NSG 310 EXAM 1 (GCU) EXAM 300 ACTUAL TESTBANK
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
The NSG 310 Exam at Grand Canyon University is a foundational nursing
assessment that evaluates students' understanding of core concepts essential
for professional nursing practice. The exam covers the nursing process, health
assessment, communication, legal and ethical principles, developmental
theories, cultural competence, and basic pathophysiology. It tests students on
their ability to apply critical thinking to patient scenarios, prioritize care, and
implement evidence-based interventions. Topics include infection control,
medication administration, patient safety, documentation, and common health
conditions across the lifespan. The exam prepares students for clinical
practice by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application,
ensuring competency in foundational nursing skills and clinical reasoning.
1. A nursing student is studying the nursing process. Which of the following
correctly lists the five steps of the nursing process in order?
A) Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order of the nursing process is Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This is a standardized framework that
guides nursing practice and ensures a systematic approach to patient care.
2. A nurse is performing a health history interview with a new client. Which of the
following techniques is most effective for obtaining comprehensive subjective
data?
A) Using closed-ended questions to obtain specific answers
B) Asking open-ended questions and using active listening
C) Interrupting the client to clarify details immediately
D) Limiting the interview to 10 minutes to avoid fatigue
,Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to share detailed
information, and active listening demonstrates respect and helps the nurse gather
comprehensive subjective data. Closed-ended questions limit responses,
interruptions can disrupt the client's thought process, and limiting time may
prevent full data collection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level using a 0-to-10 numeric rating scale.
The client reports a pain level of 7. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
B) Reassess the pain in 1 hour
C) Document the pain level in the chart
D) Ask the client to describe the quality and location of the pain
Answer: D
Rationale: A complete pain assessment includes location, quality, intensity, and
aggravating/relieving factors, so the nurse should ask for a full description before
administering medication or documenting. The nurse should not delay treatment,
but a full assessment is the priority.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports nausea. Which of
the following nursing actions is an example of an independent intervention?
A) Administering an antiemetic as prescribed
B) Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position
C) Notifying the provider of the client's symptoms
D) Requesting a dietary consult
Answer: B
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse can initiate
without a provider's order, such as positioning the client to promote comfort.
Administering medication requires an order, notifying the provider is a dependent
or collaborative action, and requesting a consult is collaborative.
5. A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize care for a client.
Which of the following client needs should the nurse address first?
A) The client's need for self-esteem
B) The client's need for social interaction
C) The client's need for adequate oxygenation
D) The client's need for a sense of belonging
Answer: C
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs, such as
oxygenation, breathing, circulation, and nutrition, as the most basic and essential
for survival. Self-esteem, social interaction, and belonging are higher-level needs
that are addressed after physiological needs are met.
6. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of techniques for a general abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
D) Auscultation, percussion, palpation, inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the correct order is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to prevent altering bowel sounds, and palpation is performed last to
avoid causing pain that could affect other findings.
7. A nurse is documenting care in the electronic health record. Which of the
following entries is an example of correct documentation?
A) "Client appears anxious and restless"
B) "Client stated, 'I feel like I can't catch my breath'"
C) "Client is having difficulty breathing"
D) "Client seems tired and weak"
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should include objective data and direct quotes from the
client when describing subjective symptoms. "Client stated, 'I feel like I can't catch
my breath'" is a direct quote and is appropriate. Terms like "appears" and "seems"
are vague and not objective.
8. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs and obtains a blood pressure of 148/92
mm Hg. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A) Document the finding and reassess in 4 hours
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Recheck the blood pressure using an appropriate-sized cuff
D) Administer antihypertensive medication
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first recheck the blood pressure using a correctly sized
cuff to ensure accuracy before any further action. Documenting without
rechecking, notifying the provider without confirmation, or administering
medication without a prescription are not appropriate first steps.
, 9. A nurse is teaching a client about the importance of hand hygiene. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should wash my hands for at least 10 seconds"
B) "I should use alcohol-based hand rub when my hands are visibly soiled"
C) "I should wash my hands before and after touching a wound"
D) "I only need to wash my hands after using the bathroom"
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after any contact with a
wound to prevent infection. Hand washing should be at least 20 seconds, alcohol-
based rub is not effective on visibly soiled hands, and hand hygiene is needed
before and after many activities, not just after toileting.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery.
Which of the following is the primary purpose of this restriction?
A) To prevent aspiration during anesthesia
B) To reduce the risk of postoperative nausea
C) To decrease the risk of hypoglycemia
D) To promote bowel rest
Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of NPO status before surgery is to reduce the risk
of aspiration of gastric contents during the induction of anesthesia. Reducing
postoperative nausea and promoting bowel rest are secondary or unrelated
considerations, and NPO can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, not decrease it.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's skin and notes a stage 2 pressure injury. Which
of the following findings is characteristic of a stage 2 pressure injury?
A) Full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone
B) Non-blanchable erythema over a bony prominence
C) Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
D) Intact skin with a bruise-like appearance
Answer: C
Rationale: A stage 2 pressure injury presents with partial-thickness skin loss with
exposed dermis, often appearing as a shallow open ulcer or intact/ruptured blister.
Full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone is stage 4, non-blanchable erythema is
stage 1, and a bruise-like appearance describes deep tissue pressure injury.
12. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for a walker. Which of the following instructions is correct?
