,NSG3130/NSG 3130 Exam 2 | Fundamental Concepts &
Skills II | Galen College | 2026/2027 Updated (PDF)
1. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who will use a cane for the first time. Which
finding indicates that the cane has been fitted correctly for the patient?
A) The arm holding the cane is flexed at a 40-degree angle
B) The top of the cane is at the level of the greater trochanter
C) There is a 1.5-inch gap between the top of the cane and the axillae
D) The patient's wrist is below the top of the cane when the arm is dangling
Correct Answer: The top of the cane is at the level of the greater trochanter
Rationale: The top of the cane should align with the greater trochanter or the crease of the wrist
when the arm dangles. A 15- to 30-degree elbow flexion is correct, not 40 degrees. The axillae
measurement applies to crutches, not canes. Proper fit prevents falls and promotes effective weight-
bearing.
2. A patient will be using a walker for the first time. The nurse evaluates that the walker is properly
fitted when which finding is observed?
A) The patient's elbows are fully extended when holding the hand grips
B) The patient's elbows bend at approximately a 15- to 30-degree angle when holding the hand grips
C) The crossbar of the walker is even with the patient's umbilicus
D) There is a 2- to 3-finger width distance between the hand grips and the patient's wrists
Correct Answer: The patient's elbows bend at approximately a 15- to 30-degree angle when holding
the hand grips
Rationale: Proper walker fit is demonstrated by slight elbow flexion of 15 to 30 degrees when the
patient holds the hand grips. Full extension indicates the walker is too low, while excessive flexion
suggests it is too high. The other options do not represent correct walker fit criteria.
,3. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a two-point gait with crutches. Which description
correctly represents this gait pattern?
A) The patient moves the right crutch and left foot forward together, then the left crutch and right
foot together
B) The patient moves both crutches forward, then swings both legs past the crutches
C) The patient moves the right crutch, left foot, left crutch, and right foot in sequence
D) The patient moves both crutches and one foot forward, then repeats with the other foot
Correct Answer: The patient moves the right crutch and left foot forward together, then the left crutch
and right foot together
Rationale: The two-point gait involves moving a crutch and the opposite foot forward simultaneously,
resembling a natural walking pattern. This gait requires partial weight-bearing on both lower
extremities. The other options describe three-point, swing-to, or four-point gaits, respectively.
4. A patient is prescribed to use crutches with a swing-to gait. The nurse correctly describes this gait as
which of the following?
A) The patient advances both crutches, then lifts and swings both legs forward to the level of the
crutches
B) The patient advances both crutches, then swings both legs forward beyond the crutches
C) The patient moves one crutch, then the opposite foot, then the other crutch, then the remaining
foot
D) The patient moves the right crutch and left foot, then the left crutch and right foot
Correct Answer: The patient advances both crutches, then lifts and swings both legs forward to the
level of the crutches
Rationale: In a swing-to gait, the patient moves both crutches forward, then swings both legs to the
same level as the crutches. This is used for patients with partial weight-bearing ability. Swinging
beyond the crutches describes the swing-through gait, and the other options describe four-point and
two-point gaits.
, 5. A patient is learning to use crutches and asks the nurse why weight should not be placed on the
axillae. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Placing weight on the axillae can damage the brachial plexus nerves"
B) "Axillary weight-bearing causes muscle atrophy in the shoulders"
C) "The axillae are too sensitive for weight bearing during ambulation"
D) "Weight on the axillae will make the crutches slip during use"
Correct Answer: "Placing weight on the axillae can damage the brachial plexus nerves"
Rationale: Weight bearing on the axillae can compress the brachial plexus, leading to nerve damage
known as crutch palsy. Proper crutch use requires weight bearing through the hands, with a 2- to 3-
finger width gap between the axillae and the crutch rest pads. The other responses are inaccurate or
incomplete explanations.
6. The nurse is preparing a patient for an elective surgical procedure. Which action is most important
to reduce the risk of a surgical site infection?
A) Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
B) Shave the surgical site the night before the procedure
C) Ask the patient to shower with chlorhexidine on the morning of surgery
D) Ensure the patient remains NPO for 8 hours before surgery
Correct Answer: Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
Rationale: Preoperative antibiotics given within 60 minutes of incision are the most effective
intervention to reduce surgical site infections. Shaving the night before increases infection risk
(clippers are preferred). Chlorhexidine showering is beneficial but less critical than timely antibiotics.
7. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Check the patient's temperature
B) Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
C) Assess the patient's pain level
Skills II | Galen College | 2026/2027 Updated (PDF)
1. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who will use a cane for the first time. Which
finding indicates that the cane has been fitted correctly for the patient?
A) The arm holding the cane is flexed at a 40-degree angle
B) The top of the cane is at the level of the greater trochanter
C) There is a 1.5-inch gap between the top of the cane and the axillae
D) The patient's wrist is below the top of the cane when the arm is dangling
Correct Answer: The top of the cane is at the level of the greater trochanter
Rationale: The top of the cane should align with the greater trochanter or the crease of the wrist
when the arm dangles. A 15- to 30-degree elbow flexion is correct, not 40 degrees. The axillae
measurement applies to crutches, not canes. Proper fit prevents falls and promotes effective weight-
bearing.
2. A patient will be using a walker for the first time. The nurse evaluates that the walker is properly
fitted when which finding is observed?
A) The patient's elbows are fully extended when holding the hand grips
B) The patient's elbows bend at approximately a 15- to 30-degree angle when holding the hand grips
C) The crossbar of the walker is even with the patient's umbilicus
D) There is a 2- to 3-finger width distance between the hand grips and the patient's wrists
Correct Answer: The patient's elbows bend at approximately a 15- to 30-degree angle when holding
the hand grips
Rationale: Proper walker fit is demonstrated by slight elbow flexion of 15 to 30 degrees when the
patient holds the hand grips. Full extension indicates the walker is too low, while excessive flexion
suggests it is too high. The other options do not represent correct walker fit criteria.
,3. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a two-point gait with crutches. Which description
correctly represents this gait pattern?
A) The patient moves the right crutch and left foot forward together, then the left crutch and right
foot together
B) The patient moves both crutches forward, then swings both legs past the crutches
C) The patient moves the right crutch, left foot, left crutch, and right foot in sequence
D) The patient moves both crutches and one foot forward, then repeats with the other foot
Correct Answer: The patient moves the right crutch and left foot forward together, then the left crutch
and right foot together
Rationale: The two-point gait involves moving a crutch and the opposite foot forward simultaneously,
resembling a natural walking pattern. This gait requires partial weight-bearing on both lower
extremities. The other options describe three-point, swing-to, or four-point gaits, respectively.
4. A patient is prescribed to use crutches with a swing-to gait. The nurse correctly describes this gait as
which of the following?
A) The patient advances both crutches, then lifts and swings both legs forward to the level of the
crutches
B) The patient advances both crutches, then swings both legs forward beyond the crutches
C) The patient moves one crutch, then the opposite foot, then the other crutch, then the remaining
foot
D) The patient moves the right crutch and left foot, then the left crutch and right foot
Correct Answer: The patient advances both crutches, then lifts and swings both legs forward to the
level of the crutches
Rationale: In a swing-to gait, the patient moves both crutches forward, then swings both legs to the
same level as the crutches. This is used for patients with partial weight-bearing ability. Swinging
beyond the crutches describes the swing-through gait, and the other options describe four-point and
two-point gaits.
, 5. A patient is learning to use crutches and asks the nurse why weight should not be placed on the
axillae. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Placing weight on the axillae can damage the brachial plexus nerves"
B) "Axillary weight-bearing causes muscle atrophy in the shoulders"
C) "The axillae are too sensitive for weight bearing during ambulation"
D) "Weight on the axillae will make the crutches slip during use"
Correct Answer: "Placing weight on the axillae can damage the brachial plexus nerves"
Rationale: Weight bearing on the axillae can compress the brachial plexus, leading to nerve damage
known as crutch palsy. Proper crutch use requires weight bearing through the hands, with a 2- to 3-
finger width gap between the axillae and the crutch rest pads. The other responses are inaccurate or
incomplete explanations.
6. The nurse is preparing a patient for an elective surgical procedure. Which action is most important
to reduce the risk of a surgical site infection?
A) Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
B) Shave the surgical site the night before the procedure
C) Ask the patient to shower with chlorhexidine on the morning of surgery
D) Ensure the patient remains NPO for 8 hours before surgery
Correct Answer: Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
Rationale: Preoperative antibiotics given within 60 minutes of incision are the most effective
intervention to reduce surgical site infections. Shaving the night before increases infection risk
(clippers are preferred). Chlorhexidine showering is beneficial but less critical than timely antibiotics.
7. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Check the patient's temperature
B) Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
C) Assess the patient's pain level
