BSN 225 HESI RN SPECIALTY FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2026–2027 | NIGHTINGALE UNIVERSITY
BSN 225 — HESI RN Specialty Fundamentals of Nursing
Original Comprehensive Practice Examination
100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Institution: Nightingale University
Course Code: BSN 225
Course: Fundamentals of Nursing
Exam Type: Comprehensive Practice Examination
Date: August 10, 2026
Prepared for: Nursing Student Exam Preparation
Important: This is an original educational practice examination.
Table of Contents
1. Nursing Foundations and Clinical Judgment — Questions 1–10
2. Safety and Infection Prevention — Questions 11–20
3. Health Assessment and Vital Signs — Questions 21–30
4. Medication Administration — Questions 31–40
5. Nutrition, Hydration, and Elimination — Questions 41–50
6. Mobility, Skin Integrity, and Wound Care — Questions 51–60
7. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Fundamentals — Questions 61–70
8. Neurologic, Sensory, and Musculoskeletal Care — Questions 71–80
9. Psychosocial, Communication, and Patient Education — Questions 81–90
10. Perioperative, Pain, and End-of-Life Care — Questions 91–100
Section I — Nursing Foundations and Clinical Judgment
,Question 1
A nurse begins caring for a newly admitted client. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Review the client's dietary preferences
B. Assess the client's airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Explain the hospital visiting policy
D. Complete the discharge planning form
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Initial nursing assessment prioritizes physiologic stability. Airway, breathing, and circulation are
immediate priorities because compromise in any of these areas can rapidly become life-
threatening. Administrative tasks and routine education can occur after immediate safety and
physiologic needs have been assessed.
Question 2
Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
A. Using the same teaching plan for every client
B. Allowing the client's preferences and values to influence the plan of care
C. Asking family members to make all health decisions
D. Completing care according to the nurse's preferred routine
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Patient-centered care recognizes the individual client's preferences, values, culture, needs, and
goals. Nursing care should be individualized rather than based solely on a standardized routine.
Question 3
A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client reporting new difficulty breathing
C. A client awaiting routine discharge instructions
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct answer: B
,Rationale:
New difficulty breathing can indicate an acute respiratory problem and takes priority over routine
comfort or administrative needs. The nurse should assess and intervene promptly.
Question 4
Which statement best describes the nursing process?
A. A fixed sequence that cannot be changed
B. A method used only when a client is admitted
C. A systematic approach for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care
D. A process performed exclusively by registered nurses
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
The nursing process provides a systematic framework for individualized nursing care.
Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation are interconnected and may
require repeated reassessment as the client's condition changes.
Question 5
A nurse documents that a client is “probably exaggerating the pain.” Which documentation
principle has been violated?
A. Objectivity
B. Timeliness
C. Confidentiality
D. Organization
Correct answer: A
Rationale:
Documentation should contain objective, factual observations and the client's reported
information rather than judgmental or unsupported conclusions. A nurse can document the
client's pain rating, description, and observed behaviors without labeling the client.
Question 6
Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up?
, A. Client reports mild fatigue after walking
B. Client reports sudden chest pressure
C. Client requests assistance adjusting the television
D. Client asks when lunch will arrive
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Sudden chest pressure may indicate an acute cardiovascular problem. Using priority frameworks
such as ABCs and acute-versus-chronic needs, potentially life-threatening symptoms require
immediate assessment.
Question 7
A nurse discovers an error in a paper medical record. What is the appropriate action?
A. Erase the entry completely
B. Cover the error with correction fluid
C. Follow facility policy for correcting documentation and preserve the original entry
D. Ask another nurse to rewrite the entry
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
Medical records are legal documents. Corrections should preserve the original information and
follow organizational policy. Altering or obscuring documentation can compromise record
integrity.
Question 8
Which action demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. Delegating initial nursing assessment to unlicensed personnel
B. Delegating a task without confirming the person's competency
C. Assigning an appropriate routine task while retaining accountability for nursing judgment
D. Delegating all care for a complex client
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
Delegation requires consideration of the task, client condition, circumstances, personnel
competency, and supervision. Nursing judgment and assessment generally remain the
responsibility of the licensed nurse.
