NUR 125: Fundamentals of Professional Nursing
Exam 4 | Final Comprehensive Exam
JOYCE University
Verified Questions & Answers, with rationales
2026/2027 Latest Update | Newly Released
Q1: A nurse is preparing to perform a venipuncture on an adult patient. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the arm for 5 minutes.
B. Palpate and trace the vein with the index finger.
C. Identify the patient using two unique identifiers. [CORRECT]
D. Cleanse the site with chlorhexidine in a circular motion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety and identification are the priority actions before any invasive procedure
to ensure the correct specimen is collected for the correct patient.
Q2: According to current CDC guidelines, which antiseptic agent is preferred for cleaning the
skin prior to a blood culture collection?
A. 70% isopropyl alcohol
B. Povidone-iodine
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate [CORRECT]
D. Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The CDC and current best practices recommend chlorhexidine gluconate for blood
culture site preparation due to its superior persistent antimicrobial activity compared to alcohol
or povidone-iodine.
Q3: A nurse is collecting a capillary blood sample for a point-of-care glucose test. Which of the
following actions is correct?
A. Puncture the center of the fingertip to obtain the largest drop of blood.
B. Firmly squeeze the finger proximal to the puncture site to express blood. [CORRECT]
C. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a dry gauze pad.
D. Massage the puncture site vigorously to increase blood flow.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first drop of capillary blood contains the most tissue fluid and can dilute the
sample, so it must be wiped away; firm squeezing or massaging causes hemolysis and tissue
fluid contamination.
Q4: A patient has a prescription for a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. The nurse explains
the purpose of this collection method is to:
A. Detect the presence of glucose and ketones.
B. Obtain a specimen free of contamination from the distal urethra. [CORRECT]
C. Measure the specific gravity of the urine.
D. Evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine over 24 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The clean-catch midstream method specifically cleanses the perineum and discards
the initial flow to avoid contaminating the specimen with normal flora from the distal urethra.
, Q5: A nurse is instructing a patient on how to collect a 24-hour urine specimen. Which statement
by the patient indicates an understanding of the procedure?
A. "I will urinate into the container first thing in the morning and save that specimen."
B. "I will discard my first urine of the morning and then start collecting for 24 hours."
[CORRECT]
C. "I will try to drink plenty of water so I can fill up the collection container faster."
D. "I will keep the collection container at room temperature on the kitchen counter."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 24-hour urine collection begins by discarding the first void upon waking, noting
the time, and collecting all subsequent voids for exactly 24 hours, including the first void the
next morning.
Q6: A healthcare provider orders a stool specimen for Occult Blood (guaiac). Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the patient prior to collection?
A. "Eat a high-fiber diet for 3 days before the test."
B. "Avoid taking vitamin C supplements and eating red meat for 48 to 72 hours." [CORRECT]
C. "Take a mild laxative the night before to ensure an adequate sample."
D. "Refrigerate the stool sample immediately after collection."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C can cause a false-negative result, and red meat contains peroxidase, which
can cause a false-positive result on a guaiac test, so both must be avoided.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a patient who needs to submit a stool specimen for Ova and Parasites
(O&P). Which nursing action is most important?
A. Ensure the specimen is sent to the laboratory immediately while still warm. [CORRECT]
B. Collect the specimen from a bedpan lined with toilet paper.
C. Instruct the patient to collect the sample from a bowel movement induced by an enema.
D. Freeze the specimen until it can be transported to the lab.
Correct Answer: A
Exam 4 | Final Comprehensive Exam
JOYCE University
Verified Questions & Answers, with rationales
2026/2027 Latest Update | Newly Released
Q1: A nurse is preparing to perform a venipuncture on an adult patient. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the arm for 5 minutes.
B. Palpate and trace the vein with the index finger.
C. Identify the patient using two unique identifiers. [CORRECT]
D. Cleanse the site with chlorhexidine in a circular motion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety and identification are the priority actions before any invasive procedure
to ensure the correct specimen is collected for the correct patient.
Q2: According to current CDC guidelines, which antiseptic agent is preferred for cleaning the
skin prior to a blood culture collection?
A. 70% isopropyl alcohol
B. Povidone-iodine
C. Chlorhexidine gluconate [CORRECT]
D. Hydrogen peroxide
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The CDC and current best practices recommend chlorhexidine gluconate for blood
culture site preparation due to its superior persistent antimicrobial activity compared to alcohol
or povidone-iodine.
Q3: A nurse is collecting a capillary blood sample for a point-of-care glucose test. Which of the
following actions is correct?
A. Puncture the center of the fingertip to obtain the largest drop of blood.
B. Firmly squeeze the finger proximal to the puncture site to express blood. [CORRECT]
C. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a dry gauze pad.
D. Massage the puncture site vigorously to increase blood flow.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first drop of capillary blood contains the most tissue fluid and can dilute the
sample, so it must be wiped away; firm squeezing or massaging causes hemolysis and tissue
fluid contamination.
Q4: A patient has a prescription for a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. The nurse explains
the purpose of this collection method is to:
A. Detect the presence of glucose and ketones.
B. Obtain a specimen free of contamination from the distal urethra. [CORRECT]
C. Measure the specific gravity of the urine.
D. Evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine over 24 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The clean-catch midstream method specifically cleanses the perineum and discards
the initial flow to avoid contaminating the specimen with normal flora from the distal urethra.
, Q5: A nurse is instructing a patient on how to collect a 24-hour urine specimen. Which statement
by the patient indicates an understanding of the procedure?
A. "I will urinate into the container first thing in the morning and save that specimen."
B. "I will discard my first urine of the morning and then start collecting for 24 hours."
[CORRECT]
C. "I will try to drink plenty of water so I can fill up the collection container faster."
D. "I will keep the collection container at room temperature on the kitchen counter."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 24-hour urine collection begins by discarding the first void upon waking, noting
the time, and collecting all subsequent voids for exactly 24 hours, including the first void the
next morning.
Q6: A healthcare provider orders a stool specimen for Occult Blood (guaiac). Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the patient prior to collection?
A. "Eat a high-fiber diet for 3 days before the test."
B. "Avoid taking vitamin C supplements and eating red meat for 48 to 72 hours." [CORRECT]
C. "Take a mild laxative the night before to ensure an adequate sample."
D. "Refrigerate the stool sample immediately after collection."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C can cause a false-negative result, and red meat contains peroxidase, which
can cause a false-positive result on a guaiac test, so both must be avoided.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a patient who needs to submit a stool specimen for Ova and Parasites
(O&P). Which nursing action is most important?
A. Ensure the specimen is sent to the laboratory immediately while still warm. [CORRECT]
B. Collect the specimen from a bedpan lined with toilet paper.
C. Instruct the patient to collect the sample from a bowel movement induced by an enema.
D. Freeze the specimen until it can be transported to the lab.
Correct Answer: A
