FUNDEMENTALS OF NURSING
PRATICE EXAM -D439 WGU
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT
Scenario 1: Post-Cast Application Care
Question: A 21-year-old patient with a new long leg cast is eager to practice
using crutches. Why must the nurse insist that the patient remains on bed rest for
the first 24 hours?
Answer: The priority during the first 24 hours is to keep the limb elevated. This
position is essential to minimize and prevent excessive edema (swelling), which
can lead to complications like compartment syndrome or impaired circulation.
✔✔
Scenario 2: Non-Weight Bearing (NWB) Crutch Technique
Question: A patient is being evaluated for independent ambulation with a non-
weight bearing (NWB) restriction on the right leg. Which observation confirms
the patient is using the correct technique?
Answer: The patient successfully performs a "three-point gait" by advancing the
affected (right) leg and both crutches at the same time, followed by a step
through with the unaffected (left) leg. This ensures no weight is placed on the
injured limb.
3.When giving home care instructions to a patient who has multiple forearm
fractures and a long arm cast on the right arm, which information should the
nurse include?
A. Keep the hand immobile to prevent soft tissue swelling.
B. Keep the right shoulder elevated on a pillow or cushion.
C. Avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the first
48 hours after the injury.
,D. Call the health care provider for increased swelling or numbness. -ANSWER
✔✔D
4. A patient who has been hospitalized for 3 days with a hip fracture has sudden
onset shortness of breath and tachypnea. The patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I
am going to die!" Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stay with the patient and offer reassurance.
B. Administer the prescribed PRN oxygen at 4 L/min.
C. Check the patient's legs for swelling or tenderness.
D. Notify the health care provider about the symptoms. -ANSWER ✔✔B
5.The nursing assessment of an 80-year-old patient who demonstrates some
confusion, but no anxiety reveals that the patient is a fall risk because she
continues to get out of bed without help despite frequent reminders. The initial
nursing intervention to prevent falls for this patient is to:
A. Place a bed alarm device on the bed.
B. Place the patient in a belt restraint.
C. Provide one-on-one observation of the patient.
D. Apply wrist restraints. -ANSWER ✔✔A
6.A couple who is caring for their aging parents are concerned about factors that
put them at risk for falls. Which factors are most likely to contribute to an
increase in falls in the elderly? (Select all that apply.)
A. Inadequate lighting
B. Throw rugs
C. Multiple medications
D. Doorway thresholds
E. Cords covered by carpets
F. Staircases with handrails -ANSWER ✔✔A,B,C,D,E
, 7.A patient has been on bed rest for over 4 days. On assessment, the nurse
identifies the following as a sign associated with immobility:
A. Decreased peristalsis
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased urinary output -ANSWER ✔✔A
8.The nurse is caring for a patient whose calcium intake must increase because
of high risk factors for osteoporosis. Which of the following menus should the
nurse recommend?
A. Cream of broccoli soup with whole wheat crackers, cheese, and tapioca for
dessert
B. Hot dog on whole wheat bun with a side salad and an apple for dessert
C. Low-fat turkey chili with sour cream with a side salad and fresh pears for
dessert
D. Turkey salad on toast with tomato and lettuce and honey bun for dessert -
ANSWER ✔✔A
9.A patient on prolonged bed rest is at an increased risk to develop this common
complication of immobility if preventive measures are not taken:
A. Myoclonus
B. Pathological fractures
C. Pressure ulcers
D. Pruritus -ANSWER ✔✔C
10.Which of the following are physiological outcomes of immobility
A. Increased metabolism
B. Reduced cardiac workload
PRATICE EXAM -D439 WGU
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT
Scenario 1: Post-Cast Application Care
Question: A 21-year-old patient with a new long leg cast is eager to practice
using crutches. Why must the nurse insist that the patient remains on bed rest for
the first 24 hours?
Answer: The priority during the first 24 hours is to keep the limb elevated. This
position is essential to minimize and prevent excessive edema (swelling), which
can lead to complications like compartment syndrome or impaired circulation.
✔✔
Scenario 2: Non-Weight Bearing (NWB) Crutch Technique
Question: A patient is being evaluated for independent ambulation with a non-
weight bearing (NWB) restriction on the right leg. Which observation confirms
the patient is using the correct technique?
Answer: The patient successfully performs a "three-point gait" by advancing the
affected (right) leg and both crutches at the same time, followed by a step
through with the unaffected (left) leg. This ensures no weight is placed on the
injured limb.
3.When giving home care instructions to a patient who has multiple forearm
fractures and a long arm cast on the right arm, which information should the
nurse include?
A. Keep the hand immobile to prevent soft tissue swelling.
B. Keep the right shoulder elevated on a pillow or cushion.
C. Avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the first
48 hours after the injury.
,D. Call the health care provider for increased swelling or numbness. -ANSWER
✔✔D
4. A patient who has been hospitalized for 3 days with a hip fracture has sudden
onset shortness of breath and tachypnea. The patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I
am going to die!" Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stay with the patient and offer reassurance.
B. Administer the prescribed PRN oxygen at 4 L/min.
C. Check the patient's legs for swelling or tenderness.
D. Notify the health care provider about the symptoms. -ANSWER ✔✔B
5.The nursing assessment of an 80-year-old patient who demonstrates some
confusion, but no anxiety reveals that the patient is a fall risk because she
continues to get out of bed without help despite frequent reminders. The initial
nursing intervention to prevent falls for this patient is to:
A. Place a bed alarm device on the bed.
B. Place the patient in a belt restraint.
C. Provide one-on-one observation of the patient.
D. Apply wrist restraints. -ANSWER ✔✔A
6.A couple who is caring for their aging parents are concerned about factors that
put them at risk for falls. Which factors are most likely to contribute to an
increase in falls in the elderly? (Select all that apply.)
A. Inadequate lighting
B. Throw rugs
C. Multiple medications
D. Doorway thresholds
E. Cords covered by carpets
F. Staircases with handrails -ANSWER ✔✔A,B,C,D,E
, 7.A patient has been on bed rest for over 4 days. On assessment, the nurse
identifies the following as a sign associated with immobility:
A. Decreased peristalsis
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased urinary output -ANSWER ✔✔A
8.The nurse is caring for a patient whose calcium intake must increase because
of high risk factors for osteoporosis. Which of the following menus should the
nurse recommend?
A. Cream of broccoli soup with whole wheat crackers, cheese, and tapioca for
dessert
B. Hot dog on whole wheat bun with a side salad and an apple for dessert
C. Low-fat turkey chili with sour cream with a side salad and fresh pears for
dessert
D. Turkey salad on toast with tomato and lettuce and honey bun for dessert -
ANSWER ✔✔A
9.A patient on prolonged bed rest is at an increased risk to develop this common
complication of immobility if preventive measures are not taken:
A. Myoclonus
B. Pathological fractures
C. Pressure ulcers
D. Pruritus -ANSWER ✔✔C
10.Which of the following are physiological outcomes of immobility
A. Increased metabolism
B. Reduced cardiac workload
