NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exa… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exam
(NCLEX-Style) 2026/2027 UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exa… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is conducting a physical assessment of an older adult patient. Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as an immediate concern?
A. A blood pressure reading of 150/90 mmHg
B. Unexplained weight loss of 5 lbs over two months
C. New onset of confusion and disorientation
D. Presence of dry skin on the lower extremities
Answer: C
Rationale: New onset confusion in an older adult is often a clinical indicator of acute illness, such as a
urinary tract infection or hypoxia, and requires immediate assessment. This is important because the
nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always
think about safety first when answering these questions. This knowledge supports safe care and helps
the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and
reduces anxiety.
2. When applying the nursing process, which action should the nurse perform first when a
patient reports sudden shortness of breath?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula
B. Elevate the head of the patient’s bed
C. Notify the primary healthcare provider immediately
D. Auscultate the patient’s lung sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the nursing process, assessment is the first step. The nurse must assess the
patient’s status (lung sounds, respiratory rate) to guide further interventions. Remembering this point
will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Clear understanding of this concept improves
both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to
lock the idea in place.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exa… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient with a large infected wound requires a dressing change. Which principle of
surgical asepsis must the nurse follow?
A. Keep the sterile field at least 6 inches away from the body
B. Wash hands with antimicrobial soap for at least 10 seconds
C. Consider the outer 1-inch border of the sterile field contaminated
D. Reach over the sterile field only when wearing sterile gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: In surgical asepsis, the edges of a sterile field (typically 1 inch or 2.5 cm) are considered
unsterile and contaminated. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse.
Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which
compensatory mechanism should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Retention of bicarbonate by the kidneys
B. Decreased urinary output
C. Slow, shallow breathing (hypoventilation)
D. Increased depth and rate of respirations
Answer: D
Rationale: Kussmaul’s respirations (deep, rapid breathing) are a compensatory mechanism to blow off
excess carbon dioxide and raise pH in metabolic acidosis. Exam questions often test whether you can
pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can
actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exam
(NCLEX-Style) 2026/2027 UPDATE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exa… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is conducting a physical assessment of an older adult patient. Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as an immediate concern?
A. A blood pressure reading of 150/90 mmHg
B. Unexplained weight loss of 5 lbs over two months
C. New onset of confusion and disorientation
D. Presence of dry skin on the lower extremities
Answer: C
Rationale: New onset confusion in an older adult is often a clinical indicator of acute illness, such as a
urinary tract infection or hypoxia, and requires immediate assessment. This is important because the
nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always
think about safety first when answering these questions. This knowledge supports safe care and helps
the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and
reduces anxiety.
2. When applying the nursing process, which action should the nurse perform first when a
patient reports sudden shortness of breath?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula
B. Elevate the head of the patient’s bed
C. Notify the primary healthcare provider immediately
D. Auscultate the patient’s lung sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the nursing process, assessment is the first step. The nurse must assess the
patient’s status (lung sounds, respiratory rate) to guide further interventions. Remembering this point
will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Clear understanding of this concept improves
both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to
lock the idea in place.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 114 Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive Exa… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient with a large infected wound requires a dressing change. Which principle of
surgical asepsis must the nurse follow?
A. Keep the sterile field at least 6 inches away from the body
B. Wash hands with antimicrobial soap for at least 10 seconds
C. Consider the outer 1-inch border of the sterile field contaminated
D. Reach over the sterile field only when wearing sterile gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: In surgical asepsis, the edges of a sterile field (typically 1 inch or 2.5 cm) are considered
unsterile and contaminated. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse.
Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which
compensatory mechanism should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Retention of bicarbonate by the kidneys
B. Decreased urinary output
C. Slow, shallow breathing (hypoventilation)
D. Increased depth and rate of respirations
Answer: D
Rationale: Kussmaul’s respirations (deep, rapid breathing) are a compensatory mechanism to blow off
excess carbon dioxide and raise pH in metabolic acidosis. Exam questions often test whether you can
pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can
actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
