NUR 156 – FINAL EXAM – FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING – GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING] QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Professional Nursing Concepts
- Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice
- Safe Patient Care and Infection Control
- Health Assessment and Vital Signs
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- Clinical Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
- Patient Education and Communication
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge, clinical reasoning, and
safe practice essential for success in NUR 156 at Galen College of Nursing. The exam integrates multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions that reflect real-world patient care situations. Emphasis is placed on application
of theory to clinical decision-making, legal and ethical accountability, infection control principles, medication
safety, and therapeutic communication. Each question includes a verified correct answer with a clear rationale to
reinforce understanding. Mastery of this content prepares students for both course success and safe, competent
entry-level nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a prescription for a sterile wound irrigation. Which action demonstrates
appropriate sterile technique?
A. Setting up the sterile field and then opening the inner packaging of supplies after donning sterile gloves
B. Placing the sterile drape with the plastic-lined side facing upward
C. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container held at waist level outside the sterile field
D. Adding supplies to the sterile field by dropping them from 6 inches above the field
🟢 D. Adding supplies to the sterile field by dropping them from 6 inches above the field
🔴 RATIONALE: Adding sterile supplies by dropping them from 6 inches above the sterile field maintains
sterility because the outer edges of the package do not touch the field. Option A is incorrect because the inner
packaging should be opened before donning sterile gloves. Option B is wrong because the plastic-lined side
should face down to prevent moisture strike-through. Option C is incorrect because the container must be
within the sterile field, not at waist level.
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, “I don’t want the evening dose of my heart medication. It makes me dizzy.” What is the
nurse’s best initial response?
A. “You must take it because your doctor prescribed it.”
B. “I will call the doctor to report this right now.”
C. “Tell me more about when the dizziness happens.”
D. “Let me check your blood pressure before you decide.”
🟢 C. “Tell me more about when the dizziness happens.”
,🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the patient’s concern by gathering more information about the
symptom, which respects autonomy and supports clinical judgment. Option A is coercive and dismisses patient
concerns. Option B bypasses assessment. Option D is appropriate after assessment but not the initial step.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which landmark identifies the
correct placement of the urinary meatus?
A. Directly below the clitoris
B. Superior to the vaginal opening
C. Between the labia minora, below the clitoris
D. At the fourchette
🟢 C. Between the labia minora, below the clitoris
🔴 RATIONALE: The urinary meatus in females is located between the labia minora, directly below the clitoris
and above the vaginal opening. Option A is imprecise. Option B is reversed. Option D refers to the posterior
junction of the labia.
Question 4
A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a patient. Which sequence of actions follows correct
legal and ethical practice?
A. Document the error in the patient’s chart, then notify the charge nurse
B. Assess the patient, notify the provider, complete an incident report, and document the facts
C. Complete an incident report before assessing the patient
D. Document that the patient tolerated the medication well and discard the incident report
🟢 B. Assess the patient, notify the provider, complete an incident report, and document the facts
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Patient safety requires immediate assessment and provider notification. An incident report is
completed separately from the medical record, and factual documentation is required. Option A reverses the
priority. Option C delays patient assessment. Option D attempts to conceal the error, which is unethical and
illegal.
Question 5
Which finding in a postoperative patient is most indicative of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Bilateral ankle edema and warm skin
B. Unilateral calf pain, swelling, and warmth
C. Petechiae on the lower extremity
D. Decreased pulses and cool toes
🟢 B. Unilateral calf pain, swelling, and warmth
🔴 RATIONALE: DVT typically presents unilaterally with pain, swelling, warmth, and sometimes redness. Option
A suggests bilateral causes such as heart failure. Option C suggests bleeding disorders. Option D suggests
arterial insufficiency.
Question 6
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I will change my colostomy pouch every day to prevent infection.”
B. “I should restrict fluids to keep the stool formed.”
C. “I will empty my pouch when it is about one-half full.”
D. “Dark red color in my stoma means it is healing well.”
🟢 C. “I will empty my pouch when it is about one-half full.”
