NSG 3100 Exam 2 – Fundamental Concepts & Skills for
Nursing Practice I Galen College of Nursing – 2026/2027
Update 3 versions
Complete -Question Test Bank | 100% Verified Questions &
Answers | Grade A
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient who reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. The
nurse administers morphine 2 mg IV. Thirty minutes later, the patient reports a pain
level of 4. The nurse documents this as:
A) A therapeutic response to the medication
B) An adverse reaction to the medication
C) An allergic response to the medication
D) A need for a higher dose
Answer: A
Rationale: A therapeutic response is the desired positive effect of a medication. The pain
score decreased from 8 to 4, indicating the morphine was effective. The nurse should
continue to monitor the patient's pain and respiratory status. Reassessment should be
done at the peak effect of the medication (usually 30-60 minutes for IV morphine).
Question 2:
A nurse is preparing to administer an insulin injection. Which of the following is the
correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection in a patient with average body
weight?
A) 5-degree angle
B) 15-degree angle
,C) 45-degree angle
D) 90-degree angle
Answer: C
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections in a patient with average body weight, a 45-degree
angle is recommended. In patients with adequate subcutaneous tissue, a 90-degree angle
may be used (for overweight patients). The 5- to 15-degree angle is used for intradermal
injections.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has an order for a 24-hour urine collection. The nurse
should begin the collection by:
A) Discarding the first void and timing from that point
B) Saving the first void and discarding the last void
C) Saving all voided urine for 24 hours starting immediately
D) Discarding all urine for the first 12 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: The 24-hour urine collection begins after the patient voids and that first void is
discarded. The time of the discarded void is the start time. All subsequent urine for the
next 24 hours is collected. The last void at the end of 24 hours is included in the specimen.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a patient's pupillary response. Which of the following describes a
normal pupillary reaction?
A) Pupils equal, round, reactive to light, and accommodation (PERRLA)
B) Pupils unequal, fixed, and dilated
C) Pupils constricted to 1 mm bilaterally
D) Pupils dilated and nonreactive to light
Answer: A
Rationale: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light, and Accommodation.
This is a normal pupillary response. Unequal, fixed, dilated, or constricted pupils indicate
,neurological impairment. Pupils that are pinpoint (1-2 mm) may indicate narcotic use or
pontine hemorrhage.
Question 5:
A nurse is providing care to a patient with a central venous catheter. The patient
develops fever, chills, and hypotension. The nurse should suspect:
A) Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)
B) Fluid volume overload
C) Anaphylaxis
D) Pulmonary embolism
Answer: A
Rationale: Fever, chills, and hypotension in a patient with a central line are signs of a
catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The nurse should notify the provider,
obtain blood cultures, and initiate the sepsis protocol. The central line may need to be
removed. This is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention.
Question 6:
A nurse is administering an IM injection using the Z-track technique. The Z-track
method is used to:
A) Administer medication into the subcutaneous tissue
B) Prevent medication leakage into subcutaneous tissue and reduce irritation
C) Increase absorption of medication
D) Decrease pain during injection
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method is used for IM injections to seal medication in the muscle
and prevent it from tracking back into subcutaneous tissue, which can cause irritation and
staining. It is recommended for medications that are irritating (e.g., iron dextran). The skin
is pulled laterally, the injection is given, and the skin is released after withdrawal.
, Question 7:
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory status. The patient has a respiratory rate of 6
breaths per minute. The nurse should:
A) Document this as normal
B) Apply oxygen and notify the provider immediately
C) Increase the patient's fluid intake
D) Position the patient in a supine position
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute is bradypnea and indicates
respiratory depression. The nurse should apply oxygen, assess the patient's level of
consciousness, and notify the provider immediately. The patient may require naloxone if
opioid-induced respiratory depression is suspected.
Question 8:
A nurse is preparing to irrigate a patient's wound. The nurse should use which solution?
A) Hydrogen peroxide
B) Povidone-iodine
C) Normal saline
D) Alcohol
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal saline is the preferred solution for wound irrigation because it is
isotonic and non-toxic to tissues. Hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, and alcohol are
cytotoxic and can damage healthy granulation tissue. They may be used for specific
purposes but are not the first choice for routine irrigation.
