NR 224 – Fundamentals of Nursing: Hygiene &
Personal Care
100 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to provide a complete bed bath for a dependent patient. Which action
should the nurse perform first?
A. Gather all necessary supplies and perform hand hygiene.
B. Wash the patient's feet first.
C. Remove the patient's gown completely.
D. Raise the bed to its highest position without locking the wheels.
Answer: A. Gather all necessary supplies and perform hand hygiene.
Rationale: Gathering supplies before beginning promotes efficiency, while performing hand
hygiene helps prevent the transmission of microorganisms. The nurse should also provide
privacy, identify the patient, and explain the procedure before beginning care.
2. During a bed bath, which body area should the nurse wash last?
A. Face.
B. Chest.
C. Perineal area.
D. Arms.
Answer: C. Perineal area.
Rationale: The perineal area is considered the least clean area and should be washed last to
reduce the risk of transferring microorganisms to cleaner body areas.
3. A nurse is providing oral care for an unconscious patient. Which action is appropriate?
A. Position the patient supine with the head flat.
B. Use a large amount of mouthwash.
,C. Position the patient on their side to reduce aspiration risk.
D. Ask the patient to rinse and spit frequently.
Answer: C. Position the patient on their side to reduce aspiration risk.
Rationale: Placing an unconscious patient in a side-lying position allows secretions to drain and
helps prevent aspiration during oral care.
4. Which nursing action best promotes patient dignity during hygiene care?
A. Expose the entire body for easier bathing.
B. Keep the patient covered except for the area being washed.
C. Leave the room door open for easier access.
D. Complete the bath as quickly as possible without explanation.
Answer: B. Keep the patient covered except for the area being washed.
Rationale: Maintaining privacy by exposing only the area being cleaned helps preserve the
patient's dignity, comfort, and body image.
5. A nurse is assisting a patient with oral hygiene. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Moist, pink oral mucosa.
B. White patches on the tongue that do not wipe away.
C. Teeth free of visible debris.
D. Pink gums without bleeding.
Answer: B. White patches on the tongue that do not wipe away.
Rationale: White patches that cannot be removed may indicate oral candidiasis (thrush) or
leukoplakia and require further evaluation.
6. A nurse is providing perineal care to a female patient. Which technique is correct?
A. Clean from back to front.
B. Clean from front to back using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke.
C. Use the same washcloth surface repeatedly.
D. Begin with the anal area.
Answer: B. Clean from front to back using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke.
,Rationale: Cleaning from front to back helps prevent the spread of microorganisms from the
anal area to the urinary tract, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
7. Which patient is at the greatest risk for impaired skin integrity during hygiene care?
A. A healthy 22-year-old who walks independently.
B. A 75-year-old patient who is immobile and incontinent.
C. A patient with seasonal allergies.
D. A patient recovering from a minor sprained ankle.
Answer: B. A 75-year-old patient who is immobile and incontinent.
Rationale: Advanced age, immobility, moisture from incontinence, and decreased tissue
perfusion significantly increase the risk for pressure injuries and skin breakdown.
8. A nurse is trimming a patient's fingernails. Which patient requires additional precautions?
A. A patient with hypertension.
B. A patient with diabetes mellitus.
C. A patient with seasonal allergies.
D. A patient with mild asthma.
Answer: B. A patient with diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Patients with diabetes often have decreased circulation and neuropathy, increasing
the risk of injury and poor wound healing. Nail care should be performed carefully and
according to facility policy.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with dry skin. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Use hot water during bathing.
B. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing.
C. Bathe the patient several times each day.
D. Rub the skin vigorously with a towel.
Answer: B. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing.
Rationale: Applying moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp helps lock in moisture and
reduces dryness.
, 10. A nurse observes redness over a patient's coccyx that does not blanch when pressed. How
should this finding be documented?
A. Normal skin color.
B. Stage 1 pressure injury.
C. Stage 2 pressure injury.
D. Skin irritation only.
Answer: B. Stage 1 pressure injury.
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is characterized by intact skin with non-blanchable redness
over a bony prominence.
11. A nurse is providing oral care for a patient wearing dentures. Which action is appropriate?
A. Clean dentures with hot water.
B. Handle dentures carefully over a padded sink or basin of water.
C. Store dentures dry in a paper towel.
D. Brush dentures using bleach.
Answer: B. Handle dentures carefully over a padded sink or basin of water.
Rationale: Dentures can easily break if dropped. Cleaning them over a padded surface or basin
of water helps prevent damage.
12. A nurse is assisting a patient with a shower. Which action is most important to prevent falls?
A. Encourage the patient to shower without assistance.
B. Ensure nonskid footwear and a shower chair are available if needed.
C. Leave the patient alone for privacy.
D. Turn the water to its hottest setting.
Answer: B. Ensure nonskid footwear and a shower chair are available if needed.
Rationale: Bathrooms are high-risk environments for falls. Nonskid footwear, grab bars, and
shower chairs improve patient safety.
