NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study
Guide 2026 GCU
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to move a client up in bed. Which principle of body mechanics should
the nurse implement?
A. Keep the knees straight and bend at the waist.
B. Work at the level of the bed by raising it to a comfortable height.
C. Position the feet close together to provide a narrow base.
D. Push the client rather than pulling to reduce strain.
Answer: B
Rationale: Raising the bed to a comfortable working height prevents back strain. Nurses should bend at the
knees, not the waist, and maintain a wide base of support. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. Which action is the priority when a nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Close all doors and windows to contain the fire.
C. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger.
D. Extinguish the fire using the nearest extinguisher.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE acronym, ‘R’ stands for Rescue. The first priority is the safety of the patient
in immediate danger. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. When is it most appropriate to use an alcohol-based
hand rub instead of soap and water?
A. When the hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.
B. After caring for a patient with a known Clostridium difficile infection.
C. Before eating or after using the restroom.
D. After removing gloves following routine patient contact.
Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective for routine decontamination unless hands are visibly soiled or
the patient has C. diff, which requires soap and water to wash away spores. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which assessment finding would lead the nurse to suspect a patient is experiencing
orthostatic hypotension?
A. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg while supine.
B. An increase in heart rate of 5 beats per minute upon sitting up.
C. A decrease in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when moving from lying to standing.
D. Patient reports feeling energized when getting out of bed.
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic BP of at
least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept
from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in
clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A patient is placed on Droplet Precautions. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is
required for a nurse entering the room?
A. N95 respirator
B. Surgical mask
C. Gown and gloves only
D. Goggles and shoe covers
Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions require the use of a standard surgical mask when within 3 to 6 feet of the
patient. N95 masks are for Airborne precautions. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
6. When assessing a patient’s radial pulse, the nurse notes it is irregular. What should the
nurse do next?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
B. Measure the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Document the pulse as ‘thready’.
D. Notify the physician immediately.
Answer: A
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be counted for a full 60 seconds to ensure
accuracy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study
Guide 2026 GCU
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to move a client up in bed. Which principle of body mechanics should
the nurse implement?
A. Keep the knees straight and bend at the waist.
B. Work at the level of the bed by raising it to a comfortable height.
C. Position the feet close together to provide a narrow base.
D. Push the client rather than pulling to reduce strain.
Answer: B
Rationale: Raising the bed to a comfortable working height prevents back strain. Nurses should bend at the
knees, not the waist, and maintain a wide base of support. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. Which action is the priority when a nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Close all doors and windows to contain the fire.
C. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger.
D. Extinguish the fire using the nearest extinguisher.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE acronym, ‘R’ stands for Rescue. The first priority is the safety of the patient
in immediate danger. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. When is it most appropriate to use an alcohol-based
hand rub instead of soap and water?
A. When the hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.
B. After caring for a patient with a known Clostridium difficile infection.
C. Before eating or after using the restroom.
D. After removing gloves following routine patient contact.
Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective for routine decontamination unless hands are visibly soiled or
the patient has C. diff, which requires soap and water to wash away spores. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 300 Exam 2 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which assessment finding would lead the nurse to suspect a patient is experiencing
orthostatic hypotension?
A. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg while supine.
B. An increase in heart rate of 5 beats per minute upon sitting up.
C. A decrease in systolic BP of 20 mmHg when moving from lying to standing.
D. Patient reports feeling energized when getting out of bed.
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic BP of at
least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept
from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in
clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A patient is placed on Droplet Precautions. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is
required for a nurse entering the room?
A. N95 respirator
B. Surgical mask
C. Gown and gloves only
D. Goggles and shoe covers
Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions require the use of a standard surgical mask when within 3 to 6 feet of the
patient. N95 masks are for Airborne precautions. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
6. When assessing a patient’s radial pulse, the nurse notes it is irregular. What should the
nurse do next?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
B. Measure the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Document the pulse as ‘thready’.
D. Notify the physician immediately.
Answer: A
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be counted for a full 60 seconds to ensure
accuracy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
