GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING NUR 155 FOUNDATIONS
OF NURSING EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who says, “I do not want my family to know my diagnosis.”
Which action best supports professional nursing boundaries and confidentiality?
A. Tell the family only if they ask directly
B. Respect the patient‟s request and protect the information
C. Share the diagnosis with the family because they are worried
D. Ask another nurse to explain it to the family
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because nurses must protect patient privacy and respect confidentiality.
A is incorrect because family curiosity does not override privacy.
C is incorrect because concern does not give the family automatic access.
D is incorrect because passing the task to another nurse still violates confidentiality.
Question 2
A newly licensed nurse asks why Florence Nightingale is important to nursing history. Which
response is best?
A. She developed the first antibiotic therapy
B. She emphasized sanitation, observation, and patient environment
C. She created the first electronic health record system
D. She discovered the germ theory of disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because Nightingale improved patient outcomes through hygiene, sanitation,
ventilation, and careful observation.
A is incorrect because antibiotics were developed much later.
C is incorrect because EHRs are modern systems.
D is incorrect because germ theory is linked to scientists such as Pasteur and Koch.
,Question 3
A nurse notices that a patient‟s adult child is making all care decisions, while the alert patient
remains silent. Which ethical principle should guide the nurse first?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because autonomy means the patient has the right to make personal healthcare
decisions.
A is incorrect because justice refers to fairness.
C is incorrect because fidelity means keeping promises.
D is incorrect because veracity means truthfulness.
Question 4
A patient scheduled for surgery says, “I signed the consent form, but I still do not understand the
procedure.” What should the nurse do?
A. Explain the surgery in detail
B. Ask the patient to sign another form
C. Notify the provider before the procedure
D. Tell the patient the surgeon already explained it
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct because informed consent requires understanding, and the provider must explain the
procedure.
A is incorrect because nurses reinforce teaching but do not provide the full surgical explanation.
B is incorrect because signing again does not fix lack of understanding.
D is incorrect because the patient‟s concern must be addressed.
Question 5
, A nurse is reviewing an advance directive. Which patient statement shows correct
understanding?
A. “It tells my family how to divide my belongings.”
B. “It states my wishes for care if I cannot speak for myself.”
C. “It means I cannot receive emergency treatment.”
D. “It allows my nurse to make all decisions for me.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because advance directives guide healthcare decisions when the patient cannot
communicate.
A is incorrect because that describes a will.
C is incorrect because advance directives do not automatically prevent emergency care.
D is incorrect because the nurse does not become the decision-maker.
Question 6
A nurse enters a room and sees a patient struggling to breathe. Which nursing process step is the
priority?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because the nurse must first collect data and assess airway and breathing.
A is incorrect because planning comes after assessment.
C is incorrect because interventions should be based on assessment.
D is incorrect because evaluation happens after care is given.
Question 7
A patient has a blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg and reports dizziness. What is the nurse‟s priority
action?
A. Document the finding only
B. Recheck the blood pressure and assess symptoms
OF NURSING EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who says, “I do not want my family to know my diagnosis.”
Which action best supports professional nursing boundaries and confidentiality?
A. Tell the family only if they ask directly
B. Respect the patient‟s request and protect the information
C. Share the diagnosis with the family because they are worried
D. Ask another nurse to explain it to the family
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because nurses must protect patient privacy and respect confidentiality.
A is incorrect because family curiosity does not override privacy.
C is incorrect because concern does not give the family automatic access.
D is incorrect because passing the task to another nurse still violates confidentiality.
Question 2
A newly licensed nurse asks why Florence Nightingale is important to nursing history. Which
response is best?
A. She developed the first antibiotic therapy
B. She emphasized sanitation, observation, and patient environment
C. She created the first electronic health record system
D. She discovered the germ theory of disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because Nightingale improved patient outcomes through hygiene, sanitation,
ventilation, and careful observation.
A is incorrect because antibiotics were developed much later.
C is incorrect because EHRs are modern systems.
D is incorrect because germ theory is linked to scientists such as Pasteur and Koch.
,Question 3
A nurse notices that a patient‟s adult child is making all care decisions, while the alert patient
remains silent. Which ethical principle should guide the nurse first?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because autonomy means the patient has the right to make personal healthcare
decisions.
A is incorrect because justice refers to fairness.
C is incorrect because fidelity means keeping promises.
D is incorrect because veracity means truthfulness.
Question 4
A patient scheduled for surgery says, “I signed the consent form, but I still do not understand the
procedure.” What should the nurse do?
A. Explain the surgery in detail
B. Ask the patient to sign another form
C. Notify the provider before the procedure
D. Tell the patient the surgeon already explained it
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct because informed consent requires understanding, and the provider must explain the
procedure.
A is incorrect because nurses reinforce teaching but do not provide the full surgical explanation.
B is incorrect because signing again does not fix lack of understanding.
D is incorrect because the patient‟s concern must be addressed.
Question 5
, A nurse is reviewing an advance directive. Which patient statement shows correct
understanding?
A. “It tells my family how to divide my belongings.”
B. “It states my wishes for care if I cannot speak for myself.”
C. “It means I cannot receive emergency treatment.”
D. “It allows my nurse to make all decisions for me.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because advance directives guide healthcare decisions when the patient cannot
communicate.
A is incorrect because that describes a will.
C is incorrect because advance directives do not automatically prevent emergency care.
D is incorrect because the nurse does not become the decision-maker.
Question 6
A nurse enters a room and sees a patient struggling to breathe. Which nursing process step is the
priority?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because the nurse must first collect data and assess airway and breathing.
A is incorrect because planning comes after assessment.
C is incorrect because interventions should be based on assessment.
D is incorrect because evaluation happens after care is given.
Question 7
A patient has a blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg and reports dizziness. What is the nurse‟s priority
action?
A. Document the finding only
B. Recheck the blood pressure and assess symptoms
