KAPLAN NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains:
• Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
• Basic Nursing Skills and Interventions
• Patient Safety and Infection Control
• Medical-Surgical Nursing Foundations
• Mobility, Activity, and Immobility
• Nutrition, Hydration, and Elimination
• Comfort, Rest, and Sleep
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
• Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
• Perioperative Nursing and Wound Care
Introduction
This comprehensive fundamentals examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing student's foundational knowledge and clinical reasoning skills
essential for safe and effective patient care. The exam encompasses core
nursing concepts including the nursing process, basic interventions, safety
protocols, infection control, and professional standards. The structure
integrates multiple-choice questions and clinical scenario-based items to
assess the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world practice
,situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the
ability to prioritize nursing actions in diverse patient care settings. Candidates
are expected to demonstrate proficiency in performing basic nursing skills,
understanding legal and ethical responsibilities, communicating effectively
with patients and families, and delivering patient-centered, evidence-based
care. The exam emphasizes the integration of theory with practice and the
development of professional nursing competencies essential for entry into
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which action
should the nurse take first in the medication administration process?
A. Verify the patient's identification using two identifiers
B. Assess the patient's vital signs
C. Review the medication order
D. Check the patient's allergy status
C. Review the medication order
RATIONALE: The first step in the medication administration process is to
review the medication order to ensure it is complete, accurate, and
appropriate for the patient. This precedes verifying identity, assessing vital
signs, or checking allergies, as all those actions are dependent on knowing
what medication is being given.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a low-sodium diet.
Which food item should the nurse remove from the patient's breakfast tray?
A. Scrambled eggs
B. Fresh orange juice
C. Processed ham
D. Oatmeal
, C. Processed ham
RATIONALE: Processed meats such as ham are high in sodium due to the
curing and preservation process. Fresh fruits, eggs, and oatmeal are naturally
low in sodium and are appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST method. The patient
reports that the pain worsens when walking. Which component of the PQRST
method does this represent?
A. Provocation/Palliation
B. Quality
C. Region/Radiation
D. Severity
A. Provocation/Palliation
RATIONALE: The P in PQRST stands for Provocation or Palliation, which
identifies what makes the pain better or worse. The patient's statement that
walking worsens the pain describes a provoking factor for the pain.
Question 4
A patient is on bed rest after surgery. Which nursing intervention is most
effective in preventing pressure injuries?
A. Applying a moisture barrier
B. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours
C. Using an air-fluidized bed
D. Massaging bony prominences
B. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours
RATIONALE: Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours is the most
effective intervention to prevent pressure injuries. It relieves pressure on bony
prominences by redistributing the patient's weight. Massaging bony
prominences can cause tissue damage and is no longer recommended.
, Question 5
The nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter into a female patient. Which
action maintains sterile technique?
A. Placing the catheter kit on the patient's bed
B. Using clean gloves for the procedure
C. Creating a sterile field and using sterile gloves
D. Opening the sterile kit before applying sterile gloves
C. Creating a sterile field and using sterile gloves
RATIONALE: Foley catheter insertion is a sterile procedure that requires
the creation of a sterile field and the use of sterile gloves. The sterile kit
should be opened onto a clean, dry surface, and sterile gloves should be
applied after the kit is opened to maintain sterility.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a continuous tube feeding.
Which position should the patient be placed in to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine position
B. Prone position
C. Semi-Fowler's position
D. Trendelenburg position
C. Semi-Fowler's position
RATIONALE: Patients receiving tube feedings should be placed in the
Semi-Fowler's position (head of bed elevated 30-45 degrees) to reduce the risk
of aspiration. This position uses gravity to aid gastric emptying and prevents
reflux.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative and has a Jackson-Pratt
(JP) drain. Which action is appropriate when emptying the drain?
A. Empty the drain when it is completely full
B. Compress the bulb before closing the drainage port
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
• Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
• Basic Nursing Skills and Interventions
• Patient Safety and Infection Control
• Medical-Surgical Nursing Foundations
• Mobility, Activity, and Immobility
• Nutrition, Hydration, and Elimination
• Comfort, Rest, and Sleep
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
• Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
• Perioperative Nursing and Wound Care
Introduction
This comprehensive fundamentals examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing student's foundational knowledge and clinical reasoning skills
essential for safe and effective patient care. The exam encompasses core
nursing concepts including the nursing process, basic interventions, safety
protocols, infection control, and professional standards. The structure
integrates multiple-choice questions and clinical scenario-based items to
assess the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world practice
,situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the
ability to prioritize nursing actions in diverse patient care settings. Candidates
are expected to demonstrate proficiency in performing basic nursing skills,
understanding legal and ethical responsibilities, communicating effectively
with patients and families, and delivering patient-centered, evidence-based
care. The exam emphasizes the integration of theory with practice and the
development of professional nursing competencies essential for entry into
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which action
should the nurse take first in the medication administration process?
A. Verify the patient's identification using two identifiers
B. Assess the patient's vital signs
C. Review the medication order
D. Check the patient's allergy status
C. Review the medication order
RATIONALE: The first step in the medication administration process is to
review the medication order to ensure it is complete, accurate, and
appropriate for the patient. This precedes verifying identity, assessing vital
signs, or checking allergies, as all those actions are dependent on knowing
what medication is being given.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a low-sodium diet.
Which food item should the nurse remove from the patient's breakfast tray?
A. Scrambled eggs
B. Fresh orange juice
C. Processed ham
D. Oatmeal
, C. Processed ham
RATIONALE: Processed meats such as ham are high in sodium due to the
curing and preservation process. Fresh fruits, eggs, and oatmeal are naturally
low in sodium and are appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST method. The patient
reports that the pain worsens when walking. Which component of the PQRST
method does this represent?
A. Provocation/Palliation
B. Quality
C. Region/Radiation
D. Severity
A. Provocation/Palliation
RATIONALE: The P in PQRST stands for Provocation or Palliation, which
identifies what makes the pain better or worse. The patient's statement that
walking worsens the pain describes a provoking factor for the pain.
Question 4
A patient is on bed rest after surgery. Which nursing intervention is most
effective in preventing pressure injuries?
A. Applying a moisture barrier
B. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours
C. Using an air-fluidized bed
D. Massaging bony prominences
B. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours
RATIONALE: Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours is the most
effective intervention to prevent pressure injuries. It relieves pressure on bony
prominences by redistributing the patient's weight. Massaging bony
prominences can cause tissue damage and is no longer recommended.
, Question 5
The nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter into a female patient. Which
action maintains sterile technique?
A. Placing the catheter kit on the patient's bed
B. Using clean gloves for the procedure
C. Creating a sterile field and using sterile gloves
D. Opening the sterile kit before applying sterile gloves
C. Creating a sterile field and using sterile gloves
RATIONALE: Foley catheter insertion is a sterile procedure that requires
the creation of a sterile field and the use of sterile gloves. The sterile kit
should be opened onto a clean, dry surface, and sterile gloves should be
applied after the kit is opened to maintain sterility.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a continuous tube feeding.
Which position should the patient be placed in to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine position
B. Prone position
C. Semi-Fowler's position
D. Trendelenburg position
C. Semi-Fowler's position
RATIONALE: Patients receiving tube feedings should be placed in the
Semi-Fowler's position (head of bed elevated 30-45 degrees) to reduce the risk
of aspiration. This position uses gravity to aid gastric emptying and prevents
reflux.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative and has a Jackson-Pratt
(JP) drain. Which action is appropriate when emptying the drain?
A. Empty the drain when it is completely full
B. Compress the bulb before closing the drainage port
