NURS 100 | Fundamentals of Nursing | Week 3 Quiz Questions and
Answers | 2026 Update – WCU
1. When prioritizing care for a group of patients, which client should the nurse
assess first based on the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework?
A. A patient with a fractured femur reporting pain of 8/10.
B. A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy 6 hours ago and has developed stridor.
C. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an oxygen saturation of 91%.
D. A patient with a history of heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor indicates an upper airway obstruction, which is an immediate life-
threatening emergency following neck surgery. While the other patients require care, the
airway takes absolute priority.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is the most
critical for preventing the spread of microorganisms according to CDC
guidelines?
A. Using hot water to ensure bacteria are killed by heat.
B. Rinsing from the elbows down toward the fingertips.
C. Drying hands starting from the wrists down to the fingers.
D. Applying friction for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Answer: D
Rationale: Friction is the most effective component of handwashing for removing transient
microorganisms from the skin. The duration of 15-20 seconds is the standard for effective
mechanical removal.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions for Methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which sequence should the nurse
follow when donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, Gown, Mask, Goggles
B. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
C. Gown, Mask, Goggles, Gloves
D. Goggles, Mask, Gloves, Gown
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard sequence for donning PPE is Gown, then Mask/Respirator, then
Goggles/Face Shield, and finally Gloves (which cover the cuffs of the gown).
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 158/96 mmHg. According to current AHA/ACC
guidelines, which category of hypertension does this fall into?
A. Hypertension Stage 2
B. Hypertension Stage 1
C. Elevated
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertension Stage 2 is defined as a systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg or a
diastolic BP of at least 90 mmHg.
5. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which of the following is
considered ‘objective’ data?
A. The patient states, ‘I feel like my heart is racing.’
B. The patient reports feeling nauseated after breakfast.
C. The patient describes a throbbing pain in the left temple.
D. The nurse observes the patient’s skin is pale and diaphoretic.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs (e.g., skin color, moisture,
vital signs). Subjective data are the patient’s verbal descriptions of their health problems
(symptoms).
6. While evaluating a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a pulse deficit. How
should the nurse accurately measure a pulse deficit?
A. Measure the radial pulse and then the carotid pulse sequentially.
B. Multiply the radial pulse rate by two and compare it to the apical rate.
C. Subtract the diastolic blood pressure from the systolic blood pressure.
D. Have two nurses simultaneously count the apical and radial pulses for 60 seconds.
Answer: D
Rationale: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates. It
must be measured simultaneously by two clinicians to ensure accuracy.
7. A nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s trash can. Using the RACE acronym,
which action should the nurse take first?
A. Pull the fire alarm to alert the facility.
B. Close the door to the patient’s room.
C. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
D. Rescue the patient from immediate danger.
Answer: D
Rationale: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. The first priority
is always to rescue anyone in immediate danger.
Answers | 2026 Update – WCU
1. When prioritizing care for a group of patients, which client should the nurse
assess first based on the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework?
A. A patient with a fractured femur reporting pain of 8/10.
B. A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy 6 hours ago and has developed stridor.
C. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an oxygen saturation of 91%.
D. A patient with a history of heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor indicates an upper airway obstruction, which is an immediate life-
threatening emergency following neck surgery. While the other patients require care, the
airway takes absolute priority.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is the most
critical for preventing the spread of microorganisms according to CDC
guidelines?
A. Using hot water to ensure bacteria are killed by heat.
B. Rinsing from the elbows down toward the fingertips.
C. Drying hands starting from the wrists down to the fingers.
D. Applying friction for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Answer: D
Rationale: Friction is the most effective component of handwashing for removing transient
microorganisms from the skin. The duration of 15-20 seconds is the standard for effective
mechanical removal.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions for Methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which sequence should the nurse
follow when donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, Gown, Mask, Goggles
B. Mask, Goggles, Gown, Gloves
C. Gown, Mask, Goggles, Gloves
D. Goggles, Mask, Gloves, Gown
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard sequence for donning PPE is Gown, then Mask/Respirator, then
Goggles/Face Shield, and finally Gloves (which cover the cuffs of the gown).
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 158/96 mmHg. According to current AHA/ACC
guidelines, which category of hypertension does this fall into?
A. Hypertension Stage 2
B. Hypertension Stage 1
C. Elevated
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertension Stage 2 is defined as a systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg or a
diastolic BP of at least 90 mmHg.
5. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which of the following is
considered ‘objective’ data?
A. The patient states, ‘I feel like my heart is racing.’
B. The patient reports feeling nauseated after breakfast.
C. The patient describes a throbbing pain in the left temple.
D. The nurse observes the patient’s skin is pale and diaphoretic.
Answer: D
, Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs (e.g., skin color, moisture,
vital signs). Subjective data are the patient’s verbal descriptions of their health problems
(symptoms).
6. While evaluating a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes a pulse deficit. How
should the nurse accurately measure a pulse deficit?
A. Measure the radial pulse and then the carotid pulse sequentially.
B. Multiply the radial pulse rate by two and compare it to the apical rate.
C. Subtract the diastolic blood pressure from the systolic blood pressure.
D. Have two nurses simultaneously count the apical and radial pulses for 60 seconds.
Answer: D
Rationale: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates. It
must be measured simultaneously by two clinicians to ensure accuracy.
7. A nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s trash can. Using the RACE acronym,
which action should the nurse take first?
A. Pull the fire alarm to alert the facility.
B. Close the door to the patient’s room.
C. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
D. Rescue the patient from immediate danger.
Answer: D
Rationale: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. The first priority
is always to rescue anyone in immediate danger.
