,TEST BANK FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION By Patricia A. Potter, Anne G. Perry,
Patricia A. Stockert, Amy Hall, Wendy R. Ostendorf
Updated for 2026/2027 Academic Year | 60 Questions Per Chapter | Complete Rationales
UNIT 1: NURSING AND THE HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 1: NURSING TODAY
60 Questions
1. A nurse is explaining the history of nursing to a group of nursing students. Which individual is credited
with establishing the first nursing school based on Nightingale's principles?
A) Clara Barton
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Dix
D) Lillian Wald
Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established the first nursing school based on her principles at St.
Thomas' Hospital in London in 1860. She is considered the founder of modern nursing and established
the foundation for nursing education and practice. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
Dorothea Dix was an advocate for the mentally ill. Lillian Wald founded public health nursing and the
Henry Street Settlement. This is a foundational historical concept that all nursing students must
understand to appreciate the profession's origins.
Incorrect Options:
A: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, not a nursing school.
C: Dorothea Dix was a mental health reformer.
D: Lillian Wald founded public health nursing.
2. A nurse is reviewing the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with a new graduate. Which statement best
describes the purpose of this code?
A) To provide a legal framework for nursing practice
B) To establish the standards of care for nursing
C) To serve as a guide for ethical decision-making in nursing
D) To define the scope of nursing practice
Answer: C
,Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses serves as a guide for ethical decision-making in nursing. It
provides a framework for nurses to make ethical decisions and to advocate for their patients. The code
is not a legal document, although it can be used in legal proceedings. Standards of care and the scope of
nursing practice are defined by other documents. The Code of Ethics is a critical component of
professional nursing practice.
Incorrect Options:
A: The Code of Ethics is not a legal document.
B: Standards of care are defined by professional organizations and regulatory bodies.
D: The scope of practice is defined by state nurse practice acts.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a prescribed medication. Which action by the nurse best
demonstrates the principle of "client autonomy"?
A) Administer the medication anyway because it is prescribed.
B) Explain the risks and benefits of the medication and respect the client's decision.
C) Ask the family to convince the client to take the medication.
D) Notify the provider and ask for a different medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Client autonomy is the right of the client to make their own decisions about their health care.
The nurse should provide the client with sufficient information about the risks and benefits of the
medication, respect the client's decision, and document the refusal and the interventions taken.
Administering the medication against the client's will is a violation of autonomy. Involving the family
may be appropriate but should not be used to coerce the client. Notifying the provider is appropriate
but does not address the principle of autonomy directly. This scenario demonstrates a core ethical
principle in nursing.
Incorrect Options:
A: This violates the client's right to autonomy.
C: This could constitute coercion and does not respect the client's autonomy.
D: This is appropriate but does not specifically demonstrate autonomy.
4. A nurse is discussing the role of the nurse in health promotion. Which activity is an example of
primary prevention?
A) Administering insulin to a client with diabetes
B) Teaching a community group about healthy eating and exercise
C) Performing a breast self-examination
D) Providing rehabilitation services to a client after a stroke
, Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention is aimed at preventing disease before it occurs. Teaching a community
group about healthy eating and exercise is an example of primary prevention. Administering insulin is an
example of tertiary prevention (managing an existing condition). Performing a breast self-examination is
an example of secondary prevention (early detection). Rehabilitation is an example of tertiary
prevention. Understanding the levels of prevention is essential for nursing practice.
Incorrect Options:
A: This is tertiary prevention.
C: This is secondary prevention.
D: This is tertiary prevention.
5. A nurse is providing care to a client from a culture different from their own. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Treating the client exactly the same as all other clients
B) Asking the client about their health beliefs and practices
C) Ignoring cultural differences to avoid offending the client
D) Assuming the client shares the nurse's cultural values
Answer: B
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing and respecting the cultural differences of clients
and incorporating their beliefs and practices into their care. Asking the client about their health beliefs
and practices is an example of cultural competence. Treating all clients the same ignores cultural
differences. Ignoring cultural differences is not culturally competent. Assuming the client shares the
nurse's values is stereotyping. Cultural competence is increasingly important in today's diverse
healthcare environment.
Incorrect Options:
A: This ignores cultural diversity.
C: This does not address cultural differences.
D: This is stereotyping, not cultural competence.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing pain. The nurse administers the prescribed pain
medication. This action is an example of which type of nursing intervention?
