practice material • 2026/2027
