NURSING 145 COMPREHENSIVE MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW: 200 HIGH-
YIELD QUESTIONS & RATIONALES (2026/2027 UPDATE)
1. Which historical view of women most significantly impacted the
early development of the nursing profession?
A. Women were seen as natural scientists and researchers
B. Women were expected to be the primary financial providers
C. Women were viewed primarily as motherly caretakers for those in
need
D. Women were traditionally barred from all forms of employment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Traditional roles cast women as motherly figures and
caretakers, which initially shaped nursing but also created barriers to it
being viewed as a distinct, rigorous profession.
2. Which type of nursing program was the earliest form of nursing
education in the United States?
A. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
B. Hospital-based diploma program
C. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
D. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hospital-based diploma programs were historically the
earliest method of training nurses in the US, taught primarily by
physicians and other nurses.
3. A registered nurse is delegating tasks to a Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA). Which task is most appropriate for the CNA to
,perform?
A. Performing the initial patient assessment
B. Changing a sterile surgical dressing
C. Assisting the patient with a bed bath
D. Developing the patient's initial care plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The scope of practice for CNAs includes basic ADLs such as
bed baths, linen changes, and vital signs, but excludes assessments and
sterile procedures.
4. When was the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program
established in the United States?
A. 1860
B. 1909
C. 1952
D. 1975
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first BSN program was established in 1909 at the
University of Minnesota.
5. Why was it historically difficult for the public to accept nursing as a
true profession?
A. Nurses were required to have too many advanced degrees
B. The profession was heavily dominated by male physicians who
refused to work with nurses
C. Stereotypes of women as merely motherly caretakers hindered the
view of nursing as a specialized profession
D. Nursing required no formal training at all
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The traditional stereotype of women as caretakers made it
,difficult for society to recognize the scientific and professional aspects
of nursing.
6. A student wishes to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Which of the
following is a recognized educational pathway?
A. A 6-month hospital certificate
B. A hospital-based diploma program
C. A 1-year technical degree
D. A high school diploma only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recognized pathways to become an RN include hospital-
based diploma programs, Associate Degree programs, and Bachelor of
Science programs.
7. Which exam must a graduate of a BSN, ADN, or Diploma program
pass to become a licensed Registered Nurse?
A. NCLEX-PN
B. NCLEX-RN
C. HESI Exit Exam
D. TEAS Test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure examination required
to practice as a Registered Nurse.
8. Which task is strictly within the defined scope of practice for a CNA
(Certified Nursing Assistant)?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Linen changes
C. Evaluating patient outcomes
D. Inserting a urinary catheter
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Linen changes and bed baths fall under basic patient care,
which is within the CNA scope of practice.
9. Historically, who taught students in hospital-based diploma
programs?
A. University professors holding PhDs
B. Physicians and other experienced nurses
C. Only military medics
D. The students taught themselves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early diploma programs relied on physicians and experienced
nurses to teach the student nurses.
10. How many years does a standard BSN program typically take to
complete?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A standard BSN program is a 4-year degree, though transfer
students may complete it in less time.
11. Which of the following is an accurate description of the current
state of hospital-based diploma programs?
A. They are the most common pathway to nursing today
B. They no longer exist in the United States
C. Many are now affiliated with universities or colleges
D. They require a master's degree for entry
YIELD QUESTIONS & RATIONALES (2026/2027 UPDATE)
1. Which historical view of women most significantly impacted the
early development of the nursing profession?
A. Women were seen as natural scientists and researchers
B. Women were expected to be the primary financial providers
C. Women were viewed primarily as motherly caretakers for those in
need
D. Women were traditionally barred from all forms of employment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Traditional roles cast women as motherly figures and
caretakers, which initially shaped nursing but also created barriers to it
being viewed as a distinct, rigorous profession.
2. Which type of nursing program was the earliest form of nursing
education in the United States?
A. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
B. Hospital-based diploma program
C. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
D. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hospital-based diploma programs were historically the
earliest method of training nurses in the US, taught primarily by
physicians and other nurses.
3. A registered nurse is delegating tasks to a Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA). Which task is most appropriate for the CNA to
,perform?
A. Performing the initial patient assessment
B. Changing a sterile surgical dressing
C. Assisting the patient with a bed bath
D. Developing the patient's initial care plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The scope of practice for CNAs includes basic ADLs such as
bed baths, linen changes, and vital signs, but excludes assessments and
sterile procedures.
4. When was the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program
established in the United States?
A. 1860
B. 1909
C. 1952
D. 1975
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first BSN program was established in 1909 at the
University of Minnesota.
5. Why was it historically difficult for the public to accept nursing as a
true profession?
A. Nurses were required to have too many advanced degrees
B. The profession was heavily dominated by male physicians who
refused to work with nurses
C. Stereotypes of women as merely motherly caretakers hindered the
view of nursing as a specialized profession
D. Nursing required no formal training at all
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The traditional stereotype of women as caretakers made it
,difficult for society to recognize the scientific and professional aspects
of nursing.
6. A student wishes to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Which of the
following is a recognized educational pathway?
A. A 6-month hospital certificate
B. A hospital-based diploma program
C. A 1-year technical degree
D. A high school diploma only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recognized pathways to become an RN include hospital-
based diploma programs, Associate Degree programs, and Bachelor of
Science programs.
7. Which exam must a graduate of a BSN, ADN, or Diploma program
pass to become a licensed Registered Nurse?
A. NCLEX-PN
B. NCLEX-RN
C. HESI Exit Exam
D. TEAS Test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure examination required
to practice as a Registered Nurse.
8. Which task is strictly within the defined scope of practice for a CNA
(Certified Nursing Assistant)?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Linen changes
C. Evaluating patient outcomes
D. Inserting a urinary catheter
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Linen changes and bed baths fall under basic patient care,
which is within the CNA scope of practice.
9. Historically, who taught students in hospital-based diploma
programs?
A. University professors holding PhDs
B. Physicians and other experienced nurses
C. Only military medics
D. The students taught themselves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early diploma programs relied on physicians and experienced
nurses to teach the student nurses.
10. How many years does a standard BSN program typically take to
complete?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A standard BSN program is a 4-year degree, though transfer
students may complete it in less time.
11. Which of the following is an accurate description of the current
state of hospital-based diploma programs?
A. They are the most common pathway to nursing today
B. They no longer exist in the United States
C. Many are now affiliated with universities or colleges
D. They require a master's degree for entry
