NUR 155
Foundations of Nursing
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Units 1 & 2
Exam date: July 20 • 50 questions
Unit 1: 17–18 items | Unit 2: 33–35 items
Sources: Yoost & Crawford, Fundamentals of Nursing (3rd ed.) Ch. 5–10, 19, 20, 26 • NUR 155/156 Unit 1 lecture slides
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
,How to Use This Guide — Read This First
This exam is weighted heavily toward Unit 2. Roughly two-thirds of your questions come from
Documentation, Vital Signs, and Asepsis/Infection Control. Spend your time accordingly.
EXAM FOCUS
Question breakdown (50 total):
• Unit 1 (Nursing Process + Physical Assessment): 17–18 questions
• Unit 2 (Documentation, Vital Signs, Asepsis/Infection Control): 33–35 questions
Translation: master the Unit 2 material cold. It is worth nearly double.
NURSING TIP
Colour key used throughout this guide:
GOLD = Key Concept | PINK = Exam Focus | CORAL = Clinical Alert
TEAL = Nursing Tip | LAVENDER = Mnemonic | BLUE = NCLEX Tip | NAVY = Lab Note
Study order suggestion: (1) Lock in the ADPIE cycle and what each step means. (2) Memorize the normal
vital sign ranges — these are guaranteed points. (3) Learn the chain of infection and the three transmission
precautions cold. (4) Learn documentation rules and the Do-Not-Use list. (5) Skim physical assessment
techniques and PERRLA.
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
, PART I
Unit 1 — The Nursing Process & Physical Assessment
Yoost & Crawford Ch. 5–9 (Nursing Process) and Ch. 20 (Physical Assessment) • ~17–18 exam items
1 The Nursing Process (ADPIE)
The nursing process is the foundation of professional nursing practice — an organized, systematic
framework for delivering individualized care. It requires critical thinking and is both cyclic and dynamic: you
loop back through the steps as the patient's condition changes.
The five steps of the nursing process. Remember the order with ADPIE.
MNEMONIC
ADPIE — the 5 steps in order:
Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
“A Delicious PIE” helps you keep the sequence straight.
KEY CONCEPT
It is a cycle, not a straight line.
After Evaluation you loop back — reassess, revise the diagnosis, adjust the plan. Care continues until the
patient no longer needs it.
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
Foundations of Nursing
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Units 1 & 2
Exam date: July 20 • 50 questions
Unit 1: 17–18 items | Unit 2: 33–35 items
Sources: Yoost & Crawford, Fundamentals of Nursing (3rd ed.) Ch. 5–10, 19, 20, 26 • NUR 155/156 Unit 1 lecture slides
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
,How to Use This Guide — Read This First
This exam is weighted heavily toward Unit 2. Roughly two-thirds of your questions come from
Documentation, Vital Signs, and Asepsis/Infection Control. Spend your time accordingly.
EXAM FOCUS
Question breakdown (50 total):
• Unit 1 (Nursing Process + Physical Assessment): 17–18 questions
• Unit 2 (Documentation, Vital Signs, Asepsis/Infection Control): 33–35 questions
Translation: master the Unit 2 material cold. It is worth nearly double.
NURSING TIP
Colour key used throughout this guide:
GOLD = Key Concept | PINK = Exam Focus | CORAL = Clinical Alert
TEAL = Nursing Tip | LAVENDER = Mnemonic | BLUE = NCLEX Tip | NAVY = Lab Note
Study order suggestion: (1) Lock in the ADPIE cycle and what each step means. (2) Memorize the normal
vital sign ranges — these are guaranteed points. (3) Learn the chain of infection and the three transmission
precautions cold. (4) Learn documentation rules and the Do-Not-Use list. (5) Skim physical assessment
techniques and PERRLA.
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
, PART I
Unit 1 — The Nursing Process & Physical Assessment
Yoost & Crawford Ch. 5–9 (Nursing Process) and Ch. 20 (Physical Assessment) • ~17–18 exam items
1 The Nursing Process (ADPIE)
The nursing process is the foundation of professional nursing practice — an organized, systematic
framework for delivering individualized care. It requires critical thinking and is both cyclic and dynamic: you
loop back through the steps as the patient's condition changes.
The five steps of the nursing process. Remember the order with ADPIE.
MNEMONIC
ADPIE — the 5 steps in order:
Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
“A Delicious PIE” helps you keep the sequence straight.
KEY CONCEPT
It is a cycle, not a straight line.
After Evaluation you loop back — reassess, revise the diagnosis, adjust the plan. Care continues until the
patient no longer needs it.
Galen College of Nursing • NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing • Exam 1 Study Guide (Units 1 & 2)
