Wgu D442 – Basic Nursing Skills |
Objective Assessment | (Oa) | 2026
Update | 200 Actual Questions And
Answers | With Complete Solution
1. A nurse is preparing to assist a postoperative patient with
ambulation for the first time. Which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Encourage the patient to walk independently
B. Assess the patient's vital signs and level of dizziness
C. Place the patient in a wheelchair
D. Ask the patient to ambulate after meals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing vital signs and dizziness ensures the patient is stable and safe
before ambulation. Postoperative patients are at risk for orthostatic hypotension and
falls. Safety assessments must always occur before mobility interventions. Encouraging
independence without assessment increases injury risk .
2. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Heart rate of 82 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires prompt
intervention. Normal oxygen saturation should be ≥94% in most patients. Failure to
correct low oxygen levels can lead to tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction. The other
findings fall within normal ranges .
3. The nurse is assisting a patient with oral hygiene. Which
action best prevents aspiration?
A. Using warm water
B. Positioning the patient upright
C. Brushing quickly
D. Limiting mouth rinses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces the risk of aspiration by promoting proper
swallowing and drainage. Patients who are supine have an increased risk of fluids
entering the airway. Oral care is a basic nursing skill that requires attention to airway
safety. Warm water and speed do not address aspiration risk .
4. Which nursing action best demonstrates proper infection
control?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient care
C. Double-gloving during vital sign checks
D. Cleaning equipment once per shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the most effective way to
prevent infection transmission. Gloves do not replace handwashing. Overuse of gloves
,may reduce compliance with hand hygiene. Equipment should be cleaned between
patients, not once per shift .
5. A nurse is transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair.
Which principle of body mechanics is most important?
A. Keep feet together
B. Bend at the waist
C. Keep the load close to the body
D. Lock the knees
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the load close reduces strain on the nurse's back and improves
stability. Proper body mechanics prevent injury to both nurse and patient. Bending at
the waist and locking the knees increase injury risk. A wide base of support is preferred
over feet together .
6. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hour
C. Poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, concentrated urine, hypotension,
tachycardia, and decreased urine output are classic signs of dehydration. Moist mucous
membranes and adequate urine output indicate hydration. Weight gain is associated
with fluid overload, not dehydration .
, 7. A 2-day-old preterm neonate in the NICU presents with
signs of hypothermia. Which advanced basic nursing skill is
most critical in ensuring optimal thermal regulation?
A. Frequent skin-to-skin contact without a controlled environment
B. Use of a radiant warmer with intermittent monitoring
C. Placement in a servo-controlled, closed incubator
D. Swaddling without external heat sources
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A servo-controlled incubator maintains a controlled, stable thermal
environment ideal for vulnerable preterm infants. While radiant warmers can be useful in
certain scenarios, continuous control in an incubator offers better temperature
regulation, reducing the risk of hypothermia .
8. A 65-year-old patient with a history of difficult venous
access requires intravenous therapy. Which strategy
represents an advanced basic nursing skill for securing IV
access?
A. Repeated blind attempts using a standard tourniquet
B. Utilizing an ultrasound-guided IV insertion technique
C. Requesting central venous access immediately
D. Applying heat packs to dilate veins without further intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrasound-guided IV insertion is an advanced technique that improves
success rates in patients with difficult venous access by allowing visualization of deeper,
less palpable veins. Repeated blind attempts cause trauma and delay care. Central
access is a more invasive escalation .
Objective Assessment | (Oa) | 2026
Update | 200 Actual Questions And
Answers | With Complete Solution
1. A nurse is preparing to assist a postoperative patient with
ambulation for the first time. Which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Encourage the patient to walk independently
B. Assess the patient's vital signs and level of dizziness
C. Place the patient in a wheelchair
D. Ask the patient to ambulate after meals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing vital signs and dizziness ensures the patient is stable and safe
before ambulation. Postoperative patients are at risk for orthostatic hypotension and
falls. Safety assessments must always occur before mobility interventions. Encouraging
independence without assessment increases injury risk .
2. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Heart rate of 82 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires prompt
intervention. Normal oxygen saturation should be ≥94% in most patients. Failure to
correct low oxygen levels can lead to tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction. The other
findings fall within normal ranges .
3. The nurse is assisting a patient with oral hygiene. Which
action best prevents aspiration?
A. Using warm water
B. Positioning the patient upright
C. Brushing quickly
D. Limiting mouth rinses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces the risk of aspiration by promoting proper
swallowing and drainage. Patients who are supine have an increased risk of fluids
entering the airway. Oral care is a basic nursing skill that requires attention to airway
safety. Warm water and speed do not address aspiration risk .
4. Which nursing action best demonstrates proper infection
control?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient care
C. Double-gloving during vital sign checks
D. Cleaning equipment once per shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the most effective way to
prevent infection transmission. Gloves do not replace handwashing. Overuse of gloves
,may reduce compliance with hand hygiene. Equipment should be cleaned between
patients, not once per shift .
5. A nurse is transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair.
Which principle of body mechanics is most important?
A. Keep feet together
B. Bend at the waist
C. Keep the load close to the body
D. Lock the knees
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the load close reduces strain on the nurse's back and improves
stability. Proper body mechanics prevent injury to both nurse and patient. Bending at
the waist and locking the knees increase injury risk. A wide base of support is preferred
over feet together .
6. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hour
C. Poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, concentrated urine, hypotension,
tachycardia, and decreased urine output are classic signs of dehydration. Moist mucous
membranes and adequate urine output indicate hydration. Weight gain is associated
with fluid overload, not dehydration .
, 7. A 2-day-old preterm neonate in the NICU presents with
signs of hypothermia. Which advanced basic nursing skill is
most critical in ensuring optimal thermal regulation?
A. Frequent skin-to-skin contact without a controlled environment
B. Use of a radiant warmer with intermittent monitoring
C. Placement in a servo-controlled, closed incubator
D. Swaddling without external heat sources
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A servo-controlled incubator maintains a controlled, stable thermal
environment ideal for vulnerable preterm infants. While radiant warmers can be useful in
certain scenarios, continuous control in an incubator offers better temperature
regulation, reducing the risk of hypothermia .
8. A 65-year-old patient with a history of difficult venous
access requires intravenous therapy. Which strategy
represents an advanced basic nursing skill for securing IV
access?
A. Repeated blind attempts using a standard tourniquet
B. Utilizing an ultrasound-guided IV insertion technique
C. Requesting central venous access immediately
D. Applying heat packs to dilate veins without further intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrasound-guided IV insertion is an advanced technique that improves
success rates in patients with difficult venous access by allowing visualization of deeper,
less palpable veins. Repeated blind attempts cause trauma and delay care. Central
access is a more invasive escalation .
