Nursing Fundamentals | Nightingale | Questions with Verified
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Cluster 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice & Professionalism
Q1: Florence Nightingale is often considered the founder of modern nursing. Which of her contributions
had the most direct impact on patient outcomes during the Crimean War?
A. Establishing the first nursing school in London.
B. Improving sanitation, ventilation, and nutrition in military hospitals, which dramatically reduced
mortality rates.
C. Writing the first nursing textbook on medical-surgical nursing.
D. Developing the theory of self-care deficit.
B. Improving sanitation, ventilation, and nutrition in military hospitals, which dramatically reduced
mortality rates. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best nursing action here is B because Nightingale's systematic environmental
improvements — clean water, proper ventilation, adequate food, and sanitation — reduced the
mortality rate from 42% to 2% in Scutari, demonstrating that the physical environment is a critical
determinant of health. This matches the Nightingale BSN 206 standard that nursing students should be
able to apply fundamental concepts in clinical situations.
Q2: A nursing student is caring for a patient who asks the student to look up their neighbor's medical
record because the neighbor was admitted to the same hospital. The student knows this would violate
HIPAA. Which response by the student is most appropriate?
A. "I can't do that because it's against hospital policy, but I can tell you generally how the hospital
works."
B. "I'm sorry, but I cannot access any medical record without a treatment relationship and a legitimate
need to know. Patient information is strictly confidential."
C. "I'll check quickly and not tell anyone I looked."
,D. "You should ask the charge nurse — they might be able to tell you something."
B. "I'm sorry, but I cannot access any medical record without a treatment relationship and a legitimate
need to know. Patient information is strictly confidential." [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best nursing action here is B because HIPAA protects patient health information from
unauthorized access — even looking at a record out of curiosity is a violation that can result in
termination and legal consequences, and the student must clearly communicate this boundary.
Remember that when caring for patients, the priority is always to protect confidentiality and maintain
professional boundaries.
Q3: A nurse is providing care to a patient who is a practicing Muslim and requests a same-gender nurse
for personal care. The unit is short-staffed and only has nurses of the opposite gender available. Which
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Tell the patient that staffing constraints make this impossible and proceed with care.
B. Arrange for a same-gender nurse from another unit if possible, or discuss acceptable alternatives with
the patient while respecting their religious and cultural preferences.
C. Ignore the request because all nurses are trained to provide culturally competent care regardless of
gender.
D. Document the patient's refusal of care and move on to the next patient.
B. Arrange for a same-gender nurse from another unit if possible, or discuss acceptable alternatives
with the patient while respecting their religious and cultural preferences. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best nursing action here is B because respecting a patient's religious and cultural
preferences is part of holistic, patient-centered care — making a reasonable effort to accommodate the
request, or collaboratively finding alternatives, demonstrates cultural humility and preserves the
therapeutic relationship. This choice is correct because it aligns with the principles of patient safety and
evidence-based practice.
Q4: According to the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, which statement best describes the nurse's primary
commitment?
A. To the employing hospital or healthcare organization.
, B. To the physician in charge of the patient's care.
C. To the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
D. To the nurse's own professional advancement and continuing education.
C. To the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's
primary commitment is to the patient — this foundational principle guides all nursing decisions and
takes precedence over institutional, physician, or personal interests. This matches the Nightingale BSN
206 standard that nursing students should be able to apply fundamental concepts in clinical situations.
Q5: A nurse is caring for a patient who is unconscious after a motor vehicle accident. The patient's
family is not present, and there is no advance directive or healthcare proxy on file. The physician orders
a blood transfusion, but the nurse is aware the patient is a Jehovah's Witness. Which action by the nurse
is most appropriate?
A. Administer the blood transfusion because the physician's order takes precedence when the patient
cannot consent.
B. Hold the transfusion and contact the hospital ethics committee and risk management to determine
the appropriate course of action.
C. Refuse to administer the transfusion and tell the physician to find another nurse.
D. Ask the family members, once they arrive, to make the decision regardless of the patient's known
beliefs.
B. Hold the transfusion and contact the hospital ethics committee and risk management to determine
the appropriate course of action. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best nursing action here is B because while the physician's order must be considered, the
nurse has an ethical obligation to advocate for the patient's known religious beliefs — involving ethics
and risk management ensures a multidisciplinary review of this complex situation. Remember that when
caring for patients, the priority is always to balance medical necessity with respect for autonomy and
previously expressed values.