NU 136 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Which action
should the nurse prioritize when the patient attempts to get out of bed?
A. Apply anti-embolism stockings before the patient sits up.
B. Encourage the patient to dangle their legs at the bedside for 1 to 2 minutes.
C. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to increase venous return.
D. Assess the patient’s blood pressure while they are in the supine position.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dangling the legs allows the cardiovascular system to adjust to
the change in position, preventing syncope and falls in patients with orthostatic
hypotension.
2. According to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which of the following actions is a violation of patient
confidentiality?
A. Discussing a patient’s lab results with a consulting specialist in a private office.
B. Handing a printed shift report to the oncoming nurse during a bedside handoff.
,C. Accessing the electronic health record of a patient who was assigned to the nurse the
previous day.
D. Sharing a patient’s diagnosis with a family member who is not on the authorized list.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Information should only be shared with individuals who have a
legal right to know or those specifically authorized by the patient.
3. The nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action would result in the
contamination of the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Holding sterile forceps above the level of the waist.
C. Pouring sterile saline into a container while keeping the label in the palm.
D. Placing a sterile gauze pad within the 1-inch border of the sterile field.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered contaminated;
items must be placed in the center of the field to remain sterile.
4. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse determining if the patient’s SMART
goals were met?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
, C. Evaluation
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse compares the
patient’s current status with the desired outcomes to determine efficacy.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a C. difficile infection. Which hand hygiene practice is
required?
A. Using an alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds.
B. Using a friction rub with water only.
C. Applying chlorhexidine gluconate to the hands.
D. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. difficile spores;
mechanical friction and soap are necessary to remove the spores from the skin.
6. The nurse uses the Braden Scale to assess a patient’s risk for pressure injuries. A score of
12 indicates which risk level?
A. Low risk
B. High risk
C. Moderate risk
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Which action
should the nurse prioritize when the patient attempts to get out of bed?
A. Apply anti-embolism stockings before the patient sits up.
B. Encourage the patient to dangle their legs at the bedside for 1 to 2 minutes.
C. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to increase venous return.
D. Assess the patient’s blood pressure while they are in the supine position.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dangling the legs allows the cardiovascular system to adjust to
the change in position, preventing syncope and falls in patients with orthostatic
hypotension.
2. According to the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which of the following actions is a violation of patient
confidentiality?
A. Discussing a patient’s lab results with a consulting specialist in a private office.
B. Handing a printed shift report to the oncoming nurse during a bedside handoff.
,C. Accessing the electronic health record of a patient who was assigned to the nurse the
previous day.
D. Sharing a patient’s diagnosis with a family member who is not on the authorized list.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Information should only be shared with individuals who have a
legal right to know or those specifically authorized by the patient.
3. The nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action would result in the
contamination of the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Holding sterile forceps above the level of the waist.
C. Pouring sterile saline into a container while keeping the label in the palm.
D. Placing a sterile gauze pad within the 1-inch border of the sterile field.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered contaminated;
items must be placed in the center of the field to remain sterile.
4. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse determining if the patient’s SMART
goals were met?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
, C. Evaluation
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse compares the
patient’s current status with the desired outcomes to determine efficacy.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a C. difficile infection. Which hand hygiene practice is
required?
A. Using an alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds.
B. Using a friction rub with water only.
C. Applying chlorhexidine gluconate to the hands.
D. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. difficile spores;
mechanical friction and soap are necessary to remove the spores from the skin.
6. The nurse uses the Braden Scale to assess a patient’s risk for pressure injuries. A score of
12 indicates which risk level?
A. Low risk
B. High risk
C. Moderate risk
