,NR 226 final Exam Study Guide | Fundamentals –
Patient Care | Chamberlain | Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medical record and notes a discrepancy between the patient's
reported pain level and the nurse's observation of the patient's behavior. Which component of the
nursing process requires the nurse to validate this data before proceeding?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection and verification of data. The nurse must validate
discrepancies between subjective and objective findings before clustering data for diagnosis.
Diagnosis follows assessment, so it is incorrect. Planning and evaluation occur after the nursing
diagnosis is established, making them incorrect.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a new medication. The patient asks the
nurse about the purpose of the medication. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the ethical
principle of veracity?
A) Telling the patient the medication is for pain when it is actually for anxiety
B) Informing the patient that the medication is a new drug with unknown effects
C) Providing the patient with accurate information about the medication's purpose
D) Deferring the question to the healthcare provider to avoid giving wrong information
Correct Answer: Providing the patient with accurate information about the medication's purpose
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth. Providing accurate information upholds
this principle. Telling the patient the medication is for pain when it is not is a lie, violating veracity.
Deferring the question may be appropriate if the nurse lacks knowledge, but it does not demonstrate
veracity.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a patient. Which action should the nurse
take first to ensure patient safety?
A) Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers
B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
C) Ensure the blood product is compatible with the patient's blood type
D) Explain the procedure to the patient
Correct Answer: Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: The first step in any procedure is to verify the patient's identity using two identifiers to
prevent errors. Vital signs and compatibility checks are important but follow identity verification.
Explaining the procedure is also important but not the first safety action.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing shortness of breath. Which assessment finding
would require immediate intervention?
A) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
B) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C) Use of accessory muscles during respiration
D) Patient reporting feeling anxious
Correct Answer: Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% on room air indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. A respiratory rate of 22 is slightly elevated but not immediately life-threatening. Use of
accessory muscles is a sign of distress but does not indicate the severity of hypoxemia. Anxiety may be
a symptom but does not require immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) I will avoid adding salt to my food at the table
B) I will read food labels to check for sodium content
C) I will use salt substitutes that contain potassium
, D) I will limit my intake of processed foods
Correct Answer: I will use salt substitutes that contain potassium
Rationale: Salt substitutes containing potassium can be dangerous for patients with certain
conditions, such as renal impairment, and should be used with caution. Avoiding table salt, reading
labels, and limiting processed foods are all appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a new order for a nasogastric tube insertion. Which action
should the nurse take to verify tube placement before initial use?
A) Auscultate the epigastric area while injecting air
B) Check the pH of the aspirated gastric contents
C) Measure the length of the tube at the nostril
D) Ask the patient to speak to assess for hoarseness
Correct Answer: Check the pH of the aspirated gastric contents
Rationale: Checking the pH of aspirated contents is the most reliable method to verify initial
nasogastric tube placement. Auscultating the epigastric area is not reliable. Measuring the tube length
confirms depth but not placement. Asking the patient to speak assesses for airway involvement but
does not confirm gastric placement.
7. A nurse is planning care for a patient who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most effective in
preventing falls?
A) Keeping the bed in the lowest position
B) Using a bed exit alarm
C) Placing the call light within reach
D) Rounding on the patient every two hours
Correct Answer: Keeping the bed in the lowest position
Patient Care | Chamberlain | Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medical record and notes a discrepancy between the patient's
reported pain level and the nurse's observation of the patient's behavior. Which component of the
nursing process requires the nurse to validate this data before proceeding?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection and verification of data. The nurse must validate
discrepancies between subjective and objective findings before clustering data for diagnosis.
Diagnosis follows assessment, so it is incorrect. Planning and evaluation occur after the nursing
diagnosis is established, making them incorrect.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a new medication. The patient asks the
nurse about the purpose of the medication. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the ethical
principle of veracity?
A) Telling the patient the medication is for pain when it is actually for anxiety
B) Informing the patient that the medication is a new drug with unknown effects
C) Providing the patient with accurate information about the medication's purpose
D) Deferring the question to the healthcare provider to avoid giving wrong information
Correct Answer: Providing the patient with accurate information about the medication's purpose
Rationale: Veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth. Providing accurate information upholds
this principle. Telling the patient the medication is for pain when it is not is a lie, violating veracity.
Deferring the question may be appropriate if the nurse lacks knowledge, but it does not demonstrate
veracity.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a patient. Which action should the nurse
take first to ensure patient safety?
A) Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers
B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
C) Ensure the blood product is compatible with the patient's blood type
D) Explain the procedure to the patient
Correct Answer: Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: The first step in any procedure is to verify the patient's identity using two identifiers to
prevent errors. Vital signs and compatibility checks are important but follow identity verification.
Explaining the procedure is also important but not the first safety action.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing shortness of breath. Which assessment finding
would require immediate intervention?
A) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
B) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C) Use of accessory muscles during respiration
D) Patient reporting feeling anxious
Correct Answer: Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% on room air indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. A respiratory rate of 22 is slightly elevated but not immediately life-threatening. Use of
accessory muscles is a sign of distress but does not indicate the severity of hypoxemia. Anxiety may be
a symptom but does not require immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) I will avoid adding salt to my food at the table
B) I will read food labels to check for sodium content
C) I will use salt substitutes that contain potassium
, D) I will limit my intake of processed foods
Correct Answer: I will use salt substitutes that contain potassium
Rationale: Salt substitutes containing potassium can be dangerous for patients with certain
conditions, such as renal impairment, and should be used with caution. Avoiding table salt, reading
labels, and limiting processed foods are all appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a new order for a nasogastric tube insertion. Which action
should the nurse take to verify tube placement before initial use?
A) Auscultate the epigastric area while injecting air
B) Check the pH of the aspirated gastric contents
C) Measure the length of the tube at the nostril
D) Ask the patient to speak to assess for hoarseness
Correct Answer: Check the pH of the aspirated gastric contents
Rationale: Checking the pH of aspirated contents is the most reliable method to verify initial
nasogastric tube placement. Auscultating the epigastric area is not reliable. Measuring the tube length
confirms depth but not placement. Asking the patient to speak assesses for airway involvement but
does not confirm gastric placement.
7. A nurse is planning care for a patient who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most effective in
preventing falls?
A) Keeping the bed in the lowest position
B) Using a bed exit alarm
C) Placing the call light within reach
D) Rounding on the patient every two hours
Correct Answer: Keeping the bed in the lowest position
