NURS 120: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Quiz 2026 – WCU
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of both
subjective and objective data?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, which includes gathering
information about the patient’s physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual
status.
2. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the ‘B’ stand for?
A. Briefing
B. Benchmarks
C. Behaviors
D. Background
Answer: D
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
‘Background’ provides the clinical context related to the current situation.
,3. Which QSEN competency focuses on minimizing risk of harm to patients
through both system effectiveness and individual performance?
A. Quality Improvement
B. Informatics
C. Safety
D. Patient-Centered Care
Answer: C
Rationale: The Safety competency focuses on reducing the risk of harm to patients through
institutional systems and individual nursing actions.
4. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
see first?
A. A patient with a temperature of 101.2 F
B. A patient who needs a dressing change before discharge
C. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic back pain
D. A patient complaining of shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, the patient with
shortness of breath (breathing) is the highest priority.
5. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. The patient states, ‘I feel dizzy.’
B. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10.
C. The patient’s blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg.
D. The patient says they are nauseous.
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs, such as vital signs, lab
results, or physical examination findings.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min
B. The presence of pedal edema
C. An oxygen saturation of 92% on room air
D. A patient’s description of chest heaviness
Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient (symptoms) that
cannot be directly measured by the nurse.
7. What is the primary goal of Patient-Centered Care?
A. To ensure the nurse makes all clinical decisions for the patient
B. To ensure all patients receive the exact same treatment plan
C. To reduce the cost of hospital stays
D. To involve the patient and family as partners in the care process
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as the source of control and full
partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient’s
preferences.
8. A registered nurse (RN) is delegating tasks to an Unlicensed Assistive
Personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a new admission’s skin integrity
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
D. Assisting a stable patient with a bed bath
Answer: D
Rationale: UAPs can perform standard tasks like hygiene and vitals on stable patients, but
cannot perform assessment, teaching, or evaluation.
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of both
subjective and objective data?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, which includes gathering
information about the patient’s physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual
status.
2. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the ‘B’ stand for?
A. Briefing
B. Benchmarks
C. Behaviors
D. Background
Answer: D
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
‘Background’ provides the clinical context related to the current situation.
,3. Which QSEN competency focuses on minimizing risk of harm to patients
through both system effectiveness and individual performance?
A. Quality Improvement
B. Informatics
C. Safety
D. Patient-Centered Care
Answer: C
Rationale: The Safety competency focuses on reducing the risk of harm to patients through
institutional systems and individual nursing actions.
4. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
see first?
A. A patient with a temperature of 101.2 F
B. A patient who needs a dressing change before discharge
C. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic back pain
D. A patient complaining of shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, the patient with
shortness of breath (breathing) is the highest priority.
5. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. The patient states, ‘I feel dizzy.’
B. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10.
C. The patient’s blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg.
D. The patient says they are nauseous.
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs, such as vital signs, lab
results, or physical examination findings.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min
B. The presence of pedal edema
C. An oxygen saturation of 92% on room air
D. A patient’s description of chest heaviness
Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient (symptoms) that
cannot be directly measured by the nurse.
7. What is the primary goal of Patient-Centered Care?
A. To ensure the nurse makes all clinical decisions for the patient
B. To ensure all patients receive the exact same treatment plan
C. To reduce the cost of hospital stays
D. To involve the patient and family as partners in the care process
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as the source of control and full
partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient’s
preferences.
8. A registered nurse (RN) is delegating tasks to an Unlicensed Assistive
Personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a new admission’s skin integrity
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
D. Assisting a stable patient with a bed bath
Answer: D
Rationale: UAPs can perform standard tasks like hygiene and vitals on stable patients, but
cannot perform assessment, teaching, or evaluation.
