NUR155 EXAM 1 UNITS 1-2 Foundations Of
Nursing Actual Questions and Answers
/2026-2027
SECTION I: Nursing Profession, History & Theories (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is explaining the role of the first nursing theorist to emphasize that the environment
affects the patient's health. Which theorist should the nurse identify?
A. Hildegard Peplau
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing and the first to
link environmental factors (fresh air, clean water, sanitation, light) to patient health outcomes.
Peplau focused on interpersonal relationships, Henderson on 14 basic needs, and Orem on self-
care.
2. A nurse is applying Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory. Which statement best reflects this
theory?
A. "The nurse must identify the patient's level of anxiety and intervene."
B. "Nursing care is needed when the patient cannot meet their own self-care needs."
C. "The patient moves through stages of grief before healing."
D. "The environment must be manipulated to promote health."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orem's theory states that a self-care deficit exists when the patient's ability to
perform self-care is less than the demand. Nursing intervenes to compensate for or assist with
those deficits.
3. Which of the following are components of the nursing metaparadigm? Select all that apply.
,A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
E. Physician
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are person, health, environment,
and nursing. The physician is not part of the metaparadigm.
4. A nurse is describing Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations. Which phase occurs first?
A. Working phase
B. Termination phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Identification phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Peplau's phases in order are orientation, identification, exploitation (working),
and resolution (termination). The orientation phase begins when the nurse and patient first
meet.
5. The nurse is reviewing the ANA Standards of Practice. Which standard describes the "why" of
nursing actions and serves as the foundation for the other standards?
A. Assessment
B. Ethics
C. Evaluation
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Standards of Professional Performance include ethics, which provides
the philosophical foundation for nursing practice. Standards of Practice (assessment, diagnosis,
outcomes identification, planning, implementation, evaluation) describe the nursing process.
6. Which historical event most directly led to the development of nursing as a formal
profession?
,A. The Crimean War
B. The American Civil War
C. World War I
D. The Great Depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Florence Nightingale's work during the Crimean War (1854–1856) reduced
mortality through sanitation and established nursing as a respected profession, leading to the
first nursing school in 1860.
7. A nurse is explaining the difference between a profession and an occupation. Which
characteristic is unique to a profession?
A. Requires a high school diploma
B. Has a code of ethics and autonomous practice
C. Is regulated by the federal government
D. Requires working in a hospital setting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A profession is characterized by a specialized body of knowledge, autonomy, a
code of ethics, and self-regulation. Occupations do not typically have these attributes.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I don't want any visitors today." Using
Nightingale's principles, which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage visitors because socialization promotes healing
B. Respect the patient's request to support a healing environment
C. Tell the family they must visit anyway
D. Document that the patient is depressed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nightingale emphasized a healing environment that supports the patient's
natural recovery. Respecting the patient's wish for rest supports that environment.
9. Which nursing theorist is associated with the "14 Basic Needs" framework?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Martha Rogers
, C. Sister Callista Roy
D. Jean Watson
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia Henderson developed the 14 Basic Needs (or 14 Components of Nursing
Care), which includes breathing, eating, drinking, eliminating, and moving.
10. A nurse is using Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which action best demonstrates this
theory?
A. Administering medication on time
B. Establishing a caring relationship with the patient
C. Documenting vital signs accurately
D. Following the chain of command
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Watson's theory emphasizes transpersonal caring relationships and the human
connection between nurse and patient as central to healing.
11. Which of the following are roles of the professional nurse? Select all that apply.
A. Caregiver
B. Advocate
C. Educator
D. Researcher
E. Prescriber
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Nursing roles include caregiver, advocate, educator, communicator, manager, and
researcher. Prescribing is not within the independent scope of RN practice (except APRNs with
prescriptive authority).
