NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing - Week 1 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. Which step of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of data
regarding the patient’s health status?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting,
validating, and documenting patient data.
2. A nurse is taking a radial pulse and notes that it is irregular. What should the
nurse’s next action be?
A. Document the finding and move to the next vital sign.
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
C. Assess the radial pulse again for 15 seconds.
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the apical pulse
for 60 seconds to ensure accuracy.
,3. Which of the following is considered ‘subjective’ data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg.
B. A skin rash observed on the patient’s chest.
C. The patient’s report of a ‘throbbing’ headache.
D. A laboratory result showing a low hemoglobin level.
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived only by the patient and cannot be
verified by another person.
4. The nurse uses the SBAR communication tool. What does the ‘R’ stand for?
A. Reason
B. Response
C. Recommendation
D. Review
Answer: C
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
5. When washing hands with soap and water, how long should the nurse scrub
their hands?
A. At least 20 seconds.
B. At least 5 seconds.
C. Exactly 1 minute.
D. Until the hands feel clean.
Answer: A
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively
remove microorganisms.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A. ‘Do you have any pain right now?’
B. ‘What time did you take your medication?’
C. ‘Are you feeling better today?’
D. ‘How have you been feeling since your surgery?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide more detail and lead the
conversation.
7. A patient’s blood pressure is 150/94 mmHg. This value is categorized as:
A. Normal
B. Hypertension Stage 2
C. Hypertension Stage 1
D. Elevated
Answer: B
Rationale: According to current guidelines, a systolic BP of 140 or higher OR a diastolic BP
of 90 or higher is Stage 2 Hypertension.
8. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no harm?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Beneficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: A
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the duty to avoid causing harm to the patient.
|Chamberlain College
1. Which step of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of data
regarding the patient’s health status?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting,
validating, and documenting patient data.
2. A nurse is taking a radial pulse and notes that it is irregular. What should the
nurse’s next action be?
A. Document the finding and move to the next vital sign.
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
C. Assess the radial pulse again for 15 seconds.
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the apical pulse
for 60 seconds to ensure accuracy.
,3. Which of the following is considered ‘subjective’ data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg.
B. A skin rash observed on the patient’s chest.
C. The patient’s report of a ‘throbbing’ headache.
D. A laboratory result showing a low hemoglobin level.
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived only by the patient and cannot be
verified by another person.
4. The nurse uses the SBAR communication tool. What does the ‘R’ stand for?
A. Reason
B. Response
C. Recommendation
D. Review
Answer: C
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
5. When washing hands with soap and water, how long should the nurse scrub
their hands?
A. At least 20 seconds.
B. At least 5 seconds.
C. Exactly 1 minute.
D. Until the hands feel clean.
Answer: A
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively
remove microorganisms.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A. ‘Do you have any pain right now?’
B. ‘What time did you take your medication?’
C. ‘Are you feeling better today?’
D. ‘How have you been feeling since your surgery?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide more detail and lead the
conversation.
7. A patient’s blood pressure is 150/94 mmHg. This value is categorized as:
A. Normal
B. Hypertension Stage 2
C. Hypertension Stage 1
D. Elevated
Answer: B
Rationale: According to current guidelines, a systolic BP of 140 or higher OR a diastolic BP
of 90 or higher is Stage 2 Hypertension.
8. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no harm?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Beneficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: A
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the duty to avoid causing harm to the patient.
