BSN 206 – Fundamentals of Nursing Exam Practice
Questions and Correct Answers (2025_2026)
1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following
is the most important intervention before administering preoperative medications?
A. Assess vital signs
B. Verify the surgical consent
C. Encourage patient ambulation
D. Check bowel sounds
Answer: B. Verify the surgical consent ✅
Rationale: Ensuring informed consent is obtained is critical before administering any
preoperative medications or interventions. This protects patient autonomy and prevents legal
issues.
2. A patient has a nasogastric tube (NGT) in place. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates proper maintenance of the NGT?
A. Irrigate the tube with 10 mL of water once daily
B. Keep the tube clamped at all times
C. Maintain tube patency by regular irrigation per protocol
D. Remove the tube immediately if drainage is not observed
Answer: C. Maintain tube patency by regular irrigation per protocol ✅
Rationale: Regular irrigation prevents clogging and ensures proper function of the NGT.
Clamping continuously or infrequent flushing can cause complications.
3. A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. The nurse places the patient in a
high-Fowler’s position. What is the rationale for this intervention?
A. Promotes lung expansion and eases breathing
B. Increases perfusion to the lower extremities
,C. Decreases heart rate
D. Reduces risk of pressure ulcers
Answer: A. Promotes lung expansion and eases breathing ✅
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion, improves ventilation, and
reduces respiratory effort.
4. Which of the following is an example of a sterile technique procedure?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Changing a peripheral IV dressing
C. Measuring blood pressure
D. Performing a bed bath
Answer: B. Changing a peripheral IV dressing ✅
Rationale: IV dressing changes require sterile technique to prevent infection at the insertion
site.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction
is correct?
A. Exhale quickly and forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold for 3–5 seconds
C. Perform the exercise only once per shift
D. Use only if feeling short of breath
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold for 3–5 seconds ✅
Rationale: Proper use of an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis by promoting lung
expansion. Multiple repetitions are recommended.
6. A patient is scheduled for an enema. Which position should the nurse place the patient
in to administer the enema safely and effectively?
A. Supine
B. Sims’ (left lateral)
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. Sims’ (left lateral) ✅
Rationale: The Sims’ position allows gravity to assist the flow of the enema solution into the
rectum and colon.
, 7. When assessing a patient’s pain using the numeric rating scale, which statement by
the nurse is correct?
A. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.”
B. “Do you have pain?”
C. “Is your pain mild, moderate, or severe?”
D. “Your pain should be tolerable if you follow instructions.”
✅
Answer: A. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain
imaginable.”
Rationale: Using a standardized numeric scale allows accurate assessment and monitoring of
pain intensity.
8. Which patient is at the highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A. A 25-year-old postoperative patient who walks frequently
B. A 70-year-old immobile patient with diabetes
C. A 40-year-old patient with mild dehydration
D. A 60-year-old patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B. A 70-year-old immobile patient with diabetes ✅
Rationale: Immobility, age, and comorbidities such as diabetes increase the risk of skin
breakdown and pressure ulcer development.
9. A patient’s IV site is red, swollen, and painful. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the findings and continue the IV
B. Remove the IV and apply warm compresses
C. Flush the IV with normal saline
D. Elevate the limb and monitor
Answer: B. Remove the IV and apply warm compresses ✅
Rationale: These are signs of phlebitis. Removing the IV and applying warm compresses
prevents further complications.
10. When providing oral care for an unconscious patient, which action is correct?
A. Place the patient in supine position
B. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge
C. Apply toothpaste and let it remain in the mouth
D. Perform oral care once per day
Questions and Correct Answers (2025_2026)
1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following
is the most important intervention before administering preoperative medications?
A. Assess vital signs
B. Verify the surgical consent
C. Encourage patient ambulation
D. Check bowel sounds
Answer: B. Verify the surgical consent ✅
Rationale: Ensuring informed consent is obtained is critical before administering any
preoperative medications or interventions. This protects patient autonomy and prevents legal
issues.
2. A patient has a nasogastric tube (NGT) in place. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates proper maintenance of the NGT?
A. Irrigate the tube with 10 mL of water once daily
B. Keep the tube clamped at all times
C. Maintain tube patency by regular irrigation per protocol
D. Remove the tube immediately if drainage is not observed
Answer: C. Maintain tube patency by regular irrigation per protocol ✅
Rationale: Regular irrigation prevents clogging and ensures proper function of the NGT.
Clamping continuously or infrequent flushing can cause complications.
3. A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. The nurse places the patient in a
high-Fowler’s position. What is the rationale for this intervention?
A. Promotes lung expansion and eases breathing
B. Increases perfusion to the lower extremities
,C. Decreases heart rate
D. Reduces risk of pressure ulcers
Answer: A. Promotes lung expansion and eases breathing ✅
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion, improves ventilation, and
reduces respiratory effort.
4. Which of the following is an example of a sterile technique procedure?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Changing a peripheral IV dressing
C. Measuring blood pressure
D. Performing a bed bath
Answer: B. Changing a peripheral IV dressing ✅
Rationale: IV dressing changes require sterile technique to prevent infection at the insertion
site.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which instruction
is correct?
A. Exhale quickly and forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold for 3–5 seconds
C. Perform the exercise only once per shift
D. Use only if feeling short of breath
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold for 3–5 seconds ✅
Rationale: Proper use of an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis by promoting lung
expansion. Multiple repetitions are recommended.
6. A patient is scheduled for an enema. Which position should the nurse place the patient
in to administer the enema safely and effectively?
A. Supine
B. Sims’ (left lateral)
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. Sims’ (left lateral) ✅
Rationale: The Sims’ position allows gravity to assist the flow of the enema solution into the
rectum and colon.
, 7. When assessing a patient’s pain using the numeric rating scale, which statement by
the nurse is correct?
A. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.”
B. “Do you have pain?”
C. “Is your pain mild, moderate, or severe?”
D. “Your pain should be tolerable if you follow instructions.”
✅
Answer: A. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain
imaginable.”
Rationale: Using a standardized numeric scale allows accurate assessment and monitoring of
pain intensity.
8. Which patient is at the highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A. A 25-year-old postoperative patient who walks frequently
B. A 70-year-old immobile patient with diabetes
C. A 40-year-old patient with mild dehydration
D. A 60-year-old patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B. A 70-year-old immobile patient with diabetes ✅
Rationale: Immobility, age, and comorbidities such as diabetes increase the risk of skin
breakdown and pressure ulcer development.
9. A patient’s IV site is red, swollen, and painful. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the findings and continue the IV
B. Remove the IV and apply warm compresses
C. Flush the IV with normal saline
D. Elevate the limb and monitor
Answer: B. Remove the IV and apply warm compresses ✅
Rationale: These are signs of phlebitis. Removing the IV and applying warm compresses
prevents further complications.
10. When providing oral care for an unconscious patient, which action is correct?
A. Place the patient in supine position
B. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge
C. Apply toothpaste and let it remain in the mouth
D. Perform oral care once per day
