Introduction to Professional Nursing: Assessment
1 2026 – WCU 120 Multiple Choice Questions
Verified Answers and Detailed!!!
PART I: HISTORY AND FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
1. Who is considered the founder of modern nursing practice?
• A) Clara Barton
• B) Florence Nightingale
• C) Mary Seacole
• D) Virginia Henderson
2. During which century did the nursing tradition begin as a charitable means of caring for
the sick?
• A) 3rd and 4th centuries
• B) 5th and 6th centuries
• C) 12th and 13th centuries
• D) 18th and 19th centuries
3. Florence Nightingale's statistical analysis during the Crimean War demonstrated that
what proportion of injured soldiers died from preventable communicable diseases?
• A) 200 out of every 1,000
• B) 400 out of every 1,000
• C) 600 out of every 1,000
• D) 800 out of every 1,000
4. After Florence Nightingale implemented simple nursing interventions focused on clean
environment, clean water, and good nutrition, the mortality rate of soldiers decreased
from 60% to:
, • A) 10%
• B) 2.2%
• C) 25%
• D) 35%
5. Florence Nightingale promoted the concept of confidentiality, stating that a nurse:
• A) "Should share all information with the medical team"
• B) "Should never answer questions about her sick except to those who have a right to
ask them"
• C) "May discuss patient information with family members only"
• D) "Is required to report all patient information to the hospital administration"
6. What was the title of Florence Nightingale's book published in 1859 that served as the
cornerstone of nursing curriculum?
• A) "The Science of Nursing"
• B) "Notes on Nursing"
• C) "Principles of Patient Care"
• D) "Foundations of Modern Medicine"
7. According to Nightingale's philosophy, what was essential for promoting healing?
• A) Advanced medical technology
• B) An environment that promotes healing
• C) Frequent medical interventions
• D) Strict medication protocols
8. In what year did Florence Nightingale establish the first nursing school in the world?
• A) 1845
• B) 1855
• C) 1860
• D) 1875
9. Which statement best describes how modern nursing has evolved since Nightingale's
time?
• A) Nursing has remained unchanged for 160 years
, • B) Modern nursing has reinvented itself multiple times as health care has advanced
• C) Nursing practice is now exclusively focused on medical interventions
• D) The role of nurses has diminished over time
10. How many members does the nursing profession represent in the United States health
care workforce?
• A) Less than 1 million
• B) Approximately 2 million
• C) More than 4 million
• D) Nearly 6 million
11. Florence Nightingale's approach to nursing interventions focused on all of the
following EXCEPT:
• A) Providing a clean environment
• B) Clean water
• C) Advanced surgical techniques
• D) Good nutrition
12. Which aspect of nursing did Nightingale believe was distinct from medical knowledge?
• A) Pharmacological treatments
• B) Surgical procedures
• C) The value of the environment for healing
• D) Diagnostic testing
13. The concept that nurses should build trusting relationships with patients and that
presence has therapeutic healing value was promoted by:
• A) Clara Barton
• B) Florence Nightingale
• C) Lillian Wald
• D) Mary Mahoney
14. Which population segment does the nursing profession represent in the U.S. health
care workforce?
• A) The smallest segment
, • B) The fastest growing segment
• C) The largest segment
• D) The most specialized segment
15. Nightingale believed that nursing knowledge should focus on:
• A) Disease diagnosis and treatment
• B) The patient's environment and healing
• C) Pharmacological interventions
• D) Surgical procedures
PART II: NURSING SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND REGULATIONS (Questions 16-30)
16. What is the definition of "scope of practice" in nursing?
• A) The physical area where a nurse can work
• B) The services a trained health professional is deemed competent to perform and
permitted to undertake according to their professional nursing license
• C) The range of medications a nurse can administer
• D) The number of patients a nurse can care for simultaneously
17. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is enacted by:
• A) The American Nurses Association
• B) The National League for Nursing
• C) Each state's legislature
• D) The Joint Commission
18. What is the role of the Board of Nursing?
• A) To provide continuing education for nurses
• B) To issue nursing licenses and provide discipline for nurses who do not follow
standards
• C) To employ nurses in hospitals
• D) To conduct nursing research
19. If a nurse does not follow the standards and scope of practice set forth by the Nurse
Practice Act, what may happen?