A) Independent intervention
B) Dependent intervention
C) Interdependent intervention
D) Collaborative intervention
Patricia A. Stockert, Amy Hall, Wendy R. Ostendorf
Updated for 2026/2027 Academic Year | 60 Questions Per Chapter | Complete Rationales
UNIT 1: NURSING AND THE HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 1: NURSING TODAY
60 Questions
1. A nurse is explaining the history of nursing to a group of nursing students. Which individual is credited
with establishing the first nursing school based on Nightingale's principles?
A) Clara Barton
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Dix
D) Lillian Wald
Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established the first nursing school based on her principles at St.
Thomas' Hospital in London in 1860. She is considered the founder of modern nursing and established
the foundation for nursing education and practice. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
Dorothea Dix was an advocate for the mentally ill. Lillian Wald founded public health nursing and the
Henry Street Settlement. This is a foundational historical concept that all nursing students must
understand to appreciate the profession's origins.
Incorrect Options:
A: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, not a nursing school.
C: Dorothea Dix was a mental health reformer.
D: Lillian Wald founded public health nursing.
2. A nurse is reviewing the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with a new graduate. Which statement best
describes the purpose of this code?
A) To provide a legal framework for nursing practice
B) To establish the standards of care for nursing
C) To serve as a guide for ethical decision-making in nursing
D) To define the scope of nursing practice
Answer: C
,Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses serves as a guide for ethical decision-making in nursing. It
provides a framework for nurses to make ethical decisions and to advocate for their patients. The code
is not a legal document, although it can be used in legal proceedings. Standards of care and the scope of
nursing practice are defined by other documents. The Code of Ethics is a critical component of
professional nursing practice.
Incorrect Options:
A: The Code of Ethics is not a legal document.
B: Standards of care are defined by professional organizations and regulatory bodies.
D: The scope of practice is defined by state nurse practice acts.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a prescribed medication. Which action by the nurse best
demonstrates the principle of "client autonomy"?
A) Administer the medication anyway because it is prescribed.
B) Explain the risks and benefits of the medication and respect the client's decision.
C) Ask the family to convince the client to take the medication.
D) Notify the provider and ask for a different medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Client autonomy is the right of the client to make their own decisions about their health care.
The nurse should provide the client with sufficient information about the risks and benefits of the
medication, respect the client's decision, and document the refusal and the interventions taken.
Administering the medication against the client's will is a violation of autonomy. Involving the family
may be appropriate but should not be used to coerce the client. Notifying the provider is appropriate
but does not address the principle of autonomy directly. This scenario demonstrates a core ethical
principle in nursing.
Incorrect Options:
A: This violates the client's right to autonomy.
C: This could constitute coercion and does not respect the client's autonomy.
D: This is appropriate but does not specifically demonstrate autonomy.
4. A nurse is discussing the role of the nurse in health promotion. Which activity is an example of
primary prevention?
A) Administering insulin to a client with diabetes
B) Teaching a community group about healthy eating and exercise
C) Performing a breast self-examination
D) Providing rehabilitation services to a client after a stroke
, Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention is aimed at preventing disease before it occurs. Teaching a community
group about healthy eating and exercise is an example of primary prevention. Administering insulin is an
example of tertiary prevention (managing an existing condition). Performing a breast self-examination is
an example of secondary prevention (early detection). Rehabilitation is an example of tertiary
prevention. Understanding the levels of prevention is essential for nursing practice.
Incorrect Options:
A: This is tertiary prevention.
C: This is secondary prevention.
D: This is tertiary prevention.
5. A nurse is providing care to a client from a culture different from their own. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Treating the client exactly the same as all other clients
B) Asking the client about their health beliefs and practices
C) Ignoring cultural differences to avoid offending the client
D) Assuming the client shares the nurse's cultural values
Answer: B
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing and respecting the cultural differences of clients
and incorporating their beliefs and practices into their care. Asking the client about their health beliefs
and practices is an example of cultural competence. Treating all clients the same ignores cultural
differences. Ignoring cultural differences is not culturally competent. Assuming the client shares the
nurse's values is stereotyping. Cultural competence is increasingly important in today's diverse
healthcare environment.
Incorrect Options:
A: This ignores cultural diversity.
C: This does not address cultural differences.
D: This is stereotyping, not cultural competence.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing pain. The nurse administers the prescribed pain
medication. This action is an example of which type of nursing intervention?
A) Independent intervention
B) Dependent intervention
C) Interdependent intervention
D) Collaborative intervention
