,NUR 1055 Exam 1 Introduction to Nursing | Questions and Answers
2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which characteristic most clearly distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than simply an occupation?
A) Nurses work primarily in hospitals
B) Nurses follow instructions from other healthcare professionals
C) Nursing is based on specialized knowledge, accountability, standards, and
professional ethics
D) Nurses perform tasks that other healthcare workers cannot perform
Correct Answer: C) Nursing is based on specialized knowledge,
accountability, standards, and professional ethics
Rationale: A profession is characterized by specialized knowledge,
professional standards, accountability, ethical obligations, and a defined
body of knowledge. Nursing incorporates all of these elements.
Q2. Which contribution is most closely associated with Florence
Nightingale?
A) Establishing the first nurse practitioner program
B) Emphasizing sanitation, environment, and organized nursing education
C) Creating the first Nurse Practice Act
D) Developing the first computerized health record
Correct Answer: B) Emphasizing sanitation, environment, and organized
nursing education
Rationale: Nightingale advanced nursing by emphasizing sanitation,
cleanliness, ventilation, environmental conditions, systematic observation,
and formal nursing education.
Q3. A nurse improves ventilation, cleanliness, lighting, and noise
control in a client's care environment. Which nursing theorist's
ideas are most directly reflected in this approach?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Madeleine Leininger
D) Imogene King
Correct Answer: A) Florence Nightingale
, Rationale: Nightingale's environmental perspective emphasizes modifying
the environment to support health and healing. Environmental conditions
such as cleanliness, ventilation, light, and noise were central to her nursing
philosophy.
Q4. Which situation best demonstrates expert power?
A) A nurse threatens to withhold privileges from a client
B) A nurse is promoted because of seniority
C) A nurse influences a colleague by using advanced knowledge and clinical
skill
D) A nurse asks several coworkers to support the same request
Correct Answer: C) A nurse influences a colleague by using advanced
knowledge and clinical skill
Rationale: Expert power comes from knowledge, competence, and
specialized skill. The ability to influence others because of recognized
expertise is the defining feature.
Q5. A nurse develops a strong therapeutic relationship with a client,
and the client is receptive to the nurse's guidance partly because of
that relationship. Which type of power is illustrated?
A) Legitimate power
B) Referent power
C) Coercive power
D) Collective power
Correct Answer: B) Referent power
Rationale: Referent power develops from relationships, trust, identification,
or respect. Influence occurs because the person values the relationship with
the individual providing guidance.
Q6. Which action best demonstrates the appropriate use of reward
power?
A) Threatening a client with an injection
B) Using professional authority to order a coworker to comply
C) Praising a client for consistently completing an agreed-upon health
behavior
D) Asking a professional organization to change a policy
2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which characteristic most clearly distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than simply an occupation?
A) Nurses work primarily in hospitals
B) Nurses follow instructions from other healthcare professionals
C) Nursing is based on specialized knowledge, accountability, standards, and
professional ethics
D) Nurses perform tasks that other healthcare workers cannot perform
Correct Answer: C) Nursing is based on specialized knowledge,
accountability, standards, and professional ethics
Rationale: A profession is characterized by specialized knowledge,
professional standards, accountability, ethical obligations, and a defined
body of knowledge. Nursing incorporates all of these elements.
Q2. Which contribution is most closely associated with Florence
Nightingale?
A) Establishing the first nurse practitioner program
B) Emphasizing sanitation, environment, and organized nursing education
C) Creating the first Nurse Practice Act
D) Developing the first computerized health record
Correct Answer: B) Emphasizing sanitation, environment, and organized
nursing education
Rationale: Nightingale advanced nursing by emphasizing sanitation,
cleanliness, ventilation, environmental conditions, systematic observation,
and formal nursing education.
Q3. A nurse improves ventilation, cleanliness, lighting, and noise
control in a client's care environment. Which nursing theorist's
ideas are most directly reflected in this approach?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Madeleine Leininger
D) Imogene King
Correct Answer: A) Florence Nightingale
, Rationale: Nightingale's environmental perspective emphasizes modifying
the environment to support health and healing. Environmental conditions
such as cleanliness, ventilation, light, and noise were central to her nursing
philosophy.
Q4. Which situation best demonstrates expert power?
A) A nurse threatens to withhold privileges from a client
B) A nurse is promoted because of seniority
C) A nurse influences a colleague by using advanced knowledge and clinical
skill
D) A nurse asks several coworkers to support the same request
Correct Answer: C) A nurse influences a colleague by using advanced
knowledge and clinical skill
Rationale: Expert power comes from knowledge, competence, and
specialized skill. The ability to influence others because of recognized
expertise is the defining feature.
Q5. A nurse develops a strong therapeutic relationship with a client,
and the client is receptive to the nurse's guidance partly because of
that relationship. Which type of power is illustrated?
A) Legitimate power
B) Referent power
C) Coercive power
D) Collective power
Correct Answer: B) Referent power
Rationale: Referent power develops from relationships, trust, identification,
or respect. Influence occurs because the person values the relationship with
the individual providing guidance.
Q6. Which action best demonstrates the appropriate use of reward
power?
A) Threatening a client with an injection
B) Using professional authority to order a coworker to comply
C) Praising a client for consistently completing an agreed-upon health
behavior
D) Asking a professional organization to change a policy
