NUR 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING I
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026 EDITION Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of
the nursing process in fundamental nursing practice?
A. To document patient care for legal purposes
B. To provide a systematic, cyclic method for delivering
individualized patient care
C. To ensure compliance with hospital policies and
procedures
D. To minimize the time spent on patient assessments
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis,
Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation,
Evaluation) is a systematic, cyclic framework designed to
deliver individualized, patient-centered care.
Documentation, compliance, and efficiency are important
but secondary to the core purpose of personalized care
delivery.
2. A nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newly
admitted patient. Which action represents the collection of
subjective data?
A. Measuring the patient's blood pressure as 140/90 mmHg
B. Observing that the patient's skin is pale and cool
C. The patient reporting "I feel dizzy when I stand up"
D. Noting that the patient's wound is 3 cm in length
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data is what the patient tells or
reports (symptoms), such as dizziness. Objective data
(choices A, B, D) is observable and measurable through
assessment (signs).
,3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which nursing
intervention should be prioritized first for a newly admitted
patient?
A. Teaching the patient about their new diabetes medication
B. Administering oxygen to a patient with shortness of
breath
C. Helping the patient call their family member
D. Discussing the patient's spiritual concerns
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological
needs (oxygen, airway, breathing) before safety,
love/belonging, esteem, or self-actualization. Oxygenation
is a critical physiological need.
4. Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis
rather than a medical diagnosis?
A. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
B. Pneumonia
C. Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary
membrane changes
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Nursing diagnoses describe human responses
to health problems (e.g., Impaired Gas Exchange) and
guide nursing interventions. Medical diagnoses (A, B, D)
identify specific diseases and are made by physicians.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient.
Which action is most critical for preventing medication
errors?
A. Checking the medication label against the medication
administration record (MAR) three times
B. Asking the patient if they know what medication they
should receive
C. Administering medications quickly to minimize time away
from the nursing station
D. Using only one patient identifier before administration
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The "three checks" (when removing from
supply, when preparing, and at bedside) are a fundamental
safety standard for medication administration. Two patient
identifiers are required (not one), and speed compromises
safety.
6. Which communication technique is most appropriate when a
patient appears anxious and is speaking rapidly about
multiple concerns?
A. Interrupting to clarify each point immediately
B. Using therapeutic silence and active listening
C. Providing detailed medical information about all concerns
D. Changing the subject to something more pleasant
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Therapeutic silence and active listening allow
the patient to express concerns fully and demonstrate that
the nurse values what they're saying. Interrupting or
changing subjects undermines therapeutic communication.
, 7. A patient has a prescription for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. What is the priority nursing action before initiating
oxygen therapy?
A. Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain consent
B. Check the patient's oxygen saturation level
C. Ensure the oxygen tank is full
D. Place the nasal cannula in the patient's nostrils
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessing baseline oxygen saturation is
essential before initiating oxygen therapy to establish a
baseline and determine the need/effectiveness of
intervention, following the nursing process.
8. Which of the following best defines "informed consent" in
the context of nursing practice?
A. The patient's signature on a surgical consent form
B. The process ensuring the patient understands the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing
C. The nurse's witness signature on a consent form
D. The physician's explanation of the procedure to the
patient
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Informed consent is a process ensuring the
patient comprehends the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives. The signature is documentation, but consent is
the understanding. Nurses witness but do not obtain
informed consent.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026 EDITION Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of
the nursing process in fundamental nursing practice?
A. To document patient care for legal purposes
B. To provide a systematic, cyclic method for delivering
individualized patient care
C. To ensure compliance with hospital policies and
procedures
D. To minimize the time spent on patient assessments
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis,
Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation,
Evaluation) is a systematic, cyclic framework designed to
deliver individualized, patient-centered care.
Documentation, compliance, and efficiency are important
but secondary to the core purpose of personalized care
delivery.
2. A nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newly
admitted patient. Which action represents the collection of
subjective data?
A. Measuring the patient's blood pressure as 140/90 mmHg
B. Observing that the patient's skin is pale and cool
C. The patient reporting "I feel dizzy when I stand up"
D. Noting that the patient's wound is 3 cm in length
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data is what the patient tells or
reports (symptoms), such as dizziness. Objective data
(choices A, B, D) is observable and measurable through
assessment (signs).
,3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which nursing
intervention should be prioritized first for a newly admitted
patient?
A. Teaching the patient about their new diabetes medication
B. Administering oxygen to a patient with shortness of
breath
C. Helping the patient call their family member
D. Discussing the patient's spiritual concerns
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological
needs (oxygen, airway, breathing) before safety,
love/belonging, esteem, or self-actualization. Oxygenation
is a critical physiological need.
4. Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis
rather than a medical diagnosis?
A. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
B. Pneumonia
C. Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary
membrane changes
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Nursing diagnoses describe human responses
to health problems (e.g., Impaired Gas Exchange) and
guide nursing interventions. Medical diagnoses (A, B, D)
identify specific diseases and are made by physicians.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient.
Which action is most critical for preventing medication
errors?
A. Checking the medication label against the medication
administration record (MAR) three times
B. Asking the patient if they know what medication they
should receive
C. Administering medications quickly to minimize time away
from the nursing station
D. Using only one patient identifier before administration
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The "three checks" (when removing from
supply, when preparing, and at bedside) are a fundamental
safety standard for medication administration. Two patient
identifiers are required (not one), and speed compromises
safety.
6. Which communication technique is most appropriate when a
patient appears anxious and is speaking rapidly about
multiple concerns?
A. Interrupting to clarify each point immediately
B. Using therapeutic silence and active listening
C. Providing detailed medical information about all concerns
D. Changing the subject to something more pleasant
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Therapeutic silence and active listening allow
the patient to express concerns fully and demonstrate that
the nurse values what they're saying. Interrupting or
changing subjects undermines therapeutic communication.
, 7. A patient has a prescription for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. What is the priority nursing action before initiating
oxygen therapy?
A. Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain consent
B. Check the patient's oxygen saturation level
C. Ensure the oxygen tank is full
D. Place the nasal cannula in the patient's nostrils
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessing baseline oxygen saturation is
essential before initiating oxygen therapy to establish a
baseline and determine the need/effectiveness of
intervention, following the nursing process.
8. Which of the following best defines "informed consent" in
the context of nursing practice?
A. The patient's signature on a surgical consent form
B. The process ensuring the patient understands the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing
C. The nurse's witness signature on a consent form
D. The physician's explanation of the procedure to the
patient
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Informed consent is a process ensuring the
patient comprehends the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives. The signature is documentation, but consent is
the understanding. Nurses witness but do not obtain
informed consent.
