Galen NSG 3100 Exam 3 | Fundamental Concepts & Skills
(2026/2027) – Verified Q&A | Grade A
Nursing Fundamentals & Core Skills | Key Domains: Nursing Process Application, Asepsis &
Infection Control, Medication Administration Principles, Wound Care & Skin Integrity, Perioperative
Nursing Concepts, Urinary Elimination & Catheter Care, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care, and
Documentation & Communication | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured Galen NSG 3100 Exam 3 for 2026/2027 provides a focused set of high-quality
exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of
fundamental nursing concepts and essential psychomotor skills required for safe patient care,
including clinical decision-making within the scope of practice and adherence to established safety
and procedural standards.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 3: (70 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the foundational nursing principle, the correct step in a nursing procedure, the rationale
for a safety intervention, or the appropriate documentation standard, and why alternative options
are incorrect, unsafe, or violate core nursing practice.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action best demonstrates
adherence to the “Right Patient” principle?
A. Checking the medication label against the MAR
B. Verifying the client’s name and date of birth using the wristband
C. Confirming the route with the pharmacy
D. Calculating the dose twice
,B. Verifying the client’s name and date of birth using the wristband
The “Right Patient” requires using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) from the
wristband—not room number or bed label. This prevents medication errors. Option A relates to “Right
Drug,” C to “Right Route,” and D to “Right Dose.”
2. Which technique is essential when performing hand hygiene before inserting a urinary
catheter?
A. Using hand sanitizer for 15 seconds
B. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C. Rinsing hands with water only
D. Wearing gloves eliminates the need for handwashing
B. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Soap and water are required when hands are visibly soiled or before invasive procedures (e.g., catheter
insertion) to remove spores and organic matter. Hand sanitizer (A) is insufficient for C. diff or visibly
soiled hands. Gloves (D) do not replace hand hygiene.
3. A client with an indwelling urinary catheter has cloudy, foul-smelling urine. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Increase oral fluid intake
B. Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection (UTI)
C. Irrigate the catheter with sterile saline
D. Change the catheter bag
B. Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection (UTI)
Cloudy, foul-smelling urine is a classic sign of UTI in catheterized clients. The provider must be notified
for urine culture and possible antibiotics. Increasing fluids (A) is supportive but not priority. Irrigation
,(C) is only done if ordered and for obstruction, not infection. Changing the bag (D) does not address the
infection source.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 94%
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
C. Skin redness and irritation at the nares
D. Confusion and restlessness
D. Confusion and restlessness
Confusion and restlessness are signs of hypoxia and require immediate assessment of oxygen delivery,
lung sounds, and SpO₂. SpO₂ 94% (A) may be acceptable depending on the client’s baseline. RR 18 (B) is
normal. Nares irritation (C) is important for skin integrity but not emergent.
5. When applying a sterile dressing to a surgical wound, the nurse should:
A. Pour sterile solution directly onto the wound
B. Use clean gloves to handle the dressing package
C. Don sterile gloves before handling the dressing materials
D. Touch the sterile field with clean ungloved hands
C. Don sterile gloves before handling the dressing materials
Sterile gloves must be worn to maintain asepsis when handling sterile dressings or contacting the
wound bed. Clean gloves (B) are for non-sterile procedures. Pouring solution directly (A) risks
contamination. Touching the sterile field (D) breaks sterility.
6. A client is 1 day post-op from abdominal surgery. The nurse assesses absent bowel sounds,
abdominal distension, and no flatus. What condition is suspected?
A. Paralytic ileus
, B. Bowel obstruction
C. Gastroenteritis
D. Peritonitis
A. Paralytic ileus
Paralytic ileus—common after abdominal surgery—causes absent bowel sounds, distension, and lack
of flatus due to temporary loss of peristalsis. Obstruction (B) typically has high-pitched or tinkling
bowel sounds early on. Gastroenteritis (C) causes diarrhea. Peritonitis (D) presents with rigid abdomen
and fever.
7. Which action is most important to prevent skin breakdown in an immobile client?
A. Massaging bony prominences
B. Repositioning every 2 hours
C. Applying talcum powder to moist areas
D. Using a donut-shaped cushion
B. Repositioning every 2 hours
Frequent repositioning relieves pressure on bony prominences, maintaining tissue perfusion.
Massaging (A) can damage capillaries in at-risk skin. Talcum powder (C) increases moisture retention.
