NU 131 EXAM 1 – NURSING AND HEALTHCARE I QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing History and Foundational Theorists
Professional Nursing Roles and Organizations
Nursing Theory: Grand, Middle-Range, and Practice
Legal and Ethical Foundations
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Quality and Safety in Nursing Practice
Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Communication and Patient Education
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Infection Control and Patient Care Fundamentals
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the candidate's mastery
of foundational nursing concepts required for NU 131 Exam 1 at
Galen College of Nursing. It evaluates knowledge of nursing history,
professional roles, theoretical frameworks, legal and ethical
principles, the nursing process, quality and safety, and evidence-
based practice. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring integration of knowledge across
domains. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, critical
thinking, and clinical decision-making. Successful completion
demonstrates readiness for practical nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
,Which nurse is credited with establishing the first nursing
philosophy and demonstrating that environmental factors such as
cleanliness, fresh air, and sanitation directly impact patient
recovery?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Dorothea Dix
🟢 B. Florence Nightingale
🔴 RATIONALE: Florence Nightingale established the first nursing
philosophy through her Environmental Theory, which emphasized
that cleanliness, fresh air, observation, and sanitation are essential
to recovery. Her work during the Crimean War demonstrated that
sanitary conditions dramatically reduced mortality rates, laying the
foundation for modern nursing practice.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state of
employment. Which action by the nurse would fall OUTSIDE the
legal scope of practice as defined by the Nurse Practice Act?
A. Administering medications as prescribed by a healthcare
provider
B. Delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel according to
facility policy
C. Performing a surgical procedure independently without
physician supervision
,D. Providing patient education on disease management and
preventive care
🟢 C. Performing a surgical procedure independently without
physician supervision
🔴 RATIONALE: The Nurse Practice Act in each state defines the
legal scope of practice for nurses. Performing surgical procedures
independently is beyond nursing scope and requires a physician
or advanced practice provider. Medication administration,
appropriate delegation, and patient education are within the legal
scope of nursing practice.
Question 3
Which historical nurse founded the American Red Cross and
provided aid to wounded soldiers during combat?
A. Clara Barton
B. Lillian Wald
C. Mary Mahoney
D. Mary Breckinridge
🟢 A. Clara Barton
🔴 RATIONALE: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross,
which provided aid to wounded soldiers in combat and evolved
the healthcare delivery system for disaster relief. Her work
established the foundation for emergency nursing and
humanitarian aid in the United States.
Question 4
, A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood
transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse respects the
patient's decision and continues to provide supportive care.
Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢 D. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make
their own healthcare decisions, even if those decisions conflict
with medical advice. By respecting the patient's refusal of
treatment based on religious beliefs, the nurse honors patient
autonomy. Beneficence means doing good; nonmaleficence
means avoiding harm; justice refers to fairness in healthcare
distribution.
Question 5
Which nurse co-founded the Henry Street Settlement with Lillian
Wald and delivered care directly to patients' homes?
A. Mary Brewster
B. Mabel Keaton Staupers
C. Isabel Hampton Robb
D. Mary Mahoney
🟢 A. Mary Brewster
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing History and Foundational Theorists
Professional Nursing Roles and Organizations
Nursing Theory: Grand, Middle-Range, and Practice
Legal and Ethical Foundations
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Quality and Safety in Nursing Practice
Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Communication and Patient Education
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Infection Control and Patient Care Fundamentals
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the candidate's mastery
of foundational nursing concepts required for NU 131 Exam 1 at
Galen College of Nursing. It evaluates knowledge of nursing history,
professional roles, theoretical frameworks, legal and ethical
principles, the nursing process, quality and safety, and evidence-
based practice. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring integration of knowledge across
domains. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, critical
thinking, and clinical decision-making. Successful completion
demonstrates readiness for practical nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
,Which nurse is credited with establishing the first nursing
philosophy and demonstrating that environmental factors such as
cleanliness, fresh air, and sanitation directly impact patient
recovery?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Virginia Henderson
D. Dorothea Dix
🟢 B. Florence Nightingale
🔴 RATIONALE: Florence Nightingale established the first nursing
philosophy through her Environmental Theory, which emphasized
that cleanliness, fresh air, observation, and sanitation are essential
to recovery. Her work during the Crimean War demonstrated that
sanitary conditions dramatically reduced mortality rates, laying the
foundation for modern nursing practice.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act for the state of
employment. Which action by the nurse would fall OUTSIDE the
legal scope of practice as defined by the Nurse Practice Act?
A. Administering medications as prescribed by a healthcare
provider
B. Delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel according to
facility policy
C. Performing a surgical procedure independently without
physician supervision
,D. Providing patient education on disease management and
preventive care
🟢 C. Performing a surgical procedure independently without
physician supervision
🔴 RATIONALE: The Nurse Practice Act in each state defines the
legal scope of practice for nurses. Performing surgical procedures
independently is beyond nursing scope and requires a physician
or advanced practice provider. Medication administration,
appropriate delegation, and patient education are within the legal
scope of nursing practice.
Question 3
Which historical nurse founded the American Red Cross and
provided aid to wounded soldiers during combat?
A. Clara Barton
B. Lillian Wald
C. Mary Mahoney
D. Mary Breckinridge
🟢 A. Clara Barton
🔴 RATIONALE: Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross,
which provided aid to wounded soldiers in combat and evolved
the healthcare delivery system for disaster relief. Her work
established the foundation for emergency nursing and
humanitarian aid in the United States.
Question 4
, A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood
transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse respects the
patient's decision and continues to provide supportive care.
Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢 D. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make
their own healthcare decisions, even if those decisions conflict
with medical advice. By respecting the patient's refusal of
treatment based on religious beliefs, the nurse honors patient
autonomy. Beneficence means doing good; nonmaleficence
means avoiding harm; justice refers to fairness in healthcare
distribution.
Question 5
Which nurse co-founded the Henry Street Settlement with Lillian
Wald and delivered care directly to patients' homes?
A. Mary Brewster
B. Mabel Keaton Staupers
C. Isabel Hampton Robb
D. Mary Mahoney
🟢 A. Mary Brewster
