NURS 101L | Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab | Exam 4 Study Guide
(2026 Update) WCU
1. When suctioning a patient’s tracheostomy, what is the maximum duration for
each suction pass?
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 to 30 seconds
C. 10 to 15 seconds
D. 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and vagal
stimulation.
2. Which part of a sterile field is considered contaminated and should not be
used for sterile supplies?
A. The center of the field
B. The 1-inch border around the edge
C. The side closest to the nurse
D. Any portion covered by a sterile drape
Answer: B
Rationale: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered unsterile and
contaminated.
,3. What is the preferred site for a deep Intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult
patient?
A. Ventrogluteal
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus Lateralis
Answer: A
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and preferred site for IM injections because
it is away from major nerves and blood vessels.
4. When mixing Regular and NPH insulin in one syringe, which insulin should be
drawn up first?
A. NPH (Cloudy)
B. Regular (Clear)
C. It does not matter
D. They should never be mixed
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular (clear) insulin is drawn first to prevent contamination of the clear
insulin vial with the long-acting NPH (cloudy) insulin.
5. What is the correct method for measuring the length of a Nasogastric (NG)
tube prior to insertion?
A. Nose to chin to umbilicus
B. Mouth to chin to sternum
C. Nose to earlobe to xiphoid process
D. Earlobe to nose to umbilicus
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘NEX’ measurement (Nose, Earlobe, Xiphoid) approximates the distance
required to reach the stomach.
, 6. A patient is on Airborne Precautions for Tuberculosis. What personal
protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves only
C. Face shield
D. N95 respirator
Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions require the use of a fit-tested N95 respirator to filter
small droplets.
7. Which infection requires the nurse to wash hands with soap and water rather
than using alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
A. MRSA
B. Influenza
C. Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
D. HIV
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores; mechanical friction
with soap and water is required.
8. When inserting an indwelling urinary catheter in a female patient, in which
position should she be placed?
A. Sims position
B. Dorsal recumbent
C. Prone position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Dorsal recumbent (on back with knees flexed and legs apart) provides the best
visualization for catheter insertion.
(2026 Update) WCU
1. When suctioning a patient’s tracheostomy, what is the maximum duration for
each suction pass?
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 to 30 seconds
C. 10 to 15 seconds
D. 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and vagal
stimulation.
2. Which part of a sterile field is considered contaminated and should not be
used for sterile supplies?
A. The center of the field
B. The 1-inch border around the edge
C. The side closest to the nurse
D. Any portion covered by a sterile drape
Answer: B
Rationale: The outer 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered unsterile and
contaminated.
,3. What is the preferred site for a deep Intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult
patient?
A. Ventrogluteal
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus Lateralis
Answer: A
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and preferred site for IM injections because
it is away from major nerves and blood vessels.
4. When mixing Regular and NPH insulin in one syringe, which insulin should be
drawn up first?
A. NPH (Cloudy)
B. Regular (Clear)
C. It does not matter
D. They should never be mixed
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular (clear) insulin is drawn first to prevent contamination of the clear
insulin vial with the long-acting NPH (cloudy) insulin.
5. What is the correct method for measuring the length of a Nasogastric (NG)
tube prior to insertion?
A. Nose to chin to umbilicus
B. Mouth to chin to sternum
C. Nose to earlobe to xiphoid process
D. Earlobe to nose to umbilicus
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘NEX’ measurement (Nose, Earlobe, Xiphoid) approximates the distance
required to reach the stomach.
, 6. A patient is on Airborne Precautions for Tuberculosis. What personal
protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves only
C. Face shield
D. N95 respirator
Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions require the use of a fit-tested N95 respirator to filter
small droplets.
7. Which infection requires the nurse to wash hands with soap and water rather
than using alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
A. MRSA
B. Influenza
C. Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
D. HIV
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores; mechanical friction
with soap and water is required.
8. When inserting an indwelling urinary catheter in a female patient, in which
position should she be placed?
A. Sims position
B. Dorsal recumbent
C. Prone position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Dorsal recumbent (on back with knees flexed and legs apart) provides the best
visualization for catheter insertion.
