NUR 210 Nursing Fundamentals Week 4 Study Guide 2026 |Galen
College
1. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse knows that using a cuff
that is too small for the patient’s arm will result in what?
A. A falsely low reading
B. No change in the reading
C. An accurate reading if pumped high enough
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or small will result in a falsely high
blood pressure reading because the cuff must be inflated more to occlude the artery.
2. Which of the following describes the correct technique for assessing an apical
pulse?
A. Palpating the radial artery for 30 seconds
B. Auscultating at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
C. Auscultating at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Palpating the carotid artery for a full minute
Answer: C
Rationale: The apical pulse (point of maximal impulse) is located at the 5th intercostal
space at the left midclavicular line.
,3. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which technique
should the nurse perform first in the sequence?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: D
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment, followed by
palpation, percussion, and auscultation (except for abdominal assessments).
4. A patient has a heart rate of 115 beats per minute. How should the nurse
document this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Normal sinus rhythm
C. Tachycardia
D. Arrhythmia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as an abnormally rapid heart rate, typically over 100
beats per minute in adults.
5. When evaluating a patient’s respiration, the nurse notices the patient is
having difficulty breathing and is using accessory muscles. This is known as:
A. Eupnea
B. Apnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Dyspnea
Answer: D
Rationale: Dyspnea is the clinical term for difficult or labored breathing.
, 6. In the SBAR communication tool, which component involves the nurse
suggesting a specific action or intervention?
A. Situation
B. Recommendation
C. Assessment
D. Background
Answer: B
Rationale: The Recommendation (R) phase of SBAR is where the nurse suggests what they
think needs to happen to address the patient’s problem.
7. Which type of precaution should be implemented for a patient diagnosed
with Clostridium difficile (C. diff)?
A. Standard Precautions only
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Contact Precautions
D. Airborne Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff requires Contact Precautions, which include gown and gloves, and
handwashing with soap and water (not alcohol-based rub).
8. The nurse is assessing the patient’s skin and notes that the skin remains
tented after being pinched. This is an indicator of:
A. Edema
B. Cyanosis
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Ecchymosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Tenting of the skin indicates poor skin turgor, which is often a sign of
dehydration.
College
1. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse knows that using a cuff
that is too small for the patient’s arm will result in what?
A. A falsely low reading
B. No change in the reading
C. An accurate reading if pumped high enough
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Rationale: A blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or small will result in a falsely high
blood pressure reading because the cuff must be inflated more to occlude the artery.
2. Which of the following describes the correct technique for assessing an apical
pulse?
A. Palpating the radial artery for 30 seconds
B. Auscultating at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
C. Auscultating at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Palpating the carotid artery for a full minute
Answer: C
Rationale: The apical pulse (point of maximal impulse) is located at the 5th intercostal
space at the left midclavicular line.
,3. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which technique
should the nurse perform first in the sequence?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: D
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment, followed by
palpation, percussion, and auscultation (except for abdominal assessments).
4. A patient has a heart rate of 115 beats per minute. How should the nurse
document this finding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Normal sinus rhythm
C. Tachycardia
D. Arrhythmia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as an abnormally rapid heart rate, typically over 100
beats per minute in adults.
5. When evaluating a patient’s respiration, the nurse notices the patient is
having difficulty breathing and is using accessory muscles. This is known as:
A. Eupnea
B. Apnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Dyspnea
Answer: D
Rationale: Dyspnea is the clinical term for difficult or labored breathing.
, 6. In the SBAR communication tool, which component involves the nurse
suggesting a specific action or intervention?
A. Situation
B. Recommendation
C. Assessment
D. Background
Answer: B
Rationale: The Recommendation (R) phase of SBAR is where the nurse suggests what they
think needs to happen to address the patient’s problem.
7. Which type of precaution should be implemented for a patient diagnosed
with Clostridium difficile (C. diff)?
A. Standard Precautions only
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Contact Precautions
D. Airborne Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff requires Contact Precautions, which include gown and gloves, and
handwashing with soap and water (not alcohol-based rub).
8. The nurse is assessing the patient’s skin and notes that the skin remains
tented after being pinched. This is an indicator of:
A. Edema
B. Cyanosis
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Ecchymosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Tenting of the skin indicates poor skin turgor, which is often a sign of
dehydration.
