PNR 104/PNR104 Exam 4 V1 | Basic Skills,
Quality & Safety in Nursing Practice Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. When a nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s room, which action should be taken first
according to the RACE acronym?
A. Pull the fire alarm to notify the department
B. Use the fire extinguisher to put out the flames
C. Close the doors to confine the fire
D. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and
Extinguish. The immediate priority is the safety of the patient, so removing them from the
area of danger is the first step. Following rescue, the nurse should activate the alarm and
follow subsequent safety protocols.
2. Which QSEN competency is being applied when a nurse uses a computerized bar-code
system for medication administration?
A. Patient-Centered Care
B. Teamwork and Collaboration
C. Informatics
,D. Quality Improvement
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Informatics involves the use of information and technology to
communicate, manage knowledge, and mitigate error. Bar-code medication administration
is a classic example of using technology to ensure patient safety and data accuracy. This
competency is essential for modern nursing practice to reduce human error.
3. To maintain proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object, the nurse should perform
which action?
A. Keep the knees straight and bend at the waist
B. Keep the object at arm’s length from the body
C. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees
D. Twist the torso while lifting to move the object quickly
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Maintaining a wide base of support provides stability and prevents
loss of balance while lifting. Bending at the knees allows the nurse to use the strong
muscles of the legs rather than the weaker muscles of the back. Proper body mechanics are
vital to prevent musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which action would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap away from the body
, B. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the field
C. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up a gauze
D. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of aseptic technique because
microbes from the nurse’s clothing or arms can fall onto the field. Any item or area below
waist level is considered contaminated in a surgical or sterile environment. Proper
technique requires the nurse to move around the field rather than reaching across it.
5. What is the most effective way for a nurse to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Performing consistent and thorough hand hygiene
C. Ensuring all patients are in private rooms
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics as ordered
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Hand hygiene is documented as the single most important
intervention to prevent the transmission of pathogens in the healthcare setting. It should
be performed before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves. Failure to adhere
to hand hygiene standards is a leading cause of cross-contamination.
Quality & Safety in Nursing Practice Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. When a nurse discovers a fire in a patient’s room, which action should be taken first
according to the RACE acronym?
A. Pull the fire alarm to notify the department
B. Use the fire extinguisher to put out the flames
C. Close the doors to confine the fire
D. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and
Extinguish. The immediate priority is the safety of the patient, so removing them from the
area of danger is the first step. Following rescue, the nurse should activate the alarm and
follow subsequent safety protocols.
2. Which QSEN competency is being applied when a nurse uses a computerized bar-code
system for medication administration?
A. Patient-Centered Care
B. Teamwork and Collaboration
C. Informatics
,D. Quality Improvement
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Informatics involves the use of information and technology to
communicate, manage knowledge, and mitigate error. Bar-code medication administration
is a classic example of using technology to ensure patient safety and data accuracy. This
competency is essential for modern nursing practice to reduce human error.
3. To maintain proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object, the nurse should perform
which action?
A. Keep the knees straight and bend at the waist
B. Keep the object at arm’s length from the body
C. Maintain a wide base of support and bend at the knees
D. Twist the torso while lifting to move the object quickly
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Maintaining a wide base of support provides stability and prevents
loss of balance while lifting. Bending at the knees allows the nurse to use the strong
muscles of the legs rather than the weaker muscles of the back. Proper body mechanics are
vital to prevent musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which action would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap away from the body
, B. Dropping a sterile item onto the center of the field
C. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up a gauze
D. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of aseptic technique because
microbes from the nurse’s clothing or arms can fall onto the field. Any item or area below
waist level is considered contaminated in a surgical or sterile environment. Proper
technique requires the nurse to move around the field rather than reaching across it.
5. What is the most effective way for a nurse to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Performing consistent and thorough hand hygiene
C. Ensuring all patients are in private rooms
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics as ordered
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Hand hygiene is documented as the single most important
intervention to prevent the transmission of pathogens in the healthcare setting. It should
be performed before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves. Failure to adhere
to hand hygiene standards is a leading cause of cross-contamination.
