BSN | Advanced Nursing Fundamentals | Final Exam
Version 3 Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
2026/2027 Update UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical wound and notes drainage that is thin,
watery, and pale red to pink. Which term should the nurse use to document this
finding?
A. Serous
B. Sanguineous
C. Purulent
D. Serosanguineous
Answer: D
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is thin and watery, with a pale red to pink color,
representing a mixture of serum and red blood cells.
2. When evaluating a patient for hypokalemia, which of the following
electrocardiogram (ECG) changes should the nurse anticipate?
A. Presence of U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Widened QRS complex
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia typically causes flattened or inverted T waves and the appearance
of U waves on an ECG.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which
infection control measure is most critical for preventing transmission?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub after care
B. Wearing an N95 respirator mask
C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Keeping the door closed at all times
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers; mechanical friction with
soap and water is required to remove spores from the hands.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they keep a promise to
return to a patient’s room in 15 minutes to reassess pain?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Fidelity refers to the duty to be faithful to commitments and promises made to
others.
5. A patient has an order for 1,000 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline to infuse over 8
hours. At what rate should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 150 mL/hr
D. 80 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: 1,000 mL divided by 8 hours equals 125 mL per hour.
, 6. A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a patient with suspected fluid
volume deficit. Which finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Bounding radial pulse
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit (dehydration) leads to decreased circulating volume, which
often manifests as orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia.
7. Which of the following is the most reliable method for verifying the initial
placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube?
A. Auscultating air bolus over the epigastrium
B. Radiographic (X-ray) confirmation
C. Testing the pH of gastric aspirate
D. Observing the patient for coughing or choking
Answer: B
Rationale: X-ray is the gold standard and most reliable method for confirming correct NG
tube placement before starting feedings or medications.
8. A nurse observes a patient’s IV site is cool to the touch, swollen, and the
patient reports discomfort. Which complication does this suggest?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infection
C. Infiltration
D. Thrombosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Infiltration is characterized by coolness, swelling (edema), and pain at the IV
site due to fluid entering the surrounding tissue.
Version 3 Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
2026/2027 Update UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical wound and notes drainage that is thin,
watery, and pale red to pink. Which term should the nurse use to document this
finding?
A. Serous
B. Sanguineous
C. Purulent
D. Serosanguineous
Answer: D
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is thin and watery, with a pale red to pink color,
representing a mixture of serum and red blood cells.
2. When evaluating a patient for hypokalemia, which of the following
electrocardiogram (ECG) changes should the nurse anticipate?
A. Presence of U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Widened QRS complex
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia typically causes flattened or inverted T waves and the appearance
of U waves on an ECG.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Which
infection control measure is most critical for preventing transmission?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub after care
B. Wearing an N95 respirator mask
C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Keeping the door closed at all times
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers; mechanical friction with
soap and water is required to remove spores from the hands.
4. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they keep a promise to
return to a patient’s room in 15 minutes to reassess pain?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Fidelity refers to the duty to be faithful to commitments and promises made to
others.
5. A patient has an order for 1,000 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline to infuse over 8
hours. At what rate should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 150 mL/hr
D. 80 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: 1,000 mL divided by 8 hours equals 125 mL per hour.
, 6. A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a patient with suspected fluid
volume deficit. Which finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Bounding radial pulse
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit (dehydration) leads to decreased circulating volume, which
often manifests as orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia.
7. Which of the following is the most reliable method for verifying the initial
placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube?
A. Auscultating air bolus over the epigastrium
B. Radiographic (X-ray) confirmation
C. Testing the pH of gastric aspirate
D. Observing the patient for coughing or choking
Answer: B
Rationale: X-ray is the gold standard and most reliable method for confirming correct NG
tube placement before starting feedings or medications.
8. A nurse observes a patient’s IV site is cool to the touch, swollen, and the
patient reports discomfort. Which complication does this suggest?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infection
C. Infiltration
D. Thrombosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Infiltration is characterized by coolness, swelling (edema), and pain at the IV
site due to fluid entering the surrounding tissue.
