NU 136 Exam 2 Fundamentals of Nursing (PDF) | (2026/2027) Practice
Questions | Galen
Practice Questions With Answers & Detailed Rationales Latest
2026/2027 Update
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a high risk for falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Keep the patient's personal items within reach
B. Raise all four side rails
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate independently
Correct Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Rationale:
Keeping the bed low reduces the distance a patient could fall. Other safety measures include
keeping the call light within reach, ensuring adequate lighting, and assisting with ambulation as
indicated. Raising all four side rails can constitute a restraint and is not routinely appropriate.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which action is most important
for preventing a medication error?
A. Ask another patient to confirm the medication
B. Compare the medication with the medication administration record
C. Prepare medications for several patients simultaneously
,D. Leave prepared medications unattended
Correct Answer: B. Compare the medication with the medication administration record
Rationale:
The nurse should carefully compare the medication with the medication administration record
and verify the required medication rights and patient identifiers. Medications should be
prepared and administered safely and should not be left unattended.
3. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min in an adult
B. Oxygen saturation of 98% in a healthy adult
C. New onset difficulty breathing
D. Pulse of 78/min
Correct Answer: C. New onset difficulty breathing
Rationale:
New respiratory difficulty can indicate an acute compromise in oxygenation and requires
prompt assessment and intervention. The other findings are generally within expected adult
ranges when considered in isolation.
4. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing only when hands appear visibly dirty
B. Cleaning hands before and after appropriate patient contact
,C. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Using the same gloves between patients
Correct Answer: B. Cleaning hands before and after appropriate patient contact
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene and should be changed appropriately
between patients and procedures.
5. A nurse needs to move a patient from the bed to a wheelchair. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Ask the patient to stand immediately
C. Remove the patient's footwear
D. Pull the patient by the arms
Correct Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale:
The wheelchair should be positioned safely and its brakes locked before the transfer begins. The
nurse should also assess the patient's mobility, explain the procedure, use appropriate body
mechanics, and obtain assistance when needed.
6. Which patient statement demonstrates correct understanding of incentive spirometer use?
, A. "I should breathe out forcefully into the device."
B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
C. "I should use it only when I feel short of breath."
D. "I should breathe rapidly into the device."
Correct Answer: B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale:
An incentive spirometer encourages slow, sustained deep inhalation to promote lung expansion
and help prevent complications such as atelectasis.
7. Which nursing action follows principles of medical asepsis?
A. Reusing contaminated equipment between patients
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Placing contaminated supplies on a clean surface
D. Touching sterile supplies with contaminated gloves
Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale:
Medical asepsis aims to reduce the number and transmission of microorganisms. Hand hygiene
is a fundamental component of this practice.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which question is most appropriate?
A. "Your pain isn't very severe, is it?"
Questions | Galen
Practice Questions With Answers & Detailed Rationales Latest
2026/2027 Update
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a high risk for falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Keep the patient's personal items within reach
B. Raise all four side rails
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate independently
Correct Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Rationale:
Keeping the bed low reduces the distance a patient could fall. Other safety measures include
keeping the call light within reach, ensuring adequate lighting, and assisting with ambulation as
indicated. Raising all four side rails can constitute a restraint and is not routinely appropriate.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which action is most important
for preventing a medication error?
A. Ask another patient to confirm the medication
B. Compare the medication with the medication administration record
C. Prepare medications for several patients simultaneously
,D. Leave prepared medications unattended
Correct Answer: B. Compare the medication with the medication administration record
Rationale:
The nurse should carefully compare the medication with the medication administration record
and verify the required medication rights and patient identifiers. Medications should be
prepared and administered safely and should not be left unattended.
3. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min in an adult
B. Oxygen saturation of 98% in a healthy adult
C. New onset difficulty breathing
D. Pulse of 78/min
Correct Answer: C. New onset difficulty breathing
Rationale:
New respiratory difficulty can indicate an acute compromise in oxygenation and requires
prompt assessment and intervention. The other findings are generally within expected adult
ranges when considered in isolation.
4. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing only when hands appear visibly dirty
B. Cleaning hands before and after appropriate patient contact
,C. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Using the same gloves between patients
Correct Answer: B. Cleaning hands before and after appropriate patient contact
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene and should be changed appropriately
between patients and procedures.
5. A nurse needs to move a patient from the bed to a wheelchair. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Ask the patient to stand immediately
C. Remove the patient's footwear
D. Pull the patient by the arms
Correct Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale:
The wheelchair should be positioned safely and its brakes locked before the transfer begins. The
nurse should also assess the patient's mobility, explain the procedure, use appropriate body
mechanics, and obtain assistance when needed.
6. Which patient statement demonstrates correct understanding of incentive spirometer use?
, A. "I should breathe out forcefully into the device."
B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
C. "I should use it only when I feel short of breath."
D. "I should breathe rapidly into the device."
Correct Answer: B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale:
An incentive spirometer encourages slow, sustained deep inhalation to promote lung expansion
and help prevent complications such as atelectasis.
7. Which nursing action follows principles of medical asepsis?
A. Reusing contaminated equipment between patients
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Placing contaminated supplies on a clean surface
D. Touching sterile supplies with contaminated gloves
Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale:
Medical asepsis aims to reduce the number and transmission of microorganisms. Hand hygiene
is a fundamental component of this practice.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which question is most appropriate?
A. "Your pain isn't very severe, is it?"