Donut cushions (D) reduce blood flow to the center and are contraindicated.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult. Which site
is preferred for a 3 mL volume?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Ventrogluteal
(2026/2027) – Verified Q&A | Grade A
Nursing Fundamentals & Core Skills | Key Domains: Nursing Process Application, Asepsis &
Infection Control, Medication Administration Principles, Wound Care & Skin Integrity, Perioperative
Nursing Concepts, Urinary Elimination & Catheter Care, Oxygenation & Respiratory Care, and
Documentation & Communication | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready Format
Introduction
This structured Galen NSG 3100 Exam 3 for 2026/2027 provides a focused set of high-quality
exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of
fundamental nursing concepts and essential psychomotor skills required for safe patient care,
including clinical decision-making within the scope of practice and adherence to established safety
and procedural standards.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 3: (70 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the foundational nursing principle, the correct step in a nursing procedure, the rationale
for a safety intervention, or the appropriate documentation standard, and why alternative options
are incorrect, unsafe, or violate core nursing practice.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action best demonstrates
adherence to the “Right Patient” principle?
A. Checking the medication label against the MAR
B. Verifying the client’s name and date of birth using the wristband
C. Confirming the route with the pharmacy
D. Calculating the dose twice
,B. Verifying the client’s name and date of birth using the wristband
The “Right Patient” requires using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) from the
wristband—not room number or bed label. This prevents medication errors. Option A relates to “Right
Drug,” C to “Right Route,” and D to “Right Dose.”
2. Which technique is essential when performing hand hygiene before inserting a urinary
catheter?
A. Using hand sanitizer for 15 seconds
B. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C. Rinsing hands with water only
D. Wearing gloves eliminates the need for handwashing
B. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Soap and water are required when hands are visibly soiled or before invasive procedures (e.g., catheter
insertion) to remove spores and organic matter. Hand sanitizer (A) is insufficient for C. diff or visibly
soiled hands. Gloves (D) do not replace hand hygiene.
3. A client with an indwelling urinary catheter has cloudy, foul-smelling urine. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Increase oral fluid intake
B. Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection (UTI)
C. Irrigate the catheter with sterile saline
D. Change the catheter bag
B. Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection (UTI)
Cloudy, foul-smelling urine is a classic sign of UTI in catheterized clients. The provider must be notified
for urine culture and possible antibiotics. Increasing fluids (A) is supportive but not priority. Irrigation
,(C) is only done if ordered and for obstruction, not infection. Changing the bag (D) does not address the
infection source.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 94%
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
C. Skin redness and irritation at the nares
D. Confusion and restlessness
D. Confusion and restlessness
Confusion and restlessness are signs of hypoxia and require immediate assessment of oxygen delivery,
lung sounds, and SpO₂. SpO₂ 94% (A) may be acceptable depending on the client’s baseline. RR 18 (B) is
normal. Nares irritation (C) is important for skin integrity but not emergent.
5. When applying a sterile dressing to a surgical wound, the nurse should:
A. Pour sterile solution directly onto the wound
B. Use clean gloves to handle the dressing package
C. Don sterile gloves before handling the dressing materials
D. Touch the sterile field with clean ungloved hands
C. Don sterile gloves before handling the dressing materials
Sterile gloves must be worn to maintain asepsis when handling sterile dressings or contacting the
wound bed. Clean gloves (B) are for non-sterile procedures. Pouring solution directly (A) risks
contamination. Touching the sterile field (D) breaks sterility.
6. A client is 1 day post-op from abdominal surgery. The nurse assesses absent bowel sounds,
abdominal distension, and no flatus. What condition is suspected?
A. Paralytic ileus
, B. Bowel obstruction
C. Gastroenteritis
D. Peritonitis
A. Paralytic ileus
Paralytic ileus—common after abdominal surgery—causes absent bowel sounds, distension, and lack
of flatus due to temporary loss of peristalsis. Obstruction (B) typically has high-pitched or tinkling
bowel sounds early on. Gastroenteritis (C) causes diarrhea. Peritonitis (D) presents with rigid abdomen
and fever.
7. Which action is most important to prevent skin breakdown in an immobile client?
A. Massaging bony prominences
B. Repositioning every 2 hours
C. Applying talcum powder to moist areas
D. Using a donut-shaped cushion
B. Repositioning every 2 hours
Frequent repositioning relieves pressure on bony prominences, maintaining tissue perfusion.
Massaging (A) can damage capillaries in at-risk skin. Talcum powder (C) increases moisture retention.
Donut cushions (D) reduce blood flow to the center and are contraindicated.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult. Which site
is preferred for a 3 mL volume?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Ventrogluteal
