NURS110 Nursing Skills Lab Nursing & Healthcare Practice Exam Study Guide
Updated 2026 | Verified Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Basic Nursing Procedures, Vital Signs Measurement, Infection Control and Aseptic
Technique, Medication Administration and Safety, Patient Hygiene and Mobility
Assistance, Wound Care and Dressing Changes, Documentation and Charting,
Patient Safety Protocols, Clinical Skills Checklists, NCLEX-Style Skills-Based
Questions | Complete Exam Prep Resource for Nursing and Healthcare Students
Success
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary purpose of performing hand
hygiene in a clinical setting?
A. To remove visible dirt from the hands
B. To comply with hospital policy only
C. To enhance patient comfort during care
D. To reduce the transmission of microorganisms
CORRECT ANSWER: D. To reduce the transmission of microorganisms
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection control practice aimed at
minimizing the spread of pathogens between patients, healthcare workers, and the
environment. It is not solely for removing visible dirt or satisfying policy but is evidence-
based to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Question 2: When donning sterile gloves using the open-gloving technique, which
part of the glove should the nurse avoid touching?
A. The inner cuff
B. The outside surface of the glove
C. The inside of the glove
D. The packaging flap
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The outside surface of the glove
Rationale: The outside surface of sterile gloves is considered sterile and must not be
touched by ungloved hands to maintain asepsis. Touching this area would contaminate
the glove and compromise the sterile field.
Question 3: What is the most appropriate action if a nurse notices that a patient’s
intravenous (IV) site is cool, swollen, and painful?
A. Increase the IV flow rate
B. Apply warm compresses and continue the infusion
C. Discontinue the IV line and restart at a new site
D. Elevate the limb and monitor for 30 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Discontinue the IV line and restart at a new site
Rationale: These signs indicate infiltration, where IV fluid has leaked into surrounding
tissue. Continuing the infusion can cause tissue damage; thus, the IV must be stopped,
the site discontinued, and a new line started elsewhere.
,Question 4: Which position is most appropriate for a patient undergoing a rectal
examination?
A. Supine
B. Dorsal recumbent
C. Sims’ position
D. Lithotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sims’ position
Rationale: Sims’ position (left lateral with right knee flexed) provides optimal access to
the rectum and relaxes the gluteal muscles, making it ideal for rectal exams, enemas, or
suppository insertion.
Question 5: What is the first step in the nursing process?
A. Implementation
B. Evaluation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting comprehensive data about the patient’s
health status through observation, interviews, and physical examination. It is the
foundational step upon which all other phases of the nursing process are built.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a bladder scan?
A. To diagnose urinary tract infections
B. To measure post-void residual urine volume
C. To assess kidney function
D. To visualize bladder tumors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To measure post-void residual urine volume
Rationale: A bladder scan is a noninvasive ultrasound used to estimate the amount of
urine remaining in the bladder after voiding. High residual volumes may indicate urinary
retention requiring intervention.
Question 7: During tracheostomy care, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Suction the tracheostomy tube before cleaning
B. Ensure oxygenation and airway patency
C. Replace the inner cannula every 8 hours
D. Apply antibiotic ointment to the stoma
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure oxygenation and airway patency
, Rationale: Maintaining a patent airway and adequate oxygenation is always the top
priority in tracheostomy care. All other actions are secondary to ensuring the patient
can breathe effectively.
Question 8: Which vital sign change is an early indicator of hypovolemic shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia
D. Hyperthermia
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Tachycardia
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the body compensates for reduced circulating volume
by increasing heart rate to maintain cardiac output. Hypotension typically occurs later
as compensation fails.
Question 9: What is the correct sequence for donning personal protective
equipment (PPE)?
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B. Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves
C. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
D. Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves
Rationale: This sequence minimizes contamination risk. Gloves are donned last to
cover the cuffs of the gown, creating a continuous barrier. CDC guidelines support this
order for effective PPE use.
Question 10: Which method is most accurate for measuring a patient’s core body
temperature?
A. Oral
B. Axillary
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature closely reflects core body temperature and is more
accurate than oral, axillary, or tympanic routes, especially in infants or critically ill
patients.
