NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
This final exam is comprehensive and covers all topics from the course.
Questions focus on fundamental nursing concepts, vital signs, hygiene, mobility, infection control, safety,
medication administration, elimination, nutrition, and perioperative care.
SECTION I: ADVANCED VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–6)
Q1 (NR224-Final-01). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure. The patient's arm is positioned above
the level of the heart. How will this affect the blood pressure reading?
A) The reading will be falsely low
B) The reading will be falsely high
C) The reading will be accurate regardless of arm position
D) The reading will be accurate only if the cuff is properly sized
Answer: A
Rationale: If the arm is positioned above the level of the heart, hydrostatic pressure decreases, leading to a
falsely low blood pressure reading. If the arm is below heart level, the reading will be falsely high. The arm
should be supported at heart level for an accurate reading.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q2 (NR224-Final-02). The nurse is assessing a patient's respirations. The nurse notes that the patient's
breathing pattern is regular with alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing followed by periods of
apnea. This pattern is known as:
A) Cheyne-Stokes respiration
B) Kussmaul respiration
C) Biot's respiration (ataxic)
D) Apneustic respiration
Answer: A
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a regular pattern of alternating periods of deep and
shallow breathing followed by periods of apnea. It is often seen in patients with heart failure, brain injury, or
at end of life. Kussmaul (B) is deep, labored breathing seen in metabolic acidosis. Biot's (C) is irregular with
unpredictable apneic periods.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q3 (NR224-Final-03). The nurse is assessing a patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Which
action is correct to obtain an accurate reading?
A) Pull the pinna up and back for an adult
B) Pull the pinna down and back for an adult
C) Place the probe directly against the tympanic membrane
D) Use the thermometer in the ear with cerumen impaction
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Answer: A
Rationale: For an adult, the pinna should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal. For a child, the
pinna is pulled down and back (B). The probe should not be placed directly against the tympanic membrane
(C). Cerumen impaction (D) can interfere with accuracy.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q4 (NR224-Final-04). The nurse is assessing the pulse of a patient with atrial fibrillation. The nurse notes that
the pulse rate varies from beat to beat. The nurse should:
A) Auscultate the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
B) Document the radial pulse as irregular and continue with routine care
C) Count the radial pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D) Ignore the irregularity as it is normal in atrial fibrillation
Answer: A
Rationale: In atrial fibrillation, the radial pulse is irregular and may not accurately reflect the heart rate due to
a pulse deficit. The nurse should auscultate the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds to obtain an accurate rate.
Counting for 15 seconds (C) would increase error.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Evaluation
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Q5 (NR224-Final-05). The nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation. The patient has dark skin and nail
polish on the fingers. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Place the pulse oximeter probe on the earlobe or toe
B) Remove the nail polish and place the probe on the finger
C) Use a finger without nail polish if available
D) All of the above are acceptable
Answer: D
Rationale: All options are acceptable. Dark skin and nail polish can affect pulse oximetry readings. Alternative
sites include the earlobe or toe. Removing nail polish improves accuracy. Using a finger without nail polish is
also acceptable.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q6 (NR224-Final-06). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure and obtains a reading of 180/110
mmHg. The patient has no history of hypertension. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Recheck the blood pressure in the opposite arm after 5 minutes of rest
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Administer an antihypertensive medication
D) Document the reading as an isolated finding
Answer: A
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
This final exam is comprehensive and covers all topics from the course.
Questions focus on fundamental nursing concepts, vital signs, hygiene, mobility, infection control, safety,
medication administration, elimination, nutrition, and perioperative care.
SECTION I: ADVANCED VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–6)
Q1 (NR224-Final-01). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure. The patient's arm is positioned above
the level of the heart. How will this affect the blood pressure reading?
A) The reading will be falsely low
B) The reading will be falsely high
C) The reading will be accurate regardless of arm position
D) The reading will be accurate only if the cuff is properly sized
Answer: A
Rationale: If the arm is positioned above the level of the heart, hydrostatic pressure decreases, leading to a
falsely low blood pressure reading. If the arm is below heart level, the reading will be falsely high. The arm
should be supported at heart level for an accurate reading.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Bloom Level: Analysis
Q2 (NR224-Final-02). The nurse is assessing a patient's respirations. The nurse notes that the patient's
breathing pattern is regular with alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing followed by periods of
apnea. This pattern is known as:
A) Cheyne-Stokes respiration
B) Kussmaul respiration
C) Biot's respiration (ataxic)
D) Apneustic respiration
Answer: A
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a regular pattern of alternating periods of deep and
shallow breathing followed by periods of apnea. It is often seen in patients with heart failure, brain injury, or
at end of life. Kussmaul (B) is deep, labored breathing seen in metabolic acidosis. Biot's (C) is irregular with
unpredictable apneic periods.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q3 (NR224-Final-03). The nurse is assessing a patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Which
action is correct to obtain an accurate reading?
A) Pull the pinna up and back for an adult
B) Pull the pinna down and back for an adult
C) Place the probe directly against the tympanic membrane
D) Use the thermometer in the ear with cerumen impaction
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Answer: A
Rationale: For an adult, the pinna should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal. For a child, the
pinna is pulled down and back (B). The probe should not be placed directly against the tympanic membrane
(C). Cerumen impaction (D) can interfere with accuracy.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q4 (NR224-Final-04). The nurse is assessing the pulse of a patient with atrial fibrillation. The nurse notes that
the pulse rate varies from beat to beat. The nurse should:
A) Auscultate the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
B) Document the radial pulse as irregular and continue with routine care
C) Count the radial pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D) Ignore the irregularity as it is normal in atrial fibrillation
Answer: A
Rationale: In atrial fibrillation, the radial pulse is irregular and may not accurately reflect the heart rate due to
a pulse deficit. The nurse should auscultate the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds to obtain an accurate rate.
Counting for 15 seconds (C) would increase error.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Evaluation
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | MOST
TESTED | 50 VERIFIED Q&A | NCLEX-STYLE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Q5 (NR224-Final-05). The nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation. The patient has dark skin and nail
polish on the fingers. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Place the pulse oximeter probe on the earlobe or toe
B) Remove the nail polish and place the probe on the finger
C) Use a finger without nail polish if available
D) All of the above are acceptable
Answer: D
Rationale: All options are acceptable. Dark skin and nail polish can affect pulse oximetry readings. Alternative
sites include the earlobe or toe. Removing nail polish improves accuracy. Using a finger without nail polish is
also acceptable.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q6 (NR224-Final-06). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure and obtains a reading of 180/110
mmHg. The patient has no history of hypertension. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Recheck the blood pressure in the opposite arm after 5 minutes of rest
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Administer an antihypertensive medication
D) Document the reading as an isolated finding
Answer: A
