NUR 210 & NUR 242 | Nursing Fundamentals & Med-Surg
Foundations Final Exam 2026 |Galen College
1. A nurse is preparing to provide hygiene care for a patient with Clostridium
difficile (C. diff). Which action is the most appropriate for infection control?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub before exiting the room.
B. Wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient.
C. Place the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
D. Wear a gown and gloves and wash hands with soap and water.
Answer: D
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions, which include gown and gloves.
Additionally, alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores; therefore,
handwashing with soap and water is mandatory.
2. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which of the following is
considered subjective data?
A. The patient reports feeling nauseated after breakfast.
B. The patient’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.
C. The patient’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
D. The patient has a 2 cm lesion on the left lateral ankle.
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of the patient’s verbal descriptions of their health
problems (symptoms), such as nausea. Objective data are observations or measurements
made by the nurse.
,3. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is at risk for skin breakdown.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences daily.
B. Use a draw sheet to pull the patient up in bed.
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 45 degrees at all times.
D. Apply cornstarch to skin folds to reduce moisture.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a draw sheet helps prevent shearing and friction when repositioning.
Massaging reddened areas can cause further tissue damage, and cornstarch is no longer
recommended as it can promote fungal growth.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse following when they provide all relevant
information to a patient so they can make an informed decision about their
surgery?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination and making their
own healthcare decisions based on complete information.
5. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Positive Chvostek’s sign
D. Tall, peaked T-waves on ECG
Answer: B
, Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause significant cardiac
dysrhythmias and muscle weakness. Peaked T-waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
6. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound
when auscultating the carotid artery. This finding is known as a:
A. Thrill
B. Murmur
C. Bruit
D. Crepitus
Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound caused by turbulent blood flow through
a narrowed or partially obstructed artery. A murmur is heard in the heart.
7. A nurse is administering a liquid medication to an infant. Which action is
correct?
A. Mix the medication in the infant’s full bottle of formula.
B. Use a small teaspoon to pour the liquid into the center of the mouth.
C. Administer the medication via a syringe into the side of the cheek.
D. Hold the infant flat during administration to prevent choking.
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the medication in the side of the cheek (buccal) prevents aspiration and
ensures the infant swallows the dose. Medications should never be mixed in a full bottle.
Foundations Final Exam 2026 |Galen College
1. A nurse is preparing to provide hygiene care for a patient with Clostridium
difficile (C. diff). Which action is the most appropriate for infection control?
A. Use an alcohol-based hand rub before exiting the room.
B. Wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient.
C. Place the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
D. Wear a gown and gloves and wash hands with soap and water.
Answer: D
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions, which include gown and gloves.
Additionally, alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores; therefore,
handwashing with soap and water is mandatory.
2. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which of the following is
considered subjective data?
A. The patient reports feeling nauseated after breakfast.
B. The patient’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.
C. The patient’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
D. The patient has a 2 cm lesion on the left lateral ankle.
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of the patient’s verbal descriptions of their health
problems (symptoms), such as nausea. Objective data are observations or measurements
made by the nurse.
,3. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is at risk for skin breakdown.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences daily.
B. Use a draw sheet to pull the patient up in bed.
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 45 degrees at all times.
D. Apply cornstarch to skin folds to reduce moisture.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a draw sheet helps prevent shearing and friction when repositioning.
Massaging reddened areas can cause further tissue damage, and cornstarch is no longer
recommended as it can promote fungal growth.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse following when they provide all relevant
information to a patient so they can make an informed decision about their
surgery?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination and making their
own healthcare decisions based on complete information.
5. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Positive Chvostek’s sign
D. Tall, peaked T-waves on ECG
Answer: B
, Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause significant cardiac
dysrhythmias and muscle weakness. Peaked T-waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
6. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound
when auscultating the carotid artery. This finding is known as a:
A. Thrill
B. Murmur
C. Bruit
D. Crepitus
Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound caused by turbulent blood flow through
a narrowed or partially obstructed artery. A murmur is heard in the heart.
7. A nurse is administering a liquid medication to an infant. Which action is
correct?
A. Mix the medication in the infant’s full bottle of formula.
B. Use a small teaspoon to pour the liquid into the center of the mouth.
C. Administer the medication via a syringe into the side of the cheek.
D. Hold the infant flat during administration to prevent choking.
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the medication in the side of the cheek (buccal) prevents aspiration and
ensures the infant swallows the dose. Medications should never be mixed in a full bottle.