Question 11: When administering a subcutaneous injection, what angle should the
nurse use for a normal-weight adult?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 to 90 degrees, depending on needle length and tissue depth
Updated 2026 | Verified Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Basic Nursing Procedures, Vital Signs Measurement, Infection Control and Aseptic
Technique, Medication Administration and Safety, Patient Hygiene and Mobility
Assistance, Wound Care and Dressing Changes, Documentation and Charting,
Patient Safety Protocols, Clinical Skills Checklists, NCLEX-Style Skills-Based
Questions | Complete Exam Prep Resource for Nursing and Healthcare Students
Success
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary purpose of performing hand
hygiene in a clinical setting?
A. To remove visible dirt from the hands
B. To comply with hospital policy only
C. To enhance patient comfort during care
D. To reduce the transmission of microorganisms
CORRECT ANSWER: D. To reduce the transmission of microorganisms
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection control practice aimed at
minimizing the spread of pathogens between patients, healthcare workers, and the
environment. It is not solely for removing visible dirt or satisfying policy but is evidence-
based to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Question 2: When donning sterile gloves using the open-gloving technique, which
part of the glove should the nurse avoid touching?
A. The inner cuff
B. The outside surface of the glove
C. The inside of the glove
D. The packaging flap
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The outside surface of the glove
Rationale: The outside surface of sterile gloves is considered sterile and must not be
touched by ungloved hands to maintain asepsis. Touching this area would contaminate
the glove and compromise the sterile field.
Question 3: What is the most appropriate action if a nurse notices that a patient’s
intravenous (IV) site is cool, swollen, and painful?
A. Increase the IV flow rate
B. Apply warm compresses and continue the infusion
C. Discontinue the IV line and restart at a new site
D. Elevate the limb and monitor for 30 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Discontinue the IV line and restart at a new site
Rationale: These signs indicate infiltration, where IV fluid has leaked into surrounding
tissue. Continuing the infusion can cause tissue damage; thus, the IV must be stopped,
the site discontinued, and a new line started elsewhere.
,Question 4: Which position is most appropriate for a patient undergoing a rectal
examination?
A. Supine
B. Dorsal recumbent
C. Sims’ position
D. Lithotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sims’ position
Rationale: Sims’ position (left lateral with right knee flexed) provides optimal access to
the rectum and relaxes the gluteal muscles, making it ideal for rectal exams, enemas, or
suppository insertion.
Question 5: What is the first step in the nursing process?
A. Implementation
B. Evaluation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting comprehensive data about the patient’s
health status through observation, interviews, and physical examination. It is the
foundational step upon which all other phases of the nursing process are built.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a bladder scan?
A. To diagnose urinary tract infections
B. To measure post-void residual urine volume
C. To assess kidney function
D. To visualize bladder tumors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To measure post-void residual urine volume
Rationale: A bladder scan is a noninvasive ultrasound used to estimate the amount of
urine remaining in the bladder after voiding. High residual volumes may indicate urinary
retention requiring intervention.
Question 7: During tracheostomy care, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Suction the tracheostomy tube before cleaning
B. Ensure oxygenation and airway patency
C. Replace the inner cannula every 8 hours
D. Apply antibiotic ointment to the stoma
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure oxygenation and airway patency
, Rationale: Maintaining a patent airway and adequate oxygenation is always the top
priority in tracheostomy care. All other actions are secondary to ensuring the patient
can breathe effectively.
Question 8: Which vital sign change is an early indicator of hypovolemic shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia
D. Hyperthermia
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Tachycardia
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the body compensates for reduced circulating volume
by increasing heart rate to maintain cardiac output. Hypotension typically occurs later
as compensation fails.
Question 9: What is the correct sequence for donning personal protective
equipment (PPE)?
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B. Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves
C. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
D. Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves
Rationale: This sequence minimizes contamination risk. Gloves are donned last to
cover the cuffs of the gown, creating a continuous barrier. CDC guidelines support this
order for effective PPE use.
Question 10: Which method is most accurate for measuring a patient’s core body
temperature?
A. Oral
B. Axillary
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature closely reflects core body temperature and is more
accurate than oral, axillary, or tympanic routes, especially in infants or critically ill
patients.
Question 11: When administering a subcutaneous injection, what angle should the
nurse use for a normal-weight adult?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 to 90 degrees, depending on needle length and tissue depth
