Patient care, safety, basic nursing skills, and ethics.
Multiple-Choice: Nursing Fundamentals
1. Which of the following is the most important action for a nurse to ensure patient safety when
administering medications?
A) Verify the patient's name and date of birth
B) Check the expiration date of the medication
C) Wash hands before administering the medication
D) Ensure the patient is in a comfortable position
Answer: A) Verify the patient's name and date of birth
Rationale: To ensure patient safety, it is essential to verify the patient's identity before administering
medications to prevent medication errors.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a potential for adverse effects. Which of
the following is an appropriate action?
A) Administer the medication and inform the patient later about the risks
B) Obtain informed consent from the patient regarding the medication
C) Offer the patient a water bottle to take with the medication
D) Wait for the physician’s order before discussing the risks with the patient
Answer: B) Obtain informed consent from the patient regarding the medication
Rationale: It is important to provide the patient with information regarding the risks and benefits of the
medication and obtain informed consent to ensure ethical practice and patient autonomy.
3. Which of the following is an example of a nursing intervention to ensure patient safety in a hospital
setting?
A) Asking the patient to leave their belongings at the nurse's station
B) Placing a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the patient's door
C) Implementing fall precautions for patients at risk
D) Offering the patient a light snack after medication administration
, Answer: C) Implementing fall precautions for patients at risk
Rationale: Fall precautions are a common safety measure to prevent injury in patients who are at risk of
falling.
4. The nurse is preparing to educate a patient who is newly diagnosed with hypertension. Which
teaching strategy is most appropriate for this patient?
A) Use medical jargon to ensure accuracy of the information
B) Provide a written pamphlet with complex information
C) Engage the patient in a conversation and allow time for questions
D) Use a video with detailed instructions on taking blood pressure
Answer: C) Engage the patient in a conversation and allow time for questions
Rationale: Patient education is most effective when it is interactive, allowing the patient to ask questions
and receive clear explanations in a manner they can understand.
5. Which of the following is the nurse’s primary responsibility when caring for a patient in a restrained
state?
A) To document the patient’s behaviors during restraint use
B) To ensure that the restraint is applied as tightly as possible
C) To monitor the patient’s skin integrity and comfort regularly
D) To leave the patient alone while restrained to ensure they do not harm themselves
Answer: C) To monitor the patient’s skin integrity and comfort regularly
Rationale: The nurse must monitor patients who are restrained to prevent complications such as skin
breakdown and to ensure their comfort and safety.
6. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient asks, “How long do I have left to live?”
Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A) "You have only a few weeks left to live."
B) "I’m not sure, but your doctor can give you more specific information."
C) "Let’s focus on making you comfortable right now."
D) "You shouldn’t worry about that; let’s just focus on today."
Answer: B) "I’m not sure, but your doctor can give you more specific information."
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the patient’s concerns while being honest about the limits of
their knowledge. The physician is the best source for providing specific details about the patient’s
prognosis.
7. When a nurse is performing a physical assessment, the most important aspect of patient
communication is: