NU 170 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
FINAL EXAM PREP 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
What is the priority nursing action according to the nursing process?
A. Administer prescribed morphine for pain
B. Auscultate the patient’s lung sounds
C. Notify the rapid response team
D. Document the patient’s complaints in the chart
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Before
intervening or notifying others, the nurse must collect objective data to identify the
patient’s status.
2. Which ethical principle is a nurse demonstrating when they uphold a patient’s right to
refuse a life-saving blood transfusion based on religious beliefs?
A. Beneficence
,B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
decisions about their medical care without influence from healthcare providers.
3. A nurse is providing care for a patient with a confirmed case of Tuberculosis (TB). Which
type of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplets that remain
suspended in the air, requiring airborne precautions, including an N95 respirator and a
negative-pressure room.
4. A patient has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items can the
nurse safely provide to the patient?
A. Vanilla pudding
, B. Apple juice
C. Orange juice with pulp
D. Cream of mushroom soup
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clear liquids are those that are transparent at room
temperature. Apple juice is clear, whereas pudding and cream soups are considered full
liquids.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical wound and notes the presence of thick, yellow-
green drainage. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Serosanguineous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serous drainage
D. Purulent drainage
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Purulent drainage is thick and consists of white blood cells and
bacteria, often appearing yellow, green, or brown, indicating infection.
6. When transferring a patient from the bed to a chair, which action by the nurse
demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Twisting the waist while moving the patient
FINAL EXAM PREP 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
What is the priority nursing action according to the nursing process?
A. Administer prescribed morphine for pain
B. Auscultate the patient’s lung sounds
C. Notify the rapid response team
D. Document the patient’s complaints in the chart
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Before
intervening or notifying others, the nurse must collect objective data to identify the
patient’s status.
2. Which ethical principle is a nurse demonstrating when they uphold a patient’s right to
refuse a life-saving blood transfusion based on religious beliefs?
A. Beneficence
,B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
decisions about their medical care without influence from healthcare providers.
3. A nurse is providing care for a patient with a confirmed case of Tuberculosis (TB). Which
type of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplets that remain
suspended in the air, requiring airborne precautions, including an N95 respirator and a
negative-pressure room.
4. A patient has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items can the
nurse safely provide to the patient?
A. Vanilla pudding
, B. Apple juice
C. Orange juice with pulp
D. Cream of mushroom soup
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clear liquids are those that are transparent at room
temperature. Apple juice is clear, whereas pudding and cream soups are considered full
liquids.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical wound and notes the presence of thick, yellow-
green drainage. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Serosanguineous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serous drainage
D. Purulent drainage
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Purulent drainage is thick and consists of white blood cells and
bacteria, often appearing yellow, green, or brown, indicating infection.
6. When transferring a patient from the bed to a chair, which action by the nurse
demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Twisting the waist while moving the patient
