NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
Questions focus on fundamental nursing concepts, vital signs, hygiene, mobility, infection control, safety,
and basic care.
Assume standard adult parameters unless otherwise specified.
SECTION I: VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–8)
Q1 (NR224-Ex1-01). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure. The patient has the blood pressure cuff
applied over a sleeve. Which statement about this practice is correct?
A) Blood pressure readings taken over clothing are not accurate and should be avoided
B) Taking blood pressure over a thin sleeve is acceptable as long as the sleeve is not tight
C) Blood pressure readings are more accurate when taken over a sleeve
D) Clothing has no effect on blood pressure readings
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure should be taken on bare skin because clothing can interfere with the accuracy of the
reading, potentially causing falsely elevated or decreased readings. Thin sleeves may still affect accuracy. The
correct technique requires the cuff to be applied directly to the patient's bare upper arm.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
,NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q2 (NR224-Ex1-02). The nurse is preparing to measure a patient's temperature orally. Which finding would
require the nurse to select an alternative site?
A) The patient just finished drinking a cup of hot coffee
B) The patient is 45 years old
C) The patient has dentures
D) The patient is speaking in full sentences
Answer: A
Rationale: Hot or cold fluids can alter oral temperature readings. The nurse should wait 15-30 minutes after
the patient consumes hot or cold fluids before taking an oral temperature. Age (B), dentures (C), and ability to
speak (D) do not contraindicate oral temperature measurement.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q3 (NR224-Ex1-03). The nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. The patient is unaware that the nurse
is counting respirations. Why is it important for the patient to be unaware?
A) Patients may consciously or unconsciously alter their breathing pattern if they know it is being observed
B) Patients become anxious when they know their respirations are being counted
C) Counting respirations without the patient's knowledge is a violation of patient rights
D) Patients should always be aware of all assessments being performed
,NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients may alter their breathing pattern (consciously or unconsciously) if they know their
respirations are being observed, leading to inaccurate readings. The nurse often counts respirations while
appearing to take the pulse to keep the patient unaware. This is standard practice and not a violation of patient
rights.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q4 (NR224-Ex1-04). The nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic of the pulse should the
nurse document?
A) Rate, rhythm, and amplitude
B) Rate only
C) Rate and rhythm only
D) Rate and patient's age only
Answer: A
Rationale: When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse should document rate (beats per minute), rhythm
(regular or irregular), and amplitude (strength/volume: 0 absent, 1+ weak, 2+ normal, 3+ full/bounding). All
three characteristics provide important information about cardiovascular status.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Q5 (NR224-Ex1-05). The nurse is assessing the blood pressure of an adult patient. The Korotkoff phase that
indicates diastolic pressure in adults is:
A) Phase I (first appearance of clear tapping sounds)
B) Phase II (sounds become softer and swishing)
C) Phase III (sounds become crisper and louder)
D) Phase V (disappearance of all sounds)
Answer: D
Rationale: In adults, the diastolic pressure is recorded at Phase V (disappearance of all sounds). In children
and some special populations, Phase IV (muffling of sounds) may be used. Phase I indicates systolic pressure.
Phases II and III are not used for recording.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q6 (NR224-Ex1-06). The nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter. The reading
is 88% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Assess the patient's respiratory status and apply oxygen if ordered
B) Document the reading as normal
C) Reapply the pulse oximeter to a different finger
D) Notify the provider immediately
Answer: A
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
INSTRUCTIONS
Select the single best answer for each question.
Each question has one correct answer and three plausible distractors.
Questions focus on fundamental nursing concepts, vital signs, hygiene, mobility, infection control, safety,
and basic care.
Assume standard adult parameters unless otherwise specified.
SECTION I: VITAL SIGNS & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–8)
Q1 (NR224-Ex1-01). The nurse is assessing a patient's blood pressure. The patient has the blood pressure cuff
applied over a sleeve. Which statement about this practice is correct?
A) Blood pressure readings taken over clothing are not accurate and should be avoided
B) Taking blood pressure over a thin sleeve is acceptable as long as the sleeve is not tight
C) Blood pressure readings are more accurate when taken over a sleeve
D) Clothing has no effect on blood pressure readings
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure should be taken on bare skin because clothing can interfere with the accuracy of the
reading, potentially causing falsely elevated or decreased readings. Thin sleeves may still affect accuracy. The
correct technique requires the cuff to be applied directly to the patient's bare upper arm.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
,NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q2 (NR224-Ex1-02). The nurse is preparing to measure a patient's temperature orally. Which finding would
require the nurse to select an alternative site?
A) The patient just finished drinking a cup of hot coffee
B) The patient is 45 years old
C) The patient has dentures
D) The patient is speaking in full sentences
Answer: A
Rationale: Hot or cold fluids can alter oral temperature readings. The nurse should wait 15-30 minutes after
the patient consumes hot or cold fluids before taking an oral temperature. Age (B), dentures (C), and ability to
speak (D) do not contraindicate oral temperature measurement.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Application
Q3 (NR224-Ex1-03). The nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. The patient is unaware that the nurse
is counting respirations. Why is it important for the patient to be unaware?
A) Patients may consciously or unconsciously alter their breathing pattern if they know it is being observed
B) Patients become anxious when they know their respirations are being counted
C) Counting respirations without the patient's knowledge is a violation of patient rights
D) Patients should always be aware of all assessments being performed
,NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients may alter their breathing pattern (consciously or unconsciously) if they know their
respirations are being observed, leading to inaccurate readings. The nurse often counts respirations while
appearing to take the pulse to keep the patient unaware. This is standard practice and not a violation of patient
rights.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q4 (NR224-Ex1-04). The nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic of the pulse should the
nurse document?
A) Rate, rhythm, and amplitude
B) Rate only
C) Rate and rhythm only
D) Rate and patient's age only
Answer: A
Rationale: When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse should document rate (beats per minute), rhythm
(regular or irregular), and amplitude (strength/volume: 0 absent, 1+ weak, 2+ normal, 3+ full/bounding). All
three characteristics provide important information about cardiovascular status.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
, NR 224 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING:
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS | CHAMBERLAIN | 2026/2027 | 50
QUESTIONS | DETAILED RATIONALES | MULTIPLE-CHOICE – GRADED A+
Q5 (NR224-Ex1-05). The nurse is assessing the blood pressure of an adult patient. The Korotkoff phase that
indicates diastolic pressure in adults is:
A) Phase I (first appearance of clear tapping sounds)
B) Phase II (sounds become softer and swishing)
C) Phase III (sounds become crisper and louder)
D) Phase V (disappearance of all sounds)
Answer: D
Rationale: In adults, the diastolic pressure is recorded at Phase V (disappearance of all sounds). In children
and some special populations, Phase IV (muffling of sounds) may be used. Phase I indicates systolic pressure.
Phases II and III are not used for recording.
Reference: Potter PA, Perry AG, Stockert PA, Hall AM. Fundamentals of Nursing. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2023.
Bloom Level: Comprehension
Q6 (NR224-Ex1-06). The nurse is assessing a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter. The reading
is 88% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Assess the patient's respiratory status and apply oxygen if ordered
B) Document the reading as normal
C) Reapply the pulse oximeter to a different finger
D) Notify the provider immediately
Answer: A
