Fundamentals of Nursing: Quick Review
Exams
2025 Edition - Questions with Verified Answers
Section 1: Basic Nursing Concepts
1. What are the five rights of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. Some organizations add
additional rights including right documentation, right reason, right to refuse, and right
assessment.
2. What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare settings?
To prevent the transmission of infectious agents between patients, healthcare workers, and the
environment. Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated
infections.
3. Define "informed consent" in nursing practice.**
Informed consent is a patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure or treatment after receiving
complete information about risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential outcomes. The patient
must be competent and free from coercion.
4. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
Subjective data is information reported by the patient (symptoms, feelings, perceptions).
Objective data is observable and measurable information obtained through physical
examination or diagnostic tests (vital signs, lab results).
5. What does HIPAA stand for and what is its primary purpose?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Its primary purpose is to protect patient
privacy and confidentiality of health information.
,Section 2: Vital Signs
6. What is the normal adult resting heart rate range?
60-100 beats per minute. Athletes may have lower resting heart rates (40-60 bpm).
7. What is considered a normal blood pressure for adults?
Systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg. Elevated BP is 120-129/<80,
and hypertension Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89.
8. What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?
12-20 breaths per minute. Rates outside this range may indicate respiratory distress or other
conditions.
9. What is the normal temperature range for adults (oral)?
97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C). Fever is generally defined as a temperature above 100.4°F
(38°C).
10. What is pulse oximetry and what is considered a normal reading?
Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation in the blood. Normal SpO2 is 95-100%. Below
90% indicates hypoxemia requiring intervention.
11. What is orthostatic hypotension?
A drop in blood pressure of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of
standing, often accompanied by dizziness. It increases fall risk.
12. Where is the apical pulse located and when should it be assessed?
Located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line (apex of the heart). It should be
assessed when peripheral pulses are irregular, before administering cardiac medications, or in
infants.
, Section 3: Infection Control
13. What are standard precautions?
Basic infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, including hand hygiene, use of
PPE based on anticipated exposure, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and proper
handling of equipment.
14. When is airborne precaution required?
For diseases transmitted through small airborne particles that remain suspended in air, such as
tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox). Requires N95 respirator and negative
pressure room.
15. What is the proper order for donning PPE?
Gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, then gloves.
16. What is the proper order for removing PPE?
Gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask or respirator. Perform hand
hygiene after removal.
17. What is contact precaution and when is it used?
Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA, VRE, C. difficile.
Requires gown and gloves for patient contact.
18. What is droplet precaution?
Used for infections spread through large respiratory droplets (>5 microns) that travel short
distances, such as influenza, pertussis, meningococcal disease. Requires surgical mask within
6 feet of patient.
19. How long should hands be scrubbed when washing with soap and water?
Exams
2025 Edition - Questions with Verified Answers
Section 1: Basic Nursing Concepts
1. What are the five rights of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. Some organizations add
additional rights including right documentation, right reason, right to refuse, and right
assessment.
2. What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare settings?
To prevent the transmission of infectious agents between patients, healthcare workers, and the
environment. Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated
infections.
3. Define "informed consent" in nursing practice.**
Informed consent is a patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure or treatment after receiving
complete information about risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential outcomes. The patient
must be competent and free from coercion.
4. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
Subjective data is information reported by the patient (symptoms, feelings, perceptions).
Objective data is observable and measurable information obtained through physical
examination or diagnostic tests (vital signs, lab results).
5. What does HIPAA stand for and what is its primary purpose?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Its primary purpose is to protect patient
privacy and confidentiality of health information.
,Section 2: Vital Signs
6. What is the normal adult resting heart rate range?
60-100 beats per minute. Athletes may have lower resting heart rates (40-60 bpm).
7. What is considered a normal blood pressure for adults?
Systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg. Elevated BP is 120-129/<80,
and hypertension Stage 1 is 130-139/80-89.
8. What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?
12-20 breaths per minute. Rates outside this range may indicate respiratory distress or other
conditions.
9. What is the normal temperature range for adults (oral)?
97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C). Fever is generally defined as a temperature above 100.4°F
(38°C).
10. What is pulse oximetry and what is considered a normal reading?
Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation in the blood. Normal SpO2 is 95-100%. Below
90% indicates hypoxemia requiring intervention.
11. What is orthostatic hypotension?
A drop in blood pressure of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of
standing, often accompanied by dizziness. It increases fall risk.
12. Where is the apical pulse located and when should it be assessed?
Located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line (apex of the heart). It should be
assessed when peripheral pulses are irregular, before administering cardiac medications, or in
infants.
, Section 3: Infection Control
13. What are standard precautions?
Basic infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, including hand hygiene, use of
PPE based on anticipated exposure, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and proper
handling of equipment.
14. When is airborne precaution required?
For diseases transmitted through small airborne particles that remain suspended in air, such as
tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox). Requires N95 respirator and negative
pressure room.
15. What is the proper order for donning PPE?
Gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, then gloves.
16. What is the proper order for removing PPE?
Gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask or respirator. Perform hand
hygiene after removal.
17. What is contact precaution and when is it used?
Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA, VRE, C. difficile.
Requires gown and gloves for patient contact.
18. What is droplet precaution?
Used for infections spread through large respiratory droplets (>5 microns) that travel short
distances, such as influenza, pertussis, meningococcal disease. Requires surgical mask within
6 feet of patient.
19. How long should hands be scrubbed when washing with soap and water?