12. The nurse is reviewing the Nightingale Pledge. What is the primary purpose of this pledge?
A. To outline legal responsibilities
B. To establish ethical standards for nursing practice
C. To define the nursing process
D. To describe infection control measures
Nursing Actual Questions and Answers
/2026-2027
SECTION I: Nursing Profession, History & Theories (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is explaining the role of the first nursing theorist to emphasize that the environment
affects the patient's health. Which theorist should the nurse identify?
A. Hildegard Peplau
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing and the first to
link environmental factors (fresh air, clean water, sanitation, light) to patient health outcomes.
Peplau focused on interpersonal relationships, Henderson on 14 basic needs, and Orem on self-
care.
2. A nurse is applying Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory. Which statement best reflects this
theory?
A. "The nurse must identify the patient's level of anxiety and intervene."
B. "Nursing care is needed when the patient cannot meet their own self-care needs."
C. "The patient moves through stages of grief before healing."
D. "The environment must be manipulated to promote health."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orem's theory states that a self-care deficit exists when the patient's ability to
perform self-care is less than the demand. Nursing intervenes to compensate for or assist with
those deficits.
3. Which of the following are components of the nursing metaparadigm? Select all that apply.
,A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
E. Physician
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are person, health, environment,
and nursing. The physician is not part of the metaparadigm.
4. A nurse is describing Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations. Which phase occurs first?
A. Working phase
B. Termination phase
C. Orientation phase
D. Identification phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Peplau's phases in order are orientation, identification, exploitation (working),
and resolution (termination). The orientation phase begins when the nurse and patient first
meet.
5. The nurse is reviewing the ANA Standards of Practice. Which standard describes the "why" of
nursing actions and serves as the foundation for the other standards?
A. Assessment
B. Ethics
C. Evaluation
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Standards of Professional Performance include ethics, which provides
the philosophical foundation for nursing practice. Standards of Practice (assessment, diagnosis,
outcomes identification, planning, implementation, evaluation) describe the nursing process.
6. Which historical event most directly led to the development of nursing as a formal
profession?
,A. The Crimean War
B. The American Civil War
C. World War I
D. The Great Depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Florence Nightingale's work during the Crimean War (1854–1856) reduced
mortality through sanitation and established nursing as a respected profession, leading to the
first nursing school in 1860.
7. A nurse is explaining the difference between a profession and an occupation. Which
characteristic is unique to a profession?
A. Requires a high school diploma
B. Has a code of ethics and autonomous practice
C. Is regulated by the federal government
D. Requires working in a hospital setting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A profession is characterized by a specialized body of knowledge, autonomy, a
code of ethics, and self-regulation. Occupations do not typically have these attributes.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I don't want any visitors today." Using
Nightingale's principles, which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage visitors because socialization promotes healing
B. Respect the patient's request to support a healing environment
C. Tell the family they must visit anyway
D. Document that the patient is depressed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nightingale emphasized a healing environment that supports the patient's
natural recovery. Respecting the patient's wish for rest supports that environment.
9. Which nursing theorist is associated with the "14 Basic Needs" framework?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Martha Rogers
, C. Sister Callista Roy
D. Jean Watson
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia Henderson developed the 14 Basic Needs (or 14 Components of Nursing
Care), which includes breathing, eating, drinking, eliminating, and moving.
10. A nurse is using Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which action best demonstrates this
theory?
A. Administering medication on time
B. Establishing a caring relationship with the patient
C. Documenting vital signs accurately
D. Following the chain of command
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Watson's theory emphasizes transpersonal caring relationships and the human
connection between nurse and patient as central to healing.
11. Which of the following are roles of the professional nurse? Select all that apply.
A. Caregiver
B. Advocate
C. Educator
D. Researcher
E. Prescriber
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Nursing roles include caregiver, advocate, educator, communicator, manager, and
researcher. Prescribing is not within the independent scope of RN practice (except APRNs with
prescriptive authority).
12. The nurse is reviewing the Nightingale Pledge. What is the primary purpose of this pledge?
A. To outline legal responsibilities
B. To establish ethical standards for nursing practice
C. To define the nursing process
D. To describe infection control measures
