HONDROS NUR 205 EXAM 1: The
Ultimate Nursing Fundamentals
Practice Q&A Guide GRADED A+ With
Rationale
Question 1: Hand Hygiene
Q: A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which situation requires the use of
soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. After removing gloves following routine patient care
B. Before administering oral medications
C. After caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection
D. Before performing a physical assessment
E. After touching a patient's intact skin
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: C. difficile produces spores that are NOT destroyed by alcohol-based hand
rubs. Soap and water mechanically removes spores from the hands. All other listed
situations are appropriate for alcohol-based hand rub use.
Question 2: Vital Signs Assessment
Q: The nurse is assessing a patient's vital signs. Which finding should be reported to the
healthcare provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
,D. Pulse rate of 78 beats per minute
E. Oxygen saturation of 97%
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min is significantly above the normal adult
range of 12-20 breaths/min. Tachypnea may indicate respiratory distress, infection, pain,
or metabolic acidosis, all requiring prompt provider notification.
Question 3: Ethical Principles
Q: The ethical principle that involves keeping promises and performing expected duties
is:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Veracity
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Fidelity means acting in ways that are loyal, keeping promises, doing what
is expected of you, performing your duties, and being trustworthy.
Question 4: Classification of Safety Events
Q: A serious error that results in a patient's death is classified as a:
A. Never miss event
B. Adverse event
C. Sentinel event
D. Near miss event
CORRECT ANSWER: C
,RATIONALE: A sentinel event is a serious error that results in patient death. A never
miss event is an error that could have caused harm but didn't, and an adverse event
results in moderate to severe harm.
Question 5: Pressure Injury Staging
Q: A patient is admitted with a pressure injury on the sacrum. The wound has full-
thickness tissue loss with visible bone. The nurse correctly documents this as which
stage?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
E. Unstageable
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Stage 4 pressure injuries involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposed or
directly palpable bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 3 involves full-thickness loss without
bone exposure. Unstageable wounds are covered by slough or eschar.
Question 6: Autonomic Nervous System
Q: The nurse is teaching a patient about the difference between the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems. Which response by the patient demonstrates
understanding?
A. "The parasympathetic system is responsible for my fight-or-flight response."
B. "The sympathetic system slows my heart rate during rest."
C. "The sympathetic system increases my heart rate during stress."
D. "The parasympathetic system increases my blood pressure when I exercise."
E. "Both systems work independently with no interaction."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
, RATIONALE: The sympathetic nervous system activates the "fight-or-flight" response,
increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The parasympathetic system
promotes "rest and digest" functions such as slowing the heart rate and stimulating
digestion.
Question 7: Documentation
Q: A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry best reflects proper
documentation?
A. "Patient seems to be in pain."
B. "Patient was uncomfortable this morning."
C. "Patient appeared restless and agitated."
D. "Patient rates pain as 7/10, states it is sharp and in the left lower abdomen."
E. "Nurse believes patient is exaggerating discomfort."
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Proper documentation is objective, factual, and uses the patient's own
words when possible. It should avoid subjective interpretations or judgments.
Question 8: Abdominal Assessment
Q: In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
E. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The correct order for abdominal assessment is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, Palpation. This differs from other systems because palpation and percussion
can alter bowel sounds.
Ultimate Nursing Fundamentals
Practice Q&A Guide GRADED A+ With
Rationale
Question 1: Hand Hygiene
Q: A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which situation requires the use of
soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. After removing gloves following routine patient care
B. Before administering oral medications
C. After caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection
D. Before performing a physical assessment
E. After touching a patient's intact skin
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: C. difficile produces spores that are NOT destroyed by alcohol-based hand
rubs. Soap and water mechanically removes spores from the hands. All other listed
situations are appropriate for alcohol-based hand rub use.
Question 2: Vital Signs Assessment
Q: The nurse is assessing a patient's vital signs. Which finding should be reported to the
healthcare provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
,D. Pulse rate of 78 beats per minute
E. Oxygen saturation of 97%
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min is significantly above the normal adult
range of 12-20 breaths/min. Tachypnea may indicate respiratory distress, infection, pain,
or metabolic acidosis, all requiring prompt provider notification.
Question 3: Ethical Principles
Q: The ethical principle that involves keeping promises and performing expected duties
is:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Veracity
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Fidelity means acting in ways that are loyal, keeping promises, doing what
is expected of you, performing your duties, and being trustworthy.
Question 4: Classification of Safety Events
Q: A serious error that results in a patient's death is classified as a:
A. Never miss event
B. Adverse event
C. Sentinel event
D. Near miss event
CORRECT ANSWER: C
,RATIONALE: A sentinel event is a serious error that results in patient death. A never
miss event is an error that could have caused harm but didn't, and an adverse event
results in moderate to severe harm.
Question 5: Pressure Injury Staging
Q: A patient is admitted with a pressure injury on the sacrum. The wound has full-
thickness tissue loss with visible bone. The nurse correctly documents this as which
stage?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
E. Unstageable
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Stage 4 pressure injuries involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposed or
directly palpable bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 3 involves full-thickness loss without
bone exposure. Unstageable wounds are covered by slough or eschar.
Question 6: Autonomic Nervous System
Q: The nurse is teaching a patient about the difference between the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems. Which response by the patient demonstrates
understanding?
A. "The parasympathetic system is responsible for my fight-or-flight response."
B. "The sympathetic system slows my heart rate during rest."
C. "The sympathetic system increases my heart rate during stress."
D. "The parasympathetic system increases my blood pressure when I exercise."
E. "Both systems work independently with no interaction."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
, RATIONALE: The sympathetic nervous system activates the "fight-or-flight" response,
increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The parasympathetic system
promotes "rest and digest" functions such as slowing the heart rate and stimulating
digestion.
Question 7: Documentation
Q: A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry best reflects proper
documentation?
A. "Patient seems to be in pain."
B. "Patient was uncomfortable this morning."
C. "Patient appeared restless and agitated."
D. "Patient rates pain as 7/10, states it is sharp and in the left lower abdomen."
E. "Nurse believes patient is exaggerating discomfort."
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Proper documentation is objective, factual, and uses the patient's own
words when possible. It should avoid subjective interpretations or judgments.
Question 8: Abdominal Assessment
Q: In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
E. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: The correct order for abdominal assessment is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, Palpation. This differs from other systems because palpation and percussion
can alter bowel sounds.
