NSG 4800 Comp actual Midterm Exam | 2026/2027 | Complete
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Galen
College of Nursing
Questions 1–50: Professional Nursing, Safety & Clinical Judgment
1.
A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess
first?
A. Patient with chronic arthritis reporting pain 6/10
B. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to 86%
C. Patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
Correct Answer: B. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from
94% to 86%
Rationale: A new decline in oxygen saturation indicates possible respiratory
compromise and requires immediate assessment.
2.
Which action best demonstrates clinical judgment?
A. Following every routine intervention without reassessment
B. Recognizing a change in condition and determining its significance
C. Completing documentation before assessing the patient
D. Asking another nurse to make every clinical decision
Correct Answer: B. Recognizing a change in condition and determining its
significance
Rationale: Clinical judgment involves recognizing cues, interpreting them,
prioritizing concerns, and selecting appropriate actions.
3.
,A nurse identifies a patient at high risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Keep the room dark at night
Correct Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: Easy access to assistance reduces the likelihood that the patient will
attempt to get out of bed independently.
4.
Which patient statement indicates understanding of fall prevention?
A. “I will get up quickly so I do not become dizzy.”
B. “I will call for assistance before getting out of bed.”
C. “I should avoid using my walker.”
D. “I should keep the bed elevated.”
Correct Answer: B. “I will call for assistance before getting out of bed.”
Rationale: Calling for assistance is a fundamental fall-prevention strategy.
5.
Which nursing action best supports patient-centered care?
A. Making decisions without patient input
B. Incorporating the patient's preferences into the plan of care
C. Using the same teaching plan for every patient
D. Limiting family involvement in all situations
Correct Answer: B. Incorporating the patient's preferences into the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects individual preferences, values, needs,
and goals.
6.
,A patient refuses a prescribed treatment after receiving adequate information.
What should the nurse do?
A. Force the treatment
B. Notify security
C. Respect the patient's decision and notify the provider as appropriate
D. Document that the patient is noncompliant and end care
Correct Answer: C. Respect the patient's decision and notify the provider as
appropriate
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to make informed decisions about
their healthcare.
7.
Which ethical principle refers to promoting the patient's well-being?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires actions intended to benefit the patient.
8.
Which ethical principle supports a patient's right to make healthcare decisions?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: A. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the patient's right to self-determination.
9.
, Which action demonstrates nonmaleficence?
A. Preventing medication errors
B. Allowing patients to make decisions
C. Treating all patients equally
D. Keeping promises
Correct Answer: A. Preventing medication errors
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means avoiding or preventing harm.
10.
Which nursing behavior best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for an error
B. Reporting and addressing a medication error promptly
C. Hiding an error if the patient is unaffected
D. Altering documentation to avoid consequences
Correct Answer: B. Reporting and addressing a medication error promptly
Rationale: Accountability requires recognizing errors, reporting them
appropriately, and participating in corrective actions.
11.
A nurse notices that a patient's condition is deteriorating. What is the priority
action?
A. Complete routine documentation
B. Reassess the patient and initiate appropriate interventions
C. Wait until the next shift
D. Ask the family to monitor the patient
Correct Answer: B. Reassess the patient and initiate appropriate interventions
Rationale: A change in condition requires timely assessment and intervention.
12.
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Galen
College of Nursing
Questions 1–50: Professional Nursing, Safety & Clinical Judgment
1.
A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess
first?
A. Patient with chronic arthritis reporting pain 6/10
B. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to 86%
C. Patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
Correct Answer: B. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from
94% to 86%
Rationale: A new decline in oxygen saturation indicates possible respiratory
compromise and requires immediate assessment.
2.
Which action best demonstrates clinical judgment?
A. Following every routine intervention without reassessment
B. Recognizing a change in condition and determining its significance
C. Completing documentation before assessing the patient
D. Asking another nurse to make every clinical decision
Correct Answer: B. Recognizing a change in condition and determining its
significance
Rationale: Clinical judgment involves recognizing cues, interpreting them,
prioritizing concerns, and selecting appropriate actions.
3.
,A nurse identifies a patient at high risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Keep the room dark at night
Correct Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: Easy access to assistance reduces the likelihood that the patient will
attempt to get out of bed independently.
4.
Which patient statement indicates understanding of fall prevention?
A. “I will get up quickly so I do not become dizzy.”
B. “I will call for assistance before getting out of bed.”
C. “I should avoid using my walker.”
D. “I should keep the bed elevated.”
Correct Answer: B. “I will call for assistance before getting out of bed.”
Rationale: Calling for assistance is a fundamental fall-prevention strategy.
5.
Which nursing action best supports patient-centered care?
A. Making decisions without patient input
B. Incorporating the patient's preferences into the plan of care
C. Using the same teaching plan for every patient
D. Limiting family involvement in all situations
Correct Answer: B. Incorporating the patient's preferences into the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects individual preferences, values, needs,
and goals.
6.
,A patient refuses a prescribed treatment after receiving adequate information.
What should the nurse do?
A. Force the treatment
B. Notify security
C. Respect the patient's decision and notify the provider as appropriate
D. Document that the patient is noncompliant and end care
Correct Answer: C. Respect the patient's decision and notify the provider as
appropriate
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to make informed decisions about
their healthcare.
7.
Which ethical principle refers to promoting the patient's well-being?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires actions intended to benefit the patient.
8.
Which ethical principle supports a patient's right to make healthcare decisions?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: A. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the patient's right to self-determination.
9.
, Which action demonstrates nonmaleficence?
A. Preventing medication errors
B. Allowing patients to make decisions
C. Treating all patients equally
D. Keeping promises
Correct Answer: A. Preventing medication errors
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means avoiding or preventing harm.
10.
Which nursing behavior best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for an error
B. Reporting and addressing a medication error promptly
C. Hiding an error if the patient is unaffected
D. Altering documentation to avoid consequences
Correct Answer: B. Reporting and addressing a medication error promptly
Rationale: Accountability requires recognizing errors, reporting them
appropriately, and participating in corrective actions.
11.
A nurse notices that a patient's condition is deteriorating. What is the priority
action?
A. Complete routine documentation
B. Reassess the patient and initiate appropriate interventions
C. Wait until the next shift
D. Ask the family to monitor the patient
Correct Answer: B. Reassess the patient and initiate appropriate interventions
Rationale: A change in condition requires timely assessment and intervention.
12.
