CJE Benchmark Exam 1 Patient Care
Fundamentals Test Bank Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | Verified NCLEX Study
Guide with Detailed Rationales for A Grade
Success
• This 200-question practice exam covers core Patient Care Fundamentals topics
tested on the CJE Benchmark and NCLEX, including safety, infection control, vital
signs, nutrition, elimination, mobility, oxygenation, wound care, communication,
ethics, and more — use it by attempting each question independently before
checking the correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE below it.
• Each question features five answer options (A–E), a bolded correct answer, and a
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning and help you achieve
exam-day success.
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before a sterile procedure.
Which action demonstrates correct technique?
A. Wiping hands with a dry paper towel before applying antiseptic
B. Rinsing hands with hot water for 5 seconds
C. Applying alcohol-based hand rub and rubbing until dry
D. Washing hands with soap for 10 seconds and rinsing
E. Using gloves instead of hand washing before the procedure
Correct Answer: C. Applying alcohol-based hand rub and rubbing until dry
EXPERT RATIONALE: Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method for hand
hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled. It is rubbed over all surfaces until
completely dry, which ensures effective microbial reduction per CDC guidelines.
2. A patient is placed in contact precautions. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) must the nurse don before entering the room?
A. N95 respirator and face shield only
,B. Gown and gloves
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. Gown, gloves, and N95 respirator
E. Face shield and surgical mask only
Correct Answer: B. Gown and gloves
EXPERT RATIONALE: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves
upon entry into the patient's room to prevent transmission of organisms spread by
direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment.
3. A nurse is measuring a patient's blood pressure. The cuff is too small for the
patient's arm. What effect will this have on the reading?
A. The reading will be falsely low
B. The reading will be accurate
C. The reading will be falsely high
D. The reading will alternate between high and low
E. The diastolic pressure will be unaffected
Correct Answer: C. The reading will be falsely high
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small causes the cuff
to exert greater pressure on the artery, resulting in a falsely elevated blood
pressure reading. Proper cuff sizing is essential for accuracy.
4. A nurse notes a patient's apical pulse is 52 beats per minute. How should
the nurse document this finding?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dysrhythmia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
,D. Bradycardia
E. Arrhythmia
Correct Answer: D. Bradycardia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60 beats per
minute. A rate of 52 bpm falls within this category and should be documented as
bradycardia and reported to the provider if clinically significant.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on droplet precautions. Which condition most
likely requires this type of precaution?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Influenza
C. Hepatitis B
D. MRSA wound infection
E. Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: B. Influenza
EXPERT RATIONALE: Influenza is transmitted through large respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplet precautions
include wearing a surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient.
6. A patient's temperature is 38.9°C. The nurse recognizes this as which of the
following?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Low-grade fever
D. High-grade fever
E. Hyperthermia requiring immediate intervention
, Correct Answer: D. High-grade fever
EXPERT RATIONALE: A temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) is classified as a high-grade
fever. Normal oral temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Temperatures
above 38.5°C are generally considered high-grade and warrant clinical monitoring
and intervention.
7. When performing a bed bath for a dependent patient, which principle
should guide the nurse's actions?
A. Bathe from the dirtiest areas to the cleanest areas
B. Use one washcloth for the entire body to conserve resources
C. Wash from clean areas to dirty areas
D. Begin with the perineal area to reduce infection risk
E. Use hot water to stimulate circulation
Correct Answer: C. Wash from clean areas to dirty areas
EXPERT RATIONALE: Bathing should always proceed from clean to dirty areas to
prevent the spread of microorganisms. This includes washing the face first and the
perineal area last, using a clean section of the washcloth for each area.
8. A nurse is repositioning a bedridden patient to prevent pressure injuries.
How often should repositioning occur?