NURSING PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2026–2027 | NIGHTINGALE UNIVERSITY
BSN 225 — HESI RN Specialty Fundamentals of Nursing
Original Comprehensive Practice Examination
100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Institution: Nightingale University
Course Code: BSN 225
Course: Fundamentals of Nursing
Exam Type: Comprehensive Practice Examination
Date: August 10, 2026
Prepared for: Nursing Student Exam Preparation
Important: This is an original educational practice examination.
Table of Contents
1. Nursing Foundations and Clinical Judgment — Questions 1–10
2. Safety and Infection Prevention — Questions 11–20
3. Health Assessment and Vital Signs — Questions 21–30
4. Medication Administration — Questions 31–40
5. Nutrition, Hydration, and Elimination — Questions 41–50
6. Mobility, Skin Integrity, and Wound Care — Questions 51–60
7. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Fundamentals — Questions 61–70
8. Neurologic, Sensory, and Musculoskeletal Care — Questions 71–80
9. Psychosocial, Communication, and Patient Education — Questions 81–90
10. Perioperative, Pain, and End-of-Life Care — Questions 91–100
Section I — Nursing Foundations and Clinical Judgment
,Question 1
A nurse begins caring for a newly admitted client. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Review the client's dietary preferences
B. Assess the client's airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Explain the hospital visiting policy
D. Complete the discharge planning form
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Initial nursing assessment prioritizes physiologic stability. Airway, breathing, and circulation are
immediate priorities because compromise in any of these areas can rapidly become life-
threatening. Administrative tasks and routine education can occur after immediate safety and
physiologic needs have been assessed.
Question 2
Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
A. Using the same teaching plan for every client
B. Allowing the client's preferences and values to influence the plan of care
C. Asking family members to make all health decisions
D. Completing care according to the nurse's preferred routine
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Patient-centered care recognizes the individual client's preferences, values, culture, needs, and
goals. Nursing care should be individualized rather than based solely on a standardized routine.
Question 3
A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client reporting new difficulty breathing
C. A client awaiting routine discharge instructions
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct answer: B
,Rationale:
New difficulty breathing can indicate an acute respiratory problem and takes priority over routine
comfort or administrative needs. The nurse should assess and intervene promptly.
Question 4
Which statement best describes the nursing process?
A. A fixed sequence that cannot be changed
B. A method used only when a client is admitted
C. A systematic approach for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care
D. A process performed exclusively by registered nurses
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
The nursing process provides a systematic framework for individualized nursing care.
Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation are interconnected and may
require repeated reassessment as the client's condition changes.
Question 5
A nurse documents that a client is “probably exaggerating the pain.” Which documentation
principle has been violated?
A. Objectivity
B. Timeliness
C. Confidentiality
D. Organization
Correct answer: A
Rationale:
Documentation should contain objective, factual observations and the client's reported
information rather than judgmental or unsupported conclusions. A nurse can document the
client's pain rating, description, and observed behaviors without labeling the client.
Question 6
Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up?
, A. Client reports mild fatigue after walking
B. Client reports sudden chest pressure
C. Client requests assistance adjusting the television
D. Client asks when lunch will arrive
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
Sudden chest pressure may indicate an acute cardiovascular problem. Using priority frameworks
such as ABCs and acute-versus-chronic needs, potentially life-threatening symptoms require
immediate assessment.
Question 7
A nurse discovers an error in a paper medical record. What is the appropriate action?
A. Erase the entry completely
B. Cover the error with correction fluid
C. Follow facility policy for correcting documentation and preserve the original entry
D. Ask another nurse to rewrite the entry
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
Medical records are legal documents. Corrections should preserve the original information and
follow organizational policy. Altering or obscuring documentation can compromise record
integrity.
Question 8
Which action demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. Delegating initial nursing assessment to unlicensed personnel
B. Delegating a task without confirming the person's competency
C. Assigning an appropriate routine task while retaining accountability for nursing judgment
D. Delegating all care for a complex client
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
Delegation requires consideration of the task, client condition, circumstances, personnel
competency, and supervision. Nursing judgment and assessment generally remain the
responsibility of the licensed nurse.
