NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
NU 136
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
COMPLETE REVIEW & STUDY GUIDE
EXAMS 1 – 4 | 300+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Covers:
Foundations of Nursing Practice • Nursing Theory, Communication & Legal/Ethical Issues
Safety & Infection Control • Asepsis, Patient Safety, Hygiene & Wound Care
Physiological Basic Needs • Mobility, Nutrition, Elimination & Oxygenation
Advanced Care Concepts • Medications, Fluid & Electrolytes, Perioperative & End-of-Life Care
Format: Multiple Choice • Select-All-That-Apply • Fill-in-the-Blank
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale.
Original study content prepared for independent exam review.
Page 1
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exam 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice ........................... 76 questions
Exam 2: Safety & Infection Control ........................... 75 questions
Exam 3: Physiological Basic Needs ........................... 76 questions
Exam 4: Advanced Care Concepts ........................... 75 questions
How to use this guide:
• Work through each exam section in order, covering the answer box before attempting each question.
• Pay close attention to rationales — understanding WHY an answer is correct builds true comprehension, not just
memorization.
• Use the Select-All-That-Apply questions to sharpen critical thinking; these mirror the format used on the NCLEX.
• Review missed questions a second time after completing each section before moving to the next exam.
Page 2
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
Nursing Theory • Health & Illness • Communication • Documentation • Vital Signs
Q1. Which nursing theorist is best known for the concept of 'self-care deficit' theory? [Multiple Choice]
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Jean Watson
Answer: Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory holds that nursing care becomes necessary when a person cannot meet their
own self-care needs. Nightingale focused on environment, Henderson on 14 basic needs, and Watson on caring science.
Q2. Florence Nightingale's primary contribution to nursing practice centered on which concept? [Multiple Choice]
A. Environmental theory (sanitation, ventilation, light)
B. Self-care deficit theory
C. Adaptation model
D. Caring science
Answer: Environmental theory (sanitation, ventilation, light)
Rationale: Nightingale believed that manipulating the patient's environment — clean air, light, warmth, and sanitation
— was central to promoting healing.
Q3. According to Virginia Henderson, the nurse's unique function is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery that they would perform unaided if they had the
necessary _______, will, or _______. [Fill-in-the-Blank]
Answer: strength; knowledge
Rationale: Henderson defined nursing as assisting individuals when they lack strength, will, or knowledge to
independently meet their needs, with the goal of fostering independence as rapidly as possible.
Q4. A nurse categorizes a patient's need for oxygen as taking priority over the need for social interaction. This
prioritization reflects application of: [Multiple Choice]
A. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B. Erikson's stages of development
C. Kübler-Ross stages of grief
D. Piaget's cognitive theory
Answer: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Page 3
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygen, food, water) above safety, love/belonging,
esteem, and self-actualization needs.
Q5. Which of the following are physiological needs according to Maslow's Hierarchy? Select all that apply. [Select
All That Apply]
A. Oxygen
B. Fluids
C. Sense of belonging
D. Elimination
E. Self-esteem
F. Rest and sleep
Answer: Oxygen, Fluids, Elimination, Rest and sleep
Rationale: Physiological needs form the base of Maslow's pyramid and include oxygen, fluids, nutrition, elimination,
temperature regulation, and rest/sleep. Belonging and self-esteem are higher-level psychosocial needs.
Q6. A patient states, 'I feel like my illness is a punishment for something I did.' The nurse's most therapeutic
response is: [Multiple Choice]
A. 'Tell me more about what you're feeling.'
B. 'That's not true, illness isn't a punishment.'
C. 'Have you talked to a chaplain about this?'
D. 'Many patients feel this way at first.'
Answer: 'Tell me more about what you're feeling.'
Rationale: This open-ended response uses the therapeutic communication technique of exploring, allowing the patient
to elaborate on their feelings without the nurse imposing judgment or minimizing the concern.
Q7. Which communication technique involves the nurse repeating or restating the main idea of what the patient
said? [Multiple Choice]
A. Restating
B. Reflecting
C. Focusing
D. Clarifying
Answer: Restating
Rationale: Restating repeats the patient's own main idea back to them, confirming the nurse heard them and
encouraging further discussion. Reflecting directs feelings/questions back to the patient.
