WGU W025 FINAL OA PRACTICE
TEST FOR 2026: VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION I: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–6)
1. A nurse is using the SBAR framework to communicate a concern about a
patient’s deteriorating condition to a provider. What does the letter “B”
represent?
o A) Background
o B) Background (Correct)
o C) Basic data
o D) Brief overview
Rationale: The SBAR framework is a standardized communication tool that
enhances patient safety and reduces medical errors. It stands for Situation (S),
Background (B), Assessment (A), and Recommendation (R). Background
provides the essential context for the patient’s situation, such as admitting
diagnosis, relevant medical history, and current code status.
2. During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the
outer 1-inch edge of the sterile field. What is the best action for the nurse to
take?
o A) Quickly pick up the gauze pad and continue with the dressing
change, since it only touched the outer edge.
o B) Use the gauze pad anyway, as it was only a few seconds.
, o C) Obtain a new sterile gauze pad, as the outer 1-inch border of
the sterile field is considered contaminated. (Correct)
o D) Pour sterile saline over the gauze pad to make it safe for use.
Rationale: In sterile technique, the outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is
considered contaminated. Any objects that come into contact with this edge
are no longer considered sterile and must be discarded or re-sterilized. The
nurse must maintain aseptic technique to prevent introducing pathogens into
the patient’s wound.
3. Which provider order would the nurse question as a potential safety risk
before implementing?
o A) Ambulate the patient twice daily with assistance.
o B) IV fluids of Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Normal Saline at 100 mL/hr.
o C) Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV push "for a dry cough". (Correct)
o D) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg orally every 6 hours PRN for
headache.
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a potent loop diuretic used for conditions like
heart failure, edema, or hypertension. The indication "for a dry cough" is
inappropriate and could be a sign of an allergy (e.g., to an ACE inhibitor) or a
different condition. A valid nurse should question this order to prevent
unnecessary medication administration and potential harm.
4. A nurse is planning care for a patient who is at risk for falls. Which intervention
should the nurse prioritize to enhance safety?
o A) Keep the patient’s bed in the highest position for ease of care.
o B) Place the call light and personal items within the patient’s easy
reach. (Correct)
o C) Keep the room dark at night to promote sleep.
o D) Restrain the patient to the bed at all times.
Rationale: Ensuring the call light and personal items are within easy reach
empowers the patient to get assistance when needed, reducing the need for
risky attempts to reach for items and decreasing fall risk. Proactive safety
measures are preferred over restrictive or potentially harmful ones.
5. The nurse is about to administer 10 units of regular insulin to a patient with
diabetes. The vial of regular insulin appears slightly cloudy. What is the nurse’s
best course of action?
o A) Gently roll the vial between the palms of the hands to mix it.
o B) Shake the vial vigorously until the cloudiness disappears.
o C) Discard the vial, as regular insulin should be clear, and obtain a
new vial. (Correct)
, o D) Administer the insulin, as cloudiness is a normal characteristic of
regular insulin.
Rationale: Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that should always appear
clear and colorless. Cloudiness in regular insulin indicates that the insulin has
been denatured or contaminated and is no longer safe for use. The nurse
should obtain a new, clear vial.
6. When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to continuous low
intermittent suction, the nurse notes that the gastric aspirate has a pH of 6.0.
What action should the nurse take first?
o A) Notify the provider immediately, as this indicates a serious
complication.
o B) Confirm NG tube placement, as a pH of 6.0 is
inconclusive. (Correct)
o C) Document the finding as normal, as gastric pH is typically 6.0.
o D) Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of air and re-check the pH.
Rationale: Gastric fluid typically has a pH of 0 to 4. A pH reading of 6.0 is not
definitive for gastric placement. The nurse should not use it as the sole
confirmation. The first step is to confirm placement using another method,
such as an X-ray (the gold standard) or observing aspirate characteristics,
before proceeding with any tube feeding or medication administration.
SECTION II: PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 7–13)
7. A patient is prescribed Digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure. Which of the
following findings is a classic early sign of digoxin toxicity that the nurse
should monitor for?
o A) Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L)
o B) Increased urinary output
o C) Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting (Correct)
o D) Tachycardia (heart rate > 100 bpm)
Rationale: Common early signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal
symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other signs
include visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos or blurred vision) and
cardiac dysrhythmias (especially bradycardia).
8. A patient has been prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. The
nurse is providing discharge education. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
o A) "I will need to have my blood drawn regularly to check my INR."
TEST FOR 2026: VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION I: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–6)
1. A nurse is using the SBAR framework to communicate a concern about a
patient’s deteriorating condition to a provider. What does the letter “B”
represent?
o A) Background
o B) Background (Correct)
o C) Basic data
o D) Brief overview
Rationale: The SBAR framework is a standardized communication tool that
enhances patient safety and reduces medical errors. It stands for Situation (S),
Background (B), Assessment (A), and Recommendation (R). Background
provides the essential context for the patient’s situation, such as admitting
diagnosis, relevant medical history, and current code status.
2. During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the
outer 1-inch edge of the sterile field. What is the best action for the nurse to
take?
o A) Quickly pick up the gauze pad and continue with the dressing
change, since it only touched the outer edge.
o B) Use the gauze pad anyway, as it was only a few seconds.
, o C) Obtain a new sterile gauze pad, as the outer 1-inch border of
the sterile field is considered contaminated. (Correct)
o D) Pour sterile saline over the gauze pad to make it safe for use.
Rationale: In sterile technique, the outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is
considered contaminated. Any objects that come into contact with this edge
are no longer considered sterile and must be discarded or re-sterilized. The
nurse must maintain aseptic technique to prevent introducing pathogens into
the patient’s wound.
3. Which provider order would the nurse question as a potential safety risk
before implementing?
o A) Ambulate the patient twice daily with assistance.
o B) IV fluids of Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Normal Saline at 100 mL/hr.
o C) Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV push "for a dry cough". (Correct)
o D) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg orally every 6 hours PRN for
headache.
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a potent loop diuretic used for conditions like
heart failure, edema, or hypertension. The indication "for a dry cough" is
inappropriate and could be a sign of an allergy (e.g., to an ACE inhibitor) or a
different condition. A valid nurse should question this order to prevent
unnecessary medication administration and potential harm.
4. A nurse is planning care for a patient who is at risk for falls. Which intervention
should the nurse prioritize to enhance safety?
o A) Keep the patient’s bed in the highest position for ease of care.
o B) Place the call light and personal items within the patient’s easy
reach. (Correct)
o C) Keep the room dark at night to promote sleep.
o D) Restrain the patient to the bed at all times.
Rationale: Ensuring the call light and personal items are within easy reach
empowers the patient to get assistance when needed, reducing the need for
risky attempts to reach for items and decreasing fall risk. Proactive safety
measures are preferred over restrictive or potentially harmful ones.
5. The nurse is about to administer 10 units of regular insulin to a patient with
diabetes. The vial of regular insulin appears slightly cloudy. What is the nurse’s
best course of action?
o A) Gently roll the vial between the palms of the hands to mix it.
o B) Shake the vial vigorously until the cloudiness disappears.
o C) Discard the vial, as regular insulin should be clear, and obtain a
new vial. (Correct)
, o D) Administer the insulin, as cloudiness is a normal characteristic of
regular insulin.
Rationale: Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that should always appear
clear and colorless. Cloudiness in regular insulin indicates that the insulin has
been denatured or contaminated and is no longer safe for use. The nurse
should obtain a new, clear vial.
6. When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to continuous low
intermittent suction, the nurse notes that the gastric aspirate has a pH of 6.0.
What action should the nurse take first?
o A) Notify the provider immediately, as this indicates a serious
complication.
o B) Confirm NG tube placement, as a pH of 6.0 is
inconclusive. (Correct)
o C) Document the finding as normal, as gastric pH is typically 6.0.
o D) Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of air and re-check the pH.
Rationale: Gastric fluid typically has a pH of 0 to 4. A pH reading of 6.0 is not
definitive for gastric placement. The nurse should not use it as the sole
confirmation. The first step is to confirm placement using another method,
such as an X-ray (the gold standard) or observing aspirate characteristics,
before proceeding with any tube feeding or medication administration.
SECTION II: PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 7–13)
7. A patient is prescribed Digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure. Which of the
following findings is a classic early sign of digoxin toxicity that the nurse
should monitor for?
o A) Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L)
o B) Increased urinary output
o C) Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting (Correct)
o D) Tachycardia (heart rate > 100 bpm)
Rationale: Common early signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal
symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other signs
include visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos or blurred vision) and
cardiac dysrhythmias (especially bradycardia).
8. A patient has been prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. The
nurse is providing discharge education. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
o A) "I will need to have my blood drawn regularly to check my INR."
