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BSCN2030 EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES 2026
**1. What is the primary purpose of the nursing assessment
phase?**
A) To diagnose all diseases
B) To collect systematic information about the patient
C) To prescribe medications
D) To determine hospital staffing
**B - correct-answer -** Assessment provides the information
needed to identify patient needs and plan appropriate care.
Option A is incorrect because nurses do not diagnose
diseases—that is the provider's role. Option C is incorrect
because prescribing medications requires prescriptive authority
beyond the RN scope. Option D is incorrect because staffing
decisions are administrative, not clinical assessment functions.
---
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**2. Which component of the nursing process involves
establishing measurable patient outcomes?**
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
**C - correct-answer -** During planning, nurses establish
goals, expected outcomes, and interventions. Option A is
incorrect because assessment involves data collection. Option
B is incorrect because diagnosis identifies the patient's
problem. Option D is incorrect because evaluation determines
whether outcomes were met.
---
**3. Which vital sign is primarily used to assess cardiac
function?**
A) Temperature
B) Pulse
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
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**B - correct-answer -** Pulse reflects heart rate and rhythm
and provides information about cardiovascular function. Option
A is incorrect because temperature reflects thermoregulation.
Option C is incorrect because respiratory rate assesses
pulmonary function. Option D is incorrect because oxygen
saturation measures oxygen binding to hemoglobin.
---
**4. A normal adult respiratory rate is generally:**
A) 4–8 breaths/minute
B) 8–10 breaths/minute
C) 12–20 breaths/minute
D) 25–35 breaths/minute
**C - correct-answer -** A resting adult respiratory rate is
commonly approximately 12–20 breaths per minute. Options A
and B represent bradypnea. Option D represents tachypnea.
---
**5. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a potential
sign of infection?**
A) Normal temperature
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B) Bradycardia
C) Fever
D) Clear skin
**C - correct-answer -** Elevated body temperature can occur
as part of the body's response to infection. Option A is incorrect
because a normal temperature does not indicate infection.
Option B is incorrect because bradycardia is not a typical
infection sign. Option D is incorrect because clear skin is a
normal finding.
---
**6. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-
associated infections?**
A) Prescribing antibiotics prophylactically
B) Performing hand hygiene
C) Isolating all patients
D) Administering vaccines to all patients
**B - correct-answer -** Hand hygiene is the single most
effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated
infections. Option A is incorrect because prophylactic antibiotics
contribute to resistance. Option C is incorrect because isolation
is not universally indicated. Option D is incorrect because
vaccines do not prevent all healthcare-associated infections.
BSCN2030 EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES 2026
**1. What is the primary purpose of the nursing assessment
phase?**
A) To diagnose all diseases
B) To collect systematic information about the patient
C) To prescribe medications
D) To determine hospital staffing
**B - correct-answer -** Assessment provides the information
needed to identify patient needs and plan appropriate care.
Option A is incorrect because nurses do not diagnose
diseases—that is the provider's role. Option C is incorrect
because prescribing medications requires prescriptive authority
beyond the RN scope. Option D is incorrect because staffing
decisions are administrative, not clinical assessment functions.
---
,2 | Page
**2. Which component of the nursing process involves
establishing measurable patient outcomes?**
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
**C - correct-answer -** During planning, nurses establish
goals, expected outcomes, and interventions. Option A is
incorrect because assessment involves data collection. Option
B is incorrect because diagnosis identifies the patient's
problem. Option D is incorrect because evaluation determines
whether outcomes were met.
---
**3. Which vital sign is primarily used to assess cardiac
function?**
A) Temperature
B) Pulse
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
,3 | Page
**B - correct-answer -** Pulse reflects heart rate and rhythm
and provides information about cardiovascular function. Option
A is incorrect because temperature reflects thermoregulation.
Option C is incorrect because respiratory rate assesses
pulmonary function. Option D is incorrect because oxygen
saturation measures oxygen binding to hemoglobin.
---
**4. A normal adult respiratory rate is generally:**
A) 4–8 breaths/minute
B) 8–10 breaths/minute
C) 12–20 breaths/minute
D) 25–35 breaths/minute
**C - correct-answer -** A resting adult respiratory rate is
commonly approximately 12–20 breaths per minute. Options A
and B represent bradypnea. Option D represents tachypnea.
---
**5. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a potential
sign of infection?**
A) Normal temperature
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B) Bradycardia
C) Fever
D) Clear skin
**C - correct-answer -** Elevated body temperature can occur
as part of the body's response to infection. Option A is incorrect
because a normal temperature does not indicate infection.
Option B is incorrect because bradycardia is not a typical
infection sign. Option D is incorrect because clear skin is a
normal finding.
---
**6. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-
associated infections?**
A) Prescribing antibiotics prophylactically
B) Performing hand hygiene
C) Isolating all patients
D) Administering vaccines to all patients
**B - correct-answer -** Hand hygiene is the single most
effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated
infections. Option A is incorrect because prophylactic antibiotics
contribute to resistance. Option C is incorrect because isolation
is not universally indicated. Option D is incorrect because
vaccines do not prevent all healthcare-associated infections.
