NUR 203 MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE |
NEWLY UPDATED 2026/2027
CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS AND NURSING TODAY
1. Identify the contributions of ideas from Florence Nightingale to the nursing
profession (select all that apply).
• A) Improving basic hygiene
• B) Constructing hospitals
• C) Promoting immunizations
• D) Reforming nursing education
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Florence Nightingale made numerous contributions to nursing,
including improving basic hygiene and sanitation (A), constructing hospitals, and
reforming nursing education (D). She established the first nursing school (St.
Thomas' Hospital in London) and emphasized the importance of a clean
environment, fresh air, and proper nutrition. Promoting immunizations (C) was not
one of Nightingale's primary contributions. Her "Notes on Nursing" (1859) laid
the foundation for modern nursing practice and education.
2. What distinguishes nursing from medicine?
• A) Nursing is composed of women
• B) Holistic perspective of caring
• C) Concern with treatment of disease
• D) Dependent on the physician
,Correct Answer: B) Holistic perspective of caring
Rationale: Nursing is distinguished from medicine by its holistic perspective of
caring, which addresses the whole person—physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual needs. While medicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disease
(C), nursing focuses on the person's response to illness and the promotion of
health. Historically, nursing was composed primarily of women (A), but this is not
what distinguishes the profession. Nursing is a distinct profession, not dependent
on physicians (D), though nurses collaborate with physicians and other healthcare
professionals.
3. What is the purpose of nursing terminology and classification systems and
how do they benefit nursing? (select all that apply).
• A) To classify disease processes in nursing
• B) To compare clinical outcomes across settings
• C) To provide a common means of communication
• D) To manage information in an electronic format
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Nursing terminology and classification systems (such as NANDA,
NIC, NOC) serve several important purposes. They provide a common means of
communication (C) among nurses across different settings, allow comparison of
clinical outcomes (B), and facilitate management of information in electronic
health records (D). These systems are not primarily used to classify disease
processes (A)—that is the domain of medical classification systems like ICD.
Nursing classifications focus on nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes.
4. Why is the image of nursing important for nurses?
• A) Influences the attitudes of others about nursing
• B) Important to remain fashionable
• C) Influences the type of care provided
• D) Changes how nurses work in the hospital
, Correct Answer: A) Influences the attitudes of others about nursing
Rationale: The image of nursing is important because it influences the attitudes
of others about nursing (A). A positive image helps attract qualified individuals to
the profession, secures public trust, and affects policy decisions regarding nursing
practice and funding. The image of nursing is not about remaining fashionable (B),
nor does it directly change the type of care provided (C) or how nurses work in the
hospital (D). However, public perception can impact the profession's autonomy and
influence.
5. What is the difference between NIC and NOC?
• A) Nursing versus medical
• B) Interventions versus outcomes
• C) Positive versus negative changes
• D) Input versus output
Correct Answer: B) Interventions versus outcomes
Rationale: NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification) and NOC (Nursing
Outcomes Classification) are two standardized nursing classification systems. NIC
classifies nursing interventions—the actions nurses perform to promote health and
treat illness. NOC classifies nursing-sensitive outcomes—the measurable results of
nursing interventions. They are not nursing versus medical (A), positive versus
negative changes (C), or input versus output (D). NIC and NOC work together as
part of the nursing process to link interventions with expected outcomes.
CHAPTER 2: NURSING EDUCATION AND ROLES
6. Which of the following roles is considered an unlicensed assistive
personnel?
• A) LPN
• B) RN
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE |
NEWLY UPDATED 2026/2027
CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS AND NURSING TODAY
1. Identify the contributions of ideas from Florence Nightingale to the nursing
profession (select all that apply).
• A) Improving basic hygiene
• B) Constructing hospitals
• C) Promoting immunizations
• D) Reforming nursing education
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Florence Nightingale made numerous contributions to nursing,
including improving basic hygiene and sanitation (A), constructing hospitals, and
reforming nursing education (D). She established the first nursing school (St.
Thomas' Hospital in London) and emphasized the importance of a clean
environment, fresh air, and proper nutrition. Promoting immunizations (C) was not
one of Nightingale's primary contributions. Her "Notes on Nursing" (1859) laid
the foundation for modern nursing practice and education.
2. What distinguishes nursing from medicine?
• A) Nursing is composed of women
• B) Holistic perspective of caring
• C) Concern with treatment of disease
• D) Dependent on the physician
,Correct Answer: B) Holistic perspective of caring
Rationale: Nursing is distinguished from medicine by its holistic perspective of
caring, which addresses the whole person—physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual needs. While medicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disease
(C), nursing focuses on the person's response to illness and the promotion of
health. Historically, nursing was composed primarily of women (A), but this is not
what distinguishes the profession. Nursing is a distinct profession, not dependent
on physicians (D), though nurses collaborate with physicians and other healthcare
professionals.
3. What is the purpose of nursing terminology and classification systems and
how do they benefit nursing? (select all that apply).
• A) To classify disease processes in nursing
• B) To compare clinical outcomes across settings
• C) To provide a common means of communication
• D) To manage information in an electronic format
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Nursing terminology and classification systems (such as NANDA,
NIC, NOC) serve several important purposes. They provide a common means of
communication (C) among nurses across different settings, allow comparison of
clinical outcomes (B), and facilitate management of information in electronic
health records (D). These systems are not primarily used to classify disease
processes (A)—that is the domain of medical classification systems like ICD.
Nursing classifications focus on nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes.
4. Why is the image of nursing important for nurses?
• A) Influences the attitudes of others about nursing
• B) Important to remain fashionable
• C) Influences the type of care provided
• D) Changes how nurses work in the hospital
, Correct Answer: A) Influences the attitudes of others about nursing
Rationale: The image of nursing is important because it influences the attitudes
of others about nursing (A). A positive image helps attract qualified individuals to
the profession, secures public trust, and affects policy decisions regarding nursing
practice and funding. The image of nursing is not about remaining fashionable (B),
nor does it directly change the type of care provided (C) or how nurses work in the
hospital (D). However, public perception can impact the profession's autonomy and
influence.
5. What is the difference between NIC and NOC?
• A) Nursing versus medical
• B) Interventions versus outcomes
• C) Positive versus negative changes
• D) Input versus output
Correct Answer: B) Interventions versus outcomes
Rationale: NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification) and NOC (Nursing
Outcomes Classification) are two standardized nursing classification systems. NIC
classifies nursing interventions—the actions nurses perform to promote health and
treat illness. NOC classifies nursing-sensitive outcomes—the measurable results of
nursing interventions. They are not nursing versus medical (A), positive versus
negative changes (C), or input versus output (D). NIC and NOC work together as
part of the nursing process to link interventions with expected outcomes.
CHAPTER 2: NURSING EDUCATION AND ROLES
6. Which of the following roles is considered an unlicensed assistive
personnel?
• A) LPN
• B) RN