NSG 300 Exam 3 | Foundations of Nursing | Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales | 2026–2027 Edition
Prepare for NSG 300 Exam 3 with this comprehensive Foundations of Nursing
study guide featuring original practice questions, accurate answers, and detailed
rationales. Covers core nursing concepts, patient safety, infection prevention,
wound care, pain management, and evidence-based nursing practice. Perfect for
focused review, self-assessment, and exam preparation
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which anatomical site is considered the safest and first-choice selection for deep IM
injections because it lacks major nerves and blood vessels?
A) Dorsogluteal site
B) Ventrogluteal site
C) Deltoid site
D) Vastus lateralis site
Answer: B) Ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred and safest site for intramuscular
injections in adults. It involves the gluteus medius muscle, possesses a thick muscle
mass, and is completely free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is
no longer recommended due to its proximity to the sciatic nerve.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing medication orders for a patient and notes a prescription that reads:
"Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The nurse recognizes that this order contains which
essential component of a complete, legal medication prescription?
A) The patient's diagnosis
B) The specific route of administration
C) The exact duration of the therapy
D) The pharmacy's registration number
Answer: B) The specific route of administration
Rationale: A complete and legally binding medication order must contain seven core
components: the patient’s full name, the date and time the order was written, the name
of the drug, the dosage, the route of administration (PO/orally in this case), the
frequency/time of administration, and the prescriber’s signature.
,Question 3
During the preoperative assessment of a patient scheduled for major abdominal
surgery, the patient states, "I take a generic aspirin every single day for my heart." Why
is this information critical for the perioperative nurse?
A) Aspirin increases the patient's risk for intraoperative hypothermia
B) Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, significantly increasing the risk of
intraoperative hemorrhage
C) Aspirin neutralizes the effectiveness of inhaled general anesthetics
D) Aspirin causes severe postoperative respiratory depression
Answer: B) Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, significantly
increasing the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that irreversibly blocks cyclooxygenase,
preventing platelet aggregation. Because this effect lasts for the lifespan of the platelet
(approximately 7 to 10 days), continuing aspirin right up to surgery puts the patient at
high risk for uncontrolled intraoperative or postoperative bleeding.
Question 4
A postoperative patient who underwent total knee arthroplasty 4 hours ago reports
sharp, localized pain rated as an 8 out of 10 at the surgical site. The nurse understands
that this type of pain, arising from damage to bone, muscle, and skin tissue, is classified
as:
A) Neuropathic pain
B) Somatic nociceptive pain
C) Visceral nociceptive pain
D) Psychogenic pain
Answer: B) Somatic nociceptive pain
Rationale: Nociceptive pain occurs when functioning nerve fibers pick up noxious stimuli
from tissue damage. Somatic pain specifically originates from injuries to bone, joints,
muscles, skin, or connective tissue and is typically described as sharp, throbbing, and
well-localized.
Question 5
A nurse checks on a patient 30 minutes after initiating a fast-acting intravenous opioid
infusion for severe pain. The patient is deeply asleep, difficult to arouse, and has a
respiratory rate of 7 breaths per minute. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?
A) Document the patient's pain level as zero
B) Apply a warm blanket to the patient's extremities
,C) Stop the infusion and administer the prescribed opioid antagonist, Naloxone
D) Place the patient in a prone position to open the airway
Answer: C) Stop the infusion and administer the prescribed opioid antagonist,
Naloxone
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression is a life-threatening adverse event. A
respiratory rate below 8 to 10 breaths per minute combined with a compromised level of
consciousness demands immediate intervention: stopping the medication and
administering Naloxone (Narcan) to reverse the opioid binding at the mu-receptors.
Question 6
While performing a skin assessment on an immobile bedridden patient, the nurse notes
an area over the sacrum with non-blanchable erythema of intact skin. The area feels
warmer and firmer than the surrounding tissue. How should the nurse stage this
pressure injury?
A) Stage 1 pressure injury
B) Stage 2 pressure injury
C) Stage 3 pressure injury
D) Unstageable pressure injury
Answer: A) Stage 1 pressure injury
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is characterized by intact skin with localized, non-
blanchable erythema (redness that does not turn white when pressed). Changes in
sensation, temperature, or firmness may precede visual skin changes.
