Geneva College NURS 251 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A) To provide a framework for delivering patient-centered care
B) To document all patient interactions for legal purposes
C) To establish a hierarchy of staff within a healthcare team
D) To serve as a billing and coding tool for healthcare services
Correct Answer: To provide a framework for delivering patient-centered care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered framework
that guides nurses in providing holistic, evidence-based care. It consists of
assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (AAPIE).
While documentation is a component, the primary purpose is to structure
clinical reasoning and ensure quality patient outcomes.
2. What is the most appropriate initial step when performing a physical
assessment on a new patient?
A) Auscultate the lungs
B) Inspect the general appearance
C) Palpate the abdomen
D) Percuss the thorax
Correct Answer: Inspect the general appearance
Rationale: Inspection is always the first and most fundamental assessment
technique, beginning with observing the patient's general appearance,
behavior, and body structure. It provides a wealth of initial data without
,disturbing the patient. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation follow in
sequence, with auscultation of the abdomen performed before palpation.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the sublingual route.
Which action is correct?
A) Place the medication between the cheek and gum
B) Place the medication under the tongue
C) Have the patient swallow the medication with water
D) Apply the medication to the skin
Correct Answer: Place the medication under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual administration involves placing the medication under
the tongue, where it dissolves and is rapidly absorbed through the mucous
membranes. Buccal administration is between the cheek and gum, oral is
swallowed, and topical is applied to the skin. The sublingual route is used
when a rapid effect is needed.
4. According to the principles of health assessment, what is the correct order
of techniques for examining the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows a modified sequence: inspection,
auscultation, percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before
,percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds. The standard order
for other body systems is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
5. Which term refers to the subjective sensation that a patient feels and
reports?
A) Sign
B) Symptom
C) Diagnosis
D) Prognosis
Correct Answer: Symptom
Rationale: A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient, such as
pain, nausea, or dizziness. A sign is an objective abnormality detected on
physical examination. Diagnosis is the identification of a disease, and
prognosis is the predicted outcome.
6. A 68-year-old patient has a blood pressure reading of 155/95 mm Hg. How
should this be classified?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: According to guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a
systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg
or higher. This reading of 155/95 falls into Stage 2 hypertension. Normal is
below 120/80, elevated is 120-129/<80, and Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89.
, 7. What is the primary function of the RACE mnemonic in a fire emergency?
A) Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
B) Remove, Alert, Call, Exit
C) Run, Alert, Control, Evacuate
D) Rescue, Alert, Contain, Evacuate
Correct Answer: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
Rationale: The RACE mnemonic guides fire emergency response: **R**escue
anyone in immediate danger, **A**larm by activating the fire alarm,
**C**ontain the fire by closing doors, and **E**xtinguish if possible or
**E**vacuate. The PASS mnemonic is used for operating a fire extinguisher
(Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
8. Which of the following best describes the difference between medical
asepsis and surgical asepsis?
A) Medical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms; surgical asepsis reduces
them
B) Medical asepsis reduces the number of microorganisms; surgical asepsis
eliminates all microorganisms
C) Medical asepsis is used only in operating rooms
D) Surgical asepsis is the same as hand hygiene
Correct Answer: Medical asepsis reduces the number of microorganisms;
surgical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms
Rationale: Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number and spread
of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all
microorganisms, including spores. Surgical asepsis is used in operating
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A) To provide a framework for delivering patient-centered care
B) To document all patient interactions for legal purposes
C) To establish a hierarchy of staff within a healthcare team
D) To serve as a billing and coding tool for healthcare services
Correct Answer: To provide a framework for delivering patient-centered care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered framework
that guides nurses in providing holistic, evidence-based care. It consists of
assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (AAPIE).
While documentation is a component, the primary purpose is to structure
clinical reasoning and ensure quality patient outcomes.
2. What is the most appropriate initial step when performing a physical
assessment on a new patient?
A) Auscultate the lungs
B) Inspect the general appearance
C) Palpate the abdomen
D) Percuss the thorax
Correct Answer: Inspect the general appearance
Rationale: Inspection is always the first and most fundamental assessment
technique, beginning with observing the patient's general appearance,
behavior, and body structure. It provides a wealth of initial data without
,disturbing the patient. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation follow in
sequence, with auscultation of the abdomen performed before palpation.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the sublingual route.
Which action is correct?
A) Place the medication between the cheek and gum
B) Place the medication under the tongue
C) Have the patient swallow the medication with water
D) Apply the medication to the skin
Correct Answer: Place the medication under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual administration involves placing the medication under
the tongue, where it dissolves and is rapidly absorbed through the mucous
membranes. Buccal administration is between the cheek and gum, oral is
swallowed, and topical is applied to the skin. The sublingual route is used
when a rapid effect is needed.
4. According to the principles of health assessment, what is the correct order
of techniques for examining the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows a modified sequence: inspection,
auscultation, percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before
,percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds. The standard order
for other body systems is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
5. Which term refers to the subjective sensation that a patient feels and
reports?
A) Sign
B) Symptom
C) Diagnosis
D) Prognosis
Correct Answer: Symptom
Rationale: A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient, such as
pain, nausea, or dizziness. A sign is an objective abnormality detected on
physical examination. Diagnosis is the identification of a disease, and
prognosis is the predicted outcome.
6. A 68-year-old patient has a blood pressure reading of 155/95 mm Hg. How
should this be classified?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: According to guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a
systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg
or higher. This reading of 155/95 falls into Stage 2 hypertension. Normal is
below 120/80, elevated is 120-129/<80, and Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89.
, 7. What is the primary function of the RACE mnemonic in a fire emergency?
A) Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
B) Remove, Alert, Call, Exit
C) Run, Alert, Control, Evacuate
D) Rescue, Alert, Contain, Evacuate
Correct Answer: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
Rationale: The RACE mnemonic guides fire emergency response: **R**escue
anyone in immediate danger, **A**larm by activating the fire alarm,
**C**ontain the fire by closing doors, and **E**xtinguish if possible or
**E**vacuate. The PASS mnemonic is used for operating a fire extinguisher
(Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
8. Which of the following best describes the difference between medical
asepsis and surgical asepsis?
A) Medical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms; surgical asepsis reduces
them
B) Medical asepsis reduces the number of microorganisms; surgical asepsis
eliminates all microorganisms
C) Medical asepsis is used only in operating rooms
D) Surgical asepsis is the same as hand hygiene
Correct Answer: Medical asepsis reduces the number of microorganisms;
surgical asepsis eliminates all microorganisms
Rationale: Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number and spread
of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all
microorganisms, including spores. Surgical asepsis is used in operating
