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FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER,
PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL, OSTENDORF EXAM 2026 LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027 EDITION
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER, PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL,
OSTENDORF)
EXAMINATION
Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: NURSING PROFESSION & HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is explaining to a student that nursing is considered a profession. Which
statement best supports this classification?
• A) Nursing focuses primarily on task completion
• B) Nursing has a defined body of knowledge and a code of ethics
• C) Nursing requires minimal formal education
• D) Nursing activities are directed only by physicians
• E) Nursing is a vocational occupation
Rationale: A profession is characterized by a specialized body of knowledge, standards
of practice, and a code of ethics. Nursing meets these criteria. Task-oriented work does
not define a profession; professional nursing requires formal education; and nursing is
an autonomous and collaborative discipline, not solely physician-directed .
2. A nursing instructor asks students to identify a historical figure who improved
sanitation and reduced mortality rates in hospitals. Which response is correct?
• A) Clara Barton
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• B) Dorothea Dix
• C) Lillian Wald
• D) Florence Nightingale
• E) Mary Mahoney
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is recognized as the founder of modern nursing. During
the Crimean War, she significantly reduced mortality rates by implementing sanitation
improvements. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, Dorothea Dix advocated
for mental health reform, and Lillian Wald is known for public health nursing .
3. A nurse is discussing current trends in nursing. Which statement reflects an
accurate trend?
• A) Decreased use of technology in care delivery
• B) Increased emphasis on community-based care
• C) Reduced focus on evidence-based practice
• D) Elimination of interprofessional collaboration
• E) Focus solely on hospital-based care
Rationale: There is a growing emphasis on community-based and preventive care.
Technology use is increasing; evidence-based practice is expanding; and
interprofessional collaboration is a key trend in modern healthcare .
4. A newly licensed RN asks about appropriate tasks for delegation. Which task is
most appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
• A) Assessing a patient's pain level
• B) Developing a nursing care plan
• C) Measuring and recording vital signs
• D) Evaluating patient outcomes
• E) Administering oral medications
Rationale: Measuring vital signs is within the UAP scope when the patient is stable.
Assessment, care planning, evaluation, and medication administration require nursing
judgment and must be performed by the RN .
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5. A nursing student asks about the purpose of licensure. What is the best
response?
• A) To promote hospital revenue
• B) To ensure minimum competency for safe practice
• C) To eliminate the need for continuing education
• D) To allow nurses to work without supervision
• E) To increase nursing salaries
Rationale: Licensure protects the public by ensuring nurses meet minimum
competency standards for safe practice. Licensure is not financial, does not eliminate
continuing education requirements, and does not allow independent practice without
collaboration .
6. A nurse is practicing within the scope of professional nursing. Which action
reflects this?
• A) Following physician orders without question
• B) Using clinical judgment to prioritize patient care
• C) Delegating all tasks to assistive personnel
• D) Avoiding patient education responsibilities
• E) Performing only tasks assigned by physicians
Rationale: Professional nursing involves critical thinking and clinical judgment to
prioritize patient care. Nurses must question unsafe orders, maintain responsibility for
delegation, and provide patient education .
7. Which organization provides standards for nursing practice and a code of ethics?
• A) National League for Nursing (NLN)
• B) American Nurses Association (ANA)
• C) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• D) The Joint Commission
• E) American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER,
PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL, OSTENDORF EXAM 2026 LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027 EDITION
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER, PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL,
OSTENDORF)
EXAMINATION
Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: NURSING PROFESSION & HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is explaining to a student that nursing is considered a profession. Which
statement best supports this classification?
• A) Nursing focuses primarily on task completion
• B) Nursing has a defined body of knowledge and a code of ethics
• C) Nursing requires minimal formal education
• D) Nursing activities are directed only by physicians
• E) Nursing is a vocational occupation
Rationale: A profession is characterized by a specialized body of knowledge, standards
of practice, and a code of ethics. Nursing meets these criteria. Task-oriented work does
not define a profession; professional nursing requires formal education; and nursing is
an autonomous and collaborative discipline, not solely physician-directed .
2. A nursing instructor asks students to identify a historical figure who improved
sanitation and reduced mortality rates in hospitals. Which response is correct?
• A) Clara Barton
, Page 2 of 24
• B) Dorothea Dix
• C) Lillian Wald
• D) Florence Nightingale
• E) Mary Mahoney
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is recognized as the founder of modern nursing. During
the Crimean War, she significantly reduced mortality rates by implementing sanitation
improvements. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, Dorothea Dix advocated
for mental health reform, and Lillian Wald is known for public health nursing .
3. A nurse is discussing current trends in nursing. Which statement reflects an
accurate trend?
• A) Decreased use of technology in care delivery
• B) Increased emphasis on community-based care
• C) Reduced focus on evidence-based practice
• D) Elimination of interprofessional collaboration
• E) Focus solely on hospital-based care
Rationale: There is a growing emphasis on community-based and preventive care.
Technology use is increasing; evidence-based practice is expanding; and
interprofessional collaboration is a key trend in modern healthcare .
4. A newly licensed RN asks about appropriate tasks for delegation. Which task is
most appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
• A) Assessing a patient's pain level
• B) Developing a nursing care plan
• C) Measuring and recording vital signs
• D) Evaluating patient outcomes
• E) Administering oral medications
Rationale: Measuring vital signs is within the UAP scope when the patient is stable.
Assessment, care planning, evaluation, and medication administration require nursing
judgment and must be performed by the RN .
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5. A nursing student asks about the purpose of licensure. What is the best
response?
• A) To promote hospital revenue
• B) To ensure minimum competency for safe practice
• C) To eliminate the need for continuing education
• D) To allow nurses to work without supervision
• E) To increase nursing salaries
Rationale: Licensure protects the public by ensuring nurses meet minimum
competency standards for safe practice. Licensure is not financial, does not eliminate
continuing education requirements, and does not allow independent practice without
collaboration .
6. A nurse is practicing within the scope of professional nursing. Which action
reflects this?
• A) Following physician orders without question
• B) Using clinical judgment to prioritize patient care
• C) Delegating all tasks to assistive personnel
• D) Avoiding patient education responsibilities
• E) Performing only tasks assigned by physicians
Rationale: Professional nursing involves critical thinking and clinical judgment to
prioritize patient care. Nurses must question unsafe orders, maintain responsibility for
delegation, and provide patient education .
7. Which organization provides standards for nursing practice and a code of ethics?
• A) National League for Nursing (NLN)
• B) American Nurses Association (ANA)
• C) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• D) The Joint Commission
• E) American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
