Nursing Fundamentals
& Clinical Foundations
Assessment 2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before caring for a client. Which action demonstrates
the correct technique for handwashing with soap and water?
A. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds using friction
B. Use hot water to effectively remove microorganisms
C. Apply soap before wetting the hands
D. Dry hands with a reusable cloth towel
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Handwashing with soap and water should be performed for at least 15 seconds
using friction to effectively remove microorganisms. Warm water is recommended, not hot water.
Hands should be wet before applying soap, and hands should be dried with a disposable paper towel to
prevent contamination.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds using friction
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Crush all medications and mix with applesauce
B. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed
C. Place the medication in the client's favorite beverage
D. Administer the medication with a straw
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should consult the pharmacist to determine if the medication can be
safely crushed. Not all medications can be crushed (e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated, or sublingual
medications). Crushing certain medications can alter absorption or cause adverse effects.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed
---
**Question 3**
,The nurse is assessing a client's pain using the numerical rating scale. The client rates their pain as 7 out
of 10. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the PRN analgesic
B. Assess the client's pain further using the PQRST mnemonic
C. Document the pain rating
D. Notify the healthcare provider
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should first perform a comprehensive pain assessment using the
PQRST mnemonic to gather more information about the pain. This helps identify the cause,
characteristics, and potential interventions. Documentation and medication administration are
important but follow the assessment.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Assess the client's pain further using the PQRST mnemonic
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important to
include in the plan of care?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
B. Place the call light within the client's reach
C. Encourage the client to wear non-skid slippers
D. All of the above
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: All of these interventions are important for fall prevention. Keeping the bed low
with side rails up (if appropriate) reduces injury risk, placing the call light within reach allows the client
to call for help, and non-skid slippers reduce the risk of slipping.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client about the use of a incentive spirometer. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "Exhale slowly into the device."
B. "Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for 3-5 seconds."
C. "Use the device only once per day."
D. "Place the mouthpiece in your nose."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The correct technique for using an incentive spirometer is to inhale slowly and
deeply, then hold the breath for 3-5 seconds to promote lung expansion. Exhalation into the device is
not correct. The device should be used at least 10 times per hour while awake.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for 3-5 seconds."
---
& Clinical Foundations
Assessment 2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before caring for a client. Which action demonstrates
the correct technique for handwashing with soap and water?
A. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds using friction
B. Use hot water to effectively remove microorganisms
C. Apply soap before wetting the hands
D. Dry hands with a reusable cloth towel
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Handwashing with soap and water should be performed for at least 15 seconds
using friction to effectively remove microorganisms. Warm water is recommended, not hot water.
Hands should be wet before applying soap, and hands should be dried with a disposable paper towel to
prevent contamination.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds using friction
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Crush all medications and mix with applesauce
B. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed
C. Place the medication in the client's favorite beverage
D. Administer the medication with a straw
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should consult the pharmacist to determine if the medication can be
safely crushed. Not all medications can be crushed (e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated, or sublingual
medications). Crushing certain medications can alter absorption or cause adverse effects.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed
---
**Question 3**
,The nurse is assessing a client's pain using the numerical rating scale. The client rates their pain as 7 out
of 10. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the PRN analgesic
B. Assess the client's pain further using the PQRST mnemonic
C. Document the pain rating
D. Notify the healthcare provider
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should first perform a comprehensive pain assessment using the
PQRST mnemonic to gather more information about the pain. This helps identify the cause,
characteristics, and potential interventions. Documentation and medication administration are
important but follow the assessment.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Assess the client's pain further using the PQRST mnemonic
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important to
include in the plan of care?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
B. Place the call light within the client's reach
C. Encourage the client to wear non-skid slippers
D. All of the above
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: All of these interventions are important for fall prevention. Keeping the bed low
with side rails up (if appropriate) reduces injury risk, placing the call light within reach allows the client
to call for help, and non-skid slippers reduce the risk of slipping.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client about the use of a incentive spirometer. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "Exhale slowly into the device."
B. "Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for 3-5 seconds."
C. "Use the device only once per day."
D. "Place the mouthpiece in your nose."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The correct technique for using an incentive spirometer is to inhale slowly and
deeply, then hold the breath for 3-5 seconds to promote lung expansion. Exhalation into the device is
not correct. The device should be used at least 10 times per hour while awake.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "Inhale slowly and deeply, then hold your breath for 3-5 seconds."
---
