NU 136 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1. Which of the following phases
of the nursing process is being utilized when the nurse notices the patient’s surgical dressing
is saturated with serosanguinous drainage?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation
C. Diagnosis
D. Evaluation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
systematic collection of data. Noticing the state of the dressing is a data collection activity.
2. When preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an obese patient, which
angle of insertion should the nurse utilize to ensure the medication reaches the muscle
tissue?
A. 90 degrees
,B. 45 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: IM injections are administered at a 90-degree angle. For an
obese patient, a longer needle is required to ensure the medication passes through the
subcutaneous layer into the muscle.
3. A nurse is documenting in a patient’s electronic health record. Which of the following
entries is the most objective and accurate?
A. Patient states ‘I feel sick to my stomach’ and vomited 150 mL of green fluid.
B. Patient is uncooperative and refused morning care.
C. Patient seems to be in a lot of pain today.
D. Patient slept well through the night.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Objective documentation includes direct quotes and measurable
data (150 mL). The other options contain subjective interpretations (‘seems’,
‘uncooperative’, ‘slept well’).
, 4. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first when discovering a fire in a
patient’s room?
A. Rescue the patient from immediate danger.
B. Contain the fire by closing the door.
C. Extinguish the fire using the appropriate extinguisher.
D. Activate the fire alarm system.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish. The priority is always patient safety.
5. A patient who has been on prolonged bed rest is at risk for developing a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a DVT?
A. Bilateral dependent edema
B. Diminished pedal pulses in both feet
C. Coolness and pallor of the lower extremity
D. Unilateral calf swelling and tenderness
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DVT usually presents unilaterally with swelling, warmth, and
tenderness. Bilateral edema usually suggests heart failure or fluid overload.
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1. Which of the following phases
of the nursing process is being utilized when the nurse notices the patient’s surgical dressing
is saturated with serosanguinous drainage?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation
C. Diagnosis
D. Evaluation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
systematic collection of data. Noticing the state of the dressing is a data collection activity.
2. When preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an obese patient, which
angle of insertion should the nurse utilize to ensure the medication reaches the muscle
tissue?
A. 90 degrees
,B. 45 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: IM injections are administered at a 90-degree angle. For an
obese patient, a longer needle is required to ensure the medication passes through the
subcutaneous layer into the muscle.
3. A nurse is documenting in a patient’s electronic health record. Which of the following
entries is the most objective and accurate?
A. Patient states ‘I feel sick to my stomach’ and vomited 150 mL of green fluid.
B. Patient is uncooperative and refused morning care.
C. Patient seems to be in a lot of pain today.
D. Patient slept well through the night.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Objective documentation includes direct quotes and measurable
data (150 mL). The other options contain subjective interpretations (‘seems’,
‘uncooperative’, ‘slept well’).
, 4. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first when discovering a fire in a
patient’s room?
A. Rescue the patient from immediate danger.
B. Contain the fire by closing the door.
C. Extinguish the fire using the appropriate extinguisher.
D. Activate the fire alarm system.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish. The priority is always patient safety.
5. A patient who has been on prolonged bed rest is at risk for developing a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a DVT?
A. Bilateral dependent edema
B. Diminished pedal pulses in both feet
C. Coolness and pallor of the lower extremity
D. Unilateral calf swelling and tenderness
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DVT usually presents unilaterally with swelling, warmth, and
tenderness. Bilateral edema usually suggests heart failure or fluid overload.
