NSG 3250 NURSING PRACTICE ADULT HEALTH 1 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a patient in a long-term care facility. Which action best demonstrates the goal of
rehabilitation nursing?
A) Encouraging the patient to remain on bed rest
B) Performing all activities of daily living (ADLs) for the patient
C) Helping the patient restore function to achieve their individual quality of life goals
D) Focusing strictly on the patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: Helping the patient restore function to achieve their individual quality of life goals
Rationale: The goal of rehabilitation nursing is to assist patients in attaining and maintaining optimum
health based on their individual concept of quality of life and restoring function based on their personal
goals . Performing ADLs for the patient promotes dependence, and focusing solely on the medical
diagnosis neglects the holistic, functional approach central to rehabilitation nursing.
Which healthcare professional on an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team is primarily responsible for
helping a patient regain the ability to perform ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and feeding?
A) Physical therapist
B) Occupational therapist
C) Speech therapist
D) Social worker
Correct Answer: Occupational therapist
Rationale: Occupational therapists focus on helping patients regain independence in activities of daily
living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding . Physical therapists focus on mobility and gait,
speech therapists address communication and swallowing, and social workers connect patients with
community resources .
A patient is being discharged after a hip replacement and will receive coordinated services to transition
from the hospital to home. This is best described as:
,A) Home health nursing
B) Transitional care
C) Rehospitalization
D) Rehabilitation
Correct Answer: Transitional care
Rationale: Transitional care refers to coordinated services and supports provided during the interval
between preparing a patient to leave one setting and enter another . Home health nursing is skilled
nursing provided in a person's home, rehospitalization is readmission within 30 days, and rehabilitation
focuses on restoring function .
A nurse is providing care in an intensive care unit (ICU). Which specialty of nursing practice is this?
A) Medical-surgical nursing
B) Critical care nursing
C) Rehabilitation nursing
D) Geriatric nursing
Correct Answer: Critical care nursing
Rationale: Critical care nursing is the specialty area that provides nursing services to critically ill patients
across the lifespan in acute care settings such as hospital intensive care units . Medical-surgical nursing
provides care in hospital units, rehabilitation nursing focuses on restoring function, and geriatric nursing
specializes in care of the elderly.
A patient who had a stroke is working with a physical therapist to improve balance and gait. The patient
asks the nurse, "Why do I need to see so many different therapists?" What is the best response?
A) "Each therapist has a unique skill that helps you regain different abilities."
B) "You only need to see the physical therapist for now."
C) "You don't really need all those therapists, but it's part of the protocol."
D) "You'll be fine with just the occupational therapist."
,Correct Answer: "Each therapist has a unique skill that helps you regain different abilities."
Rationale: The multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive care that addresses physical,
emotional, and social needs from multiple perspectives . Different therapists focus on different aspects
of recovery—physical therapists on mobility, occupational therapists on ADLs, and speech therapists on
communication .
A patient with a spinal cord injury is participating in a rehabilitation program. The nurse notes that the
patient is withdrawn and states, "I will never walk again." What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A) "Don't worry, you'll get better quickly."
B) "That must be very difficult for you. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
C) "You need to be more positive about your recovery."
D) "Walking isn't everything; you can still live a full life."
Correct Answer: "That must be very difficult for you. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and opens communication, which is a key
therapeutic communication technique. It addresses the psychosocial aspect of rehabilitation . Dismissing
the patient's concerns or providing false reassurance is not therapeutic.
What is the primary purpose of the preoperative skin preparation?
A) To remove all hair from the surgical site
B) To decrease bacteria without injuring the skin
C) To prevent hypothermia during surgery
D) To improve the cosmetic outcome of the incision
Correct Answer: To decrease bacteria without injuring the skin
, Rationale: Preoperative skin preparation aims to decrease the number of bacteria on the skin without
injuring the skin surface . Removing all hair is not the primary purpose, and skin injury can increase
infection risk .
The purpose of keeping a patient NPO before surgery is to:
A) Prevent malnutrition
B) Prevent possible aspiration
C) Reduce the risk of dehydration
D) Increase the effectiveness of preoperative medications
Correct Answer: Prevent possible aspiration
Rationale: The primary purpose of NPO status before surgery is to prevent possible aspiration of gastric
contents during anesthesia . Aspiration can lead to serious pulmonary complications such as aspiration
pneumonia.
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of heavy cigarette smoking. What preoperative
teaching should the nurse provide regarding smoking cessation?
A) "Smoking has no impact on your surgical outcome."
B) "Try and stop smoking entirely to reduce the chances of respiratory infections or pneumonia."
C) "You can smoke up until the day of surgery without any concerns."
D) "It is okay to continue smoking if you use a nicotine patch."
Correct Answer: "Try and stop smoking entirely to reduce the chances of respiratory infections or
pneumonia."
Rationale: Heavy cigarette smoking intraoperatively and postoperatively can cause atelectasis and
hypoxia . Smoking cessation before surgery reduces the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia . A
healthy patient should stop smoking for at least 2 days, while a chronic patient may need 3-4 weeks .
The nurse is reviewing the informed consent form with a patient scheduled for surgery. Which of the
following must the surgeon provide to the patient for the consent to be valid?