Question 7
A patient's surgical wound has a significant amount of thick, pink-tinged watery drainage
leaking onto the outer dressing. The nurse should document this specific type of wound
exudate as:
A) Serous drainage
B) Sanguineous drainage
C) Serosanguineous drainage
D) Purulent drainage
Answer: C) Serosanguineous drainage
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is a mixture of clear, watery serum and red blood
cells. It appears pale pink, watery, and is commonly found in surgical wounds during the
first few postoperative days. Serous is clear/watery, sanguineous is bright red blood,
and purulent is thick yellow/green pus.
, Question 8
When a nurse is verifying the "Right Patient" during the medication administration
process, which combination of actions fulfills safe clinical standards?
A) Checking the patient's room number and asking their roommate for validation
B) Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth, and comparing it to the
MAR and ID band
C) Cross-checking the patient's diagnosis with their medical record chart photo
D) Looking at the name listed on the chart holder outside the patient's room door
Answer: B) Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth, and
comparing it to the MAR and ID band
Rationale: To verify a patient's identity accurately, the nurse must use at least two
independent, approved patient identifiers. Asking the patient to verbally state their full
name and date of birth while verifying that data against the Medication Administration
Record (MAR) and the patient's wristband ensures high-level safety. Room numbers are
never acceptable identifiers.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intradermal injection for an allergy skin test. At
what angle should the nurse insert the needle into the patient's skin to ensure the
medication goes into the dermis layer?
A) 90 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 15 degrees
D) 5 to 15 degrees
Answer: D) 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are placed right beneath the epidermis into the dermis
layer. This requires using a small syringe at a flat angle of 5 to 15 degrees with the
needle bevel facing upwards. Inserting at steeper angles risks entering the
subcutaneous space.
Question 10
During a dressing change on a deep abdominal wound, the nurse notes the presence of
red, moist, vascular tissue filling the base of the wound. The nurse recognizes this
tissue as a sign of healthy healing and documents it as:
A) Slough tissue
B) Eschar tissue
C) Granulation tissue
D) Purulent tissue
Answer: C) Granulation tissue
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales | 2026–2027 Edition
Prepare for NSG 300 Exam 3 with this comprehensive Foundations of Nursing
study guide featuring original practice questions, accurate answers, and detailed
rationales. Covers core nursing concepts, patient safety, infection prevention,
wound care, pain management, and evidence-based nursing practice. Perfect for
focused review, self-assessment, and exam preparation
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which anatomical site is considered the safest and first-choice selection for deep IM
injections because it lacks major nerves and blood vessels?
A) Dorsogluteal site
B) Ventrogluteal site
C) Deltoid site
D) Vastus lateralis site
Answer: B) Ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred and safest site for intramuscular
injections in adults. It involves the gluteus medius muscle, possesses a thick muscle
mass, and is completely free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is
no longer recommended due to its proximity to the sciatic nerve.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing medication orders for a patient and notes a prescription that reads:
"Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The nurse recognizes that this order contains which
essential component of a complete, legal medication prescription?
A) The patient's diagnosis
B) The specific route of administration
C) The exact duration of the therapy
D) The pharmacy's registration number
Answer: B) The specific route of administration
Rationale: A complete and legally binding medication order must contain seven core
components: the patient’s full name, the date and time the order was written, the name
of the drug, the dosage, the route of administration (PO/orally in this case), the
frequency/time of administration, and the prescriber’s signature.
,Question 3
During the preoperative assessment of a patient scheduled for major abdominal
surgery, the patient states, "I take a generic aspirin every single day for my heart." Why
is this information critical for the perioperative nurse?
A) Aspirin increases the patient's risk for intraoperative hypothermia
B) Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, significantly increasing the risk of
intraoperative hemorrhage
C) Aspirin neutralizes the effectiveness of inhaled general anesthetics
D) Aspirin causes severe postoperative respiratory depression
Answer: B) Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, significantly
increasing the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that irreversibly blocks cyclooxygenase,
preventing platelet aggregation. Because this effect lasts for the lifespan of the platelet
(approximately 7 to 10 days), continuing aspirin right up to surgery puts the patient at
high risk for uncontrolled intraoperative or postoperative bleeding.
