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NSG 3850 COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Questions 1–15)
Question 1. The nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which action is
the priority before giving any medication?
A) Check the patient's identification band
B) Verify the medication order with the pharmacy
C) Perform hand hygiene and verify the five rights of medication administration
D) Assess the patient's vital signs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene and verifying the five rights (right patient, drug, dose,
route, time) are essential before any medication administration to ensure safety.
Question 2. Which technique is correct when performing hand hygiene with
alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Apply rub to dry hands and rub until dry
B) Apply rub to palms, rub hands together covering all surfaces until dry
C) Wipe hands with a paper towel immediately after applying
D) Rinse hands with water after applying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub should be applied to the palm of one hand,
then rubbed over all surfaces of hands and fingers until dry.
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Question 3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark, dusky, and dry
C) Small amount of bleeding at stoma site
D) Output is liquid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A dark, dusky, or dry stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate
notification of the provider.
Question 4. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper use of standard
precautions?
A) Wearing gloves when touching a patient's intact skin
B) Wearing gloves when anticipating contact with blood or body fluids
C) Wearing a gown when entering the room
D) Wearing a mask when talking to the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard precautions require gloves when contact with blood, body
fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes is anticipated.
Question 5. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which finding is most reliable
indicator of pain?
A) Elevated heart rate
B) Grimacing
C) Patient's self-report
D) Elevated blood pressure
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Other
signs are subjective and may not always be present.
Question 6. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of
breath?
A) Supine
B) High Fowler's
C) Trendelenburg
D) Prone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler's position promotes lung expansion and reduces dyspnea
by allowing gravity to assist in breathing.
Question 7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action is priority?
A) Explain the procedure to the patient
B) Perform hand hygiene and use sterile technique
C) Gather supplies
D) Position the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique is essential during catheter insertion to prevent
urinary tract infections.
Question 8. Which finding indicates a need for further teaching about crutch
walking?
A) "I should bear weight on my hands, not my armpits."
B) "I should lean on the crutches with my armpits for support."
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C) "I should keep my elbows slightly bent."
D) "I should look forward when walking."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leaning on the armpits can cause nerve damage (crutch palsy). Weight
should be borne on the hands.
Question 9. A nurse is assessing a patient for dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output
are signs of dehydration.
Question 10. Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a
patient?
A) Bend at the waist
B) Bend at the knees and keep the back straight
C) Twist while lifting
D) Hold the patient away from the body
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight reduces the risk of
injury when lifting.
Question 11. A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry is appropriate?
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NSG 3850 COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Questions 1–15)
Question 1. The nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which action is
the priority before giving any medication?
A) Check the patient's identification band
B) Verify the medication order with the pharmacy
C) Perform hand hygiene and verify the five rights of medication administration
D) Assess the patient's vital signs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene and verifying the five rights (right patient, drug, dose,
route, time) are essential before any medication administration to ensure safety.
Question 2. Which technique is correct when performing hand hygiene with
alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Apply rub to dry hands and rub until dry
B) Apply rub to palms, rub hands together covering all surfaces until dry
C) Wipe hands with a paper towel immediately after applying
D) Rinse hands with water after applying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub should be applied to the palm of one hand,
then rubbed over all surfaces of hands and fingers until dry.
1|Page
,Page 2 of 36
Question 3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark, dusky, and dry
C) Small amount of bleeding at stoma site
D) Output is liquid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A dark, dusky, or dry stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate
notification of the provider.
Question 4. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper use of standard
precautions?
A) Wearing gloves when touching a patient's intact skin
B) Wearing gloves when anticipating contact with blood or body fluids
C) Wearing a gown when entering the room
D) Wearing a mask when talking to the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard precautions require gloves when contact with blood, body
fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes is anticipated.
Question 5. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which finding is most reliable
indicator of pain?
A) Elevated heart rate
B) Grimacing
C) Patient's self-report
D) Elevated blood pressure
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Other
signs are subjective and may not always be present.
Question 6. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of
breath?
A) Supine
B) High Fowler's
C) Trendelenburg
D) Prone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler's position promotes lung expansion and reduces dyspnea
by allowing gravity to assist in breathing.
Question 7. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action is priority?
A) Explain the procedure to the patient
B) Perform hand hygiene and use sterile technique
C) Gather supplies
D) Position the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique is essential during catheter insertion to prevent
urinary tract infections.
Question 8. Which finding indicates a need for further teaching about crutch
walking?
A) "I should bear weight on my hands, not my armpits."
B) "I should lean on the crutches with my armpits for support."
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C) "I should keep my elbows slightly bent."
D) "I should look forward when walking."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leaning on the armpits can cause nerve damage (crutch palsy). Weight
should be borne on the hands.
Question 9. A nurse is assessing a patient for dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output
are signs of dehydration.
Question 10. Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a
patient?
A) Bend at the waist
B) Bend at the knees and keep the back straight
C) Twist while lifting
D) Hold the patient away from the body
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight reduces the risk of
injury when lifting.
Question 11. A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry is appropriate?
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