NURS110 Nursing Skills Lab 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 Students Success
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene and infection control?
A. Wash hands only after removing gloves
B. Wear gloves for all patient interactions to avoid handwashing
C. Use hand sanitizer only when hands are visibly soiled
D. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient
contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-
associated infections. It must be performed before and after every patient contact,
regardless of glove use, as per standard precautions and WHO guidelines.
Question 2: Which action should the nurse take first when vital signs assessment
(temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pain) reveals a patient has just
smoked a cigarette?
A. Measure blood pressure immediately after the patient walks into the room
B. Count respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 for all patients
C. Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking or consuming hot/cold beverages before
taking an oral temperature
D. Take rectal temperature as the first choice in adults for accuracy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking or consuming
hot/cold beverages before taking an oral temperature
Rationale: Smoking, eating, or drinking hot/cold substances can alter oral temperature
readings. Waiting 30 minutes ensures an accurate baseline measurement, which is
essential for clinical decision-making.
Question 3: The most appropriate technique for patient positioning and body
mechanics during lifting involves which principle?
A. Lift using back muscles rather than leg muscles for efficiency
B. Keep feet together to maintain balance during transfers
C. Twist the spine while holding a heavy object to reach a bedside table
D. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees when lifting
,CORRECT ANSWER: D. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees
when lifting
Rationale: Proper body mechanics reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury to both the
nurse and patient. Bending at the knees and maintaining a wide stance engages
stronger leg muscles and improves stability.
Question 4: Which principle is essential when performing bed making (occupied
and unoccupied)?
A. Place clean linens on the floor while changing the bed
B. Make one side of the bed completely before moving to the other side with the patient
in place
C. Fanfold soiled linens away from the patient to prevent contamination
D. Shake linens vigorously to remove debris before placing on bed
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Fanfold soiled linens away from the patient to prevent
contamination
Rationale: Folding soiled linens inward (away from the patient) minimizes the spread of
microorganisms and maintains a clean environment, aligning with infection control
protocols during occupied bed making.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence for basic patient hygiene (bathing, oral
care, hair care) in an unconscious patient?
A. Skip oral care if the patient is NPO
B. Brush teeth from the gum line toward the crown using a firm-bristled brush
C. Provide oral care at least twice daily to prevent aspiration pneumonia
D. Use lemon-glycerin swabs for routine oral hygiene in unconscious patients
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Provide oral care at least twice daily to prevent aspiration
pneumonia
Rationale: Regular oral care reduces bacterial colonization in the oropharynx,
significantly lowering the risk of ventilator-associated or aspiration pneumonia,
especially in non-ambulatory or unconscious patients.
Question 6: Which finding would require immediate intervention during specimen
collection (urine, stool, sputum, blood)?
A. Ask the patient to rinse mouth thoroughly before collecting sputum for culture
B. Refrigerate stool specimens only if transport exceeds 48 hours
C. Label the specimen container at the bedside immediately after collection
D. Collect urine specimens from the drainage bag of an indwelling catheter
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Collect urine specimens from the drainage bag of an
indwelling catheter
, Rationale: Urine in the drainage bag is not sterile and may be contaminated; therefore, it
is unsuitable for culture. A proper specimen must be obtained via sterile technique from
the catheter port to ensure diagnostic accuracy.
Question 7: Which piece of personal protective equipment is required for sterile
technique and gloving when setting up a sterile field?
A. Pour sterile solution directly onto a sterile drape from a height of 12 inches
B. Reach across a sterile field if wearing sterile gloves
C. Consider the outer 1 inch of a sterile field as contaminated
D. Moisten sterile gauze by pouring saline from a used bottle
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Consider the outer 1 inch of a sterile field as contaminated
Rationale: The border of a sterile field (typically 1 inch) is considered contaminated
because it is vulnerable to contact with non-sterile surfaces. Maintaining this boundary
is critical to preserving sterility during procedures.
Question 8: What is the best position for a patient when wound care and dressing
changes are being performed on an abdominal incision?
A. Pack wounds tightly to promote faster healing
B. Apply antiseptic solutions directly into deep wounds routinely
C. Clean the wound from the center outward in a circular motion
D. Use the same gauze pad for the entire wound surface to conserve supplies
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Clean the wound from the center outward in a circular
motion
Rationale: Cleaning from the cleanest area (center) to the dirtiest (periphery) prevents
introducing pathogens from surrounding skin into the wound, reducing infection risk
and promoting healing.
Question 9: Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of oxygen
therapy administration?
A. Set oxygen flow rate based on patient comfort without provider order
B. Ensure no open flames or electrical sparks are near oxygen delivery devices
C. Store oxygen tanks horizontally to save space
D. Use petroleum-based ointments on nares to prevent dryness with nasal cannula
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure no open flames or electrical sparks are near oxygen
delivery devices
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, and even small sparks can ignite fires in
oxygen-enriched environments. Patients must be educated on fire safety as a critical
component of home oxygen therapy.
Question 10: What is the most accurate method to assess nasogastric tube
insertion and care prior to initiating feedings?
| 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 Students Success
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene and infection control?
