NSG 3100 Fundamental Concepts and Skills in
Nursing Practice I Comprehensive High Yield
Practice Exam Version 2 with Rationales and
Study Guide for Fall 2026 Nursing Students Just
Released
Topic Questions
1 Infection Control and Asepsis Questions 1 to 20
2 Vital Signs Assessment Questions 21 to 40
3 Pain Management Questions 41 to 60
4 Mobility and Immobility Questions 61 to 80
5 Skin Integrity and Wound Care Questions 81 to 100
6 Nutrition and Hydration Questions 101 to 120
7 Elimination Bowel and Bladder Questions 121 to 140
8 Oxygenation and Respiratory Care Questions 141 to 160
9 Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Questions 161 to 180
10 Safety and Emergency Preparedness Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPSIS
Questions 1 to 20
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile wound irrigation for a patient with a
deep surgical wound. The nurse has opened the sterile supplies and is ready to
begin. The nurse notices that the sterile saline bottle has been opened for 12
hours and is sitting at room temperature. Which action should the nurse take
A Discard the saline bottle and obtain a new sterile saline bottle
B Use the saline because it has been open for less than 24 hours
C Use the saline but label it with the date and time of opening
D Warm the saline in a microwave before using it
,E Pour the saline into a sterile basin and use it
Answer A Discard the saline bottle and obtain a new sterile saline bottle
Rationale Sterile solutions should be used within 24 hours of opening or
according to facility policy. However, for sterile procedures, it is best practice
to use a freshly opened sterile solution. Using an opened bottle for a sterile
procedure increases contamination risk. The nurse should obtain a new sterile
saline bottle to maintain sterility and prevent infection.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection caused by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The nurse observes that the wound drainage has a distinctive
odor. Which description best characterizes the odor associated with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
A Fruity or grape-like odor
B Foul, putrid odor
C Sweet, sickly odor
D Ammonia-like odor
E Musty odor
Answer A Fruity or grape-like odor
Rationale Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for producing a characteristic
fruity or grape-like odor due to the production of 2-aminoacetophenone. This
distinctive odor can help identify the organism clinically. Foul, putrid odors
are more commonly associated with anaerobic infections. Sweet odors may
be associated with other organisms.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to don a sterile gown for a surgical procedure. The nurse
has performed hand hygiene and is ready to put on the gown. Which
technique should the nurse use to put on the sterile gown without
contaminating it
A Pick up the gown from the inside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms into the
sleeves
B Pick up the gown from the outside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms into
the sleeves
C Have another person hold the gown while the nurse puts on the sleeves
,D Put on the gown with the back open and tie it from the front
E Put on the gown with sterile gloves already applied
Answer A Pick up the gown from the inside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms
into the sleeves
Rationale The correct technique for donning a sterile gown is to pick it up
from the inside, allow it to unfold without touching the outside, and slide
arms into the sleeves. The inside of the gown is considered sterile only in the
front from the waist to the shoulders. The back of the gown is not sterile.
Sterile gloves are applied after the gown is on.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with a central line who develops a fever and
chills. The nurse suspects a central line-associated bloodstream infection.
Which nursing action is most appropriate
A Obtain blood cultures from the central line and a peripheral site
B Remove the central line immediately
C Administer antibiotics through the central line
D Flush the central line with heparin
E Change the central line dressing
Answer A Obtain blood cultures from the central line and a peripheral site
Rationale When a central line-associated bloodstream infection is suspected,
blood cultures should be obtained from the central line and a peripheral site to
compare results. This helps determine if the infection is related to the central
line. Removing the line without cultures may delay diagnosis. Antibiotics
should be given after cultures are obtained.
Question 5
A nurse is educating a patient about preventing the spread of infection at
home. The patient has a wound that requires dressing changes. Which
statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching
A I will reuse the dressing if it looks clean to save money
B I will wash my hands before and after changing my dressing
C I will dispose of used dressings in a sealed plastic bag
D I will keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
E I will call my provider if I see redness or swelling
, Answer A I will reuse the dressing if it looks clean to save money
Rationale Dressings should be changed with each wound care session and
should not be reused. Reusing dressings can introduce bacteria into the wound
and cause infection. Hand hygiene, proper disposal, keeping the wound
covered, and reporting signs of infection demonstrate correct understanding
of infection prevention.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. The nurse has opened the
sterile package and is placing items on the sterile field. The nurse accidentally
touches the inside of the sterile package with a non-sterile glove. Which
action should the nurse take
A Discard the sterile package and obtain a new one
B Continue with the procedure using the contaminated package
C Cut off the contaminated portion of the package
D Use the package but document the contamination
E Place the contaminated area face down on the sterile field
Answer A Discard the sterile package and obtain a new one
Rationale Any contamination of a sterile package requires discarding the
package and obtaining a new one. Continuing the procedure with
contaminated supplies increases infection risk. The nurse should maintain
sterile technique at all times and restart the procedure with new sterile
supplies.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a patient who is on droplet precautions due to influenza.
