NU 311 final exam study guide with Correct
Answers graded100%
NU 311 Final Exam – Practice Test
Section 1: Nursing Fundamentals & Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient on fall precautions. Which action is most important?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up.
B. Place the call light within reach.
C. Apply wrist restraints at night.
D. Leave the bathroom light off to reduce stimulation.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Ensuring the call light is within reach empowers the patient
to ask for help, preventing falls. Side rails up (A) can be a restraint if used improperly.
Restraints (C) are not first-line. Darkness (D) increases fall risk.
2. A patient reports pain as 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV. After 30 minutes,
the patient’s respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What is the priority action?
A. Administer naloxone.
B. Reassess pain in 1 hour.
C. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min.
D. Stimulate the patient vigorously.
Correct Answer: A – Rationale: Respiratory rate <10/min post-opioid suggests overdose.
Naloxone reverses opioid effects. Oxygen (C) and stimulation (D) are secondary. Reassessing
(B) delays critical intervention.
3. Which finding in a patient with a new tracheostomy requires immediate action?
A. Small amount of blood-tinged secretions.
B. Crackles heard in lung bases.
C. Absent breath sounds on the right side.
D. Tracheostomy ties snugly fitting one finger underneath.
, Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Absent breath sounds suggests displaced or obstructed tube
or pneumothorax. Blood-tinged (A) is expected early. Crackles (B) may need suction but not
emergent. Snug ties (D) are correct.
4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which method is most effective against C. difficile?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds.
B. Soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
C. Chlorhexidine wipe for 5 seconds.
D. Iodine scrub followed by sterile water rinse.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Alcohol does not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water
physically remove them. Chlorhexidine (C) and iodine (D) are not sporicidal or appropriate
for routine hand hygiene.
5. A patient with a history of falls is ordered a vest restraint. What must the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a written order from the provider.
B. Explain the need to the family only.
C. Try less restrictive measures.
D. Tie the vest to the bed frame.
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Restraints are last resort; less restrictive alternatives (e.g.,
bed alarm, sitter) must be attempted first. Order (A) is needed but after trying alternatives.
Family explanation (B) alone insufficient. Tying to bed frame (D) is unsafe (should tie to
movable part of bed).
6. Which patient is at highest risk for a pressure injury?
A. A 65-year-old ambulatory with incontinence.
B. A 40-year-old with spinal cord injury and immobility.
C. A 20-year-old athlete with a leg cast.
D. A 75-year-old with mild dementia who walks daily.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Immobility + sensory loss (spinal injury) is major risk.
Incontinence (A) is a risk but mobility reduces it. Cast (C) is temporary. Daily walking (D)
reduces risk.
7. When using the SBAR tool to call a provider, what does “B” represent?
A. Background.
B. Baseline vitals.
Answers graded100%
NU 311 Final Exam – Practice Test
Section 1: Nursing Fundamentals & Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient on fall precautions. Which action is most important?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up.
B. Place the call light within reach.
C. Apply wrist restraints at night.
D. Leave the bathroom light off to reduce stimulation.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Ensuring the call light is within reach empowers the patient
to ask for help, preventing falls. Side rails up (A) can be a restraint if used improperly.
Restraints (C) are not first-line. Darkness (D) increases fall risk.
2. A patient reports pain as 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV. After 30 minutes,
the patient’s respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What is the priority action?
A. Administer naloxone.
B. Reassess pain in 1 hour.
C. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min.
D. Stimulate the patient vigorously.
Correct Answer: A – Rationale: Respiratory rate <10/min post-opioid suggests overdose.
Naloxone reverses opioid effects. Oxygen (C) and stimulation (D) are secondary. Reassessing
(B) delays critical intervention.
3. Which finding in a patient with a new tracheostomy requires immediate action?
A. Small amount of blood-tinged secretions.
B. Crackles heard in lung bases.
C. Absent breath sounds on the right side.
D. Tracheostomy ties snugly fitting one finger underneath.
, Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Absent breath sounds suggests displaced or obstructed tube
or pneumothorax. Blood-tinged (A) is expected early. Crackles (B) may need suction but not
emergent. Snug ties (D) are correct.
4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which method is most effective against C. difficile?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub for 20 seconds.
B. Soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
C. Chlorhexidine wipe for 5 seconds.
D. Iodine scrub followed by sterile water rinse.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Alcohol does not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water
physically remove them. Chlorhexidine (C) and iodine (D) are not sporicidal or appropriate
for routine hand hygiene.
5. A patient with a history of falls is ordered a vest restraint. What must the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a written order from the provider.
B. Explain the need to the family only.
C. Try less restrictive measures.
D. Tie the vest to the bed frame.
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Restraints are last resort; less restrictive alternatives (e.g.,
bed alarm, sitter) must be attempted first. Order (A) is needed but after trying alternatives.
Family explanation (B) alone insufficient. Tying to bed frame (D) is unsafe (should tie to
movable part of bed).
6. Which patient is at highest risk for a pressure injury?
A. A 65-year-old ambulatory with incontinence.
B. A 40-year-old with spinal cord injury and immobility.
C. A 20-year-old athlete with a leg cast.
D. A 75-year-old with mild dementia who walks daily.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Immobility + sensory loss (spinal injury) is major risk.
Incontinence (A) is a risk but mobility reduces it. Cast (C) is temporary. Daily walking (D)
reduces risk.
7. When using the SBAR tool to call a provider, what does “B” represent?
A. Background.
B. Baseline vitals.
