NURSING 129 Fundamentals of Nursing
Exam 1 Practice Examination
Community College of Baltimore –
Questions And Answers
1. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure. Which korotkoff sound
indicates the systolic pressure?
A. First appearance of a faint, repetitive tapping
B. Swishing sound
C. Muffled sound
D. Disappearance of sound
Correct Answer: A
2. When obtaining an adult’s oral temperature, where should the nurse place
the probe?
A. Under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket
B. Against the hard palate
C. Between the cheek and gum
D. On the tip of the tongue
Correct Answer: A
3. A patient has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C). Which term describes this
fever?
A. Hypothermia
B. Afebrile
C. Hyperthermia
D. Pyrexia
Correct Answer: D
,4. The nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse. Which action is correct?
A. Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Apply firm pressure to occlude the artery
C. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 if regular
D. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 6 always
Correct Answer: C
5. A patient’s respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min. Which term describes this
finding?
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Apnea
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B
6. The nurse is preparing to measure blood pressure using a manual cuff. The
patient’s arm is at the level of the heart. This action helps to ensure:
A. Accurate reading
B. Patient comfort
C. Faster inflation
D. Prevention of bruising
Correct Answer: A
7. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess heart rate in an adult?
A. Brachial
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Popliteal
Correct Answer: C
8. A patient has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. The nurse should
first:
A. Apply a non-rebreather mask
,B. Call the rapid response team
C. Assess the patient’s airway and breathing
D. Administer a bronchodilator
Correct Answer: C
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a fever. Which intervention is most
effective for reducing fever?
A. Encouraging warm blankets
B. Administering antipyretics as ordered
C. Restricting oral fluids
D. Increasing room temperature
Correct Answer: B
10. When assessing a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a rhythm that is
irregular. What should the nurse do next?
A. Count the pulse for 30 seconds
B. Count the pulse for 1 full minute
C. Use a Doppler device
D. Document as normal
Correct Answer: B
11. Which of the following is an early sign of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Restlessness
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B
12. The nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter. Which hand hygiene
method is most appropriate before the procedure?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
B. Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds
C. Wearing gloves without hand hygiene
, D. Alcohol-based hand rub for 5 seconds
Correct Answer: B
13. A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis requires which type of
isolation?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Protective Isolation
Correct Answer: C
14. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the
room of a patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)?
A. Gloves and surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
D. Face shield only
Correct Answer: B
15. The nurse removes a patient’s isolation gown. Which action is correct?
A. Touch only the outside of the gown
B. Untie the waist ties before removing gloves
C. Roll the gown inside-out and discard
D. Reuse the gown if it is not visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C
16. A patient is on neutropenic precautions. Which food should be avoided?
A. Canned fruits
B. Fresh raw vegetables
C. Pasteurized yogurt
D. Fully cooked meat
Correct Answer: B
Exam 1 Practice Examination
Community College of Baltimore –
Questions And Answers
1. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure. Which korotkoff sound
indicates the systolic pressure?
A. First appearance of a faint, repetitive tapping
B. Swishing sound
C. Muffled sound
D. Disappearance of sound
Correct Answer: A
2. When obtaining an adult’s oral temperature, where should the nurse place
the probe?
A. Under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket
B. Against the hard palate
C. Between the cheek and gum
D. On the tip of the tongue
Correct Answer: A
3. A patient has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C). Which term describes this
fever?
A. Hypothermia
B. Afebrile
C. Hyperthermia
D. Pyrexia
Correct Answer: D
,4. The nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse. Which action is correct?
A. Use the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Apply firm pressure to occlude the artery
C. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 if regular
D. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 6 always
Correct Answer: C
5. A patient’s respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min. Which term describes this
finding?
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Apnea
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B
6. The nurse is preparing to measure blood pressure using a manual cuff. The
patient’s arm is at the level of the heart. This action helps to ensure:
A. Accurate reading
B. Patient comfort
C. Faster inflation
D. Prevention of bruising
Correct Answer: A
7. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess heart rate in an adult?
A. Brachial
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Popliteal
Correct Answer: C
8. A patient has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. The nurse should
first:
A. Apply a non-rebreather mask
,B. Call the rapid response team
C. Assess the patient’s airway and breathing
D. Administer a bronchodilator
Correct Answer: C
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a fever. Which intervention is most
effective for reducing fever?
A. Encouraging warm blankets
B. Administering antipyretics as ordered
C. Restricting oral fluids
D. Increasing room temperature
Correct Answer: B
10. When assessing a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a rhythm that is
irregular. What should the nurse do next?
A. Count the pulse for 30 seconds
B. Count the pulse for 1 full minute
C. Use a Doppler device
D. Document as normal
Correct Answer: B
11. Which of the following is an early sign of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Restlessness
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B
12. The nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter. Which hand hygiene
method is most appropriate before the procedure?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
B. Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds
C. Wearing gloves without hand hygiene
, D. Alcohol-based hand rub for 5 seconds
Correct Answer: B
13. A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis requires which type of
isolation?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Protective Isolation
Correct Answer: C
14. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the
room of a patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)?
A. Gloves and surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
D. Face shield only
Correct Answer: B
15. The nurse removes a patient’s isolation gown. Which action is correct?
A. Touch only the outside of the gown
B. Untie the waist ties before removing gloves
C. Roll the gown inside-out and discard
D. Reuse the gown if it is not visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C
16. A patient is on neutropenic precautions. Which food should be avoided?
A. Canned fruits
B. Fresh raw vegetables
C. Pasteurized yogurt
D. Fully cooked meat
Correct Answer: B
