,NURS 120 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing
Exam Prep — Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — West Coast University 2025/2026
1. A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state in which they practice. Which statement about the
NPA is accurate?
A. The NPA is a federal law that applies uniformly to all states.
B. The NPA establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based on educational preparation.
C. The NPA is a voluntary set of guidelines that nurses may choose to follow.
D. The NPA is enforced by the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Correct Answer: B. The NPA establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based on educational
preparation.
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act in each state establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse (LPN,
RN, APRN) based on educational preparation. It is a state law, not federal, and is enforced by the State Board of
Nursing, not the ANA .
2. An LPN is working in a long-term care facility. According to the Nurse Practice Act, under whose supervision
must the LPN practice?
A. A physician or an RN
B. A nursing supervisor or a charge nurse
C. A physician or a nursing supervisor
D. An RN or an APRN
Correct Answer: A. A physician or an RN
,Rationale: LPNs are required by law to practice under the supervision of an RN or a physician. This is a
commonality of nurse practice acts in all states .
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the State Board of Nursing (BON)?
A. To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
B. To establish national standards for nursing education
C. To provide continuing education for all nurses
D. To represent nurses in labor negotiations
Correct Answer: A. To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing of each state determines and enforces the contents of the Nurse Practice
Act. While BONs may also approve nursing education programs, their primary role is regulation and
enforcement of the NPA .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following is an example of an
independent nursing intervention?
A. Administering a prescribed antibiotic
B. Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
C. Inserting a urinary catheter per provider order
D. Applying a prescribed topical ointment
Correct Answer: B. Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse is legally authorized to initiate and
perform based on their own knowledge and skills, such as performing a wound assessment and changing a
, dressing. Dependent interventions are those initiated by a healthcare provider, such as administering a
prescribed medication or inserting a urinary catheter per order .
5. A client is admitted to the hospital with acute shortness of breath. Which type of nursing assessment is the
nurse most likely to perform first?
A. Comprehensive initial assessment
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. Time-lapsed assessment
Correct Answer: C. Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed during life-threatening or unstable situations to identify life-
threatening problems. Acute shortness of breath indicates a potential respiratory emergency, requiring an
immediate emergency assessment .
6. A nurse is conducting a comprehensive admission assessment on a new client. The client states, "I have had
a headache for the past three days." This statement is an example of which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment data
D. Observational data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
Exam Prep — Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — West Coast University 2025/2026
1. A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state in which they practice. Which statement about the
NPA is accurate?
A. The NPA is a federal law that applies uniformly to all states.
B. The NPA establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based on educational preparation.
C. The NPA is a voluntary set of guidelines that nurses may choose to follow.
D. The NPA is enforced by the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Correct Answer: B. The NPA establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based on educational
preparation.
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act in each state establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse (LPN,
RN, APRN) based on educational preparation. It is a state law, not federal, and is enforced by the State Board of
Nursing, not the ANA .
2. An LPN is working in a long-term care facility. According to the Nurse Practice Act, under whose supervision
must the LPN practice?
A. A physician or an RN
B. A nursing supervisor or a charge nurse
C. A physician or a nursing supervisor
D. An RN or an APRN
Correct Answer: A. A physician or an RN
,Rationale: LPNs are required by law to practice under the supervision of an RN or a physician. This is a
commonality of nurse practice acts in all states .
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the State Board of Nursing (BON)?
A. To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
B. To establish national standards for nursing education
C. To provide continuing education for all nurses
D. To represent nurses in labor negotiations
Correct Answer: A. To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing of each state determines and enforces the contents of the Nurse Practice
Act. While BONs may also approve nursing education programs, their primary role is regulation and
enforcement of the NPA .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following is an example of an
independent nursing intervention?
A. Administering a prescribed antibiotic
B. Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
C. Inserting a urinary catheter per provider order
D. Applying a prescribed topical ointment
Correct Answer: B. Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse is legally authorized to initiate and
perform based on their own knowledge and skills, such as performing a wound assessment and changing a
, dressing. Dependent interventions are those initiated by a healthcare provider, such as administering a
prescribed medication or inserting a urinary catheter per order .
5. A client is admitted to the hospital with acute shortness of breath. Which type of nursing assessment is the
nurse most likely to perform first?
A. Comprehensive initial assessment
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. Time-lapsed assessment
Correct Answer: C. Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed during life-threatening or unstable situations to identify life-
threatening problems. Acute shortness of breath indicates a potential respiratory emergency, requiring an
immediate emergency assessment .
6. A nurse is conducting a comprehensive admission assessment on a new client. The client states, "I have had
a headache for the past three days." This statement is an example of which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment data
D. Observational data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
