MDC 1 Final Exam Practice (150
Questions)
Instructions
This comprehensive practice exam covers all major topics from MDC
1. Select the best answer for each question. Rationales are provided
for both correct and incorrect answers.
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
(Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain at 8/10. Which
intervention should the nurse implement FIRST?
● A) Administer prescribed analgesic medication
● B) Perform a comprehensive pain assessment
● C) Apply a heating pad to the painful area
● D) Distract the patient with television
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process requires assessment FIRST before any
intervention. The nurse must gather data about the pain (location,
quality, characteristics, aggravating/alleviating factors) before
implementing interventions. Administering medication without proper
assessment could be dangerous. Heat may be contraindicated
depending on the cause of pain. Distraction is an adjunct therapy, not
a primary intervention.
,2. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which action demonstrates
correct technique?
● A) Using hot water to increase effectiveness
● B) Rubbing hands together for at least 15-20 seconds
● C) Drying hands with a cloth towel
● D) Applying soap after wetting hands
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends rubbing hands together with soap for
at least 15-20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of
microorganisms. Hot water can dry and damage skin. Cloth towels
can harbor bacteria; paper towels should be used. Soap should be
applied to dry hands, then water added.
3. Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for developing a pressure injury?
● A) A 45-year-old with a fractured leg
● B) A 70-year-old who is incontinent and bedridden
● C) A 30-year-old with hypertension
● D) A 55-year-old with diabetes who ambulates daily
Answer: B
Rationale: The 70-year-old bedridden patient with incontinence has
multiple risk factors: immobility, moisture from incontinence,
advanced age, and decreased tissue perfusion. The patient with a
fractured leg may have limited mobility but can still reposition.
Hypertension alone doesn't increase pressure injury risk significantly.
The ambulatory patient with diabetes has lower risk with regular
movement.
,4. A nurse is teaching a patient about fall prevention. Which statement
indicates understanding?
● A) "I should keep my room dark to save energy"
● B) "I will call for help before getting up"
● C) "I can walk without my nonslip socks"
● D) "I should keep my walker far from the bed"
Answer: B
Rationale: Calling for assistance before getting up is crucial for fall
prevention. The room should have adequate lighting. Nonslip socks or
footwear should be worn at all times. Mobility aids should be kept
within reach, not far from the bed.
5. Which finding indicates a stage 2 pressure injury?
● A) Non-blanchable redness over bony prominence
● B) Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
● C) Full-thickness skin loss with visible fat
● D) Unstageable due to eschar coverage
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness
skin loss with exposed dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer
with red-pink wound bed. Stage 1 shows non-blanchable redness.
Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss with visible fat. Stage 4 has
exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Unstageable has eschar or slough
covering the wound.
, 6. A nurse is calculating a patient's intake. The patient drank 240 mL
of juice, 120 mL of soup, and 180 mL of water. What is the total intake
in mL?
● A) 440 mL
● B) 540 mL
● C) 640 mL
● D) 740 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Total intake = 240 mL + 120 mL + 180 mL = 540 mL. All
fluids, including soups and juice, count toward intake. 240 + 120 =
360; 360 + 180 = 540 mL. Options A, C, and D reflect mathematical
errors.
7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action maintains sterile technique?
● A) Opening the sterile kit with gloved hands
● B) Using clean gloves to handle the catheter
● C) Keeping the catheter in the sterile field
● D) Touching the catheter tip with ungloved fingers
Answer: C
Rationale: The catheter must remain in the sterile field to maintain
sterility. The sterile kit should be opened with ungloved hands, then
sterile gloves applied. Clean gloves are insufficient for catheter
insertion. The catheter tip should NEVER be touched with ungloved
fingers.
Questions)
Instructions
This comprehensive practice exam covers all major topics from MDC
1. Select the best answer for each question. Rationales are provided
for both correct and incorrect answers.
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
(Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain at 8/10. Which
intervention should the nurse implement FIRST?
● A) Administer prescribed analgesic medication
● B) Perform a comprehensive pain assessment
● C) Apply a heating pad to the painful area
● D) Distract the patient with television
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process requires assessment FIRST before any
intervention. The nurse must gather data about the pain (location,
quality, characteristics, aggravating/alleviating factors) before
implementing interventions. Administering medication without proper
assessment could be dangerous. Heat may be contraindicated
depending on the cause of pain. Distraction is an adjunct therapy, not
a primary intervention.
,2. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which action demonstrates
correct technique?
● A) Using hot water to increase effectiveness
● B) Rubbing hands together for at least 15-20 seconds
● C) Drying hands with a cloth towel
● D) Applying soap after wetting hands
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends rubbing hands together with soap for
at least 15-20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of
microorganisms. Hot water can dry and damage skin. Cloth towels
can harbor bacteria; paper towels should be used. Soap should be
applied to dry hands, then water added.
3. Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for developing a pressure injury?
● A) A 45-year-old with a fractured leg
● B) A 70-year-old who is incontinent and bedridden
● C) A 30-year-old with hypertension
● D) A 55-year-old with diabetes who ambulates daily
Answer: B
Rationale: The 70-year-old bedridden patient with incontinence has
multiple risk factors: immobility, moisture from incontinence,
advanced age, and decreased tissue perfusion. The patient with a
fractured leg may have limited mobility but can still reposition.
Hypertension alone doesn't increase pressure injury risk significantly.
The ambulatory patient with diabetes has lower risk with regular
movement.
,4. A nurse is teaching a patient about fall prevention. Which statement
indicates understanding?
● A) "I should keep my room dark to save energy"
● B) "I will call for help before getting up"
● C) "I can walk without my nonslip socks"
● D) "I should keep my walker far from the bed"
Answer: B
Rationale: Calling for assistance before getting up is crucial for fall
prevention. The room should have adequate lighting. Nonslip socks or
footwear should be worn at all times. Mobility aids should be kept
within reach, not far from the bed.
5. Which finding indicates a stage 2 pressure injury?
● A) Non-blanchable redness over bony prominence
● B) Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
● C) Full-thickness skin loss with visible fat
● D) Unstageable due to eschar coverage
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness
skin loss with exposed dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer
with red-pink wound bed. Stage 1 shows non-blanchable redness.
Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss with visible fat. Stage 4 has
exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Unstageable has eschar or slough
covering the wound.
, 6. A nurse is calculating a patient's intake. The patient drank 240 mL
of juice, 120 mL of soup, and 180 mL of water. What is the total intake
in mL?
● A) 440 mL
● B) 540 mL
● C) 640 mL
● D) 740 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Total intake = 240 mL + 120 mL + 180 mL = 540 mL. All
fluids, including soups and juice, count toward intake. 240 + 120 =
360; 360 + 180 = 540 mL. Options A, C, and D reflect mathematical
errors.
7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action maintains sterile technique?
● A) Opening the sterile kit with gloved hands
● B) Using clean gloves to handle the catheter
● C) Keeping the catheter in the sterile field
● D) Touching the catheter tip with ungloved fingers
Answer: C
Rationale: The catheter must remain in the sterile field to maintain
sterility. The sterile kit should be opened with ungloved hands, then
sterile gloves applied. Clean gloves are insufficient for catheter
insertion. The catheter tip should NEVER be touched with ungloved
fingers.