Question 4
A postoperative patient who underwent total knee arthroplasty 4 hours ago reports
sharp, localized pain rated as an 8 out of 10 at the surgical site. The nurse understands
that this type of pain, arising from damage to bone, muscle, and skin tissue, is classified
as:
A) Neuropathic pain
B) Somatic nociceptive pain
C) Visceral nociceptive pain
D) Psychogenic pain
Answer: B) Somatic nociceptive pain
Rationale: Nociceptive pain occurs when functioning nerve fibers pick up noxious stimuli
from tissue damage. Somatic pain specifically originates from injuries to bone, joints,
muscles, skin, or connective tissue and is typically described as sharp, throbbing, and
well-localized.
Question 5
A nurse checks on a patient 30 minutes after initiating a fast-acting intravenous opioid
infusion for severe pain. The patient is deeply asleep, difficult to arouse, and has a
respiratory rate of 7 breaths per minute. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?
A) Document the patient's pain level as zero
B) Apply a warm blanket to the patient's extremities
,C) Stop the infusion and administer the prescribed opioid antagonist, Naloxone
D) Place the patient in a prone position to open the airway
Answer: C) Stop the infusion and administer the prescribed opioid antagonist,
Naloxone
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression is a life-threatening adverse event. A
respiratory rate below 8 to 10 breaths per minute combined with a compromised level of
consciousness demands immediate intervention: stopping the medication and
administering Naloxone (Narcan) to reverse the opioid binding at the mu-receptors.
Question 6
While performing a skin assessment on an immobile bedridden patient, the nurse notes
an area over the sacrum with non-blanchable erythema of intact skin. The area feels
warmer and firmer than the surrounding tissue. How should the nurse stage this
pressure injury?
A) Stage 1 pressure injury
B) Stage 2 pressure injury
C) Stage 3 pressure injury
D) Unstageable pressure injury
Answer: A) Stage 1 pressure injury
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is characterized by intact skin with localized, non-
blanchable erythema (redness that does not turn white when pressed). Changes in
sensation, temperature, or firmness may precede visual skin changes.
Question 7
A patient's surgical wound has a significant amount of thick, pink-tinged watery drainage
leaking onto the outer dressing. The nurse should document this specific type of wound
exudate as:
A) Serous drainage
B) Sanguineous drainage
C) Serosanguineous drainage
D) Purulent drainage
Answer: C) Serosanguineous drainage
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is a mixture of clear, watery serum and red blood
cells. It appears pale pink, watery, and is commonly found in surgical wounds during the
first few postoperative days. Serous is clear/watery, sanguineous is bright red blood,
and purulent is thick yellow/green pus.
, Question 8
When a nurse is verifying the "Right Patient" during the medication administration
process, which combination of actions fulfills safe clinical standards?
A) Checking the patient's room number and asking their roommate for validation
B) Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth, and comparing it to the
MAR and ID band
C) Cross-checking the patient's diagnosis with their medical record chart photo
D) Looking at the name listed on the chart holder outside the patient's room door
Answer: B) Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth, and
comparing it to the MAR and ID band
Rationale: To verify a patient's identity accurately, the nurse must use at least two
independent, approved patient identifiers. Asking the patient to verbally state their full
name and date of birth while verifying that data against the Medication Administration
Record (MAR) and the patient's wristband ensures high-level safety. Room numbers are
never acceptable identifiers.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intradermal injection for an allergy skin test. At
what angle should the nurse insert the needle into the patient's skin to ensure the
medication goes into the dermis layer?
A) 90 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 15 degrees
D) 5 to 15 degrees
Answer: D) 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are placed right beneath the epidermis into the dermis
layer. This requires using a small syringe at a flat angle of 5 to 15 degrees with the
needle bevel facing upwards. Inserting at steeper angles risks entering the
subcutaneous space.
Question 10
During a dressing change on a deep abdominal wound, the nurse notes the presence of
red, moist, vascular tissue filling the base of the wound. The nurse recognizes this
tissue as a sign of healthy healing and documents it as:
A) Slough tissue
B) Eschar tissue
C) Granulation tissue
D) Purulent tissue
Answer: C) Granulation tissue