The nurse is preparing to enter the patient's room. Which personal protective
equipment is required for this patient
A Surgical mask
B N95 respirator
C Gown and gloves
D Eye protection
E N95 respirator and gown
Answer A Surgical mask
Nursing Practice I Comprehensive High Yield
Practice Exam Version 2 with Rationales and
Study Guide for Fall 2026 Nursing Students Just
Released
Topic Questions
1 Infection Control and Asepsis Questions 1 to 20
2 Vital Signs Assessment Questions 21 to 40
3 Pain Management Questions 41 to 60
4 Mobility and Immobility Questions 61 to 80
5 Skin Integrity and Wound Care Questions 81 to 100
6 Nutrition and Hydration Questions 101 to 120
7 Elimination Bowel and Bladder Questions 121 to 140
8 Oxygenation and Respiratory Care Questions 141 to 160
9 Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Questions 161 to 180
10 Safety and Emergency Preparedness Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPSIS
Questions 1 to 20
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile wound irrigation for a patient with a
deep surgical wound. The nurse has opened the sterile supplies and is ready to
begin. The nurse notices that the sterile saline bottle has been opened for 12
hours and is sitting at room temperature. Which action should the nurse take
A Discard the saline bottle and obtain a new sterile saline bottle
B Use the saline because it has been open for less than 24 hours
C Use the saline but label it with the date and time of opening
D Warm the saline in a microwave before using it
,E Pour the saline into a sterile basin and use it
Answer A Discard the saline bottle and obtain a new sterile saline bottle
Rationale Sterile solutions should be used within 24 hours of opening or
according to facility policy. However, for sterile procedures, it is best practice
to use a freshly opened sterile solution. Using an opened bottle for a sterile
procedure increases contamination risk. The nurse should obtain a new sterile
saline bottle to maintain sterility and prevent infection.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection caused by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The nurse observes that the wound drainage has a distinctive
odor. Which description best characterizes the odor associated with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
A Fruity or grape-like odor
B Foul, putrid odor
C Sweet, sickly odor
D Ammonia-like odor
E Musty odor
Answer A Fruity or grape-like odor
Rationale Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for producing a characteristic
fruity or grape-like odor due to the production of 2-aminoacetophenone. This
distinctive odor can help identify the organism clinically. Foul, putrid odors
are more commonly associated with anaerobic infections. Sweet odors may
be associated with other organisms.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to don a sterile gown for a surgical procedure. The nurse
has performed hand hygiene and is ready to put on the gown. Which
technique should the nurse use to put on the sterile gown without
contaminating it
A Pick up the gown from the inside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms into the
sleeves
B Pick up the gown from the outside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms into
the sleeves
C Have another person hold the gown while the nurse puts on the sleeves
,D Put on the gown with the back open and tie it from the front
E Put on the gown with sterile gloves already applied
Answer A Pick up the gown from the inside, allow it to unfold, and slide arms
into the sleeves
Rationale The correct technique for donning a sterile gown is to pick it up
from the inside, allow it to unfold without touching the outside, and slide
arms into the sleeves. The inside of the gown is considered sterile only in the
front from the waist to the shoulders. The back of the gown is not sterile.
Sterile gloves are applied after the gown is on.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with a central line who develops a fever and
chills. The nurse suspects a central line-associated bloodstream infection.
Which nursing action is most appropriate
A Obtain blood cultures from the central line and a peripheral site
B Remove the central line immediately
C Administer antibiotics through the central line
D Flush the central line with heparin
E Change the central line dressing
Answer A Obtain blood cultures from the central line and a peripheral site
Rationale When a central line-associated bloodstream infection is suspected,
blood cultures should be obtained from the central line and a peripheral site to
compare results. This helps determine if the infection is related to the central
line. Removing the line without cultures may delay diagnosis. Antibiotics
should be given after cultures are obtained.
Question 5
A nurse is educating a patient about preventing the spread of infection at
home. The patient has a wound that requires dressing changes. Which
statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching
A I will reuse the dressing if it looks clean to save money
B I will wash my hands before and after changing my dressing
C I will dispose of used dressings in a sealed plastic bag
D I will keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
E I will call my provider if I see redness or swelling
, Answer A I will reuse the dressing if it looks clean to save money
Rationale Dressings should be changed with each wound care session and
should not be reused. Reusing dressings can introduce bacteria into the wound
and cause infection. Hand hygiene, proper disposal, keeping the wound
covered, and reporting signs of infection demonstrate correct understanding
of infection prevention.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. The nurse has opened the
sterile package and is placing items on the sterile field. The nurse accidentally
touches the inside of the sterile package with a non-sterile glove. Which
action should the nurse take
A Discard the sterile package and obtain a new one
B Continue with the procedure using the contaminated package
C Cut off the contaminated portion of the package
D Use the package but document the contamination
E Place the contaminated area face down on the sterile field
Answer A Discard the sterile package and obtain a new one
Rationale Any contamination of a sterile package requires discarding the
package and obtaining a new one. Continuing the procedure with
contaminated supplies increases infection risk. The nurse should maintain
sterile technique at all times and restart the procedure with new sterile
supplies.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a patient who is on droplet precautions due to influenza.
The nurse is preparing to enter the patient's room. Which personal protective
equipment is required for this patient
A Surgical mask
B N95 respirator
C Gown and gloves
D Eye protection
E N95 respirator and gown
Answer A Surgical mask
