NURS 1101
Exam Questions and Answers
Introductory Nursing Foundations
Comprehensive 50-Question Review
Unit Code: NURS 1101
Academic Period: Semester 1, 2026
Date: 6 April 2026
Student Name: ________________________________
Student ID: __________________________________
Aligned with 2026|2027 NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice,
AACN Essentials Domain 1, and NSQHS Standards (2nd Edition)
,NURS 1101 Exam | 50 Questions and Answers | Comprehensive Review
Abstract
This examination resource comprises 50 multiple-choice questions designed for first-year
nursing students enrolled in NURS 1101 (Introductory Nursing Foundations). The questions
span five core domains: foundational nursing concepts and professional identity (Q1-Q10),
health assessment fundamentals and clinical documentation (Q11-Q20), medication safety and
pharmacology basics (Q21-Q30), infection control and patient-centred care (Q31-Q40), and
clinical reasoning, communication, and ethical-legal foundations (Q41-Q50). Each question
includes a clinical stem with four answer options, the correct answer, and a detailed rationale
explaining both the correct response and common distractors. Cognitive levels are distributed
across recall (approximately 30%), application (approximately 50%), and analysis
(approximately 20%) to support progressive development of clinical judgement. The
examination is aligned with the 2026|2027 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
(AACN) Essentials Domain 1 (Knowledge for Nursing Practice), and the Australian National
Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This resource serves as both a formative
assessment tool and a comprehensive revision aid for introductory nursing students preparing for
summative examinations.
Keywords: nursing foundations, introductory nursing, clinical assessment, medication safety,
infection control, clinical reasoning, NMBA standards, patient-centred care, therapeutic
communication, health documentation
Examination Blueprint
Secti
Topic Area Q Range Count Cognitive Levels
on
Foundational Nursing Concepts
1 Q1 - Q10 10 Recall, Application
& Professional Identity
Health Assessment Fundamentals
2 Q11 - Q20 10 Recall, Application
& Clinical Documentation
Medication Safety, Pharmacology
3 Basics Q21 - Q30 10 Recall, Application
& Administration Protocols
Infection Control, Safety Standards
4 Q31 - Q40 10 Recall, Application
& Patient-Centered Care
Clinical Reasoning,
5 Communication Q41 - Q50 10 Application, Analysis
& Ethical/Legal Foundations
~30% Recall, ~50%
TOTAL Q1 - Q50 50 Application,
~20% Analysis
Page 2
, NURS 1101 Exam | 50 Questions and Answers | Comprehensive Review
Section 1: Foundational Nursing Concepts & Professional Identity
(Q1-Q10)
This section covers the nursing process, scope of practice, professional accountability, nursing theories,
evidence-based practice, therapeutic use of self, and roles of the nurse.
Question 1:
A nursing student is caring for a patient who was admitted with dehydration. The student checks the patient's vital
signs, asks about fluid intake, and observes the skin turgor. Which step of the nursing process (ADPIE) is the
student performing?
A. A. Diagnosis - identifying the patient's nursing problem based on collected data
B. B. Assessment - systematically collecting data about the patient's health status [CORRECT]
C. C. Planning - developing goals and outcomes for the patient's care
D. D. Implementation - carrying out the prescribed nursing interventions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The nursing student is collecting objective and subjective data about the patient, which is the
Assessment phase (the 'A' in ADPIE). Diagnosis follows assessment and involves analysing the data to identify nursing
problems. Planning involves setting goals, and Implementation involves carrying out interventions. A common student
error is confusing assessment with diagnosis.
Question 2:
A first-year nursing student reads about Florence Nightingale's environmental theory. Which action by the nurse
BEST demonstrates the application of Nightingale's theory in a modern hospital setting?
A. A. Administering prescribed antibiotics to a patient with a wound infection
B. B. Ensuring the patient's room is well-ventilated, clean, quiet, and has adequate lighting to promote healing
[CORRECT]
C. C. Providing psychological counselling to a patient experiencing anxiety about surgery
D. D. Delegating vital sign checks to an assistant in nursing while completing documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Nightingale's Environmental Theory emphasises that manipulating the patient's environment (fresh
air, clean water, adequate light, warmth, quiet, and cleanliness) promotes the body's natural healing processes. While all
nursing actions are important, ensuring proper environmental conditions directly reflects Nightingale's foundational
theory. Antibiotics, counselling, and delegation are not specific to her theory.
Question 3:
A nursing student asks their clinical educator about the difference in scope of practice between a Registered Nurse
(RN) and an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia. Which statement BEST describes this difference?
