PNR 104/PNR104 Exam 3 V1 | Basic Skills,
Quality & Safety in Nursing Practice Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is the most important for
preventing the spread of microorganisms?
A. Using hot water to kill bacteria on the skin surface.
B. Drying hands starting from the forearms down to the fingers.
C. Applying friction for at least 20 seconds during the wash.
D. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands when visibly soiled.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Friction is the most critical component of hand hygiene as it
physically removes transient microbes from the skin. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends scrubbing for at least 20 seconds to ensure adequate
decontamination. Using warm water rather than hot water is preferred to prevent skin
irritation and cracking, which could provide an entry point for pathogens.
2. Which QSEN competency focuses on minimizing risk of harm to patients through both
system effectiveness and individual performance?
A. Safety
B. Informatics
,C. Patient-Centered Care
D. Evidence-Based Practice
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The Safety competency in QSEN is specifically designed to reduce the
risk of harm to patients. It involves recognizing human factors and system designs that
contribute to errors. By implementing safety protocols, nurses ensure that both individual
clinical decisions and hospital-wide systems work together to protect the patient.
3. When providing oral care for an unconscious patient, which nursing intervention is the
highest priority?
A. Applying petroleum jelly to the lips to prevent cracking.
B. Rinsing the mouth with a large volume of water.
C. Using a soft toothbrush to clean the tongue and gums.
D. Positioning the patient in a side-lying (lateral) position.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The side-lying position is essential to prevent aspiration in an
unconscious patient who cannot manage their own secretions. This position allows fluids
to drain out of the mouth by gravity rather than pooling in the back of the throat. Ensuring
a patent airway is always the primary concern during hygiene procedures for patients with
a decreased level of consciousness.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s pressure ulcer and notes full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but no bone or muscle is exposed. How should this be documented?
A. Stage I
B. Stage III
C. Stage II
D. Stage IV
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Stage III pressure ulcers involve full-thickness tissue loss where
subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. Stage II
involves partial-thickness loss of the dermis, while Stage IV involves exposure of deeper
structures like bone or muscle. Accurate staging is vital for determining the appropriate
wound care interventions and tracking healing progress.
5. According to the RACE acronym for fire safety, what is the first action a nurse should take
when discovering a fire in a patient’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Confine the fire by closing doors.
C. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger.
D. Extinguish the fire using a portable extinguisher.
Correct Answer: C
Quality & Safety in Nursing Practice Q&A
with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is the most important for
preventing the spread of microorganisms?
A. Using hot water to kill bacteria on the skin surface.
B. Drying hands starting from the forearms down to the fingers.
C. Applying friction for at least 20 seconds during the wash.
D. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands when visibly soiled.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Friction is the most critical component of hand hygiene as it
physically removes transient microbes from the skin. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends scrubbing for at least 20 seconds to ensure adequate
decontamination. Using warm water rather than hot water is preferred to prevent skin
irritation and cracking, which could provide an entry point for pathogens.
2. Which QSEN competency focuses on minimizing risk of harm to patients through both
system effectiveness and individual performance?
A. Safety
B. Informatics
,C. Patient-Centered Care
D. Evidence-Based Practice
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The Safety competency in QSEN is specifically designed to reduce the
risk of harm to patients. It involves recognizing human factors and system designs that
contribute to errors. By implementing safety protocols, nurses ensure that both individual
clinical decisions and hospital-wide systems work together to protect the patient.
3. When providing oral care for an unconscious patient, which nursing intervention is the
highest priority?
A. Applying petroleum jelly to the lips to prevent cracking.
B. Rinsing the mouth with a large volume of water.
C. Using a soft toothbrush to clean the tongue and gums.
D. Positioning the patient in a side-lying (lateral) position.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The side-lying position is essential to prevent aspiration in an
unconscious patient who cannot manage their own secretions. This position allows fluids
to drain out of the mouth by gravity rather than pooling in the back of the throat. Ensuring
a patent airway is always the primary concern during hygiene procedures for patients with
a decreased level of consciousness.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s pressure ulcer and notes full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but no bone or muscle is exposed. How should this be documented?
A. Stage I
B. Stage III
C. Stage II
D. Stage IV
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Stage III pressure ulcers involve full-thickness tissue loss where
subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. Stage II
involves partial-thickness loss of the dermis, while Stage IV involves exposure of deeper
structures like bone or muscle. Accurate staging is vital for determining the appropriate
wound care interventions and tracking healing progress.
5. According to the RACE acronym for fire safety, what is the first action a nurse should take
when discovering a fire in a patient’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Confine the fire by closing doors.
C. Rescue and remove the patient from immediate danger.
D. Extinguish the fire using a portable extinguisher.
Correct Answer: C