13. Which finding during hygiene care requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Dry skin on the elbows.
B. A new open area over the patient's heel.
Personal Care
100 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to provide a complete bed bath for a dependent patient. Which action
should the nurse perform first?
A. Gather all necessary supplies and perform hand hygiene.
B. Wash the patient's feet first.
C. Remove the patient's gown completely.
D. Raise the bed to its highest position without locking the wheels.
Answer: A. Gather all necessary supplies and perform hand hygiene.
Rationale: Gathering supplies before beginning promotes efficiency, while performing hand
hygiene helps prevent the transmission of microorganisms. The nurse should also provide
privacy, identify the patient, and explain the procedure before beginning care.
2. During a bed bath, which body area should the nurse wash last?
A. Face.
B. Chest.
C. Perineal area.
D. Arms.
Answer: C. Perineal area.
Rationale: The perineal area is considered the least clean area and should be washed last to
reduce the risk of transferring microorganisms to cleaner body areas.
3. A nurse is providing oral care for an unconscious patient. Which action is appropriate?
A. Position the patient supine with the head flat.
B. Use a large amount of mouthwash.
,C. Position the patient on their side to reduce aspiration risk.
D. Ask the patient to rinse and spit frequently.
Answer: C. Position the patient on their side to reduce aspiration risk.
Rationale: Placing an unconscious patient in a side-lying position allows secretions to drain and
helps prevent aspiration during oral care.
4. Which nursing action best promotes patient dignity during hygiene care?
A. Expose the entire body for easier bathing.
B. Keep the patient covered except for the area being washed.
C. Leave the room door open for easier access.
D. Complete the bath as quickly as possible without explanation.
Answer: B. Keep the patient covered except for the area being washed.
Rationale: Maintaining privacy by exposing only the area being cleaned helps preserve the
patient's dignity, comfort, and body image.
5. A nurse is assisting a patient with oral hygiene. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Moist, pink oral mucosa.
B. White patches on the tongue that do not wipe away.
C. Teeth free of visible debris.
D. Pink gums without bleeding.
Answer: B. White patches on the tongue that do not wipe away.
Rationale: White patches that cannot be removed may indicate oral candidiasis (thrush) or
leukoplakia and require further evaluation.
6. A nurse is providing perineal care to a female patient. Which technique is correct?
A. Clean from back to front.
B. Clean from front to back using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke.
C. Use the same washcloth surface repeatedly.
D. Begin with the anal area.
Answer: B. Clean from front to back using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke.
,Rationale: Cleaning from front to back helps prevent the spread of microorganisms from the
anal area to the urinary tract, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
7. Which patient is at the greatest risk for impaired skin integrity during hygiene care?
A. A healthy 22-year-old who walks independently.
B. A 75-year-old patient who is immobile and incontinent.
C. A patient with seasonal allergies.
D. A patient recovering from a minor sprained ankle.
Answer: B. A 75-year-old patient who is immobile and incontinent.
Rationale: Advanced age, immobility, moisture from incontinence, and decreased tissue
perfusion significantly increase the risk for pressure injuries and skin breakdown.
8. A nurse is trimming a patient's fingernails. Which patient requires additional precautions?
A. A patient with hypertension.
B. A patient with diabetes mellitus.
C. A patient with seasonal allergies.
D. A patient with mild asthma.
Answer: B. A patient with diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Patients with diabetes often have decreased circulation and neuropathy, increasing
the risk of injury and poor wound healing. Nail care should be performed carefully and
according to facility policy.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with dry skin. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Use hot water during bathing.
B. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing.
C. Bathe the patient several times each day.
D. Rub the skin vigorously with a towel.
Answer: B. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing.
Rationale: Applying moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp helps lock in moisture and
reduces dryness.
, 10. A nurse observes redness over a patient's coccyx that does not blanch when pressed. How
should this finding be documented?
A. Normal skin color.
B. Stage 1 pressure injury.
C. Stage 2 pressure injury.
D. Skin irritation only.
Answer: B. Stage 1 pressure injury.
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is characterized by intact skin with non-blanchable redness
over a bony prominence.
11. A nurse is providing oral care for a patient wearing dentures. Which action is appropriate?
A. Clean dentures with hot water.
B. Handle dentures carefully over a padded sink or basin of water.
C. Store dentures dry in a paper towel.
D. Brush dentures using bleach.
Answer: B. Handle dentures carefully over a padded sink or basin of water.
Rationale: Dentures can easily break if dropped. Cleaning them over a padded surface or basin
of water helps prevent damage.
12. A nurse is assisting a patient with a shower. Which action is most important to prevent falls?
A. Encourage the patient to shower without assistance.
B. Ensure nonskid footwear and a shower chair are available if needed.
C. Leave the patient alone for privacy.
D. Turn the water to its hottest setting.
Answer: B. Ensure nonskid footwear and a shower chair are available if needed.
Rationale: Bathrooms are high-risk environments for falls. Nonskid footwear, grab bars, and
shower chairs improve patient safety.
13. Which finding during hygiene care requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Dry skin on the elbows.
B. A new open area over the patient's heel.