A) Place the walker far in front of the body when walking
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
The NSG 310 Exam at Grand Canyon University is a foundational nursing
assessment that evaluates students' understanding of core concepts essential
for professional nursing practice. The exam covers the nursing process, health
assessment, communication, legal and ethical principles, developmental
theories, cultural competence, and basic pathophysiology. It tests students on
their ability to apply critical thinking to patient scenarios, prioritize care, and
implement evidence-based interventions. Topics include infection control,
medication administration, patient safety, documentation, and common health
conditions across the lifespan. The exam prepares students for clinical
practice by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application,
ensuring competency in foundational nursing skills and clinical reasoning.
1. A nursing student is studying the nursing process. Which of the following
correctly lists the five steps of the nursing process in order?
A) Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order of the nursing process is Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This is a standardized framework that
guides nursing practice and ensures a systematic approach to patient care.
2. A nurse is performing a health history interview with a new client. Which of the
following techniques is most effective for obtaining comprehensive subjective
data?
A) Using closed-ended questions to obtain specific answers
B) Asking open-ended questions and using active listening
C) Interrupting the client to clarify details immediately
D) Limiting the interview to 10 minutes to avoid fatigue
,Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to share detailed
information, and active listening demonstrates respect and helps the nurse gather
comprehensive subjective data. Closed-ended questions limit responses,
interruptions can disrupt the client's thought process, and limiting time may
prevent full data collection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level using a 0-to-10 numeric rating scale.
The client reports a pain level of 7. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
B) Reassess the pain in 1 hour
C) Document the pain level in the chart
D) Ask the client to describe the quality and location of the pain
Answer: D
Rationale: A complete pain assessment includes location, quality, intensity, and
aggravating/relieving factors, so the nurse should ask for a full description before
administering medication or documenting. The nurse should not delay treatment,
but a full assessment is the priority.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports nausea. Which of
the following nursing actions is an example of an independent intervention?
A) Administering an antiemetic as prescribed
B) Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position
C) Notifying the provider of the client's symptoms
D) Requesting a dietary consult
Answer: B
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse can initiate
without a provider's order, such as positioning the client to promote comfort.
Administering medication requires an order, notifying the provider is a dependent
or collaborative action, and requesting a consult is collaborative.
5. A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize care for a client.
Which of the following client needs should the nurse address first?
A) The client's need for self-esteem
B) The client's need for social interaction
C) The client's need for adequate oxygenation
D) The client's need for a sense of belonging
Answer: C
,Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs, such as
oxygenation, breathing, circulation, and nutrition, as the most basic and essential
for survival. Self-esteem, social interaction, and belonging are higher-level needs
that are addressed after physiological needs are met.
6. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of techniques for a general abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
D) Auscultation, percussion, palpation, inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the correct order is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to prevent altering bowel sounds, and palpation is performed last to
avoid causing pain that could affect other findings.
7. A nurse is documenting care in the electronic health record. Which of the
following entries is an example of correct documentation?
A) "Client appears anxious and restless"
B) "Client stated, 'I feel like I can't catch my breath'"
C) "Client is having difficulty breathing"
D) "Client seems tired and weak"
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should include objective data and direct quotes from the
client when describing subjective symptoms. "Client stated, 'I feel like I can't catch
my breath'" is a direct quote and is appropriate. Terms like "appears" and "seems"
are vague and not objective.
8. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs and obtains a blood pressure of 148/92
mm Hg. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A) Document the finding and reassess in 4 hours
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Recheck the blood pressure using an appropriate-sized cuff
D) Administer antihypertensive medication
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first recheck the blood pressure using a correctly sized
cuff to ensure accuracy before any further action. Documenting without
rechecking, notifying the provider without confirmation, or administering
medication without a prescription are not appropriate first steps.
, 9. A nurse is teaching a client about the importance of hand hygiene. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should wash my hands for at least 10 seconds"
B) "I should use alcohol-based hand rub when my hands are visibly soiled"
C) "I should wash my hands before and after touching a wound"
D) "I only need to wash my hands after using the bathroom"
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after any contact with a
wound to prevent infection. Hand washing should be at least 20 seconds, alcohol-
based rub is not effective on visibly soiled hands, and hand hygiene is needed
before and after many activities, not just after toileting.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery.
Which of the following is the primary purpose of this restriction?
A) To prevent aspiration during anesthesia
B) To reduce the risk of postoperative nausea
C) To decrease the risk of hypoglycemia
D) To promote bowel rest
Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of NPO status before surgery is to reduce the risk
of aspiration of gastric contents during the induction of anesthesia. Reducing
postoperative nausea and promoting bowel rest are secondary or unrelated
considerations, and NPO can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, not decrease it.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's skin and notes a stage 2 pressure injury. Which
of the following findings is characteristic of a stage 2 pressure injury?
A) Full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone
B) Non-blanchable erythema over a bony prominence
C) Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
D) Intact skin with a bruise-like appearance
Answer: C
Rationale: A stage 2 pressure injury presents with partial-thickness skin loss with
exposed dermis, often appearing as a shallow open ulcer or intact/ruptured blister.
Full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone is stage 4, non-blanchable erythema is
stage 1, and a bruise-like appearance describes deep tissue pressure injury.
12. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for a walker. Which of the following instructions is correct?
A) Place the walker far in front of the body when walking