1 2026 – WCU 120 Multiple Choice Questions
Verified Answers and Detailed!!!
PART I: HISTORY AND FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
1. Who is considered the founder of modern nursing practice?
• A) Clara Barton
• B) Florence Nightingale
• C) Mary Seacole
• D) Virginia Henderson
2. During which century did the nursing tradition begin as a charitable means of caring for
the sick?
• A) 3rd and 4th centuries
• B) 5th and 6th centuries
• C) 12th and 13th centuries
• D) 18th and 19th centuries
3. Florence Nightingale's statistical analysis during the Crimean War demonstrated that
what proportion of injured soldiers died from preventable communicable diseases?
• A) 200 out of every 1,000
• B) 400 out of every 1,000
• C) 600 out of every 1,000
• D) 800 out of every 1,000
4. After Florence Nightingale implemented simple nursing interventions focused on clean
environment, clean water, and good nutrition, the mortality rate of soldiers decreased
from 60% to:
, • A) 10%
• B) 2.2%
• C) 25%
• D) 35%
5. Florence Nightingale promoted the concept of confidentiality, stating that a nurse:
• A) "Should share all information with the medical team"
• B) "Should never answer questions about her sick except to those who have a right to
ask them"
• C) "May discuss patient information with family members only"
• D) "Is required to report all patient information to the hospital administration"
6. What was the title of Florence Nightingale's book published in 1859 that served as the
cornerstone of nursing curriculum?
• A) "The Science of Nursing"
• B) "Notes on Nursing"
• C) "Principles of Patient Care"
• D) "Foundations of Modern Medicine"
7. According to Nightingale's philosophy, what was essential for promoting healing?
• A) Advanced medical technology
• B) An environment that promotes healing
• C) Frequent medical interventions
• D) Strict medication protocols
8. In what year did Florence Nightingale establish the first nursing school in the world?
• A) 1845
• B) 1855
• C) 1860
• D) 1875
9. Which statement best describes how modern nursing has evolved since Nightingale's
time?
• A) Nursing has remained unchanged for 160 years
, • B) Modern nursing has reinvented itself multiple times as health care has advanced
• C) Nursing practice is now exclusively focused on medical interventions
• D) The role of nurses has diminished over time
10. How many members does the nursing profession represent in the United States health
care workforce?
• A) Less than 1 million
• B) Approximately 2 million
• C) More than 4 million
• D) Nearly 6 million
11. Florence Nightingale's approach to nursing interventions focused on all of the
following EXCEPT:
• A) Providing a clean environment
• B) Clean water
• C) Advanced surgical techniques
• D) Good nutrition
12. Which aspect of nursing did Nightingale believe was distinct from medical knowledge?
• A) Pharmacological treatments
• B) Surgical procedures
• C) The value of the environment for healing
• D) Diagnostic testing
13. The concept that nurses should build trusting relationships with patients and that
presence has therapeutic healing value was promoted by:
• A) Clara Barton
• B) Florence Nightingale
• C) Lillian Wald
• D) Mary Mahoney
14. Which population segment does the nursing profession represent in the U.S. health
care workforce?
• A) The smallest segment
, • B) The fastest growing segment
• C) The largest segment
• D) The most specialized segment
15. Nightingale believed that nursing knowledge should focus on:
• A) Disease diagnosis and treatment
• B) The patient's environment and healing
• C) Pharmacological interventions
• D) Surgical procedures
PART II: NURSING SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND REGULATIONS (Questions 16-30)
16. What is the definition of "scope of practice" in nursing?
• A) The physical area where a nurse can work
• B) The services a trained health professional is deemed competent to perform and
permitted to undertake according to their professional nursing license
• C) The range of medications a nurse can administer
• D) The number of patients a nurse can care for simultaneously
17. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) is enacted by:
• A) The American Nurses Association
• B) The National League for Nursing
• C) Each state's legislature
• D) The Joint Commission
18. What is the role of the Board of Nursing?
• A) To provide continuing education for nurses
• B) To issue nursing licenses and provide discipline for nurses who do not follow
standards
• C) To employ nurses in hospitals
• D) To conduct nursing research
19. If a nurse does not follow the standards and scope of practice set forth by the Nurse
Practice Act, what may happen?
