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NURS 201 Adult Health Nursing Exam |
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers
& Detailed Rationales | 2026–2027 Updated
Nursing Study Guide | Grade A
1. A nurse is teaching about the founder of modern nursing. Who is considered the
founder of modern nursing and the first nursing scientist?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Mary Seacole
D. Dorothea Dix
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing. She
established the first formal nursing school, improved hospital sanitation, used data to
prove what works in healthcare, and focused on holistic care (clean, quiet, safe
environment).
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2. A nurse recalls that Florence Nightingale was known as the "Lady with the Lamp."
What were her major contributions to nursing? (Select all that apply.)
A. Made nursing a respected profession
B. Created the first formal nursing school
C. Showed that cleanliness and hygiene save lives
D. Improved hospital sanitation and patient care
E. Used data and facts to prove what works in healthcare
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Florence Nightingale elevated nursing to a respected profession, established
the first nursing school, pioneered hygiene and sanitation, and used statistical data to
improve healthcare outcomes. Her book, "Notes on Nursing," outlined her principles.
3. A nurse is teaching about the symbols of nursing. What are common symbols
associated with the nursing profession? (Select all that apply.)
A. The oil lamp
B. The Caduceus (Hermes Staff)
C. The staff of Asclepius
D. The Nursing Cap
E. The Red Cross
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D
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Rationale: Nursing symbols include the oil lamp (Florence Nightingale), the Caduceus
(staff with two snakes), the staff of Asclepius (single snake, symbol of medicine), and the
nursing cap.
4. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Which nurse was a Jamaican-
Scottish "doctress" who established the British Hotel and treated soldiers on the
battlefront after being refused the right to work with Nightingale?
A. Clara Barton
B. Mary Seacole
C. Harriet Tubman
D. Sojourner Truth
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Mary Seacole was a Jamaican-Scottish nurse who used her own resources to
travel to the Crimea and provide care to soldiers, establishing the "British Hotel" near
the battle lines.
5. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Who was known as the "Angel of
the Battlefield" and founded the American Red Cross?
A. Florence Nightingale
B. Clara Barton
C. Dorothea Dix
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D. Lillian Wald
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Clara Barton was a pioneering nurse who provided care during the Civil War
and later founded the American Red Cross.
6. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Which nursing pioneer was a
patient advocate and lobbyist who set up guidelines to protect nurses, known as the
"Protein of Women in Nursing"?
A. Dorothea Dix
B. Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke
C. Sojourner Truth
D. Walt Whitman
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Dorothea Dix was a nursing pioneer and patient advocate who lobbied for
guidelines to protect nurses and improve care for the mentally ill.
7. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Who was known as "Mother to
the Boys in Blue" (Civil War soldiers) and served as a US Sanitary Commission agent
raising money for supplies?
A. Clara Barton
B. Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke
NURS 201 Adult Health Nursing Exam |
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers
& Detailed Rationales | 2026–2027 Updated
Nursing Study Guide | Grade A
1. A nurse is teaching about the founder of modern nursing. Who is considered the
founder of modern nursing and the first nursing scientist?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Mary Seacole
D. Dorothea Dix
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing. She
established the first formal nursing school, improved hospital sanitation, used data to
prove what works in healthcare, and focused on holistic care (clean, quiet, safe
environment).
,2|Page
2. A nurse recalls that Florence Nightingale was known as the "Lady with the Lamp."
What were her major contributions to nursing? (Select all that apply.)
A. Made nursing a respected profession
B. Created the first formal nursing school
C. Showed that cleanliness and hygiene save lives
D. Improved hospital sanitation and patient care
E. Used data and facts to prove what works in healthcare
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Florence Nightingale elevated nursing to a respected profession, established
the first nursing school, pioneered hygiene and sanitation, and used statistical data to
improve healthcare outcomes. Her book, "Notes on Nursing," outlined her principles.
3. A nurse is teaching about the symbols of nursing. What are common symbols
associated with the nursing profession? (Select all that apply.)
A. The oil lamp
B. The Caduceus (Hermes Staff)
C. The staff of Asclepius
D. The Nursing Cap
E. The Red Cross
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D
,3|Page
Rationale: Nursing symbols include the oil lamp (Florence Nightingale), the Caduceus
(staff with two snakes), the staff of Asclepius (single snake, symbol of medicine), and the
nursing cap.
4. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Which nurse was a Jamaican-
Scottish "doctress" who established the British Hotel and treated soldiers on the
battlefront after being refused the right to work with Nightingale?
A. Clara Barton
B. Mary Seacole
C. Harriet Tubman
D. Sojourner Truth
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Mary Seacole was a Jamaican-Scottish nurse who used her own resources to
travel to the Crimea and provide care to soldiers, establishing the "British Hotel" near
the battle lines.
5. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Who was known as the "Angel of
the Battlefield" and founded the American Red Cross?
A. Florence Nightingale
B. Clara Barton
C. Dorothea Dix
, 4|Page
D. Lillian Wald
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Clara Barton was a pioneering nurse who provided care during the Civil War
and later founded the American Red Cross.
6. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Which nursing pioneer was a
patient advocate and lobbyist who set up guidelines to protect nurses, known as the
"Protein of Women in Nursing"?
A. Dorothea Dix
B. Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke
C. Sojourner Truth
D. Walt Whitman
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Dorothea Dix was a nursing pioneer and patient advocate who lobbied for
guidelines to protect nurses and improve care for the mentally ill.
7. A nurse is learning about historical nursing figures. Who was known as "Mother to
the Boys in Blue" (Civil War soldiers) and served as a US Sanitary Commission agent
raising money for supplies?
A. Clara Barton
B. Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke
