,NU 171 Exam 1 | Comprehensive Questions & Verified
Answers | 2026 Edition | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To provide a systematic problem-solving framework for individualized care
B) To ensure all patients receive identical standardized care
C) To prioritize medical orders over nursing judgment
D) To document patient outcomes after discharge
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic problem-solving framework for individualized care
Rationale: The nursing process is a critical thinking method (ADPIE) that guides nurses in delivering
tailored, patient-specific care. It is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all protocol. The framework adapts to the
individual's needs, ensuring holistic and effective interventions.
2. To maintain a sterile field, which action by the nurse is correct?
A) Keeping sterile items at the edge of the sterile drape
B) Reaching over the sterile field to pass instruments
C) Holding sterile items above waist level and avoiding reaching over the field
D) Turning away from the sterile field to answer questions
Correct Answer: Holding sterile items above waist level and avoiding reaching over the field
Rationale: Sterility is maintained by keeping items within the field above waist level, never turning away,
and not reaching over. Reaching across the field with non-sterile arms or allowing items to touch the
outer edge causes contamination.
3. A nursing student asks the instructor to differentiate subjective and objective data. Which example
represents subjective data?
A) A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg
B) The presence of a wound measured at 3 cm
,C) The patient's report of sharp, stabbing pain
D) A laboratory value of hemoglobin 12 g/dL
Correct Answer: The patient's report of sharp, stabbing pain
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's own descriptions of their symptoms, such as pain or nausea.
Objective data are measurable and observable findings like vital signs, wound dimensions, and lab
values that the nurse can confirm independently.
4. What is the single most effective method to prevent health care-associated infections?
A) Wearing sterile gloves for all patient contact
B) Administering prophylactic antibiotics
C) Placing all patients in private rooms
D) Performing hand hygiene consistently before and after care
Correct Answer: Performing hand hygiene consistently before and after care
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the primary measure to reduce pathogen transmission. Gloves, isolation, and
antibiotics have specific roles, but consistent hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is
most appropriate?
A) Handwashing with soap and water
B) Using an alcohol-based hand rub
C) Rinsing with sterile water only
D) Wearing gloves without hand hygiene
Correct Answer: Handwashing with soap and water
, Rationale: C. difficile spores resist alcohol. Mechanical removal with soap and water is required. Alcohol-
based hand rubs are ineffective against spore-forming organisms.
6. When measuring an adult patient's blood pressure, the nurse obtains a reading of 88/56 mmHg, and
the patient reports dizziness. How should this be classified?
A) Normal blood pressure
B) Hypotension
C) Hypertension
D) Orthostatic hypertension
Correct Answer: Hypotension
Rationale: A blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg is hypotensive. Dizziness results from decreased
cerebral perfusion. Orthostatic hypotension involves a drop with position change, not a single low
reading.
7. During a pain assessment, the nurse asks the patient to describe the character of the pain. This
corresponds to which element of the PQRST mnemonic?
A) Provocative/Palliative factors
B) Region/Radiation
C) Quality/Quantity
D) Severity
Correct Answer: Quality/Quantity
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocative/Palliative, Quality/Quantity, Region/Radiation, Severity, and
Timing. Asking what the pain feels like (sharp, dull, burning) addresses its quality.
8. A deep vein thrombosis is suspected in a patient's left leg. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
A) Ambulate the patient frequently
Answers | 2026 Edition | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To provide a systematic problem-solving framework for individualized care
B) To ensure all patients receive identical standardized care
C) To prioritize medical orders over nursing judgment
D) To document patient outcomes after discharge
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic problem-solving framework for individualized care
Rationale: The nursing process is a critical thinking method (ADPIE) that guides nurses in delivering
tailored, patient-specific care. It is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all protocol. The framework adapts to the
individual's needs, ensuring holistic and effective interventions.
2. To maintain a sterile field, which action by the nurse is correct?
A) Keeping sterile items at the edge of the sterile drape
B) Reaching over the sterile field to pass instruments
C) Holding sterile items above waist level and avoiding reaching over the field
D) Turning away from the sterile field to answer questions
Correct Answer: Holding sterile items above waist level and avoiding reaching over the field
Rationale: Sterility is maintained by keeping items within the field above waist level, never turning away,
and not reaching over. Reaching across the field with non-sterile arms or allowing items to touch the
outer edge causes contamination.
3. A nursing student asks the instructor to differentiate subjective and objective data. Which example
represents subjective data?
A) A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg
B) The presence of a wound measured at 3 cm
,C) The patient's report of sharp, stabbing pain
D) A laboratory value of hemoglobin 12 g/dL
Correct Answer: The patient's report of sharp, stabbing pain
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's own descriptions of their symptoms, such as pain or nausea.
Objective data are measurable and observable findings like vital signs, wound dimensions, and lab
values that the nurse can confirm independently.
4. What is the single most effective method to prevent health care-associated infections?
A) Wearing sterile gloves for all patient contact
B) Administering prophylactic antibiotics
C) Placing all patients in private rooms
D) Performing hand hygiene consistently before and after care
Correct Answer: Performing hand hygiene consistently before and after care
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the primary measure to reduce pathogen transmission. Gloves, isolation, and
antibiotics have specific roles, but consistent hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand hygiene method is
most appropriate?
A) Handwashing with soap and water
B) Using an alcohol-based hand rub
C) Rinsing with sterile water only
D) Wearing gloves without hand hygiene
Correct Answer: Handwashing with soap and water
, Rationale: C. difficile spores resist alcohol. Mechanical removal with soap and water is required. Alcohol-
based hand rubs are ineffective against spore-forming organisms.
6. When measuring an adult patient's blood pressure, the nurse obtains a reading of 88/56 mmHg, and
the patient reports dizziness. How should this be classified?
A) Normal blood pressure
B) Hypotension
C) Hypertension
D) Orthostatic hypertension
Correct Answer: Hypotension
Rationale: A blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg is hypotensive. Dizziness results from decreased
cerebral perfusion. Orthostatic hypotension involves a drop with position change, not a single low
reading.
7. During a pain assessment, the nurse asks the patient to describe the character of the pain. This
corresponds to which element of the PQRST mnemonic?
A) Provocative/Palliative factors
B) Region/Radiation
C) Quality/Quantity
D) Severity
Correct Answer: Quality/Quantity
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocative/Palliative, Quality/Quantity, Region/Radiation, Severity, and
Timing. Asking what the pain feels like (sharp, dull, burning) addresses its quality.
8. A deep vein thrombosis is suspected in a patient's left leg. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
A) Ambulate the patient frequently
