NURS110 Nursing Skills Lab Practice Exam
Study Guide Updated 2026 | Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Fundamentals of Nursing,
Clinical Skills, Patient Care Procedures &
NCLEX Prep
• This study guide contains 200 verified NURS110 multiple-choice questions with
highlighted correct answers and detailed RATIONALE, designed to reinforce clinical
skills and prepare you for lab practicals and NCLEX-style assessments.
• For best results, attempt each question independently before checking the
answer and RATIONALE — this active recall method strengthens retention of
clinical procedures and patient care concepts.
NURS110 — NURSING SKILLS LAB PRACTICE EXAM
200 Questions | Verified Answers & Detailed RATIONALE | Updated 2026
1. What is the correct sequence for performing hand hygiene using soap and
water?
A. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse, lather, dry
B. Apply soap, wet hands, lather, rinse, dry
C. Wet hands, lather, rinse, dry without soap
D. Apply sanitizer, wet hands, lather, rinse, dry
E. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, rinse, dry
Correct Answer: E. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, rinse,
dry
RATIONALE: The CDC recommends wetting hands first, then applying soap and
lathering for a minimum of 20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of
microorganisms before rinsing and drying with a clean towel.
,2. When measuring a patient's blood pressure, where should the lower edge
of the cuff be placed?
A. Directly over the brachial artery
B. 5 cm above the antecubital fossa
C. Approximately 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa
D. At the level of the antecubital fossa
E. 5 cm below the antecubital fossa
Correct Answer: C. Approximately 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa
RATIONALE: Placing the cuff 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa allows proper
positioning of the stethoscope over the brachial artery and ensures accurate
auscultation of Korotkoff sounds during blood pressure measurement.
3. A nurse is preparing to take an oral temperature. Which site is
contraindicated for oral temperature measurement?
A. A patient who is alert and cooperative
B. A patient who is 8 years old
C. A patient who just had knee surgery
D. A patient who is receiving oxygen via face mask
E. A patient with hypertension
Correct Answer: D. A patient who is receiving oxygen via face mask
RATIONALE: Oral temperature is contraindicated in patients receiving oxygen
via face mask because the mask prevents keeping the mouth closed, which is
necessary for an accurate reading. Other contraindications include
unconsciousness, recent oral surgery, and seizure disorders.
,4. The nurse is counting a patient's respiratory rate. Which of the following is
the correct technique?
A. Tell the patient you are counting respirations and count for 15 seconds
B. Count respirations immediately after informing the patient
C. Count respirations without informing the patient, observing chest rise for
30–60 seconds
D. Count only expirations for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
E. Ask the patient to breathe normally while counting for 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. Count respirations without informing the patient, observing
chest rise for 30–60 seconds
RATIONALE: Informing a patient that respirations are being counted can cause
them to consciously alter their breathing pattern, leading to inaccurate results. The
nurse should count unobtrusively for at least 30 seconds, ideally 60 seconds, for
accuracy.
5. Normal adult resting respiratory rate is:
A. 5–10 breaths per minute
B. 10–14 breaths per minute
C. 12–20 breaths per minute
D. 20–24 breaths per minute
E. 24–30 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: C. 12–20 breaths per minute
RATIONALE: The normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12–20 breaths per
minute. A rate below 12 is bradypnea; above 20 is tachypnea, both of which require
further assessment.
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin.
What is the correct needle angle?
A. 15 degrees
B. 30 degrees
C. 45–90 degrees depending on body fat
D. 90 degrees always
E. 60 degrees always
Correct Answer: C. 45–90 degrees depending on body fat
RATIONALE: Subcutaneous injections are given at 45–90 degrees. Thin patients
with less subcutaneous tissue receive injections at 45 degrees to avoid hitting
muscle, while patients with more adipose tissue may receive injections at 90
degrees.
7. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action breaks sterile
technique?
A. Opening sterile packages away from the sterile field
B. Placing sterile items at the center of the sterile field
C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item
D. Wearing sterile gloves throughout the procedure
E. Keeping the sterile field at or above waist level
Correct Answer: C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item
RATIONALE: Reaching across a sterile field risks contaminating it by introducing
non-sterile particles or bacteria from clothing or the environment. Sterile items
should always be passed around or the nurse should reposition themselves.
