BSN Exam 3: OB, Peds, Mental Health, Community &
Ethics 2026|Galen College UPDATED ACTUAL Questions
and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. The nurse notes fetal
heart rate decelerations that begin after the peak of the contraction and return
to baseline after the contraction ends. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion.
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse.
C. Place the client in a lateral position.
D. Prepare for an immediate forceps delivery.
Answer: C
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority is to
improve oxygenation by turning the client to the side, increasing IV fluids, and stopping
oxytocin.
2. Which clinical finding should the nurse prioritize when assessing a patient
with suspected pre-eclampsia?
A. Proteinuria and blurred vision
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. 3+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in a week
Answer: A
Rationale: Proteinuria combined with central nervous system irritability (blurred vision,
headaches) are classic signs of pre-eclampsia that require immediate intervention.
,3. According to Erikson’s stages of development, what is the primary
developmental task for a 4-year-old child?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
Answer: D
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage, where they begin
to assert power and control through play and social interaction.
4. A 10-month-old infant is admitted with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Which isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet and Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: RSV is spread through direct contact with secretions and by large-particle
droplets; therefore, both droplet and contact precautions are recommended.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is tracking me through the
TV.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. I don’t see any FBI agents here; you are safe.
B. The TV is just a machine; it cannot track people.
C. Why would the FBI want to track you?
D. That sounds very frightening for you.
Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings (empathy) without validating the delusion
is the most therapeutic approach.
, 6. A nurse is teaching a community class about primary prevention. Which of
the following is an example of primary prevention?
A. Performing a scoliosis screening at a middle school
B. Leading a support group for breast cancer survivors
C. Providing physical therapy for a patient after a stroke
D. Administering the influenza vaccine to elderly residents
Answer: D
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing the disease or injury before it occurs,
such as through immunizations.
7. The ethical principle of ‘Beneficence’ is best described as:
A. The duty to do no harm.
B. The right to make one’s own decisions.
C. The fair distribution of resources.
D. The duty to act in the best interest of the patient.
Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the best interest
of the patient.
8. During a postpartum assessment, the nurse finds the fundus to be boggy and
displaced to the right. What is the first nursing action?
A. Massage the fundus until firm.
B. Assist the patient to the bathroom to void.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Administer oxytocin as ordered.
Answer: B
Rationale: A displaced fundus to the right usually indicates a full bladder. Assisting the
patient to void will allow the uterus to return to the midline and contract.
Ethics 2026|Galen College UPDATED ACTUAL Questions
and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. The nurse notes fetal
heart rate decelerations that begin after the peak of the contraction and return
to baseline after the contraction ends. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion.
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse.
C. Place the client in a lateral position.
D. Prepare for an immediate forceps delivery.
Answer: C
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority is to
improve oxygenation by turning the client to the side, increasing IV fluids, and stopping
oxytocin.
2. Which clinical finding should the nurse prioritize when assessing a patient
with suspected pre-eclampsia?
A. Proteinuria and blurred vision
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. 3+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in a week
Answer: A
Rationale: Proteinuria combined with central nervous system irritability (blurred vision,
headaches) are classic signs of pre-eclampsia that require immediate intervention.
,3. According to Erikson’s stages of development, what is the primary
developmental task for a 4-year-old child?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
Answer: D
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) are in the Initiative vs. Guilt stage, where they begin
to assert power and control through play and social interaction.
4. A 10-month-old infant is admitted with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Which isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet and Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: RSV is spread through direct contact with secretions and by large-particle
droplets; therefore, both droplet and contact precautions are recommended.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is tracking me through the
TV.’ Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. I don’t see any FBI agents here; you are safe.
B. The TV is just a machine; it cannot track people.
C. Why would the FBI want to track you?
D. That sounds very frightening for you.
Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings (empathy) without validating the delusion
is the most therapeutic approach.
, 6. A nurse is teaching a community class about primary prevention. Which of
the following is an example of primary prevention?
A. Performing a scoliosis screening at a middle school
B. Leading a support group for breast cancer survivors
C. Providing physical therapy for a patient after a stroke
D. Administering the influenza vaccine to elderly residents
Answer: D
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing the disease or injury before it occurs,
such as through immunizations.
7. The ethical principle of ‘Beneficence’ is best described as:
A. The duty to do no harm.
B. The right to make one’s own decisions.
C. The fair distribution of resources.
D. The duty to act in the best interest of the patient.
Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the best interest
of the patient.
8. During a postpartum assessment, the nurse finds the fundus to be boggy and
displaced to the right. What is the first nursing action?
A. Massage the fundus until firm.
B. Assist the patient to the bathroom to void.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Administer oxytocin as ordered.
Answer: B
Rationale: A displaced fundus to the right usually indicates a full bladder. Assisting the
patient to void will allow the uterus to return to the midline and contract.
