,NU 131/NU131 Exam 1 | Nursing and
Healthcare I (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which historical figure is considered the founder of modern nursing and
emphasized the impact of environment on health?
A) Clara Barton
B) Lillian Wald
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established modern nursing principles, stressing
cleanliness, fresh air, light, and careful observation. She reformed hospital
sanitation and founded the first secular nursing school. Clara Barton founded
the American Red Cross, Lillian Wald pioneered public health nursing, and
Dorothea Dix advocated for the mentally ill.
2. Who founded the American Red Cross in 1881?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Mary Seacole
C) Clara Barton
D) Linda Richards
Correct Answer: Clara Barton
,Rationale: Clara Barton, a self-taught nurse, organized relief efforts during the
Civil War and later established the American Red Cross to provide emergency
assistance and disaster relief. Nightingale reformed nursing education, Seacole
provided care in Crimea, and Richards was the first American trained nurse.
3. Which nurse is credited with founding the Henry Street Settlement and
pioneering public health nursing?
A) Lillian Wald
B) Mary Mahoney
C) Dorothea Dix
D) Margaret Sanger
Correct Answer: Lillian Wald
Rationale: Lillian Wald established the Henry Street Settlement in New York City
in 1893, bringing nursing care to impoverished immigrants. She coined the term
"public health nursing" and advocated for school nursing and industrial health.
Mahoney was the first African American trained nurse, Dix focused on mental
health, Sanger on birth control.
4. Dorothea Lynde Dix is best known for:
A) Founding the first nursing school in the United States
B) Advocating for humane treatment of the mentally ill and organizing female
nurses during the Civil War
C) Introducing antiseptic techniques in surgery
D) Developing the first code of ethics for nurses
, Correct Answer: Advocating for humane treatment of the mentally ill and
organizing female nurses during the Civil War
Rationale: Dix lobbied state legislatures and Congress to establish mental
hospitals, improving conditions for psychiatric patients. During the Civil War,
she served as Superintendent of Female Nurses. The first US nursing school was
not founded by her, nor did she introduce antiseptic techniques or the nursing
code of ethics.
5. Mary Seacole is remembered for her contributions during the Crimean War,
which included:
A) Establishing the Nightingale Training School
B) Building a lodging house and using herbal remedies to treat soldiers
C) Developing modern hospital administration
D) Creating the first nursing licensure examination
Correct Answer: Building a lodging house and using herbal remedies to treat
soldiers
Rationale: Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse, traveled to Crimea independently
and set up the British Hotel, providing care, food, and supplies to wounded
soldiers. She used her knowledge of tropical medicine and herbs. She was not
involved in the Nightingale School, hospital administration, or licensure.
6. The first American trained nurse, who also developed a system for charting
and keeping patient records, was:
A) Mary Mahoney
B) Linda Richards
Healthcare I (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. Which historical figure is considered the founder of modern nursing and
emphasized the impact of environment on health?
A) Clara Barton
B) Lillian Wald
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established modern nursing principles, stressing
cleanliness, fresh air, light, and careful observation. She reformed hospital
sanitation and founded the first secular nursing school. Clara Barton founded
the American Red Cross, Lillian Wald pioneered public health nursing, and
Dorothea Dix advocated for the mentally ill.
2. Who founded the American Red Cross in 1881?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Mary Seacole
C) Clara Barton
D) Linda Richards
Correct Answer: Clara Barton
,Rationale: Clara Barton, a self-taught nurse, organized relief efforts during the
Civil War and later established the American Red Cross to provide emergency
assistance and disaster relief. Nightingale reformed nursing education, Seacole
provided care in Crimea, and Richards was the first American trained nurse.
3. Which nurse is credited with founding the Henry Street Settlement and
pioneering public health nursing?
A) Lillian Wald
B) Mary Mahoney
C) Dorothea Dix
D) Margaret Sanger
Correct Answer: Lillian Wald
Rationale: Lillian Wald established the Henry Street Settlement in New York City
in 1893, bringing nursing care to impoverished immigrants. She coined the term
"public health nursing" and advocated for school nursing and industrial health.
Mahoney was the first African American trained nurse, Dix focused on mental
health, Sanger on birth control.
4. Dorothea Lynde Dix is best known for:
A) Founding the first nursing school in the United States
B) Advocating for humane treatment of the mentally ill and organizing female
nurses during the Civil War
C) Introducing antiseptic techniques in surgery
D) Developing the first code of ethics for nurses
, Correct Answer: Advocating for humane treatment of the mentally ill and
organizing female nurses during the Civil War
Rationale: Dix lobbied state legislatures and Congress to establish mental
hospitals, improving conditions for psychiatric patients. During the Civil War,
she served as Superintendent of Female Nurses. The first US nursing school was
not founded by her, nor did she introduce antiseptic techniques or the nursing
code of ethics.
5. Mary Seacole is remembered for her contributions during the Crimean War,
which included:
A) Establishing the Nightingale Training School
B) Building a lodging house and using herbal remedies to treat soldiers
C) Developing modern hospital administration
D) Creating the first nursing licensure examination
Correct Answer: Building a lodging house and using herbal remedies to treat
soldiers
Rationale: Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse, traveled to Crimea independently
and set up the British Hotel, providing care, food, and supplies to wounded
soldiers. She used her knowledge of tropical medicine and herbs. She was not
involved in the Nightingale School, hospital administration, or licensure.
6. The first American trained nurse, who also developed a system for charting
and keeping patient records, was:
A) Mary Mahoney
B) Linda Richards
