BSN3A Nursing Skills Examination Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which
action is most appropriate before opening the sterile supplies?
A. Apply sterile gloves
B. Position the patient
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Open the sterile field
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is performed before preparing or handling
sterile supplies to reduce the transmission of microorganisms. It is a
fundamental infection-prevention measure.
2. When removing personal protective equipment (PPE), which item
is generally removed first because it is considered highly
contaminated?
A. Mask
B. Gloves
C. Goggles
D. Gown
Answer: B. Gloves
1|Page
,Rationale: Gloves are usually the most contaminated PPE and are
removed first while avoiding contact between the contaminated outer
surface and the skin.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory status. Which finding
requires the most immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 97%
C. Mild nasal congestion
D. Use of accessory muscles
Answer: D. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory compromise. It requires prompt
assessment and intervention.
4. Which technique is appropriate when measuring a patient's radial
pulse?
A. Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Use the index and middle fingers
C. Press firmly over the artery
D. Count for 10 seconds in all patients
Answer: B. Use the index and middle fingers
Rationale: The index and middle fingers are used because the nurse's
thumb has its own pulse, which can interfere with an accurate
assessment.
2|Page
, 5. A nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 88/54 mmHg in a
patient who reports dizziness. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding
B. Recheck the blood pressure immediately
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate
Answer: B. Recheck the blood pressure immediately
Rationale: The low reading accompanied by dizziness requires prompt
reassessment to verify the measurement and determine whether the
patient is experiencing symptomatic hypotension.
6. Which position is generally preferred for administering an oral
medication to an alert patient?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Upright or high-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. Upright or high-Fowler's
Rationale: An upright position facilitates swallowing and decreases
the risk of aspiration during oral medication administration.
7. Before administering medication, which action is most important
for confirming patient identity?
A. Ask the patient which medication they usually receive
B. Check the room number
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, C. Use two approved patient identifiers
D. Ask another patient to identify the patient
Answer: C. Use two approved patient identifiers
Rationale: Two approved identifiers, such as the patient's name and
date of birth, help prevent medication errors caused by patient
misidentification.
8. A nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection. Which site is
commonly appropriate?
A. Abdomen
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Deltoid muscle only
D. Ventrogluteal muscle
Answer: A. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen is a commonly used subcutaneous injection
site because it provides an appropriate layer of subcutaneous tissue.
9. Which finding indicates that a pulse oximeter reading may be
inaccurate?
A. Warm fingers
B. Good peripheral circulation
C. Nail polish or artificial nails
D. The patient is sitting quietly
Answer: C. Nail polish or artificial nails
4|Page
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which
action is most appropriate before opening the sterile supplies?
A. Apply sterile gloves
B. Position the patient
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Open the sterile field
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is performed before preparing or handling
sterile supplies to reduce the transmission of microorganisms. It is a
fundamental infection-prevention measure.
2. When removing personal protective equipment (PPE), which item
is generally removed first because it is considered highly
contaminated?
A. Mask
B. Gloves
C. Goggles
D. Gown
Answer: B. Gloves
1|Page
,Rationale: Gloves are usually the most contaminated PPE and are
removed first while avoiding contact between the contaminated outer
surface and the skin.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory status. Which finding
requires the most immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 97%
C. Mild nasal congestion
D. Use of accessory muscles
Answer: D. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory compromise. It requires prompt
assessment and intervention.
4. Which technique is appropriate when measuring a patient's radial
pulse?
A. Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Use the index and middle fingers
C. Press firmly over the artery
D. Count for 10 seconds in all patients
Answer: B. Use the index and middle fingers
Rationale: The index and middle fingers are used because the nurse's
thumb has its own pulse, which can interfere with an accurate
assessment.
2|Page
, 5. A nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 88/54 mmHg in a
patient who reports dizziness. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding
B. Recheck the blood pressure immediately
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate
Answer: B. Recheck the blood pressure immediately
Rationale: The low reading accompanied by dizziness requires prompt
reassessment to verify the measurement and determine whether the
patient is experiencing symptomatic hypotension.
6. Which position is generally preferred for administering an oral
medication to an alert patient?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Upright or high-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. Upright or high-Fowler's
Rationale: An upright position facilitates swallowing and decreases
the risk of aspiration during oral medication administration.
7. Before administering medication, which action is most important
for confirming patient identity?
A. Ask the patient which medication they usually receive
B. Check the room number
3|Page
, C. Use two approved patient identifiers
D. Ask another patient to identify the patient
Answer: C. Use two approved patient identifiers
Rationale: Two approved identifiers, such as the patient's name and
date of birth, help prevent medication errors caused by patient
misidentification.
8. A nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection. Which site is
commonly appropriate?
A. Abdomen
B. Dorsogluteal muscle
C. Deltoid muscle only
D. Ventrogluteal muscle
Answer: A. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen is a commonly used subcutaneous injection
site because it provides an appropriate layer of subcutaneous tissue.
9. Which finding indicates that a pulse oximeter reading may be
inaccurate?
A. Warm fingers
B. Good peripheral circulation
C. Nail polish or artificial nails
D. The patient is sitting quietly
Answer: C. Nail polish or artificial nails
4|Page
