Nursing Comprehensive Study Guide
330 Original Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Important: This study guide contains original practice questions created for learning and revision. It is not an actual
examination, leaked exam, or guarantee of examination results.
How to use this guide
Attempt each question before checking the answer. Review the rationale after each item and use missed questions to identify
topics that need further study. Clinical decisions should always follow current professional guidance, institutional policy, and the
direction of the appropriate healthcare professional.
,Practice Questions
1. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which action best reduces the spread of microorganisms during routine
patient care?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Position the patient without assessing safety
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene interrupts transmission between patients, surfaces, and healthcare workers.
2. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which finding should the nurse report immediately after administering an
opioid?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. Skip reassessment after an intervention
D. Respiratory rate of eight breaths per minute
Answer: Respiratory rate of eight breaths per minute
Rationale: Marked respiratory depression can indicate opioid toxicity and requires prompt intervention.
3. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which position is generally appropriate for a patient experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. High Fowler position
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: High Fowler position
Rationale: Elevating the upper body can improve lung expansion and reduce the work of breathing.
4. [Fundamentals of Nursing] What is the primary purpose of a nursing care plan?
A. To organize individualized nursing interventions and expected outcomes
B. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
C. Position the patient without assessing safety
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: To organize individualized nursing interventions and expected outcomes
Rationale: A care plan connects assessment findings, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and evaluation.
5. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which method is most appropriate for measuring oral temperature in a
patient who is unconscious?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. Use an alternative route according to facility policy
,D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: Use an alternative route according to facility policy
Rationale: An unconscious patient may be unable to safely hold an oral thermometer.
6. [Pharmacology] Before administering a medication, which identifier combination is safest?
A. Use two approved patient identifiers
B. Ignore the medication label after preparation
C. Use one identifier only
D. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
Answer: Use two approved patient identifiers
Rationale: Two identifiers help prevent medication administration to the wrong patient.
7. [Pharmacology] A patient taking an anticoagulant should be taught to report which finding?
A. Use one identifier only
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. Unusual bleeding or black, tarry stools
D. Ignore the medication label after preparation
Answer: Unusual bleeding or black, tarry stools
Rationale: These findings can indicate clinically significant bleeding.
8. [Pharmacology] What is the purpose of checking a medication's expiration date?
A. Use one identifier only
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. Ignore the medication label after preparation
D. To ensure the medication remains within its approved use period
Answer: To ensure the medication remains within its approved use period
Rationale: Expired medications may have altered potency or safety characteristics.
9. [Pharmacology] Which route generally provides the fastest systemic medication effect?
A. Ignore the medication label after preparation
B. Intravenous
C. Use one identifier only
D. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream.
10. [Pharmacology] Why should the nurse verify allergies before giving a medication?
A. Ignore the medication label after preparation
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. To reduce the risk of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
D. Use one identifier only
Answer: To reduce the risk of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
, Rationale: Allergy verification is a core medication-safety step.
11. [Adult Health] Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with chest pain?
A. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
B. New hypotension with altered mental status
C. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
D. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
Answer: New hypotension with altered mental status
Rationale: Hypotension and altered mentation may indicate inadequate cardiac output or shock.
12. [Adult Health] Which instruction is appropriate for a patient with heart failure?
A. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
B. Monitor weight consistently and report rapid increases
C. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
D. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
Answer: Monitor weight consistently and report rapid increases
Rationale: Rapid weight gain can reflect fluid retention.
13. [Adult Health] Which finding is commonly associated with hypoglycemia?
A. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
B. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
C. Diaphoresis and tremor
D. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremor
Rationale: Adrenergic symptoms such as sweating and tremor commonly occur with low blood glucose.
14. [Adult Health] What is a priority assessment after a stroke?
A. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
B. Airway and ability to protect the airway
C. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
D. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
Answer: Airway and ability to protect the airway
Rationale: Neurologic injury can impair swallowing and airway protection.
15. [Adult Health] Which intervention helps prevent pressure injury in an immobile patient?
A. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
B. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
C. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
D. Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution
Answer: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution
Rationale: Reducing prolonged pressure helps preserve tissue perfusion.
330 Original Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Important: This study guide contains original practice questions created for learning and revision. It is not an actual
examination, leaked exam, or guarantee of examination results.
