NUR155 Foundations of Nursing – Exam (2026/2027)
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section A: Nursing Foundations, Professionalism, and the Healthcare Environment**
Q1: A patient refuses a scheduled blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. Which action by
the nurse best demonstrates respect for patient autonomy?
A. Explaining the medical necessity of the transfusion to the patient's family.
B. Asking the hospital chaplain to persuade the patient to accept the treatment.
C. Documenting the refusal and notifying the healthcare provider. [CORRECT]
D. Withholding all other nursing care until the patient agrees to the transfusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because it respects the patient's right to refuse treatment
while ensuring the healthcare team is informed to explore alternative, acceptable options.
Q2: Which action by a newly licensed nurse constitutes a violation of HIPAA regulations?
A. Discussing a patient's care plan with the assigned physical therapist.
B. Posting a vague, non-identifiable photo of a hospital hallway on social media.
C. Reviewing the medical record of a neighbor admitted to a different unit out of curiosity.
[CORRECT]
D. Sharing handoff report with the oncoming nurse in a private conference room.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because accessing a medical record without a direct, job-
related need to know is a clear breach of patient confidentiality and HIPAA law.
Q3: A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the UAP to perform?
A. Assessing a patient's newly applied surgical dressing.
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer.
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation in the hallway. [CORRECT]
D. Evaluating a patient's response to an administered analgesic.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because ambulating a stable patient falls within the UAP's
scope of practice, while assessment, teaching, and evaluation are strictly nursing
responsibilities.
Q4: A patient is scheduled for surgery and the surgeon has just explained the procedure.
What is the nurse's primary role regarding the informed consent form?
A. Explaining the potential risks and benefits of the surgery in detail.
B. Witnessing the patient's signature to verify it was given voluntarily. [CORRECT]
C. Answering the patient's questions about the surgical technique.
,D. Deciding if the patient is mentally competent to sign the document.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because the provider is responsible for explaining the
procedure, while the nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient appears
competent and willing.
Q5: Which statement by a nurse best reflects the core concept of evidence-based practice
(EBP)?
A. "I do it this way because this is how I was taught in nursing school ten years ago."
B. "I will integrate the best current research with my clinical expertise and patient
preferences." [CORRECT]
C. "I follow the unit manager's preferences for all wound care procedures."
D. "I rely solely on the manufacturer's guidelines for all patient interventions."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because EBP is defined by the integration of current best
research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to guide care decisions.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient whose cultural background prohibits eating pork. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Telling the patient that hospital food is standardized and cannot be changed.
B. Secretly removing pork from the patient's tray without telling the dietary department.
C. Collaborating with the dietary department to ensure appropriate meal selections.
[CORRECT]
D. Encouraging the patient to eat the pork just this once for better protein intake.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because it actively respects the patient's cultural beliefs and
utilizes interprofessional collaboration to meet their specific dietary needs safely.
Q7: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action represents the
first step of this process?
A. Formulating a nursing diagnosis based on patient data.
B. Gathering comprehensive subjective and objective data about the patient. [CORRECT]
C. Implementing a prescribed turning and repositioning schedule.
D. Evaluating whether the patient's pain has decreased after medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because assessment is always the first step of the nursing
process, providing the necessary data to identify problems and plan care.
Q8: A nurse administers a prescribed pain medication to a patient in severe distress. This
action best exemplifies which ethical principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence [CORRECT]
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because beneficence is the ethical duty to act in the best
interest of the patient and take positive actions to help them, such as relieving pain.
, Q9: During a team huddle, a nurse uses SBAR to communicate a patient's declining status.
What is the primary benefit of this tool?
A. It allows the nurse to delegate tasks more effectively to the UAP.
B. It provides a standardized, concise format to improve interprofessional communication.
[CORRECT]
C. It replaces the need for written documentation in the electronic health record.
D. It ensures the healthcare provider will immediately agree with the nurse's assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment,
Recommendation) structures critical information to prevent miscommunication and
promote patient safety.
Q10: A patient has a living will stating they do not want mechanical ventilation. The patient
is now unconscious and unable to speak. What should the nurse do?
A. Assume the patient changed their mind and prepare for intubation.
B. Honor the documented advance directive and advocate for the patient's stated wishes.
[CORRECT]
C. Wait for the family to arrive before making any decisions about care.
D. Consult the hospital ethics committee before providing any basic care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because a living will is a legal document that guides care
when the patient is incapacitated, and the nurse must advocate for those documented
wishes.
Q11: A nurse receives a medication order that appears to be an unusually high dose. What is
the most appropriate critical thinking action?
A. Administer the dose as written to avoid delaying the patient's treatment.
B. Halve the dose and administer it, assuming the provider made a typo.
C. Withhold the medication and contact the prescribing provider for clarification. [CORRECT]
D. Ask another nurse on the unit if they think the dose looks okay.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because questioning unclear or potentially unsafe orders is
a fundamental critical thinking and safety responsibility of the nurse.
Q12: Which nursing intervention is an example of primary health promotion and wellness?
A. Administering chemotherapy to a patient with a new cancer diagnosis.
B. Teaching a community group about the importance of annual flu vaccinations. [CORRECT]
C. Assisting a patient with stroke rehabilitation exercises.
D. Providing wound care for a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because primary prevention focuses on preventing disease
or injury before it occurs, such as through education and immunizations.
Q13: A nurse is applying Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to a patient's care plan. Which
action aligns with this theory?
A. Doing everything for the patient to ensure it is done correctly.
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section A: Nursing Foundations, Professionalism, and the Healthcare Environment**
Q1: A patient refuses a scheduled blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. Which action by
the nurse best demonstrates respect for patient autonomy?
A. Explaining the medical necessity of the transfusion to the patient's family.
B. Asking the hospital chaplain to persuade the patient to accept the treatment.
C. Documenting the refusal and notifying the healthcare provider. [CORRECT]
D. Withholding all other nursing care until the patient agrees to the transfusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because it respects the patient's right to refuse treatment
while ensuring the healthcare team is informed to explore alternative, acceptable options.
Q2: Which action by a newly licensed nurse constitutes a violation of HIPAA regulations?
A. Discussing a patient's care plan with the assigned physical therapist.
B. Posting a vague, non-identifiable photo of a hospital hallway on social media.
C. Reviewing the medical record of a neighbor admitted to a different unit out of curiosity.
[CORRECT]
D. Sharing handoff report with the oncoming nurse in a private conference room.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because accessing a medical record without a direct, job-
related need to know is a clear breach of patient confidentiality and HIPAA law.
Q3: A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the UAP to perform?
A. Assessing a patient's newly applied surgical dressing.
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer.
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation in the hallway. [CORRECT]
D. Evaluating a patient's response to an administered analgesic.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because ambulating a stable patient falls within the UAP's
scope of practice, while assessment, teaching, and evaluation are strictly nursing
responsibilities.
Q4: A patient is scheduled for surgery and the surgeon has just explained the procedure.
What is the nurse's primary role regarding the informed consent form?
A. Explaining the potential risks and benefits of the surgery in detail.
B. Witnessing the patient's signature to verify it was given voluntarily. [CORRECT]
C. Answering the patient's questions about the surgical technique.
,D. Deciding if the patient is mentally competent to sign the document.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because the provider is responsible for explaining the
procedure, while the nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient appears
competent and willing.
Q5: Which statement by a nurse best reflects the core concept of evidence-based practice
(EBP)?
A. "I do it this way because this is how I was taught in nursing school ten years ago."
B. "I will integrate the best current research with my clinical expertise and patient
preferences." [CORRECT]
C. "I follow the unit manager's preferences for all wound care procedures."
D. "I rely solely on the manufacturer's guidelines for all patient interventions."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because EBP is defined by the integration of current best
research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to guide care decisions.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient whose cultural background prohibits eating pork. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Telling the patient that hospital food is standardized and cannot be changed.
B. Secretly removing pork from the patient's tray without telling the dietary department.
C. Collaborating with the dietary department to ensure appropriate meal selections.
[CORRECT]
D. Encouraging the patient to eat the pork just this once for better protein intake.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because it actively respects the patient's cultural beliefs and
utilizes interprofessional collaboration to meet their specific dietary needs safely.
Q7: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action represents the
first step of this process?
A. Formulating a nursing diagnosis based on patient data.
B. Gathering comprehensive subjective and objective data about the patient. [CORRECT]
C. Implementing a prescribed turning and repositioning schedule.
D. Evaluating whether the patient's pain has decreased after medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because assessment is always the first step of the nursing
process, providing the necessary data to identify problems and plan care.
Q8: A nurse administers a prescribed pain medication to a patient in severe distress. This
action best exemplifies which ethical principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence [CORRECT]
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because beneficence is the ethical duty to act in the best
interest of the patient and take positive actions to help them, such as relieving pain.
, Q9: During a team huddle, a nurse uses SBAR to communicate a patient's declining status.
What is the primary benefit of this tool?
A. It allows the nurse to delegate tasks more effectively to the UAP.
B. It provides a standardized, concise format to improve interprofessional communication.
[CORRECT]
C. It replaces the need for written documentation in the electronic health record.
D. It ensures the healthcare provider will immediately agree with the nurse's assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment,
Recommendation) structures critical information to prevent miscommunication and
promote patient safety.
Q10: A patient has a living will stating they do not want mechanical ventilation. The patient
is now unconscious and unable to speak. What should the nurse do?
A. Assume the patient changed their mind and prepare for intubation.
B. Honor the documented advance directive and advocate for the patient's stated wishes.
[CORRECT]
C. Wait for the family to arrive before making any decisions about care.
D. Consult the hospital ethics committee before providing any basic care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because a living will is a legal document that guides care
when the patient is incapacitated, and the nurse must advocate for those documented
wishes.
Q11: A nurse receives a medication order that appears to be an unusually high dose. What is
the most appropriate critical thinking action?
A. Administer the dose as written to avoid delaying the patient's treatment.
B. Halve the dose and administer it, assuming the provider made a typo.
C. Withhold the medication and contact the prescribing provider for clarification. [CORRECT]
D. Ask another nurse on the unit if they think the dose looks okay.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because questioning unclear or potentially unsafe orders is
a fundamental critical thinking and safety responsibility of the nurse.
Q12: Which nursing intervention is an example of primary health promotion and wellness?
A. Administering chemotherapy to a patient with a new cancer diagnosis.
B. Teaching a community group about the importance of annual flu vaccinations. [CORRECT]
C. Assisting a patient with stroke rehabilitation exercises.
D. Providing wound care for a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because primary prevention focuses on preventing disease
or injury before it occurs, such as through education and immunizations.
Q13: A nurse is applying Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to a patient's care plan. Which
action aligns with this theory?
A. Doing everything for the patient to ensure it is done correctly.