Question 9:
A nurse is assessing a patient's stool. The stool is black, tarry, and has a foul odor. The
nurse should document this as:
A) Melena
B) Hematochezia
Nursing Practice I Galen College of Nursing – 2026/2027
Update 3 versions
Complete -Question Test Bank | 100% Verified Questions &
Answers | Grade A
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient who reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. The
nurse administers morphine 2 mg IV. Thirty minutes later, the patient reports a pain
level of 4. The nurse documents this as:
A) A therapeutic response to the medication
B) An adverse reaction to the medication
C) An allergic response to the medication
D) A need for a higher dose
Answer: A
Rationale: A therapeutic response is the desired positive effect of a medication. The pain
score decreased from 8 to 4, indicating the morphine was effective. The nurse should
continue to monitor the patient's pain and respiratory status. Reassessment should be
done at the peak effect of the medication (usually 30-60 minutes for IV morphine).
Question 2:
A nurse is preparing to administer an insulin injection. Which of the following is the
correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection in a patient with average body
weight?
A) 5-degree angle
B) 15-degree angle
,C) 45-degree angle
D) 90-degree angle
Answer: C
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections in a patient with average body weight, a 45-degree
angle is recommended. In patients with adequate subcutaneous tissue, a 90-degree angle
may be used (for overweight patients). The 5- to 15-degree angle is used for intradermal
injections.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has an order for a 24-hour urine collection. The nurse
should begin the collection by:
A) Discarding the first void and timing from that point
B) Saving the first void and discarding the last void
C) Saving all voided urine for 24 hours starting immediately
D) Discarding all urine for the first 12 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: The 24-hour urine collection begins after the patient voids and that first void is
discarded. The time of the discarded void is the start time. All subsequent urine for the
next 24 hours is collected. The last void at the end of 24 hours is included in the specimen.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a patient's pupillary response. Which of the following describes a
normal pupillary reaction?
A) Pupils equal, round, reactive to light, and accommodation (PERRLA)
B) Pupils unequal, fixed, and dilated
C) Pupils constricted to 1 mm bilaterally
D) Pupils dilated and nonreactive to light
Answer: A
Rationale: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light, and Accommodation.
This is a normal pupillary response. Unequal, fixed, dilated, or constricted pupils indicate
,neurological impairment. Pupils that are pinpoint (1-2 mm) may indicate narcotic use or
pontine hemorrhage.
Question 5:
A nurse is providing care to a patient with a central venous catheter. The patient
develops fever, chills, and hypotension. The nurse should suspect:
A) Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)
B) Fluid volume overload
C) Anaphylaxis
D) Pulmonary embolism
Answer: A
Rationale: Fever, chills, and hypotension in a patient with a central line are signs of a
catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The nurse should notify the provider,
obtain blood cultures, and initiate the sepsis protocol. The central line may need to be
removed. This is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention.
Question 6:
A nurse is administering an IM injection using the Z-track technique. The Z-track
method is used to:
A) Administer medication into the subcutaneous tissue
B) Prevent medication leakage into subcutaneous tissue and reduce irritation
C) Increase absorption of medication
D) Decrease pain during injection
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method is used for IM injections to seal medication in the muscle
and prevent it from tracking back into subcutaneous tissue, which can cause irritation and
staining. It is recommended for medications that are irritating (e.g., iron dextran). The skin
is pulled laterally, the injection is given, and the skin is released after withdrawal.
, Question 7:
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory status. The patient has a respiratory rate of 6
breaths per minute. The nurse should:
A) Document this as normal
B) Apply oxygen and notify the provider immediately
C) Increase the patient's fluid intake
D) Position the patient in a supine position
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute is bradypnea and indicates
respiratory depression. The nurse should apply oxygen, assess the patient's level of
consciousness, and notify the provider immediately. The patient may require naloxone if
opioid-induced respiratory depression is suspected.
Question 8:
A nurse is preparing to irrigate a patient's wound. The nurse should use which solution?
A) Hydrogen peroxide
B) Povidone-iodine
C) Normal saline
D) Alcohol
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal saline is the preferred solution for wound irrigation because it is
isotonic and non-toxic to tissues. Hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, and alcohol are
cytotoxic and can damage healthy granulation tissue. They may be used for specific
purposes but are not the first choice for routine irrigation.
Question 9:
A nurse is assessing a patient's stool. The stool is black, tarry, and has a foul odor. The
nurse should document this as:
A) Melena
B) Hematochezia
