NSG 122 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
- Ethical and Legal Principles in Nursing
- Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking
- Patient Education and Communication
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical reasoning
essential for success in NSG 122 Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 3. The assessment evaluates competency in
safety protocols, medication administration, patient mobility, hygiene care, wound management, urinary and
bowel elimination, nutrition, sleep patterns, pain management, perioperative nursing, and end-of-life care. Each
multiple-choice question reflects real-world clinical scenarios requiring application of evidence-based practice,
ethical decision-making, and prioritization frameworks. Correct answers are verified with detailed rationales to
reinforce understanding. This instrument emphasizes the integration of nursing process, patient advocacy, and
interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare students for safe, competent practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value requires immediate notification to the
healthcare provider?
A. INR of 2.5
B. INR of 3.2
C. INR of 4.8
D. INR of 1.8
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An INR of 4.8 exceeds the typical therapeutic range (2.0–3.0 for most indications) and
significantly increases bleeding risk. Values above 4.0 often require dose adjustment or withholding medication
per protocol.
Question 2
During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the outer edge of the sterile field.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Use the gauze pad since it touched only the outer edge
B. Flip the gauze pad over and use the opposite side
C. Discard the gauze pad and obtain a new one
D. Move the gauze pad to the center of the field to re-sterilize
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Any object that touches a non-sterile surface or falls outside the 1-inch border of a sterile field
,is considered contaminated and must be discarded. The outer edge of a sterile field is non-sterile.
Question 3
A postoperative patient reports pain at 8 on a 0–10 scale. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV as ordered.
Thirty minutes later, the patient reports pain remains 7. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer another dose of morphine immediately
B. Document the patient’s pain level and reassess in one hour
C. Reassess the patient’s vital signs and pain characteristics
D. Notify the healthcare provider for a different analgesic order
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Before any further intervention, the nurse must reassess vital signs, pain location, quality, and
possible contributing factors to determine if the inadequate relief is due to incorrect dosing, medication
tolerance, or a new complication.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. After positioning the patient,
the nurse opens the sterile kit. Which step occurs immediately after donning sterile gloves?
A. Cleanse the meatus with antiseptic swabs
B. Lubricate the catheter tip
C. Drape the perineum with sterile drapes
D. Test the catheter balloon for integrity
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: After sterile gloves are applied, the nurse must test the balloon by inflating it with the
recommended volume of sterile water and deflating it to ensure no leaks or defects before insertion.
, Question 5
A patient with a history of falls is getting out of bed unassisted despite a bed alarm. Which intervention best
promotes safety without increasing fall risk?
A. Apply bilateral wrist restraints during nighttime hours
B. Place the bed in the lowest position with mats on the floor
C. Increase sedation to reduce the patient’s agitation
D. Move the patient to a room farthest from the nursing station
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Low bed position and floor mats reduce injury risk if a fall occurs. Restraints require a specific
order and increase deconditioning; sedation increases fall risk; and distance from nursing staff reduces
supervision.
Question 6
The nurse is teaching a patient with heart failure about a 2-gram sodium diet. Which food choice indicates the
patient understands the teaching?
A. Canned tomato soup with saltine crackers
B. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
C. Ham sandwich with dill pickle slices
D. Frozen lasagna with garlic bread
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh grilled chicken and steamed broccoli are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups,
processed meats (ham), frozen meals, pickles, and seasoned breads are typically high in sodium.
Question 7
A nurse observes a colleague administering the wrong medication to a patient. The colleague realizes the error
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
- Ethical and Legal Principles in Nursing
- Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking
- Patient Education and Communication
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical reasoning
essential for success in NSG 122 Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 3. The assessment evaluates competency in
safety protocols, medication administration, patient mobility, hygiene care, wound management, urinary and
bowel elimination, nutrition, sleep patterns, pain management, perioperative nursing, and end-of-life care. Each
multiple-choice question reflects real-world clinical scenarios requiring application of evidence-based practice,
ethical decision-making, and prioritization frameworks. Correct answers are verified with detailed rationales to
reinforce understanding. This instrument emphasizes the integration of nursing process, patient advocacy, and
interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare students for safe, competent practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value requires immediate notification to the
healthcare provider?
A. INR of 2.5
B. INR of 3.2
C. INR of 4.8
D. INR of 1.8
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An INR of 4.8 exceeds the typical therapeutic range (2.0–3.0 for most indications) and
significantly increases bleeding risk. Values above 4.0 often require dose adjustment or withholding medication
per protocol.
Question 2
During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the outer edge of the sterile field.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Use the gauze pad since it touched only the outer edge
B. Flip the gauze pad over and use the opposite side
C. Discard the gauze pad and obtain a new one
D. Move the gauze pad to the center of the field to re-sterilize
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Any object that touches a non-sterile surface or falls outside the 1-inch border of a sterile field
,is considered contaminated and must be discarded. The outer edge of a sterile field is non-sterile.
Question 3
A postoperative patient reports pain at 8 on a 0–10 scale. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV as ordered.
Thirty minutes later, the patient reports pain remains 7. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer another dose of morphine immediately
B. Document the patient’s pain level and reassess in one hour
C. Reassess the patient’s vital signs and pain characteristics
D. Notify the healthcare provider for a different analgesic order
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Before any further intervention, the nurse must reassess vital signs, pain location, quality, and
possible contributing factors to determine if the inadequate relief is due to incorrect dosing, medication
tolerance, or a new complication.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. After positioning the patient,
the nurse opens the sterile kit. Which step occurs immediately after donning sterile gloves?
A. Cleanse the meatus with antiseptic swabs
B. Lubricate the catheter tip
C. Drape the perineum with sterile drapes
D. Test the catheter balloon for integrity
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: After sterile gloves are applied, the nurse must test the balloon by inflating it with the
recommended volume of sterile water and deflating it to ensure no leaks or defects before insertion.
, Question 5
A patient with a history of falls is getting out of bed unassisted despite a bed alarm. Which intervention best
promotes safety without increasing fall risk?
A. Apply bilateral wrist restraints during nighttime hours
B. Place the bed in the lowest position with mats on the floor
C. Increase sedation to reduce the patient’s agitation
D. Move the patient to a room farthest from the nursing station
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Low bed position and floor mats reduce injury risk if a fall occurs. Restraints require a specific
order and increase deconditioning; sedation increases fall risk; and distance from nursing staff reduces
supervision.
Question 6
The nurse is teaching a patient with heart failure about a 2-gram sodium diet. Which food choice indicates the
patient understands the teaching?
A. Canned tomato soup with saltine crackers
B. Grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli
C. Ham sandwich with dill pickle slices
D. Frozen lasagna with garlic bread
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh grilled chicken and steamed broccoli are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups,
processed meats (ham), frozen meals, pickles, and seasoned breads are typically high in sodium.
Question 7
A nurse observes a colleague administering the wrong medication to a patient. The colleague realizes the error
