Fundamentals of Nursing – Practice Exam
Questions:
1. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care
during admission?
When admitting a new patient to the hospital, the nurse explains each step of the process,
listens to the patient's concerns, and asks about their preferences. This approach ensures
that the patient's needs and values are respected. Which nursing action does this best
represent?
A. Focusing on discharge planning
B. Delegating all tasks to an assistant
C. Implementing provider orders only
D. Practicing patient-centered care
Answer: D
2. Why is hand hygiene considered the most important practice to prevent the spread
of infection?
Hand hygiene interrupts the chain of infection by physically removing microorganisms.
Nurses must perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact, after glove removal,
and before procedures. What makes this practice the cornerstone of infection control?
A. It's inexpensive and fast
B. It replaces the need for gloves
C. It kills all bacteria instantly
D. It’s not necessary for low-risk patients
Answer: A
3. What is the nurse’s priority when a patient begins to show signs of respiratory
distress?
If a patient becomes short of breath, starts using accessory muscles to breathe, and
appears anxious, the nurse must act quickly. Identifying respiratory distress early can
prevent further deterioration. What should be the nurse’s immediate response?
A. Call housekeeping
B. Elevate the head of the bed
C. Administer antibiotics
D. Encourage deep breathing later
Answer: B
4. Why is accurate documentation essential in nursing practice?
Nursing documentation serves as a legal record of care and ensures continuity among
healthcare providers. If information is incomplete or inaccurate, patient safety can be
compromised. Which of the following best reflects why documentation is critical?
A. It prevents medication errors
B. It is required only for emergencies
C. It replaces verbal reports
D. It avoids shift handoffs
Answer: A
5. Which nursing intervention best promotes skin integrity in a bedbound patient?
A patient who remains in bed for long periods is at risk for pressure injuries. Nurses must
, monitor skin condition, reposition the patient regularly, and use pressure-relieving
devices. Which action helps maintain healthy skin and prevent breakdown?
A. Apply lotion once daily
B. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
C. Leave the patient undisturbed during sleep
D. Elevate the head of bed constantly
Answer: B
6. What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered approach used by nurses to ensure
high-quality, individualized care. It includes assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. What is the main reason nurses use this method in
practice?
A. To follow physician orders
B. To complete shift tasks faster
C. To provide structured and personalized care
D. To avoid patient communication
Answer: C
7. Why is it important to assess pain using a standardized scale?
Pain is subjective and varies widely between individuals. By using a standardized pain
scale (e.g., 0–10), nurses can better understand the patient’s experience and adjust care
accordingly. What is the main benefit of using such a tool?
A. It prevents pain from occurring
B. It helps nurses document faster
C. It allows for accurate and consistent assessment
D. It replaces physical assessment
Answer: C
8. How does therapeutic communication improve patient outcomes?
When nurses use open-ended questions, active listening, and empathy, patients feel
understood and more willing to participate in care. This approach builds trust and
enhances healing. Why is therapeutic communication essential in nursing practice?
A. It avoids family involvement
B. It encourages silence in patients
C. It helps build trust and rapport
D. It reduces nursing workload
Answer: C
9. Which practice best helps prevent medication errors during administration?
Nurses must always follow the “five rights” of medication administration: right patient,
right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Failing to verify even one of these can
result in harm. What is the best way to ensure patient safety?
A. Ask the patient to read the label
B. Follow the five rights before giving meds
C. Guess based on patient symptoms
D. Skip double-checking if busy
Answer: B
Questions:
1. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care
during admission?
When admitting a new patient to the hospital, the nurse explains each step of the process,
listens to the patient's concerns, and asks about their preferences. This approach ensures
that the patient's needs and values are respected. Which nursing action does this best
represent?
A. Focusing on discharge planning
B. Delegating all tasks to an assistant
C. Implementing provider orders only
D. Practicing patient-centered care
Answer: D
2. Why is hand hygiene considered the most important practice to prevent the spread
of infection?
Hand hygiene interrupts the chain of infection by physically removing microorganisms.
Nurses must perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact, after glove removal,
and before procedures. What makes this practice the cornerstone of infection control?
A. It's inexpensive and fast
B. It replaces the need for gloves
C. It kills all bacteria instantly
D. It’s not necessary for low-risk patients
Answer: A
3. What is the nurse’s priority when a patient begins to show signs of respiratory
distress?
If a patient becomes short of breath, starts using accessory muscles to breathe, and
appears anxious, the nurse must act quickly. Identifying respiratory distress early can
prevent further deterioration. What should be the nurse’s immediate response?
A. Call housekeeping
B. Elevate the head of the bed
C. Administer antibiotics
D. Encourage deep breathing later
Answer: B
4. Why is accurate documentation essential in nursing practice?
Nursing documentation serves as a legal record of care and ensures continuity among
healthcare providers. If information is incomplete or inaccurate, patient safety can be
compromised. Which of the following best reflects why documentation is critical?
A. It prevents medication errors
B. It is required only for emergencies
C. It replaces verbal reports
D. It avoids shift handoffs
Answer: A
5. Which nursing intervention best promotes skin integrity in a bedbound patient?
A patient who remains in bed for long periods is at risk for pressure injuries. Nurses must
, monitor skin condition, reposition the patient regularly, and use pressure-relieving
devices. Which action helps maintain healthy skin and prevent breakdown?
A. Apply lotion once daily
B. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
C. Leave the patient undisturbed during sleep
D. Elevate the head of bed constantly
Answer: B
6. What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered approach used by nurses to ensure
high-quality, individualized care. It includes assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. What is the main reason nurses use this method in
practice?
A. To follow physician orders
B. To complete shift tasks faster
C. To provide structured and personalized care
D. To avoid patient communication
Answer: C
7. Why is it important to assess pain using a standardized scale?
Pain is subjective and varies widely between individuals. By using a standardized pain
scale (e.g., 0–10), nurses can better understand the patient’s experience and adjust care
accordingly. What is the main benefit of using such a tool?
A. It prevents pain from occurring
B. It helps nurses document faster
C. It allows for accurate and consistent assessment
D. It replaces physical assessment
Answer: C
8. How does therapeutic communication improve patient outcomes?
When nurses use open-ended questions, active listening, and empathy, patients feel
understood and more willing to participate in care. This approach builds trust and
enhances healing. Why is therapeutic communication essential in nursing practice?
A. It avoids family involvement
B. It encourages silence in patients
C. It helps build trust and rapport
D. It reduces nursing workload
Answer: C
9. Which practice best helps prevent medication errors during administration?
Nurses must always follow the “five rights” of medication administration: right patient,
right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Failing to verify even one of these can
result in harm. What is the best way to ensure patient safety?
A. Ask the patient to read the label
B. Follow the five rights before giving meds
C. Guess based on patient symptoms
D. Skip double-checking if busy
Answer: B