A nurse is caring for a patient in a long-term care facility. Which action best demonstrates the goal of
rehabilitation nursing?
A) Encouraging the patient to remain on bed rest
B) Performing all activities of daily living (ADLs) for the patient
C) Helping the patient restore function to achieve their individual quality of life goals
D) Focusing strictly on the patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: Helping the patient restore function to achieve their individual quality of life goals
Rationale: The goal of rehabilitation nursing is to assist patients in attaining and maintaining optimum
health based on their individual concept of quality of life and restoring function based on their personal
goals . Performing ADLs for the patient promotes dependence, and focusing solely on the medical
diagnosis neglects the holistic, functional approach central to rehabilitation nursing.
Which healthcare professional on an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team is primarily responsible for
helping a patient regain the ability to perform ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and feeding?
A) Physical therapist
B) Occupational therapist
C) Speech therapist
D) Social worker
Correct Answer: Occupational therapist
Rationale: Occupational therapists focus on helping patients regain independence in activities of daily
living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding . Physical therapists focus on mobility and gait,
speech therapists address communication and swallowing, and social workers connect patients with
community resources .
A patient is being discharged after a hip replacement and will receive coordinated services to transition
from the hospital to home. This is best described as:
,A) Home health nursing
B) Transitional care
C) Rehospitalization
D) Rehabilitation
Correct Answer: Transitional care
Rationale: Transitional care refers to coordinated services and supports provided during the interval
between preparing a patient to leave one setting and enter another . Home health nursing is skilled
nursing provided in a person's home, rehospitalization is readmission within 30 days, and rehabilitation
focuses on restoring function .
A nurse is providing care in an intensive care unit (ICU). Which specialty of nursing practice is this?
A) Medical-surgical nursing
B) Critical care nursing
C) Rehabilitation nursing
D) Geriatric nursing
Correct Answer: Critical care nursing
Rationale: Critical care nursing is the specialty area that provides nursing services to critically ill patients
across the lifespan in acute care settings such as hospital intensive care units . Medical-surgical nursing
provides care in hospital units, rehabilitation nursing focuses on restoring function, and geriatric nursing
specializes in care of the elderly.
A patient who had a stroke is working with a physical therapist to improve balance and gait. The patient
asks the nurse, "Why do I need to see so many different therapists?" What is the best response?
A) "Each therapist has a unique skill that helps you regain different abilities."
B) "You only need to see the physical therapist for now."
C) "You don't really need all those therapists, but it's part of the protocol."
D) "You'll be fine with just the occupational therapist."
,Correct Answer: "Each therapist has a unique skill that helps you regain different abilities."
Rationale: The multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive care that addresses physical,
emotional, and social needs from multiple perspectives . Different therapists focus on different aspects
of recovery—physical therapists on mobility, occupational therapists on ADLs, and speech therapists on
communication .
A patient with a spinal cord injury is participating in a rehabilitation program. The nurse notes that the
patient is withdrawn and states, "I will never walk again." What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A) "Don't worry, you'll get better quickly."
B) "That must be very difficult for you. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
C) "You need to be more positive about your recovery."
D) "Walking isn't everything; you can still live a full life."
Correct Answer: "That must be very difficult for you. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and opens communication, which is a key
therapeutic communication technique. It addresses the psychosocial aspect of rehabilitation . Dismissing
the patient's concerns or providing false reassurance is not therapeutic.
What is the primary purpose of the preoperative skin preparation?
A) To remove all hair from the surgical site
B) To decrease bacteria without injuring the skin
C) To prevent hypothermia during surgery
D) To improve the cosmetic outcome of the incision
Correct Answer: To decrease bacteria without injuring the skin
, Rationale: Preoperative skin preparation aims to decrease the number of bacteria on the skin without
injuring the skin surface . Removing all hair is not the primary purpose, and skin injury can increase
infection risk .
The purpose of keeping a patient NPO before surgery is to:
A) Prevent malnutrition
B) Prevent possible aspiration
C) Reduce the risk of dehydration
D) Increase the effectiveness of preoperative medications
Correct Answer: Prevent possible aspiration
Rationale: The primary purpose of NPO status before surgery is to prevent possible aspiration of gastric
contents during anesthesia . Aspiration can lead to serious pulmonary complications such as aspiration
pneumonia.
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of heavy cigarette smoking. What preoperative
teaching should the nurse provide regarding smoking cessation?
A) "Smoking has no impact on your surgical outcome."
B) "Try and stop smoking entirely to reduce the chances of respiratory infections or pneumonia."
C) "You can smoke up until the day of surgery without any concerns."
D) "It is okay to continue smoking if you use a nicotine patch."
Correct Answer: "Try and stop smoking entirely to reduce the chances of respiratory infections or
pneumonia."
Rationale: Heavy cigarette smoking intraoperatively and postoperatively can cause atelectasis and
hypoxia . Smoking cessation before surgery reduces the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia . A
healthy patient should stop smoking for at least 2 days, while a chronic patient may need 3-4 weeks .
The nurse is reviewing the informed consent form with a patient scheduled for surgery. Which of the
following must the surgeon provide to the patient for the consent to be valid?