A. Every 6 hours
B. Every 4 hours
C. Every 2 hours
D. Every 8 hours
E. Once per shift
Correct Answer: C. Every 2 hours
Fundamentals Test Bank Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | Verified NCLEX Study
Guide with Detailed Rationales for A Grade
Success
• This 200-question practice exam covers core Patient Care Fundamentals topics
tested on the CJE Benchmark and NCLEX, including safety, infection control, vital
signs, nutrition, elimination, mobility, oxygenation, wound care, communication,
ethics, and more — use it by attempting each question independently before
checking the correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE below it.
• Each question features five answer options (A–E), a bolded correct answer, and a
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning and help you achieve
exam-day success.
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before a sterile procedure.
Which action demonstrates correct technique?
A. Wiping hands with a dry paper towel before applying antiseptic
B. Rinsing hands with hot water for 5 seconds
C. Applying alcohol-based hand rub and rubbing until dry
D. Washing hands with soap for 10 seconds and rinsing
E. Using gloves instead of hand washing before the procedure
Correct Answer: C. Applying alcohol-based hand rub and rubbing until dry
EXPERT RATIONALE: Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method for hand
hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled. It is rubbed over all surfaces until
completely dry, which ensures effective microbial reduction per CDC guidelines.
2. A patient is placed in contact precautions. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) must the nurse don before entering the room?
A. N95 respirator and face shield only
,B. Gown and gloves
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. Gown, gloves, and N95 respirator
E. Face shield and surgical mask only
Correct Answer: B. Gown and gloves
EXPERT RATIONALE: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves
upon entry into the patient's room to prevent transmission of organisms spread by
direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment.
3. A nurse is measuring a patient's blood pressure. The cuff is too small for the
patient's arm. What effect will this have on the reading?
A. The reading will be falsely low
B. The reading will be accurate
C. The reading will be falsely high
D. The reading will alternate between high and low
E. The diastolic pressure will be unaffected
Correct Answer: C. The reading will be falsely high
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small causes the cuff
to exert greater pressure on the artery, resulting in a falsely elevated blood
pressure reading. Proper cuff sizing is essential for accuracy.
4. A nurse notes a patient's apical pulse is 52 beats per minute. How should
the nurse document this finding?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dysrhythmia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
,D. Bradycardia
E. Arrhythmia
Correct Answer: D. Bradycardia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60 beats per
minute. A rate of 52 bpm falls within this category and should be documented as
bradycardia and reported to the provider if clinically significant.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on droplet precautions. Which condition most
likely requires this type of precaution?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Influenza
C. Hepatitis B
D. MRSA wound infection
E. Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: B. Influenza
EXPERT RATIONALE: Influenza is transmitted through large respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplet precautions
include wearing a surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient.
6. A patient's temperature is 38.9°C. The nurse recognizes this as which of the
following?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normal temperature
C. Low-grade fever
D. High-grade fever
E. Hyperthermia requiring immediate intervention
, Correct Answer: D. High-grade fever
EXPERT RATIONALE: A temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) is classified as a high-grade
fever. Normal oral temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Temperatures
above 38.5°C are generally considered high-grade and warrant clinical monitoring
and intervention.
7. When performing a bed bath for a dependent patient, which principle
should guide the nurse's actions?
A. Bathe from the dirtiest areas to the cleanest areas
B. Use one washcloth for the entire body to conserve resources
C. Wash from clean areas to dirty areas
D. Begin with the perineal area to reduce infection risk
E. Use hot water to stimulate circulation
Correct Answer: C. Wash from clean areas to dirty areas
EXPERT RATIONALE: Bathing should always proceed from clean to dirty areas to
prevent the spread of microorganisms. This includes washing the face first and the
perineal area last, using a clean section of the washcloth for each area.
8. A nurse is repositioning a bedridden patient to prevent pressure injuries.
How often should repositioning occur?
A. Every 6 hours
B. Every 4 hours
C. Every 2 hours
D. Every 8 hours
E. Once per shift
Correct Answer: C. Every 2 hours