Q8. A nurse says to a patient, 'You seem angry about your diagnosis.' This is an example of which therapeutic
technique? [Multiple Choice]
A. Reflecting
B. Restating
Page 4
NU 136
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
COMPLETE REVIEW & STUDY GUIDE
EXAMS 1 – 4 | 300+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
Covers:
Foundations of Nursing Practice • Nursing Theory, Communication & Legal/Ethical Issues
Safety & Infection Control • Asepsis, Patient Safety, Hygiene & Wound Care
Physiological Basic Needs • Mobility, Nutrition, Elimination & Oxygenation
Advanced Care Concepts • Medications, Fluid & Electrolytes, Perioperative & End-of-Life Care
Format: Multiple Choice • Select-All-That-Apply • Fill-in-the-Blank
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale.
Original study content prepared for independent exam review.
Page 1
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exam 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice ........................... 76 questions
Exam 2: Safety & Infection Control ........................... 75 questions
Exam 3: Physiological Basic Needs ........................... 76 questions
Exam 4: Advanced Care Concepts ........................... 75 questions
How to use this guide:
• Work through each exam section in order, covering the answer box before attempting each question.
• Pay close attention to rationales — understanding WHY an answer is correct builds true comprehension, not just
memorization.
• Use the Select-All-That-Apply questions to sharpen critical thinking; these mirror the format used on the NCLEX.
• Review missed questions a second time after completing each section before moving to the next exam.
Page 2
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
Nursing Theory • Health & Illness • Communication • Documentation • Vital Signs
Q1. Which nursing theorist is best known for the concept of 'self-care deficit' theory? [Multiple Choice]
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Jean Watson
Answer: Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory holds that nursing care becomes necessary when a person cannot meet their
own self-care needs. Nightingale focused on environment, Henderson on 14 basic needs, and Watson on caring science.
Q2. Florence Nightingale's primary contribution to nursing practice centered on which concept? [Multiple Choice]
A. Environmental theory (sanitation, ventilation, light)
B. Self-care deficit theory
C. Adaptation model
D. Caring science
Answer: Environmental theory (sanitation, ventilation, light)
Rationale: Nightingale believed that manipulating the patient's environment — clean air, light, warmth, and sanitation
— was central to promoting healing.
Q3. According to Virginia Henderson, the nurse's unique function is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of activities contributing to health or its recovery that they would perform unaided if they had the
necessary _______, will, or _______. [Fill-in-the-Blank]
Answer: strength; knowledge
Rationale: Henderson defined nursing as assisting individuals when they lack strength, will, or knowledge to
independently meet their needs, with the goal of fostering independence as rapidly as possible.
Q4. A nurse categorizes a patient's need for oxygen as taking priority over the need for social interaction. This
prioritization reflects application of: [Multiple Choice]
A. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B. Erikson's stages of development
C. Kübler-Ross stages of grief
D. Piaget's cognitive theory
Answer: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Page 3
, NU 136 – Fundamentals of Nursing Study Guide
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygen, food, water) above safety, love/belonging,
esteem, and self-actualization needs.
Q5. Which of the following are physiological needs according to Maslow's Hierarchy? Select all that apply. [Select
All That Apply]
A. Oxygen
B. Fluids
C. Sense of belonging
D. Elimination
E. Self-esteem
F. Rest and sleep
Answer: Oxygen, Fluids, Elimination, Rest and sleep
Rationale: Physiological needs form the base of Maslow's pyramid and include oxygen, fluids, nutrition, elimination,
temperature regulation, and rest/sleep. Belonging and self-esteem are higher-level psychosocial needs.
Q6. A patient states, 'I feel like my illness is a punishment for something I did.' The nurse's most therapeutic
response is: [Multiple Choice]
A. 'Tell me more about what you're feeling.'
B. 'That's not true, illness isn't a punishment.'
C. 'Have you talked to a chaplain about this?'
D. 'Many patients feel this way at first.'
Answer: 'Tell me more about what you're feeling.'
Rationale: This open-ended response uses the therapeutic communication technique of exploring, allowing the patient
to elaborate on their feelings without the nurse imposing judgment or minimizing the concern.
Q7. Which communication technique involves the nurse repeating or restating the main idea of what the patient
said? [Multiple Choice]
A. Restating
B. Reflecting
C. Focusing
D. Clarifying
Answer: Restating
Rationale: Restating repeats the patient's own main idea back to them, confirming the nurse heard them and
encouraging further discussion. Reflecting directs feelings/questions back to the patient.
Q8. A nurse says to a patient, 'You seem angry about your diagnosis.' This is an example of which therapeutic
technique? [Multiple Choice]
A. Reflecting
B. Restating
Page 4