A. A. An EN can independently prescribe medications, whereas an RN cannot
B. B. An RN has broader scope including comprehensive assessment, planning, and evaluation; an EN works under
RN supervision providing delegated nursing care [CORRECT]
C. C. There is no significant difference in scope of practice between RNs and ENs in Australia
D. D. An EN can independently admit and discharge patients, whereas an RN cannot
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Under NMBA guidelines, the RN is responsible for comprehensive assessment, planning,
implementation, and evaluation of care. The EN works under the direction and supervision of an RN, providing nursing
care within their educational preparation and scope. Neither RNs nor ENs can prescribe medications (this is a medical
Page 3
Exam Questions and Answers
Introductory Nursing Foundations
Comprehensive 50-Question Review
Unit Code: NURS 1101
Academic Period: Semester 1, 2026
Date: 6 April 2026
Student Name: ________________________________
Student ID: __________________________________
Aligned with 2026|2027 NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice,
AACN Essentials Domain 1, and NSQHS Standards (2nd Edition)
,NURS 1101 Exam | 50 Questions and Answers | Comprehensive Review
Abstract
This examination resource comprises 50 multiple-choice questions designed for first-year
nursing students enrolled in NURS 1101 (Introductory Nursing Foundations). The questions
span five core domains: foundational nursing concepts and professional identity (Q1-Q10),
health assessment fundamentals and clinical documentation (Q11-Q20), medication safety and
pharmacology basics (Q21-Q30), infection control and patient-centred care (Q31-Q40), and
clinical reasoning, communication, and ethical-legal foundations (Q41-Q50). Each question
includes a clinical stem with four answer options, the correct answer, and a detailed rationale
explaining both the correct response and common distractors. Cognitive levels are distributed
across recall (approximately 30%), application (approximately 50%), and analysis
(approximately 20%) to support progressive development of clinical judgement. The
examination is aligned with the 2026|2027 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
(AACN) Essentials Domain 1 (Knowledge for Nursing Practice), and the Australian National
Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This resource serves as both a formative
assessment tool and a comprehensive revision aid for introductory nursing students preparing for
summative examinations.
Keywords: nursing foundations, introductory nursing, clinical assessment, medication safety,
infection control, clinical reasoning, NMBA standards, patient-centred care, therapeutic
communication, health documentation
Examination Blueprint
Secti
Topic Area Q Range Count Cognitive Levels
on
Foundational Nursing Concepts
1 Q1 - Q10 10 Recall, Application
& Professional Identity
Health Assessment Fundamentals
2 Q11 - Q20 10 Recall, Application
& Clinical Documentation
Medication Safety, Pharmacology
3 Basics Q21 - Q30 10 Recall, Application
& Administration Protocols
Infection Control, Safety Standards
4 Q31 - Q40 10 Recall, Application
& Patient-Centered Care
Clinical Reasoning,
5 Communication Q41 - Q50 10 Application, Analysis
& Ethical/Legal Foundations
~30% Recall, ~50%
TOTAL Q1 - Q50 50 Application,
~20% Analysis
Page 2
, NURS 1101 Exam | 50 Questions and Answers | Comprehensive Review
Section 1: Foundational Nursing Concepts & Professional Identity
(Q1-Q10)
This section covers the nursing process, scope of practice, professional accountability, nursing theories,
evidence-based practice, therapeutic use of self, and roles of the nurse.
Question 1:
A nursing student is caring for a patient who was admitted with dehydration. The student checks the patient's vital
signs, asks about fluid intake, and observes the skin turgor. Which step of the nursing process (ADPIE) is the
student performing?
A. A. Diagnosis - identifying the patient's nursing problem based on collected data
B. B. Assessment - systematically collecting data about the patient's health status [CORRECT]
C. C. Planning - developing goals and outcomes for the patient's care
D. D. Implementation - carrying out the prescribed nursing interventions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The nursing student is collecting objective and subjective data about the patient, which is the
Assessment phase (the 'A' in ADPIE). Diagnosis follows assessment and involves analysing the data to identify nursing
problems. Planning involves setting goals, and Implementation involves carrying out interventions. A common student
error is confusing assessment with diagnosis.
Question 2:
A first-year nursing student reads about Florence Nightingale's environmental theory. Which action by the nurse
BEST demonstrates the application of Nightingale's theory in a modern hospital setting?
A. A. Administering prescribed antibiotics to a patient with a wound infection
B. B. Ensuring the patient's room is well-ventilated, clean, quiet, and has adequate lighting to promote healing
[CORRECT]
C. C. Providing psychological counselling to a patient experiencing anxiety about surgery
D. D. Delegating vital sign checks to an assistant in nursing while completing documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Nightingale's Environmental Theory emphasises that manipulating the patient's environment (fresh
air, clean water, adequate light, warmth, quiet, and cleanliness) promotes the body's natural healing processes. While all
nursing actions are important, ensuring proper environmental conditions directly reflects Nightingale's foundational
theory. Antibiotics, counselling, and delegation are not specific to her theory.
Question 3:
A nursing student asks their clinical educator about the difference in scope of practice between a Registered Nurse
(RN) and an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia. Which statement BEST describes this difference?
A. A. An EN can independently prescribe medications, whereas an RN cannot
B. B. An RN has broader scope including comprehensive assessment, planning, and evaluation; an EN works under
RN supervision providing delegated nursing care [CORRECT]
C. C. There is no significant difference in scope of practice between RNs and ENs in Australia
D. D. An EN can independently admit and discharge patients, whereas an RN cannot
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Under NMBA guidelines, the RN is responsible for comprehensive assessment, planning,
implementation, and evaluation of care. The EN works under the direction and supervision of an RN, providing nursing
care within their educational preparation and scope. Neither RNs nor ENs can prescribe medications (this is a medical
Page 3
