NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing: Week
3-5 Exams Review Test Bank 2026 – 150
Real Past Exam Questions with
Rationales
SECTION I: HYGIENE & SKIN INTEGRITY (WEEK 3)
Questions 1-50
1. The nurse is providing morning care to a patient with limited mobility. Which
action best promotes patient independence?
a. Complete all tasks quickly for the patient
b. Allow the patient to do as much as possible, assisting only when needed
c. Schedule hygiene care at the nurse's convenience
d. Delegate all care to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
☑ correct answers: b. Allow the patient to do as much as possible,
assisting only when needed
Rationale: Promoting independence preserves self-esteem, maintains muscle
strength, and enhances recovery. The nurse should assess the patient's abilities
and provide assistance only for tasks the patient cannot perform safely.
2. The nurse is bathing a patient with dementia who becomes agitated during
the bath. What is the priority action?
,a. Continue the bath quickly while restraining the patient
b. Stop the bath, reassess, and attempt again later with a calm approach
c. Call for help to hold the patient still
d. Skip all future baths permanently
☑ correct answers: b. Stop the bath, reassess, and attempt again later
with a calm approach
Rationale: Agitation during care may indicate pain, fear, cold, or discomfort. The
nurse should stop, ensure safety, address unmet needs, and try again later using
therapeutic communication, warm water, privacy, and a gentle approach.
3. A patient with diabetes has thickened, yellowed toenails. The nurse should:
a. Cut the nails aggressively to reduce thickness
b. Refer the patient to a podiatrist for nail care
c. Soak the feet in hot water for 30 minutes
d. Ignore the condition
☑ correct answers: b. Refer the patient to a podiatrist for nail care
Rationale: Patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or neuropathy are
at high risk for foot injury and infection. Nail care should be performed by a
podiatrist. Never cut diabetic toenails aggressively; do not soak feet in hot water.
4. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which position is
safest?
,a. Supine with head flat
b. Side-lying with head turned to the side and lower side of bed flat or slightly
down
c. High-Fowler's with head tilted back
d. Prone
☑ correct answers: b. Side-lying with head turned to the side and lower
side of bed flat or slightly down
Rationale: Side-lying position allows fluids to drain from the mouth by gravity,
reducing aspiration risk. Use a small amount of solution, suction as needed, and
never force the mouth open.
5. The nurse notes a patient's mucous membranes are dry and cracked. This
finding is most associated with:
a. Overhydration
b. Dehydration or mouth breathing
c. Normal aging
d. Excessive oral care
☑ correct answers: b. Dehydration or mouth breathing
Rationale: Dry, cracked mucous membranes indicate inadequate hydration, mouth
breathing (oxygen therapy), medication side effects (anticholinergics), or certain
disease states (Sjögren's syndrome).
, 6. A patient with a new colostomy asks about bathing. The nurse's best
response is:
a. "You cannot bathe with a stoma"
b. "Water will not harm the stoma; you can shower with or without the pouch on"
c. "Only sponge baths are allowed"
d. "You must cover the stoma with plastic wrap forever"
☑ correct answers: b. Water will not harm the stoma; you can shower
with or without the pouch on
Rationale: The stoma is moist mucous membrane and is not harmed by water.
Patients may shower with the pouch on or remove it for cleansing. Mild soap and
water are safe. Avoid oil-based products that prevent pouch adhesion.
7. The nurse is providing perineal care to a female patient with an indwelling
urinary catheter. The correct direction for cleaning is:
a. From the rectum toward the urethra
b. From the urethra toward the rectum (front to back)
c. In a circular motion around the catheter
d. Back and forth over the perineum
☑ correct answers: b. From the urethra toward the rectum (front to
back)
3-5 Exams Review Test Bank 2026 – 150
Real Past Exam Questions with
Rationales
SECTION I: HYGIENE & SKIN INTEGRITY (WEEK 3)
Questions 1-50
1. The nurse is providing morning care to a patient with limited mobility. Which
action best promotes patient independence?
a. Complete all tasks quickly for the patient
b. Allow the patient to do as much as possible, assisting only when needed
c. Schedule hygiene care at the nurse's convenience
d. Delegate all care to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
☑ correct answers: b. Allow the patient to do as much as possible,
assisting only when needed
Rationale: Promoting independence preserves self-esteem, maintains muscle
strength, and enhances recovery. The nurse should assess the patient's abilities
and provide assistance only for tasks the patient cannot perform safely.
2. The nurse is bathing a patient with dementia who becomes agitated during
the bath. What is the priority action?
,a. Continue the bath quickly while restraining the patient
b. Stop the bath, reassess, and attempt again later with a calm approach
c. Call for help to hold the patient still
d. Skip all future baths permanently
☑ correct answers: b. Stop the bath, reassess, and attempt again later
with a calm approach
Rationale: Agitation during care may indicate pain, fear, cold, or discomfort. The
nurse should stop, ensure safety, address unmet needs, and try again later using
therapeutic communication, warm water, privacy, and a gentle approach.
3. A patient with diabetes has thickened, yellowed toenails. The nurse should:
a. Cut the nails aggressively to reduce thickness
b. Refer the patient to a podiatrist for nail care
c. Soak the feet in hot water for 30 minutes
d. Ignore the condition
☑ correct answers: b. Refer the patient to a podiatrist for nail care
Rationale: Patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or neuropathy are
at high risk for foot injury and infection. Nail care should be performed by a
podiatrist. Never cut diabetic toenails aggressively; do not soak feet in hot water.
4. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which position is
safest?
,a. Supine with head flat
b. Side-lying with head turned to the side and lower side of bed flat or slightly
down
c. High-Fowler's with head tilted back
d. Prone
☑ correct answers: b. Side-lying with head turned to the side and lower
side of bed flat or slightly down
Rationale: Side-lying position allows fluids to drain from the mouth by gravity,
reducing aspiration risk. Use a small amount of solution, suction as needed, and
never force the mouth open.
5. The nurse notes a patient's mucous membranes are dry and cracked. This
finding is most associated with:
a. Overhydration
b. Dehydration or mouth breathing
c. Normal aging
d. Excessive oral care
☑ correct answers: b. Dehydration or mouth breathing
Rationale: Dry, cracked mucous membranes indicate inadequate hydration, mouth
breathing (oxygen therapy), medication side effects (anticholinergics), or certain
disease states (Sjögren's syndrome).
, 6. A patient with a new colostomy asks about bathing. The nurse's best
response is:
a. "You cannot bathe with a stoma"
b. "Water will not harm the stoma; you can shower with or without the pouch on"
c. "Only sponge baths are allowed"
d. "You must cover the stoma with plastic wrap forever"
☑ correct answers: b. Water will not harm the stoma; you can shower
with or without the pouch on
Rationale: The stoma is moist mucous membrane and is not harmed by water.
Patients may shower with the pouch on or remove it for cleansing. Mild soap and
water are safe. Avoid oil-based products that prevent pouch adhesion.
7. The nurse is providing perineal care to a female patient with an indwelling
urinary catheter. The correct direction for cleaning is:
a. From the rectum toward the urethra
b. From the urethra toward the rectum (front to back)
c. In a circular motion around the catheter
d. Back and forth over the perineum
☑ correct answers: b. From the urethra toward the rectum (front to
back)
