Page 1 of 88
ROSDAHL'S TEXTBOOK OF BASIC NURSING (12TH EDITION) EXAM 2026 SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing (12th Edition) – Questions
SECTION 1: THE NATURE OF NURSING (Q1–Q25)
Origins of Nursing & Nursing Career (Q1–Q10)
Q1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions
B. Prescribing medications
C. Promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting people toward optimal
functioning
D. Performing surgical procedures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nursing focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, care of individuals
experiencing illness, and restoration and maintenance of health. Diagnosing and
prescribing are medical functions, and surgery is outside nursing scope.
Q2. Which action best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Asking another nurse to accept responsibility for an assigned task
B. Accepting responsibility for one's own nursing actions
C. Performing only tasks that are convenient
D. Documenting care before providing it
, Page 2 of 88
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means being answerable for one's decisions, actions, and
professional practice. Delegating responsibility for one's own task, avoiding tasks, or
documenting before care is provided does not demonstrate accountability.
Q3. Which historical figure is considered the founder of modern nursing?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Dorothea Dix
D. Lillian Wald
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is credited with founding modern nursing through her
work during the Crimean War, where she emphasized sanitation, hygiene, and statistical
analysis of patient outcomes.
Q4. A nurse is orienting a new aide. Which statement best describes the role of the
LPN/LVN?
A. The LPN/LVN independently performs all nursing duties without supervision.
B. The LPN/LVN practices under the supervision of an RN or physician.
C. The LPN/LVN only performs housekeeping tasks.
D. The LPN/LVN diagnoses and prescribes treatments.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The LPN/LVN practices under the supervision of an RN or physician,
providing direct patient care, administering medications, and performing other tasks
within their scope of practice.
Q5. Which nursing principle established by Florence Nightingale is still practiced
today?
, Page 3 of 88
A. Using leeches for bloodletting
B. Handwashing and sanitation to prevent infection
C. Restricting visitation
D. Avoiding fresh air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nightingale emphasized handwashing, sanitation, ventilation, and
cleanliness as essential to preventing disease. These principles remain foundational to
infection control today.
Q6. A nurse is beginning a career in nursing. Which statement best describes the
importance of continuing education?
A. Continuing education is optional and not required for licensure.
B. Continuing education is required to maintain licensure and stay current with
evidence-based practice.
C. Continuing education is only for physicians.
D. Continuing education is only needed during the first year of practice.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuing education is required by state boards of nursing to maintain
licensure and to ensure nurses stay current with evolving evidence-based practices.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of a nursing responsibility?
A. Prescribing antibiotics
B. Performing surgery
C. Monitoring patient status and reporting changes
D. Interpreting chest X-rays
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring patient status and reporting changes to the healthcare team is a
, Page 4 of 88
core nursing responsibility. Prescribing, surgery, and radiologic interpretation are
medical responsibilities.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a patient who adheres to a philosophy of Christian
Science. The patient requires emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. How
should the nurse approach this situation?
A. Insist on the surgery, citing that the state's interest in preserving life overrides
religious objection.
B. Facilitate communication between the patient, family, and hospital's spiritual advisor
or Church representative to address potential conflicts.
C. Document the patient's refusal as a psychological deficit and proceed with court-
ordered intervention.
D. Administer sedation immediately and proceed without further discussion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Christian Scientists generally rely on prayer for healing but are not strictly
prohibited from seeking medical care, especially in emergencies. The nurse must honor
patient autonomy and support their spiritual decision-making process.
Q9. Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for an LPN/LVN?
A. The LPN/LVN can practice independently without supervision.
B. The LPN/LVN's scope of practice is determined by state law and the state board of
nursing.
C. The LPN/LVN has the same scope of practice as an RN.
D. The LPN/LVN's scope of practice is determined by the hospital only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Each state's nurse practice act defines the scope of practice for LPN/LVNs.
This varies by state but typically includes providing basic patient care under
supervision.