How to use this guide
Attempt each question before checking the answer. Review the rationale after each item and use missed questions to identify
topics that need further study. Clinical decisions should always follow current professional guidance, institutional policy, and the
direction of the appropriate healthcare professional.
,Practice Questions
1. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which action best reduces the spread of microorganisms during routine
patient care?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Position the patient without assessing safety
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene interrupts transmission between patients, surfaces, and healthcare workers.
2. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which finding should the nurse report immediately after administering an
opioid?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. Skip reassessment after an intervention
D. Respiratory rate of eight breaths per minute
Answer: Respiratory rate of eight breaths per minute
Rationale: Marked respiratory depression can indicate opioid toxicity and requires prompt intervention.
3. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which position is generally appropriate for a patient experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. High Fowler position
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: High Fowler position
Rationale: Elevating the upper body can improve lung expansion and reduce the work of breathing.
4. [Fundamentals of Nursing] What is the primary purpose of a nursing care plan?
A. To organize individualized nursing interventions and expected outcomes
B. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
C. Position the patient without assessing safety
D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: To organize individualized nursing interventions and expected outcomes
Rationale: A care plan connects assessment findings, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and evaluation.
5. [Fundamentals of Nursing] Which method is most appropriate for measuring oral temperature in a
patient who is unconscious?
A. Apply gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
B. Position the patient without assessing safety
C. Use an alternative route according to facility policy
,D. Skip reassessment after an intervention
Answer: Use an alternative route according to facility policy
Rationale: An unconscious patient may be unable to safely hold an oral thermometer.
6. [Pharmacology] Before administering a medication, which identifier combination is safest?
A. Use two approved patient identifiers
B. Ignore the medication label after preparation
C. Use one identifier only
D. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
Answer: Use two approved patient identifiers
Rationale: Two identifiers help prevent medication administration to the wrong patient.
7. [Pharmacology] A patient taking an anticoagulant should be taught to report which finding?
A. Use one identifier only
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. Unusual bleeding or black, tarry stools
D. Ignore the medication label after preparation
Answer: Unusual bleeding or black, tarry stools
Rationale: These findings can indicate clinically significant bleeding.
8. [Pharmacology] What is the purpose of checking a medication's expiration date?
A. Use one identifier only
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. Ignore the medication label after preparation
D. To ensure the medication remains within its approved use period
Answer: To ensure the medication remains within its approved use period
Rationale: Expired medications may have altered potency or safety characteristics.
9. [Pharmacology] Which route generally provides the fastest systemic medication effect?
A. Ignore the medication label after preparation
B. Intravenous
C. Use one identifier only
D. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream.
10. [Pharmacology] Why should the nurse verify allergies before giving a medication?
A. Ignore the medication label after preparation
B. Administer despite an unresolved allergy concern
C. To reduce the risk of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
D. Use one identifier only
Answer: To reduce the risk of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
, Rationale: Allergy verification is a core medication-safety step.
11. [Adult Health] Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with chest pain?
A. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
B. New hypotension with altered mental status
C. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
D. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
Answer: New hypotension with altered mental status
Rationale: Hypotension and altered mentation may indicate inadequate cardiac output or shock.
12. [Adult Health] Which instruction is appropriate for a patient with heart failure?
A. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
B. Monitor weight consistently and report rapid increases
C. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
D. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
Answer: Monitor weight consistently and report rapid increases
Rationale: Rapid weight gain can reflect fluid retention.
13. [Adult Health] Which finding is commonly associated with hypoglycemia?
A. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
B. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
C. Diaphoresis and tremor
D. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremor
Rationale: Adrenergic symptoms such as sweating and tremor commonly occur with low blood glucose.
14. [Adult Health] What is a priority assessment after a stroke?
A. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
B. Airway and ability to protect the airway
C. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
D. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
Answer: Airway and ability to protect the airway
Rationale: Neurologic injury can impair swallowing and airway protection.
15. [Adult Health] Which intervention helps prevent pressure injury in an immobile patient?
A. Encourage strenuous activity immediately
B. Wait for symptoms to resolve without reassessment
C. Focus only on a nonurgent comfort measure
D. Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution
Answer: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution
Rationale: Reducing prolonged pressure helps preserve tissue perfusion.
