NU 136 COMPREHENSIVE NURSING
FUNDAMENTALS EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile. Which infection control measure
is most critical and specific to this pathogen?
A. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer before exiting the room.
B. Washing hands with soap and water after providing care.
C. Wearing a gown and gloves only when in direct contact with the patient.
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers.
Mechanical friction with soap and water is required to remove them from the hands.
2. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse notes the cuff is too narrow for the
patient’s arm circumference. What is the likely result of this measurement?
A. A false-high reading.
B. A false-low reading.
C. No effect on the reading.
,D. An accurate diastolic but inaccurate systolic reading.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow will result
in a falsely elevated (high) reading because the bladder must be overinflated to compress
the artery.
3. A nurse identifies that a patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Which clinical
finding supports this conclusion?
A. A decrease in heart rate of 20 bpm when standing.
B. A decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mmHg when changing from supine to
standing.
C. An increase in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg when sitting up.
D. A consistent blood pressure reading regardless of position.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at
least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
4. During a physical assessment, the nurse prepares to assess the patient’s abdomen. In
which order should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
, C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent
palpation and percussion from altering bowel sounds.
5. A patient is scheduled for surgery, and the nurse is ensuring informed consent has been
obtained. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Deciding if the patient should undergo the procedure.
C. Obtaining the signature from the next of kin.
D. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, ensuring the patient
is competent and the signature is authentic. The physician is responsible for explaining the
procedure.
6. A nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action is appropriate?
A. Aspirating for blood return before injecting.
B. Massaging the site after the injection to promote absorption.
C. Using a 1.5-inch needle at a 90-degree angle.
FUNDAMENTALS EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile. Which infection control measure
is most critical and specific to this pathogen?
A. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer before exiting the room.
B. Washing hands with soap and water after providing care.
C. Wearing a gown and gloves only when in direct contact with the patient.
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative pressure airflow.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers.
Mechanical friction with soap and water is required to remove them from the hands.
2. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse notes the cuff is too narrow for the
patient’s arm circumference. What is the likely result of this measurement?
A. A false-high reading.
B. A false-low reading.
C. No effect on the reading.
,D. An accurate diastolic but inaccurate systolic reading.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow will result
in a falsely elevated (high) reading because the bladder must be overinflated to compress
the artery.
3. A nurse identifies that a patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Which clinical
finding supports this conclusion?
A. A decrease in heart rate of 20 bpm when standing.
B. A decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mmHg when changing from supine to
standing.
C. An increase in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg when sitting up.
D. A consistent blood pressure reading regardless of position.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of at
least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
4. During a physical assessment, the nurse prepares to assess the patient’s abdomen. In
which order should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
, C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent
palpation and percussion from altering bowel sounds.
5. A patient is scheduled for surgery, and the nurse is ensuring informed consent has been
obtained. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Deciding if the patient should undergo the procedure.
C. Obtaining the signature from the next of kin.
D. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, ensuring the patient
is competent and the signature is authentic. The physician is responsible for explaining the
procedure.
6. A nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action is appropriate?
A. Aspirating for blood return before injecting.
B. Massaging the site after the injection to promote absorption.
C. Using a 1.5-inch needle at a 90-degree angle.