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Professional Nursing Concepts
- Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice
- Safe Patient Care and Infection Control
- Health Assessment and Vital Signs
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- Clinical Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
- Patient Education and Communication
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge, clinical reasoning, and
safe practice essential for success in NUR 156 at Galen College of Nursing. The exam integrates multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions that reflect real-world patient care situations. Emphasis is placed on application
of theory to clinical decision-making, legal and ethical accountability, infection control principles, medication
safety, and therapeutic communication. Each question includes a verified correct answer with a clear rationale to
reinforce understanding. Mastery of this content prepares students for both course success and safe, competent
entry-level nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a prescription for a sterile wound irrigation. Which action demonstrates
appropriate sterile technique?
A. Setting up the sterile field and then opening the inner packaging of supplies after donning sterile gloves
B. Placing the sterile drape with the plastic-lined side facing upward
C. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container held at waist level outside the sterile field
D. Adding supplies to the sterile field by dropping them from 6 inches above the field
🟢 D. Adding supplies to the sterile field by dropping them from 6 inches above the field
🔴 RATIONALE: Adding sterile supplies by dropping them from 6 inches above the sterile field maintains
sterility because the outer edges of the package do not touch the field. Option A is incorrect because the inner
packaging should be opened before donning sterile gloves. Option B is wrong because the plastic-lined side
should face down to prevent moisture strike-through. Option C is incorrect because the container must be
within the sterile field, not at waist level.
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, “I don’t want the evening dose of my heart medication. It makes me dizzy.” What is the
nurse’s best initial response?
A. “You must take it because your doctor prescribed it.”
B. “I will call the doctor to report this right now.”
C. “Tell me more about when the dizziness happens.”
D. “Let me check your blood pressure before you decide.”
🟢 C. “Tell me more about when the dizziness happens.”
,🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the patient’s concern by gathering more information about the
symptom, which respects autonomy and supports clinical judgment. Option A is coercive and dismisses patient
concerns. Option B bypasses assessment. Option D is appropriate after assessment but not the initial step.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which landmark identifies the
correct placement of the urinary meatus?
A. Directly below the clitoris
B. Superior to the vaginal opening
C. Between the labia minora, below the clitoris
D. At the fourchette
🟢 C. Between the labia minora, below the clitoris
🔴 RATIONALE: The urinary meatus in females is located between the labia minora, directly below the clitoris
and above the vaginal opening. Option A is imprecise. Option B is reversed. Option D refers to the posterior
junction of the labia.
Question 4
A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a patient. Which sequence of actions follows correct
legal and ethical practice?
A. Document the error in the patient’s chart, then notify the charge nurse
B. Assess the patient, notify the provider, complete an incident report, and document the facts
C. Complete an incident report before assessing the patient
D. Document that the patient tolerated the medication well and discard the incident report
🟢 B. Assess the patient, notify the provider, complete an incident report, and document the facts
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Patient safety requires immediate assessment and provider notification. An incident report is
completed separately from the medical record, and factual documentation is required. Option A reverses the
priority. Option C delays patient assessment. Option D attempts to conceal the error, which is unethical and
illegal.
Question 5
Which finding in a postoperative patient is most indicative of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Bilateral ankle edema and warm skin
B. Unilateral calf pain, swelling, and warmth
C. Petechiae on the lower extremity
D. Decreased pulses and cool toes
🟢 B. Unilateral calf pain, swelling, and warmth
🔴 RATIONALE: DVT typically presents unilaterally with pain, swelling, warmth, and sometimes redness. Option
A suggests bilateral causes such as heart failure. Option C suggests bleeding disorders. Option D suggests
arterial insufficiency.
Question 6
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I will change my colostomy pouch every day to prevent infection.”
B. “I should restrict fluids to keep the stool formed.”
C. “I will empty my pouch when it is about one-half full.”
D. “Dark red color in my stoma means it is healing well.”
🟢 C. “I will empty my pouch when it is about one-half full.”
