BSN 425 Functional Ability Study Guide | Nightingale
College 2026 | Complete Review | Graded A+
1. What does functional ability encompass in relation to daily activities?
The ability to maintain health without any daily activities.
The ability to perform complex tasks exclusively.
The ability to engage in social activities only.
The ability to perform normal daily activities required to meet basic
needs.
2. Describe the significance of maintaining a safe environment for an
unconscious patient in the context of nursing care.
Maintaining a safe environment is only relevant for conscious patients.
Maintaining a safe environment is crucial to prevent injury and
ensure the patient's well-being.
Maintaining a safe environment only matters during waking hours.
Maintaining a safe environment is less important than personal
hygiene.
3. Why is it important for nurses to assess a patient's mobility aids when
evaluating functional ability?
It provides insight into the patient's emotional state.
It indicates the patient's social interactions.
It allows for the assessment of the patient's dietary habits.
It helps identify the level of support the patient requires for daily
activities.
,4. If a patient reports using a walker for ambulation, what would be an
appropriate next step for the nurse in assessing the patient's functional
ability?
Evaluate the patient's ability to perform daily living activities
independently.
Ask the patient about their recent medical history.
Inquire about the patient's family support system.
Discuss the patient's medication regimen.
5. The nurse assesses a patient's functional capacity. Which patient best
demonstrates the definition of functional capacity?
Healthy person; church volunteer; works part-time; cares for family
and home
Considers himself a healthy person; uses a cane for stability
Works every day; reads well; cooks and cleans the house on
weekends
College-educated; travels frequently; can balance a checkbook
6. Which of the following questions assesses an instrumental activity of daily
living?
Are you able to shop for groceries or clothes?
Are you able to walk one block?
Who helps you get dressed in the morning?
Are you able to take a bath or shower on your own?
, 7. Why is it important for nurses to use black ink when charting in medical
records?
Black ink is the only color allowed by law.
Black ink ensures that the documentation is clear and legible.
Black ink is preferred for electronic records only.
Black ink is easier to erase than other colors.
8. A patient is assessed and found to have difficulty managing their finances and
shopping for groceries. Which type of functional ability is primarily affected?
Basic activities of daily living
Instrumental activities of daily living
Mobility skills
Cognitive functioning
9. If a nurse is assessing a patient who struggles with daily living activities, which
assessment tool should they prioritize to understand the patient's self-
perception of their functional abilities?
Barthel Index
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
Performance Based Functional measurement
Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ)
10. Which question is most appropriate to gain insight into a patient's functional
ability?
Do you use a cane, walker, or wheelchair to ambulate?
Are you able to shop for yourself?
College 2026 | Complete Review | Graded A+
1. What does functional ability encompass in relation to daily activities?
The ability to maintain health without any daily activities.
The ability to perform complex tasks exclusively.
The ability to engage in social activities only.
The ability to perform normal daily activities required to meet basic
needs.
2. Describe the significance of maintaining a safe environment for an
unconscious patient in the context of nursing care.
Maintaining a safe environment is only relevant for conscious patients.
Maintaining a safe environment is crucial to prevent injury and
ensure the patient's well-being.
Maintaining a safe environment only matters during waking hours.
Maintaining a safe environment is less important than personal
hygiene.
3. Why is it important for nurses to assess a patient's mobility aids when
evaluating functional ability?
It provides insight into the patient's emotional state.
It indicates the patient's social interactions.
It allows for the assessment of the patient's dietary habits.
It helps identify the level of support the patient requires for daily
activities.
,4. If a patient reports using a walker for ambulation, what would be an
appropriate next step for the nurse in assessing the patient's functional
ability?
Evaluate the patient's ability to perform daily living activities
independently.
Ask the patient about their recent medical history.
Inquire about the patient's family support system.
Discuss the patient's medication regimen.
5. The nurse assesses a patient's functional capacity. Which patient best
demonstrates the definition of functional capacity?
Healthy person; church volunteer; works part-time; cares for family
and home
Considers himself a healthy person; uses a cane for stability
Works every day; reads well; cooks and cleans the house on
weekends
College-educated; travels frequently; can balance a checkbook
6. Which of the following questions assesses an instrumental activity of daily
living?
Are you able to shop for groceries or clothes?
Are you able to walk one block?
Who helps you get dressed in the morning?
Are you able to take a bath or shower on your own?
, 7. Why is it important for nurses to use black ink when charting in medical
records?
Black ink is the only color allowed by law.
Black ink ensures that the documentation is clear and legible.
Black ink is preferred for electronic records only.
Black ink is easier to erase than other colors.
8. A patient is assessed and found to have difficulty managing their finances and
shopping for groceries. Which type of functional ability is primarily affected?
Basic activities of daily living
Instrumental activities of daily living
Mobility skills
Cognitive functioning
9. If a nurse is assessing a patient who struggles with daily living activities, which
assessment tool should they prioritize to understand the patient's self-
perception of their functional abilities?
Barthel Index
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
Performance Based Functional measurement
Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ)
10. Which question is most appropriate to gain insight into a patient's functional
ability?
Do you use a cane, walker, or wheelchair to ambulate?
Are you able to shop for yourself?
