NUR 156 – EXAM 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING – GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
Nursing History & Professional Identity
Legal & Ethical Principles in Nursing
Patient Rights & Advocacy
Infection Control & Safety
Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
The Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Therapeutic Communication
Documentation & Legal Liability
Cultural Competence & Spirituality
Basic Care & Comfort
Introduction:
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational knowledge essential for safe, competent
nursing practice in alignment with Galen College of Nursing’s NUR 156 curriculum. It evaluates understanding
of nursing history, legal and ethical frameworks, infection control, the nursing process, therapeutic
communication, and basic patient care. Questions are structured as multiple-choice and scenario-based items
to reflect real-world clinical decision-making. Each correct answer is verified and accompanied by a detailed
rationale to reinforce learning. Emphasis is placed on application, prioritization, and professional judgment
required for entry-level nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action best demonstrates adherence to
sterile technique?
A. Wearing clean gloves and a mask
B. Opening sterile supplies before applying sterile gloves
C. Using non-sterile forceps to handle the catheter
D. Placing the sterile field on a wet surface
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Opening sterile supplies before applying sterile gloves prevents contamination from glove
handling. Option A uses only clean gloves (not sterile). Option C introduces contamination. Option D violates
sterile field principles (wet surfaces wick bacteria).
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, “I don’t want that medication; it makes me sick.” What is the nurse’s best legal
response?
A. “You must take it because the doctor ordered it.”
B. “I will document your refusal and notify the provider.”
C. “Let me crush it and hide it in your applesauce.”
D. “If you refuse, I will have to restrain you.”
🟢B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Patients have the right to refuse treatment. The nurse must document refusal and notify the
provider. Option A violates patient autonomy. Option C is deceptive and unethical. Option D threatens unlawful
restraint.
Question 3
Which finding indicates that a patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 lying and 118/78 standing
B. Heart rate 72 bpm lying and 88 bpm standing with dizziness
C. Blood pressure 130/84 lying and 110/70 standing with lightheadedness
D. Respiratory rate 16 lying and 18 standing
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in systolic BP ≥20 mmHg or diastolic ≥10 mmHg with
symptoms upon standing. Option C shows a 20 mmHg systolic drop with symptoms. Option A shows minimal
change. Option B shows pulse increase without BP drop. Option D involves respiratory rate not diagnostic.
Question 4
A nurse forgets to raise the side rails on a confused patient who then falls out of bed. This is an example of:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Negligence
D. False imprisonment
🟢C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Negligence is failure to act as a reasonably prudent nurse, causing harm. Forgetting side rails
breaches standard care. Assault is threat of harm. Battery is harmful/offensive contact. False imprisonment is
unlawful restraint.
Question 5
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which patient problem should the nurse address first?
A. Low self-esteem related to body image changes
B. Ineffective airway clearance due to secretions
C. Social isolation after loss of spouse
D. Lack of sense of purpose in retirement
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Maslow prioritizes physiological needs (airway, breathing, circulation) before safety, love,
esteem, or self-actualization. Airway clearance is life-threatening and must be addressed first.
Question 6
A nurse documents: “Patient seems anxious and complains of pain.” Which legal principle is most clearly
violated?
A. Invasion of privacy
B. Libel
C. Subjective documentation without evidence
D. Falsification of records
🟢C
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
Nursing History & Professional Identity
Legal & Ethical Principles in Nursing
Patient Rights & Advocacy
Infection Control & Safety
Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
The Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Therapeutic Communication
Documentation & Legal Liability
Cultural Competence & Spirituality
Basic Care & Comfort
Introduction:
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational knowledge essential for safe, competent
nursing practice in alignment with Galen College of Nursing’s NUR 156 curriculum. It evaluates understanding
of nursing history, legal and ethical frameworks, infection control, the nursing process, therapeutic
communication, and basic patient care. Questions are structured as multiple-choice and scenario-based items
to reflect real-world clinical decision-making. Each correct answer is verified and accompanied by a detailed
rationale to reinforce learning. Emphasis is placed on application, prioritization, and professional judgment
required for entry-level nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action best demonstrates adherence to
sterile technique?
A. Wearing clean gloves and a mask
B. Opening sterile supplies before applying sterile gloves
C. Using non-sterile forceps to handle the catheter
D. Placing the sterile field on a wet surface
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Opening sterile supplies before applying sterile gloves prevents contamination from glove
handling. Option A uses only clean gloves (not sterile). Option C introduces contamination. Option D violates
sterile field principles (wet surfaces wick bacteria).
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, “I don’t want that medication; it makes me sick.” What is the nurse’s best legal
response?
A. “You must take it because the doctor ordered it.”
B. “I will document your refusal and notify the provider.”
C. “Let me crush it and hide it in your applesauce.”
D. “If you refuse, I will have to restrain you.”
🟢B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Patients have the right to refuse treatment. The nurse must document refusal and notify the
provider. Option A violates patient autonomy. Option C is deceptive and unethical. Option D threatens unlawful
restraint.
Question 3
Which finding indicates that a patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 lying and 118/78 standing
B. Heart rate 72 bpm lying and 88 bpm standing with dizziness
C. Blood pressure 130/84 lying and 110/70 standing with lightheadedness
D. Respiratory rate 16 lying and 18 standing
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in systolic BP ≥20 mmHg or diastolic ≥10 mmHg with
symptoms upon standing. Option C shows a 20 mmHg systolic drop with symptoms. Option A shows minimal
change. Option B shows pulse increase without BP drop. Option D involves respiratory rate not diagnostic.
Question 4
A nurse forgets to raise the side rails on a confused patient who then falls out of bed. This is an example of:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Negligence
D. False imprisonment
🟢C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Negligence is failure to act as a reasonably prudent nurse, causing harm. Forgetting side rails
breaches standard care. Assault is threat of harm. Battery is harmful/offensive contact. False imprisonment is
unlawful restraint.
Question 5
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which patient problem should the nurse address first?
A. Low self-esteem related to body image changes
B. Ineffective airway clearance due to secretions
C. Social isolation after loss of spouse
D. Lack of sense of purpose in retirement
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Maslow prioritizes physiological needs (airway, breathing, circulation) before safety, love,
esteem, or self-actualization. Airway clearance is life-threatening and must be addressed first.
Question 6
A nurse documents: “Patient seems anxious and complains of pain.” Which legal principle is most clearly
violated?
A. Invasion of privacy
B. Libel
C. Subjective documentation without evidence
D. Falsification of records
🟢C
