Galen College NU 180 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing and
Healthcare II Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A) To ensure all patients receive identical care regardless of individual needs
B) To provide a systematic, problem-solving framework for delivering
individualized nursing care
C) To delegate all care decisions to the physician
D) To document patient outcomes after discharge
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic, problem-solving framework for
delivering individualized nursing care
Rationale: The nursing process (ADPIE) is a critical thinking method that
guides assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It
ensures care is tailored to each patient's unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all
approach, forming the foundation of clinical decision-making.
2. A nurse asks a patient, "When did your pain start?" This is an example of
which type of question?
A) Open-ended question
B) Closed-ended question
C) Reflective question
D) Leading question
Correct Answer: Closed-ended question
Rationale: A closed-ended question requires a specific, brief answer, such as
a time or date. Open-ended questions encourage broader responses,
,reflective questions paraphrase the patient's words, and leading questions
suggest a desired answer.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who develops a sudden onset of dyspnea
and wheezing. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Call the health care provider
C) Assess the patient's respiratory status and vital signs
D) Document the symptoms
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's respiratory status and vital signs
Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process. The
nurse must gather objective data such as breath sounds, oxygen saturation,
and respiratory rate before implementing interventions or notifying the
provider.
4. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) Using tradition and past practices to guide care decisions
B) Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise
and patient preferences
C) Following physician orders without questioning
D) Relying solely on textbooks for clinical decisions
Correct Answer: Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is a problem-solving approach that
integrates the best current research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
,values and preferences. It ensures care is effective, safe, and patient-
centered.
5. A nurse is preparing to measure an oral temperature. The nurse should
wait at least 15 minutes if the patient has recently:
A) Had a bowel movement
B) Consumed hot or cold liquids
C) Been lying in a supine position
D) Received an intramuscular injection
Correct Answer: Consumed hot or cold liquids
Rationale: Ingesting hot or cold beverages can transiently alter oral
temperature. The nurse should delay measurement by 15 to 30 minutes to
obtain an accurate reading.
6. The nurse is counting a patient's respiratory rate. Which factor could
cause a falsely elevated rate?
A) The patient resting quietly with eyes closed
B) The patient experiencing acute pain
C) A cool ambient room temperature
D) Slow, deep breathing patterns
Correct Answer: The patient experiencing acute pain
Rationale: Pain, anxiety, and fear increase sympathetic stimulation, leading
to an elevated respiratory rate. Resting quietly, a cool room, and slow, deep
breathing would not cause a falsely elevated rate.
, 7. A patient is refusing a prescribed medication. The nurse respects the
patient's decision. This action reflects which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects an individual's right to make their own
decisions about their healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment.
Beneficence means doing good, nonmaleficence means avoiding harm, and
justice refers to fair distribution of resources.
8. Which of the following is a component of informed consent?
A) The patient must be informed of the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives
B) The patient must sign the consent form without reading it
C) The nurse must make the decision for the patient
D) The patient must agree to all treatments recommended by the provider
Correct Answer: The patient must be informed of the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient be fully informed about
the procedure, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and must
voluntarily agree to proceed. The patient must have decision-making
capacity and understand the information provided.
Healthcare II Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A) To ensure all patients receive identical care regardless of individual needs
B) To provide a systematic, problem-solving framework for delivering
individualized nursing care
C) To delegate all care decisions to the physician
D) To document patient outcomes after discharge
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic, problem-solving framework for
delivering individualized nursing care
Rationale: The nursing process (ADPIE) is a critical thinking method that
guides assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It
ensures care is tailored to each patient's unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all
approach, forming the foundation of clinical decision-making.
2. A nurse asks a patient, "When did your pain start?" This is an example of
which type of question?
A) Open-ended question
B) Closed-ended question
C) Reflective question
D) Leading question
Correct Answer: Closed-ended question
Rationale: A closed-ended question requires a specific, brief answer, such as
a time or date. Open-ended questions encourage broader responses,
,reflective questions paraphrase the patient's words, and leading questions
suggest a desired answer.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who develops a sudden onset of dyspnea
and wheezing. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Call the health care provider
C) Assess the patient's respiratory status and vital signs
D) Document the symptoms
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's respiratory status and vital signs
Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process. The
nurse must gather objective data such as breath sounds, oxygen saturation,
and respiratory rate before implementing interventions or notifying the
provider.
4. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) Using tradition and past practices to guide care decisions
B) Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise
and patient preferences
C) Following physician orders without questioning
D) Relying solely on textbooks for clinical decisions
Correct Answer: Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is a problem-solving approach that
integrates the best current research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
,values and preferences. It ensures care is effective, safe, and patient-
centered.
5. A nurse is preparing to measure an oral temperature. The nurse should
wait at least 15 minutes if the patient has recently:
A) Had a bowel movement
B) Consumed hot or cold liquids
C) Been lying in a supine position
D) Received an intramuscular injection
Correct Answer: Consumed hot or cold liquids
Rationale: Ingesting hot or cold beverages can transiently alter oral
temperature. The nurse should delay measurement by 15 to 30 minutes to
obtain an accurate reading.
6. The nurse is counting a patient's respiratory rate. Which factor could
cause a falsely elevated rate?
A) The patient resting quietly with eyes closed
B) The patient experiencing acute pain
C) A cool ambient room temperature
D) Slow, deep breathing patterns
Correct Answer: The patient experiencing acute pain
Rationale: Pain, anxiety, and fear increase sympathetic stimulation, leading
to an elevated respiratory rate. Resting quietly, a cool room, and slow, deep
breathing would not cause a falsely elevated rate.
, 7. A patient is refusing a prescribed medication. The nurse respects the
patient's decision. This action reflects which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects an individual's right to make their own
decisions about their healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment.
Beneficence means doing good, nonmaleficence means avoiding harm, and
justice refers to fair distribution of resources.
8. Which of the following is a component of informed consent?
A) The patient must be informed of the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives
B) The patient must sign the consent form without reading it
C) The nurse must make the decision for the patient
D) The patient must agree to all treatments recommended by the provider
Correct Answer: The patient must be informed of the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient be fully informed about
the procedure, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and must
voluntarily agree to proceed. The patient must have decision-making
capacity and understand the information provided.
