NSG 3130 Exam 1 V3 | NSG 3130
Fundamental Concepts & Skills for
Nursing Practice II | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG3130 Exam 1) | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to witness a patient signing an informed consent form for a total hip
arthroplasty. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure.
B. Confirm the patient is signing the form voluntarily and is competent.
C. Ensure the patient understands the alternative treatments available.
D. Describe the specific steps the surgeon will take during the operation.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, ensuring the patient is competent
and the signature is authentic. It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the risks,
benefits, and alternatives of the procedure. If the patient does not understand the surgery,
the nurse must notify the surgeon to provide further education before the form is signed.
2. A patient returns from surgery and reports feeling nauseated. Which nursing intervention
is the priority to prevent aspiration?
A. Administer an antiemetic medication as ordered.
,B. Offer small sips of ginger ale or water.
C. Position the patient in a side-lying position.
D. Apply a cool compress to the patient’s forehead.
Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning the patient on their side (lateral recumbent) is the priority to
ensure the airway remains clear if vomiting occurs. This prevent vomit from being inhaled
into the lungs, which could cause aspiration pneumonia. While medication may be helpful
later, immediate safety involves airway protection through positioning.
3. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action by the nurse would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile gloved hands above the level of the waist.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up a piece of gauze.
D. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the sterile field.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field is a violation of sterile technique because
microorganisms can fall from the nurse’s sleeves or arms onto the field. Sterile objects
must always be kept within the line of sight and above waist level to remain sterile. Any
, item that falls outside the one-inch border of the sterile field is also considered
contaminated.
4. A patient has a large surgical wound healing by secondary intention. Which description
best characterizes this type of wound healing?
A. The wound edges are approximated with sutures or staples.
B. Healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring.
C. The wound is closed several days after the initial injury.
D. The wound is left open to fill with granulation tissue.
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when wound edges cannot be approximated, such
as in pressure ulcers or infected wounds. The wound heals from the bottom up and sides
inward by forming granulation tissue. This process takes longer than primary intention and
typically results in a larger scar.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection.
Which infection control measure is mandatory?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub after patient contact.
B. Wearing a surgical mask when entering the room.
C. Washing hands with soap and water after patient contact.
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
Fundamental Concepts & Skills for
Nursing Practice II | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG3130 Exam 1) | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to witness a patient signing an informed consent form for a total hip
arthroplasty. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure.
B. Confirm the patient is signing the form voluntarily and is competent.
C. Ensure the patient understands the alternative treatments available.
D. Describe the specific steps the surgeon will take during the operation.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, ensuring the patient is competent
and the signature is authentic. It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the risks,
benefits, and alternatives of the procedure. If the patient does not understand the surgery,
the nurse must notify the surgeon to provide further education before the form is signed.
2. A patient returns from surgery and reports feeling nauseated. Which nursing intervention
is the priority to prevent aspiration?
A. Administer an antiemetic medication as ordered.
,B. Offer small sips of ginger ale or water.
C. Position the patient in a side-lying position.
D. Apply a cool compress to the patient’s forehead.
Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning the patient on their side (lateral recumbent) is the priority to
ensure the airway remains clear if vomiting occurs. This prevent vomit from being inhaled
into the lungs, which could cause aspiration pneumonia. While medication may be helpful
later, immediate safety involves airway protection through positioning.
3. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action by the nurse would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile gloved hands above the level of the waist.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up a piece of gauze.
D. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the sterile field.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field is a violation of sterile technique because
microorganisms can fall from the nurse’s sleeves or arms onto the field. Sterile objects
must always be kept within the line of sight and above waist level to remain sterile. Any
, item that falls outside the one-inch border of the sterile field is also considered
contaminated.
4. A patient has a large surgical wound healing by secondary intention. Which description
best characterizes this type of wound healing?
A. The wound edges are approximated with sutures or staples.
B. Healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring.
C. The wound is closed several days after the initial injury.
D. The wound is left open to fill with granulation tissue.
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when wound edges cannot be approximated, such
as in pressure ulcers or infected wounds. The wound heals from the bottom up and sides
inward by forming granulation tissue. This process takes longer than primary intention and
typically results in a larger scar.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection.
Which infection control measure is mandatory?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub after patient contact.
B. Wearing a surgical mask when entering the room.
C. Washing hands with soap and water after patient contact.
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