Study Guide Updated 2026 | Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Fundamentals of Nursing,
Clinical Skills, Patient Care Procedures &
NCLEX Prep
• This study guide contains 200 verified NURS110 multiple-choice questions with
highlighted correct answers and detailed RATIONALE, designed to reinforce clinical
skills and prepare you for lab practicals and NCLEX-style assessments.
• For best results, attempt each question independently before checking the
answer and RATIONALE — this active recall method strengthens retention of
clinical procedures and patient care concepts.
NURS110 — NURSING SKILLS LAB PRACTICE EXAM
200 Questions | Verified Answers & Detailed RATIONALE | Updated 2026
1. What is the correct sequence for performing hand hygiene using soap and
water?
A. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse, lather, dry
B. Apply soap, wet hands, lather, rinse, dry
C. Wet hands, lather, rinse, dry without soap
D. Apply sanitizer, wet hands, lather, rinse, dry
E. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, rinse, dry
Correct Answer: E. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, rinse,
dry
RATIONALE: The CDC recommends wetting hands first, then applying soap and
lathering for a minimum of 20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of
microorganisms before rinsing and drying with a clean towel.
,2. When measuring a patient's blood pressure, where should the lower edge
of the cuff be placed?
A. Directly over the brachial artery
B. 5 cm above the antecubital fossa
C. Approximately 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa
D. At the level of the antecubital fossa
E. 5 cm below the antecubital fossa
Correct Answer: C. Approximately 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa
RATIONALE: Placing the cuff 2–3 cm above the antecubital fossa allows proper
positioning of the stethoscope over the brachial artery and ensures accurate
auscultation of Korotkoff sounds during blood pressure measurement.
3. A nurse is preparing to take an oral temperature. Which site is
contraindicated for oral temperature measurement?
A. A patient who is alert and cooperative
B. A patient who is 8 years old
C. A patient who just had knee surgery
D. A patient who is receiving oxygen via face mask
E. A patient with hypertension
Correct Answer: D. A patient who is receiving oxygen via face mask
RATIONALE: Oral temperature is contraindicated in patients receiving oxygen
via face mask because the mask prevents keeping the mouth closed, which is
necessary for an accurate reading. Other contraindications include
unconsciousness, recent oral surgery, and seizure disorders.
,4. The nurse is counting a patient's respiratory rate. Which of the following is
the correct technique?
A. Tell the patient you are counting respirations and count for 15 seconds
B. Count respirations immediately after informing the patient
C. Count respirations without informing the patient, observing chest rise for
30–60 seconds
D. Count only expirations for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
E. Ask the patient to breathe normally while counting for 10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. Count respirations without informing the patient, observing
chest rise for 30–60 seconds
RATIONALE: Informing a patient that respirations are being counted can cause
them to consciously alter their breathing pattern, leading to inaccurate results. The
nurse should count unobtrusively for at least 30 seconds, ideally 60 seconds, for
accuracy.
5. Normal adult resting respiratory rate is:
A. 5–10 breaths per minute
B. 10–14 breaths per minute
C. 12–20 breaths per minute
D. 20–24 breaths per minute
E. 24–30 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: C. 12–20 breaths per minute
RATIONALE: The normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12–20 breaths per
minute. A rate below 12 is bradypnea; above 20 is tachypnea, both of which require
further assessment.
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin.
What is the correct needle angle?
A. 15 degrees
B. 30 degrees
C. 45–90 degrees depending on body fat
D. 90 degrees always
E. 60 degrees always
Correct Answer: C. 45–90 degrees depending on body fat
RATIONALE: Subcutaneous injections are given at 45–90 degrees. Thin patients
with less subcutaneous tissue receive injections at 45 degrees to avoid hitting
muscle, while patients with more adipose tissue may receive injections at 90
degrees.
7. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action breaks sterile
technique?
A. Opening sterile packages away from the sterile field
B. Placing sterile items at the center of the sterile field
C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item
D. Wearing sterile gloves throughout the procedure
E. Keeping the sterile field at or above waist level
Correct Answer: C. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an item
RATIONALE: Reaching across a sterile field risks contaminating it by introducing
non-sterile particles or bacteria from clothing or the environment. Sterile items
should always be passed around or the nurse should reposition themselves.