A. Wash hands only after removing gloves
B. Wear gloves for all patient interactions to avoid handwashing
C. Use hand sanitizer only when hands are visibly soiled
D. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient
contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-
associated infections. It must be performed before and after every patient contact,
regardless of glove use, as per standard precautions and WHO guidelines.
Question 2: Which action should the nurse take first when vital signs assessment
(temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pain) reveals a patient has just
smoked a cigarette?
A. Measure blood pressure immediately after the patient walks into the room
B. Count respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 for all patients
C. Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking or consuming hot/cold beverages before
taking an oral temperature
D. Take rectal temperature as the first choice in adults for accuracy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking or consuming
hot/cold beverages before taking an oral temperature
Rationale: Smoking, eating, or drinking hot/cold substances can alter oral temperature
readings. Waiting 30 minutes ensures an accurate baseline measurement, which is
essential for clinical decision-making.
Question 3: The most appropriate technique for patient positioning and body
mechanics during lifting involves which principle?
A. Lift using back muscles rather than leg muscles for efficiency
B. Keep feet together to maintain balance during transfers
C. Twist the spine while holding a heavy object to reach a bedside table
D. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees when lifting
,CORRECT ANSWER: D. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees
when lifting
Rationale: Proper body mechanics reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury to both the
nurse and patient. Bending at the knees and maintaining a wide stance engages
stronger leg muscles and improves stability.
Question 4: Which principle is essential when performing bed making (occupied
and unoccupied)?
A. Place clean linens on the floor while changing the bed
B. Make one side of the bed completely before moving to the other side with the patient
in place
C. Fanfold soiled linens away from the patient to prevent contamination
D. Shake linens vigorously to remove debris before placing on bed
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Fanfold soiled linens away from the patient to prevent
contamination
Rationale: Folding soiled linens inward (away from the patient) minimizes the spread of
microorganisms and maintains a clean environment, aligning with infection control
protocols during occupied bed making.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence for basic patient hygiene (bathing, oral
care, hair care) in an unconscious patient?
A. Skip oral care if the patient is NPO
B. Brush teeth from the gum line toward the crown using a firm-bristled brush
C. Provide oral care at least twice daily to prevent aspiration pneumonia
D. Use lemon-glycerin swabs for routine oral hygiene in unconscious patients
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Provide oral care at least twice daily to prevent aspiration
pneumonia
Rationale: Regular oral care reduces bacterial colonization in the oropharynx,
significantly lowering the risk of ventilator-associated or aspiration pneumonia,
especially in non-ambulatory or unconscious patients.
Question 6: Which finding would require immediate intervention during specimen
collection (urine, stool, sputum, blood)?
A. Ask the patient to rinse mouth thoroughly before collecting sputum for culture
B. Refrigerate stool specimens only if transport exceeds 48 hours
C. Label the specimen container at the bedside immediately after collection
D. Collect urine specimens from the drainage bag of an indwelling catheter
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Collect urine specimens from the drainage bag of an
indwelling catheter
, Rationale: Urine in the drainage bag is not sterile and may be contaminated; therefore, it
is unsuitable for culture. A proper specimen must be obtained via sterile technique from
the catheter port to ensure diagnostic accuracy.
Question 7: Which piece of personal protective equipment is required for sterile
technique and gloving when setting up a sterile field?
A. Pour sterile solution directly onto a sterile drape from a height of 12 inches
B. Reach across a sterile field if wearing sterile gloves
C. Consider the outer 1 inch of a sterile field as contaminated
D. Moisten sterile gauze by pouring saline from a used bottle
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Consider the outer 1 inch of a sterile field as contaminated
Rationale: The border of a sterile field (typically 1 inch) is considered contaminated
because it is vulnerable to contact with non-sterile surfaces. Maintaining this boundary
is critical to preserving sterility during procedures.
Question 8: What is the best position for a patient when wound care and dressing
changes are being performed on an abdominal incision?
A. Pack wounds tightly to promote faster healing
B. Apply antiseptic solutions directly into deep wounds routinely
C. Clean the wound from the center outward in a circular motion
D. Use the same gauze pad for the entire wound surface to conserve supplies
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Clean the wound from the center outward in a circular
motion
Rationale: Cleaning from the cleanest area (center) to the dirtiest (periphery) prevents
introducing pathogens from surrounding skin into the wound, reducing infection risk
and promoting healing.
Question 9: Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of oxygen
therapy administration?
A. Set oxygen flow rate based on patient comfort without provider order
B. Ensure no open flames or electrical sparks are near oxygen delivery devices
C. Store oxygen tanks horizontally to save space
D. Use petroleum-based ointments on nares to prevent dryness with nasal cannula
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure no open flames or electrical sparks are near oxygen
delivery devices
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, and even small sparks can ignite fires in
oxygen-enriched environments. Patients must be educated on fire safety as a critical
component of home oxygen therapy.
Question 10: What is the most accurate method to assess nasogastric tube
insertion and care prior to initiating feedings?
