FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS BASED ON NURSING FUNDAMENTALS –
2ND EDITION BY OPEN RN (PUBLISHED BY CHIPPEWA VALLEY
TECHNICAL COLLEGE)
PART 1: Scope of Practice, Legal & Ethical Foundations
1. A nurse delegates a task to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which action by the
UAP requires the nurse to intervene?
A. Taking vital signs of a stable patient
B. Assisting with bathing and grooming
C. Administering a prescribed medication
D. Helping a patient ambulate after surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: UAPs are not licensed to administer medications. Delegating this task is outside their
scope of practice and places the patient at risk.
2. Which action best demonstrates the nurse's understanding of the Nurse Practice Act?
A. Refusing to float to another unit due to workload
B. Performing only skills they feel confident about
C. Following state-defined roles and responsibilities
D. Using personal judgment to override protocols
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act defines the legal scope of practice for nurses. Adhering to
these guidelines is essential for safe and legal nursing care.
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,3. A nursing student documents inaccurate blood pressure readings to save time. This
violates:
A. Hospital policy only
B. The ANA's ethical standards
C. OSHA safety standards
D. The state legislature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics requires integrity and honesty. Falsifying data is unethical
and compromises patient safety.
4. A newly licensed nurse wants to clarify their scope of practice. What is the most reliable
source?
A. Hospital preceptor
B. Nursing textbook
C. State Board of Nursing website
D. A senior coworker’s advice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each state’s Board of Nursing defines the legal scope of practice. It is the
authoritative and legal source.
5. According to the ANA, which best describes the “why” of nursing?
A. To earn a professional salary
B. To follow physician orders
C. To fulfill nursing’s social contract
D. To implement care efficiently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ANA explains the “why” of nursing as meeting society’s evolving health care
needs through advocacy and care.
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,PART 2: Nursing Process – Critical Thinking & Judgment
6. Which step of the nursing process involves setting measurable, time-based goals?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Planning involves developing SMART goals and interventions to address the nursing
diagnosis.
7. The nurse gathers objective data. Which example reflects this type of data?
A. The client states they feel tired.
B. The client's wound is “very painful.”
C. Temperature of 101.3°F
D. “My leg feels heavy.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data are measurable and observable. Vital signs are considered objective.
8. A nurse notes a client is increasingly short of breath. What is the next best step in the
nursing process?
A. Plan new interventions
B. Evaluate treatment goals
C. Assess oxygen saturation and lung sounds
D. Modify the care plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After noticing a change, the nurse should first assess the client to gather updated
data.
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, 9. What is the priority when developing a care plan?
A. The client’s insurance coverage
B. The nurse’s experience
C. The client’s preferences and safety
D. The physician’s request
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing care plan must be patient-centered and prioritize client safety and values.
10. What best reflects a correctly written outcome?
A. “Improve breathing.”
B. “The nurse will monitor fluid intake.”
C. “The client will walk 20 feet using a walker by end of shift.”
D. “Reinforce education.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Outcomes should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time-bound.
PART 3: Safety & National Patient Safety Goals
11. A nurse administers a medication without checking the patient’s ID. Which safety goal
is violated?
A. Use alarms safely
B. Identify patient safety risks
C. Improve staff communication
D. Identify patients correctly
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Joint Commission emphasizes confirming patient identity before any procedure
or medication administration.
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