NURS 121L-A: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
Week 1 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection and
verification of data?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the nurse collects,
organizes, validates, and documents client data.
2. When prioritizing care using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient
should the nurse see first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic back pain.
B. A patient who is lonely and wants to talk about their family.
C. A patient who needs instructions on how to use a walker.
D. A patient with an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs, specifically airway and oxygenation, are the highest
priority according to Maslow’s hierarchy and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
,3. A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry is an example of objective
data?
A. ‘Patient’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.’
B. ‘Patient appears restless and anxious.’
C. ‘Patient states, I feel very nauseated.’
D. ‘Patient complains of sharp pain in the left hip.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable information obtained through
physical examination and lab tests.
4. The nurse is practicing the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
competency of Patient-Centered Care. Which action best demonstrates this?
A. Using a barcode scanner to administer medications.
B. Involving the patient’s family in the discharge planning process as requested by the patient.
C. Updating the electronic health record immediately after a procedure.
D. Attending a seminar on the latest surgical techniques.
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care involves recognizing the patient as the source of control
and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for
patient preferences.
5. Under the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Background’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and mental status.
B. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in treatment.
C. A brief statement of the current problem or situation.
D. The patient’s medical history and reason for admission.
Answer: D
, Rationale: The Background (B) provides the context of the situation, including admitting
diagnosis, medical history, and relevant previous treatments.
6. Which ethical principle is the nurse following when they provide the same
level of care to all patients regardless of their socioeconomic status?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and treating all
patients equitably.
7. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. According to the CDC, when is
it mandatory to use soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before touching a patient.
B. After removing gloves.
C. After moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site.
D. When hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile.
Answer: D
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol; therefore, mechanical scrubbing with
soap and water is required to remove them.
8. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ procedure in the perioperative
setting?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest before the procedure.
B. To verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure.
C. To ensure the patient has signed the billing documents.
D. To count all sponges and instruments used.
Answer: B
Week 1 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection and
verification of data?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the nurse collects,
organizes, validates, and documents client data.
2. When prioritizing care using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient
should the nurse see first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic back pain.
B. A patient who is lonely and wants to talk about their family.
C. A patient who needs instructions on how to use a walker.
D. A patient with an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs, specifically airway and oxygenation, are the highest
priority according to Maslow’s hierarchy and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
,3. A nurse is documenting patient care. Which entry is an example of objective
data?
A. ‘Patient’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.’
B. ‘Patient appears restless and anxious.’
C. ‘Patient states, I feel very nauseated.’
D. ‘Patient complains of sharp pain in the left hip.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable information obtained through
physical examination and lab tests.
4. The nurse is practicing the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
competency of Patient-Centered Care. Which action best demonstrates this?
A. Using a barcode scanner to administer medications.
B. Involving the patient’s family in the discharge planning process as requested by the patient.
C. Updating the electronic health record immediately after a procedure.
D. Attending a seminar on the latest surgical techniques.
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care involves recognizing the patient as the source of control
and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for
patient preferences.
5. Under the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Background’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and mental status.
B. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in treatment.
C. A brief statement of the current problem or situation.
D. The patient’s medical history and reason for admission.
Answer: D
, Rationale: The Background (B) provides the context of the situation, including admitting
diagnosis, medical history, and relevant previous treatments.
6. Which ethical principle is the nurse following when they provide the same
level of care to all patients regardless of their socioeconomic status?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and treating all
patients equitably.
7. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. According to the CDC, when is
it mandatory to use soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before touching a patient.
B. After removing gloves.
C. After moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site.
D. When hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile.
Answer: D
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol; therefore, mechanical scrubbing with
soap and water is required to remove them.
8. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ procedure in the perioperative
setting?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest before the procedure.
B. To verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure.
C. To ensure the patient has signed the billing documents.
D. To count all sponges and instruments used.
Answer: B
