WGU D442 – Basic Nursing Skills Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. Which action should the nurse perform first when entering a
patient's room to provide care?
A. Put on clean gloves
B. Check the patient's identification bracelet
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Raise the bed to waist level
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention for
preventing healthcare-associated infections. It should be performed
before and after every patient interaction, before donning gloves, after
glove removal, and whenever hands are visibly soiled or after contact
with contaminated surfaces. Proper hand hygiene protects both the
patient and healthcare provider.
2. Which patient identifier is considered acceptable when
administering medications?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Date of admission and physician's name
,C. Patient's full name and date of birth
D. Bed number and medical condition
Rationale: The Joint Commission recommends using at least two
approved patient identifiers before medication administration or any
procedure. A patient's full name and date of birth are commonly
accepted identifiers. Room numbers and diagnoses are not reliable
because patients may be transferred or share similar conditions.
3. Which vital sign is generally considered normal for a healthy adult
at rest?
A. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/minute
B. Pulse of 45 beats/minute
C. Blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Rationale: A body temperature of approximately 98.6°F (37°C) is
considered the average normal temperature, although slight variations
occur. Respiratory rates between 12 and 20 breaths/minute, pulse rates
between 60 and 100 beats/minute, and blood pressure below 120/80
mmHg are considered normal adult ranges.
4. Before performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse should first:
A. Open all sterile supplies.
B. Put on sterile gloves.
C. Perform hand hygiene and gather equipment.
D. Remove the old dressing with sterile gloves.
,Rationale: Hand hygiene and preparation of supplies occur before
initiating sterile technique. Organizing supplies beforehand minimizes
interruptions and reduces the risk of contaminating the sterile field
during the procedure.
5. Which pulse site is most appropriate during cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) for an adult?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Apical
D. Carotid
Rationale: During CPR, the carotid artery is the preferred pulse site in
adults because it is centrally located and remains palpable even during
low cardiac output. Peripheral pulses such as the radial may disappear
during hypotension or cardiac arrest.
6. Which nursing action best prevents pressure injuries?
A. Limiting fluid intake
B. Using donut-shaped cushions routinely
C. Repositioning immobile patients at least every two hours
D. Massaging reddened skin
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure over bony
prominences, improving tissue perfusion and decreasing the risk of
pressure injury. Massage over reddened skin is contraindicated because
it may worsen tissue damage.
, 7. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver approximately 60% to
95% oxygen when used correctly with an adequate oxygen flow rate. It
is commonly used for patients experiencing severe hypoxia requiring
high oxygen concentrations.
8. A patient reports pain rated 8 out of 10. What is the nurse's
priority?
A. Notify dietary services.
B. Reassess pain in one hour.
C. Assess the pain thoroughly and implement prescribed
interventions.
D. Encourage the patient to ignore the discomfort.
Rationale: Pain assessment includes location, quality, intensity, duration,
aggravating and relieving factors, and associated symptoms.
Appropriate interventions should follow assessment, and pain should be
reassessed afterward to determine effectiveness.
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. Which action should the nurse perform first when entering a
patient's room to provide care?
A. Put on clean gloves
B. Check the patient's identification bracelet
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Raise the bed to waist level
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention for
preventing healthcare-associated infections. It should be performed
before and after every patient interaction, before donning gloves, after
glove removal, and whenever hands are visibly soiled or after contact
with contaminated surfaces. Proper hand hygiene protects both the
patient and healthcare provider.
2. Which patient identifier is considered acceptable when
administering medications?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Date of admission and physician's name
,C. Patient's full name and date of birth
D. Bed number and medical condition
Rationale: The Joint Commission recommends using at least two
approved patient identifiers before medication administration or any
procedure. A patient's full name and date of birth are commonly
accepted identifiers. Room numbers and diagnoses are not reliable
because patients may be transferred or share similar conditions.
3. Which vital sign is generally considered normal for a healthy adult
at rest?
A. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/minute
B. Pulse of 45 beats/minute
C. Blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Rationale: A body temperature of approximately 98.6°F (37°C) is
considered the average normal temperature, although slight variations
occur. Respiratory rates between 12 and 20 breaths/minute, pulse rates
between 60 and 100 beats/minute, and blood pressure below 120/80
mmHg are considered normal adult ranges.
4. Before performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse should first:
A. Open all sterile supplies.
B. Put on sterile gloves.
C. Perform hand hygiene and gather equipment.
D. Remove the old dressing with sterile gloves.
,Rationale: Hand hygiene and preparation of supplies occur before
initiating sterile technique. Organizing supplies beforehand minimizes
interruptions and reduces the risk of contaminating the sterile field
during the procedure.
5. Which pulse site is most appropriate during cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) for an adult?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Apical
D. Carotid
Rationale: During CPR, the carotid artery is the preferred pulse site in
adults because it is centrally located and remains palpable even during
low cardiac output. Peripheral pulses such as the radial may disappear
during hypotension or cardiac arrest.
6. Which nursing action best prevents pressure injuries?
A. Limiting fluid intake
B. Using donut-shaped cushions routinely
C. Repositioning immobile patients at least every two hours
D. Massaging reddened skin
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure over bony
prominences, improving tissue perfusion and decreasing the risk of
pressure injury. Massage over reddened skin is contraindicated because
it may worsen tissue damage.
, 7. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver approximately 60% to
95% oxygen when used correctly with an adequate oxygen flow rate. It
is commonly used for patients experiencing severe hypoxia requiring
high oxygen concentrations.
8. A patient reports pain rated 8 out of 10. What is the nurse's
priority?
A. Notify dietary services.
B. Reassess pain in one hour.
C. Assess the pain thoroughly and implement prescribed
interventions.
D. Encourage the patient to ignore the discomfort.
Rationale: Pain assessment includes location, quality, intensity, duration,
aggravating and relieving factors, and associated symptoms.
Appropriate interventions should follow assessment, and pain should be
reassessed afterward to determine effectiveness.