ROSDAHL'S TEXTBOOK OF BASIC NURSING (12TH EDITION) EXAM 2026 SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
Rosdahl's Textbook of Basic Nursing (12th Edition) – Questions
SECTION 1: THE NATURE OF NURSING (Q1–Q25)
Origins of Nursing & Nursing Career (Q1–Q10)
Q1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of nursing?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions
B. Prescribing medications
C. Promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting people toward optimal
functioning
D. Performing surgical procedures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nursing focuses on health promotion, illness prevention, care of individuals
experiencing illness, and restoration and maintenance of health. Diagnosing and
prescribing are medical functions, and surgery is outside nursing scope.
Q2. Which action best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Asking another nurse to accept responsibility for an assigned task
B. Accepting responsibility for one's own nursing actions
C. Performing only tasks that are convenient
D. Documenting care before providing it
, Page 2 of 88
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means being answerable for one's decisions, actions, and
professional practice. Delegating responsibility for one's own task, avoiding tasks, or
documenting before care is provided does not demonstrate accountability.
Q3. Which historical figure is considered the founder of modern nursing?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Dorothea Dix
D. Lillian Wald
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is credited with founding modern nursing through her
work during the Crimean War, where she emphasized sanitation, hygiene, and statistical
analysis of patient outcomes.
Q4. A nurse is orienting a new aide. Which statement best describes the role of the
LPN/LVN?
A. The LPN/LVN independently performs all nursing duties without supervision.
B. The LPN/LVN practices under the supervision of an RN or physician.
C. The LPN/LVN only performs housekeeping tasks.
D. The LPN/LVN diagnoses and prescribes treatments.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The LPN/LVN practices under the supervision of an RN or physician,
providing direct patient care, administering medications, and performing other tasks
within their scope of practice.
Q5. Which nursing principle established by Florence Nightingale is still practiced
today?
, Page 3 of 88
A. Using leeches for bloodletting
B. Handwashing and sanitation to prevent infection
C. Restricting visitation
D. Avoiding fresh air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nightingale emphasized handwashing, sanitation, ventilation, and
cleanliness as essential to preventing disease. These principles remain foundational to
infection control today.
Q6. A nurse is beginning a career in nursing. Which statement best describes the
importance of continuing education?
A. Continuing education is optional and not required for licensure.
B. Continuing education is required to maintain licensure and stay current with
evidence-based practice.
C. Continuing education is only for physicians.
D. Continuing education is only needed during the first year of practice.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuing education is required by state boards of nursing to maintain
licensure and to ensure nurses stay current with evolving evidence-based practices.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of a nursing responsibility?
A. Prescribing antibiotics
B. Performing surgery
C. Monitoring patient status and reporting changes
D. Interpreting chest X-rays
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring patient status and reporting changes to the healthcare team is a
, Page 4 of 88
core nursing responsibility. Prescribing, surgery, and radiologic interpretation are
medical responsibilities.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a patient who adheres to a philosophy of Christian
Science. The patient requires emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. How
should the nurse approach this situation?
A. Insist on the surgery, citing that the state's interest in preserving life overrides
religious objection.
B. Facilitate communication between the patient, family, and hospital's spiritual advisor
or Church representative to address potential conflicts.
C. Document the patient's refusal as a psychological deficit and proceed with court-
ordered intervention.
D. Administer sedation immediately and proceed without further discussion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Christian Scientists generally rely on prayer for healing but are not strictly
prohibited from seeking medical care, especially in emergencies. The nurse must honor
patient autonomy and support their spiritual decision-making process.
Q9. Which of the following best describes the scope of practice for an LPN/LVN?
A. The LPN/LVN can practice independently without supervision.
B. The LPN/LVN's scope of practice is determined by state law and the state board of
nursing.
C. The LPN/LVN has the same scope of practice as an RN.
D. The LPN/LVN's scope of practice is determined by the hospital only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Each state's nurse practice act defines the scope of practice for LPN/LVNs.
This varies by state but typically includes providing basic patient care under
supervision.
