NUR 210 & NUR 242 Fundamentals and Med-Surg Foundations Exam
2026 |Galen College
1. When identifying a patient before administering medication, which is the
most reliable method?
A. Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.
B. Check the name on the door of the room.
C. Ask the patient their room number.
D. Refer to the patient by the diagnosis listed on the chart.
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Joint Commission safety goals, two patient identifiers (usually
name and DOB) must be used to ensure the right patient receives the right treatment.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action would
contaminate the sterile field?
A. Opening the sterile pack away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile field within the line of vision.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up an instrument.
D. Maintaining a 1-inch border around the edge of the field.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of sterile technique because micro-
organisms can fall from the nurse’s clothing or skin onto the field.
,3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s blood pressure. If the cuff used is too
narrow for the patient’s arm, how will the reading be affected?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
C. The diastolic pressure will be low, but systolic will be accurate.
D. The size of the cuff does not affect the blood pressure reading.
Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow will result in a falsely elevated
(high) reading. Conversely, a cuff that is too large will result in a falsely low reading.
4. A patient has been on bed rest for three days. Which assessment finding
indicates a potential complication of immobility?
A. Increased appetite.
B. Decreased heart rate.
C. Reddened area over the sacrum that does not blanch.
D. Increased bowel sounds.
Answer: C
Rationale: A non-blanchable reddened area is a sign of a Stage 1 pressure injury, a
common complication of prolonged immobility and pressure.
5. In the ‘RACE’ acronym for fire safety, what does the letter ‘A’ stand for?
A. Activate the alarm.
B. Apply water.
C. Assemble the patients.
D. Analyze the fire source.
Answer: A
Rationale: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm (or Activate), Confine (or Contain), and
Extinguish (or Evacuate).
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which
infection control measure is mandatory?
A. Using soap and water for hand hygiene.
B. Performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub only.
C. Wearing an N95 respirator mask.
D. Keeping the door closed at all times for airborne precautions.
Answer: A
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; therefore, mechanical friction
with soap and water is required to remove them from hands.
7. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. To speed up the medication pass process.
B. To ensure the nurse is protected from legal action.
C. To document the medication in the electronic health record.
D. To prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.
Answer: D
Rationale: The Six Rights (Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, and Documentation)
provide a systematic framework to ensure safe medication administration.
8. A patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. What should the nurse
instruct the patient to do?
A. Drink less fluids throughout the day.
B. Avoid using any assistive devices like walkers.
C. Stand up quickly to get the blood flowing.
D. Dangle the legs at the bedside before standing up.
Answer: D
Rationale: Dangling the legs allows the body to adjust to changes in position and prevents
the sudden drop in blood pressure that causes dizziness and falls.
2026 |Galen College
1. When identifying a patient before administering medication, which is the
most reliable method?
A. Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.
B. Check the name on the door of the room.
C. Ask the patient their room number.
D. Refer to the patient by the diagnosis listed on the chart.
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Joint Commission safety goals, two patient identifiers (usually
name and DOB) must be used to ensure the right patient receives the right treatment.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action would
contaminate the sterile field?
A. Opening the sterile pack away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile field within the line of vision.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up an instrument.
D. Maintaining a 1-inch border around the edge of the field.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of sterile technique because micro-
organisms can fall from the nurse’s clothing or skin onto the field.
,3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s blood pressure. If the cuff used is too
narrow for the patient’s arm, how will the reading be affected?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
C. The diastolic pressure will be low, but systolic will be accurate.
D. The size of the cuff does not affect the blood pressure reading.
Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow will result in a falsely elevated
(high) reading. Conversely, a cuff that is too large will result in a falsely low reading.
4. A patient has been on bed rest for three days. Which assessment finding
indicates a potential complication of immobility?
A. Increased appetite.
B. Decreased heart rate.
C. Reddened area over the sacrum that does not blanch.
D. Increased bowel sounds.
Answer: C
Rationale: A non-blanchable reddened area is a sign of a Stage 1 pressure injury, a
common complication of prolonged immobility and pressure.
5. In the ‘RACE’ acronym for fire safety, what does the letter ‘A’ stand for?
A. Activate the alarm.
B. Apply water.
C. Assemble the patients.
D. Analyze the fire source.
Answer: A
Rationale: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm (or Activate), Confine (or Contain), and
Extinguish (or Evacuate).
, 6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which
infection control measure is mandatory?
A. Using soap and water for hand hygiene.
B. Performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub only.
C. Wearing an N95 respirator mask.
D. Keeping the door closed at all times for airborne precautions.
Answer: A
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; therefore, mechanical friction
with soap and water is required to remove them from hands.
7. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. To speed up the medication pass process.
B. To ensure the nurse is protected from legal action.
C. To document the medication in the electronic health record.
D. To prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.
Answer: D
Rationale: The Six Rights (Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, and Documentation)
provide a systematic framework to ensure safe medication administration.
8. A patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. What should the nurse
instruct the patient to do?
A. Drink less fluids throughout the day.
B. Avoid using any assistive devices like walkers.
C. Stand up quickly to get the blood flowing.
D. Dangle the legs at the bedside before standing up.
Answer: D
Rationale: Dangling the legs allows the body to adjust to changes in position and prevents
the sudden drop in blood pressure that causes dizziness and falls.
