,West Coast NURS 120 Midterm Exam | Intro to
Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state in which they practice. Which
statement about the Nurse Practice Act is accurate?
A) The Nurse Practice Act is a federal law that applies uniformly to all states.
B) The Nurse Practice Act establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based
on educational preparation.
C) The Nurse Practice Act is a voluntary set of guidelines that nurses may choose to
follow.
D) The Nurse Practice Act is enforced by the American Nurses Association.
Correct Answer: The Nurse Practice Act establishes the scope of practice for each
level of nurse based on educational preparation.
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) in each state establishes the scope of practice
for each level of nurse (LPN, RN, APRN) based on educational preparation. It is a state
law, not federal, and is enforced by the State Board of Nursing, not the American Nurses
Association. It is not voluntary.
2. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is working in a long-term care facility. According to
the Nurse Practice Act, under whose supervision must the LPN practice?
A) A physician or a registered nurse
B) A nursing supervisor or a charge nurse
,C) A physician or a nursing supervisor
D) A registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse
Correct Answer: A physician or a registered nurse
Rationale: LPNs are required by law to practice under the supervision of a registered
nurse or a physician. This is a commonality of nurse practice acts in all states.
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the State Board of Nursing?
A) To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
B) To establish national standards for nursing education
C) To provide continuing education for all nurses
D) To represent nurses in labor negotiations
Correct Answer: To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing of each state determines and enforces the
contents of the Nurse Practice Act. While boards may also approve nursing education
programs, their primary role is regulation and enforcement of the Nurse Practice Act.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following is
an example of an independent nursing intervention?
A) Administering a prescribed antibiotic
, B) Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
C) Inserting a urinary catheter per provider order
D) Applying a prescribed topical ointment
Correct Answer: Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse is legally
authorized to initiate and perform based on their own knowledge and skills, such as
performing a wound assessment and changing a dressing. Dependent interventions are
those initiated by a healthcare provider, such as administering a prescribed medication
or inserting a urinary catheter per order.
5. A client is admitted to the hospital with acute shortness of breath. Which type of
nursing assessment is the nurse most likely to perform first?
A) Comprehensive initial assessment
B) Focused assessment
C) Emergency assessment
D) Time-lapsed assessment
Correct Answer: Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed during life-threatening or unstable
situations to identify life-threatening problems. Acute shortness of breath indicates a
potential respiratory emergency, requiring an immediate emergency assessment.
Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state in which they practice. Which
statement about the Nurse Practice Act is accurate?
A) The Nurse Practice Act is a federal law that applies uniformly to all states.
B) The Nurse Practice Act establishes the scope of practice for each level of nurse based
on educational preparation.
C) The Nurse Practice Act is a voluntary set of guidelines that nurses may choose to
follow.
D) The Nurse Practice Act is enforced by the American Nurses Association.
Correct Answer: The Nurse Practice Act establishes the scope of practice for each
level of nurse based on educational preparation.
Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) in each state establishes the scope of practice
for each level of nurse (LPN, RN, APRN) based on educational preparation. It is a state
law, not federal, and is enforced by the State Board of Nursing, not the American Nurses
Association. It is not voluntary.
2. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is working in a long-term care facility. According to
the Nurse Practice Act, under whose supervision must the LPN practice?
A) A physician or a registered nurse
B) A nursing supervisor or a charge nurse
,C) A physician or a nursing supervisor
D) A registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse
Correct Answer: A physician or a registered nurse
Rationale: LPNs are required by law to practice under the supervision of a registered
nurse or a physician. This is a commonality of nurse practice acts in all states.
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the State Board of Nursing?
A) To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
B) To establish national standards for nursing education
C) To provide continuing education for all nurses
D) To represent nurses in labor negotiations
Correct Answer: To create and enforce the Nurse Practice Act for the state
Rationale: The State Board of Nursing of each state determines and enforces the
contents of the Nurse Practice Act. While boards may also approve nursing education
programs, their primary role is regulation and enforcement of the Nurse Practice Act.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following is
an example of an independent nursing intervention?
A) Administering a prescribed antibiotic
, B) Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
C) Inserting a urinary catheter per provider order
D) Applying a prescribed topical ointment
Correct Answer: Performing a wound assessment and changing the dressing
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions that a nurse is legally
authorized to initiate and perform based on their own knowledge and skills, such as
performing a wound assessment and changing a dressing. Dependent interventions are
those initiated by a healthcare provider, such as administering a prescribed medication
or inserting a urinary catheter per order.
5. A client is admitted to the hospital with acute shortness of breath. Which type of
nursing assessment is the nurse most likely to perform first?
A) Comprehensive initial assessment
B) Focused assessment
C) Emergency assessment
D) Time-lapsed assessment
Correct Answer: Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed during life-threatening or unstable
situations to identify life-threatening problems. Acute shortness of breath indicates a
potential respiratory emergency, requiring an immediate emergency assessment.
