NUR 215 Modules 1–2 Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions, Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the vital signs of an adult client admitted with
pneumonia: Temperature 38.6∘ C(101.5∘ F), Heart Rate 108 beats/min,
Respiratory Rate 24 breaths/min, Blood Pressure 118/76 mmHg. How
should the nurse document the heart rate and respiratory rate?
A. Bradycardia and Bradypnea
B. Tachycardia and Tachypnea
C. Normal Sinus Rhythm and Eupnea
D. Tachycardia and Bradypnea
Correct Answer: B. Tachycardia and Tachypnea
Detailed Rationale: In an adult at rest, a heart rate > 100 beats/minis
classified as tachycardia, and a respiratory rate > 20 breaths/minis
classified as tachypnea. Standard normal adult baseline ranges are
60--100 beats/minand 12--20 breaths/min.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to measure a client's blood pressure using a
manual sphygmomanometer. Which technical error will result in a
falsely high blood pressure reading?
A. Using a cuff with a bladder that is too wide
B. Releasing the cuff valve too rapidly (> 4 mmHg/sec)
C. Wrapping a cuff with a bladder that is too narrow relative to the arm
circumference
,D. Positioning the client's arm above heart level during measurement
Correct Answer: C. Wrapping a cuff with a bladder that is too narrow
relative to the arm circumference
Detailed Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or too
small requires excessive inflation pressure to compress the underlying
brachial artery, resulting in a falsely elevated reading. A cuff that is too
wide or an arm elevated above heart level produces a falsely low
reading.
Question 3
A nurse is performing hand hygiene before providing direct care to a
surgical client. What is the minimum recommended duration for
rubbing hands together with soap and water according to infection
control standards?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. At least 15 to 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C. At least 15 to 20 seconds
Detailed Rationale: Standard infection prevention guidelines mandate
rubbing all surfaces of the hands thoroughly with soap and water for at
least 15 to 20 seconds to ensure adequate mechanical removal and
destruction of transient microbial flora.
Question 4
,A nurse is caring for a client placed on Airborne Precautions for active
pulmonary tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment (PPE)
item is mandatory for the nurse prior to entering the client's negative-
pressure isolation room?
A. Standard fluid-resistant surgical mask
B. Fit-tested N95 or higher particulate respirator
C. Clean gloves and face shield only
D. Sterile surgical gown and double gloves
Correct Answer: B. Fit-tested N95 or higher particulate respirator
Detailed Rationale: Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 (or
higher) respirator because Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides in
microscopic droplet nuclei (< 5 𝜇m) that remain suspended in the air.
Standard surgical masks do not filter small airborne particles.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to move an immobile client up in bed. Which body
mechanics principle should the nurse implement to protect against
musculoskeletal injury?
A. Keep feet close together and bend forward at the waist.
B. Widen the base of support, raise the bed to elbow/waist height, and
flex the knees.
C. Twist the torso rapidly while lifting the client independently.
D. Maintain the bed in its lowest position near the floor while pulling.
Correct Answer: B. Widen the base of support, raise the bed to
elbow/waist height, and flex the knees.
, Detailed Rationale: Proper ergonomics requires establishing a wide
base of support (feet shoulder-width apart), adjusting the working bed
height to the nurse's waist/elbow level, and bending at the knees
rather than the back to utilize large leg muscle groups instead of spinal
muscles.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing an arterial blood gas (ABG) result for a client with
acute anxiety and hyperventilation: pH = 7.50, PaCO2 = 28 mmHg,
HCO−3 = 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this result?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.50(> 7.45, alkalotic).
PaCO2 = 28 mmHg(< 35 mmHg, alkalotic/respiratory cause).
HCO−3 = 24 mEq/L(22--26 mEq/L, normal). Matching alkalotic pHand
low PaCO2 with normal renal HCO3− indicates uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an
adult client using the ventrogluteal site. How does the nurse locate the
precise anatomical injection zone?
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the vital signs of an adult client admitted with
pneumonia: Temperature 38.6∘ C(101.5∘ F), Heart Rate 108 beats/min,
Respiratory Rate 24 breaths/min, Blood Pressure 118/76 mmHg. How
should the nurse document the heart rate and respiratory rate?
A. Bradycardia and Bradypnea
B. Tachycardia and Tachypnea
C. Normal Sinus Rhythm and Eupnea
D. Tachycardia and Bradypnea
Correct Answer: B. Tachycardia and Tachypnea
Detailed Rationale: In an adult at rest, a heart rate > 100 beats/minis
classified as tachycardia, and a respiratory rate > 20 breaths/minis
classified as tachypnea. Standard normal adult baseline ranges are
60--100 beats/minand 12--20 breaths/min.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to measure a client's blood pressure using a
manual sphygmomanometer. Which technical error will result in a
falsely high blood pressure reading?
A. Using a cuff with a bladder that is too wide
B. Releasing the cuff valve too rapidly (> 4 mmHg/sec)
C. Wrapping a cuff with a bladder that is too narrow relative to the arm
circumference
,D. Positioning the client's arm above heart level during measurement
Correct Answer: C. Wrapping a cuff with a bladder that is too narrow
relative to the arm circumference
Detailed Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or too
small requires excessive inflation pressure to compress the underlying
brachial artery, resulting in a falsely elevated reading. A cuff that is too
wide or an arm elevated above heart level produces a falsely low
reading.
Question 3
A nurse is performing hand hygiene before providing direct care to a
surgical client. What is the minimum recommended duration for
rubbing hands together with soap and water according to infection
control standards?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. At least 15 to 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C. At least 15 to 20 seconds
Detailed Rationale: Standard infection prevention guidelines mandate
rubbing all surfaces of the hands thoroughly with soap and water for at
least 15 to 20 seconds to ensure adequate mechanical removal and
destruction of transient microbial flora.
Question 4
,A nurse is caring for a client placed on Airborne Precautions for active
pulmonary tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment (PPE)
item is mandatory for the nurse prior to entering the client's negative-
pressure isolation room?
A. Standard fluid-resistant surgical mask
B. Fit-tested N95 or higher particulate respirator
C. Clean gloves and face shield only
D. Sterile surgical gown and double gloves
Correct Answer: B. Fit-tested N95 or higher particulate respirator
Detailed Rationale: Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 (or
higher) respirator because Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides in
microscopic droplet nuclei (< 5 𝜇m) that remain suspended in the air.
Standard surgical masks do not filter small airborne particles.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to move an immobile client up in bed. Which body
mechanics principle should the nurse implement to protect against
musculoskeletal injury?
A. Keep feet close together and bend forward at the waist.
B. Widen the base of support, raise the bed to elbow/waist height, and
flex the knees.
C. Twist the torso rapidly while lifting the client independently.
D. Maintain the bed in its lowest position near the floor while pulling.
Correct Answer: B. Widen the base of support, raise the bed to
elbow/waist height, and flex the knees.
, Detailed Rationale: Proper ergonomics requires establishing a wide
base of support (feet shoulder-width apart), adjusting the working bed
height to the nurse's waist/elbow level, and bending at the knees
rather than the back to utilize large leg muscle groups instead of spinal
muscles.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing an arterial blood gas (ABG) result for a client with
acute anxiety and hyperventilation: pH = 7.50, PaCO2 = 28 mmHg,
HCO−3 = 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this result?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Compensated metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.50(> 7.45, alkalotic).
PaCO2 = 28 mmHg(< 35 mmHg, alkalotic/respiratory cause).
HCO−3 = 24 mEq/L(22--26 mEq/L, normal). Matching alkalotic pHand
low PaCO2 with normal renal HCO3− indicates uncompensated
respiratory alkalosis.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an
adult client using the ventrogluteal site. How does the nurse locate the
precise anatomical injection zone?
