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NF Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice
CARING · COMPETENCE · COMPASSION
FUNDAMENTALS
Nursing Fundamentals — Exam 1
M I C R O O R G A N I S M S , I N F E C T I O N CO N T R O L , H YG I E N E & N U R S I N G H I STO R Y
INSTITUTION Nursing Fundamentals Program COURSE CODE NURS 101 — Fundamentals
PROGRAM Associate / Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Exam 1 — Fundamentals of Nursing TOTAL QUESTIONS 50+ Questions
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Content covers microorganisms, chain of infection, asepsis, hygiene, and historical foundations of nursing.
MICROORGANISMS, INFECTION CONTROL, HYGIENE & NURSING Questions 1 –
FOUNDATIONS 50+
1. Microorganisms include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Bacteria and viruses.
B. Fungi and protozoa.
C. Red blood cells.
D. Parasites.
CORRECT ANSWER C — Red blood cells are human cells, not microorganisms. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses,
fungi, protozoa, and some parasites.
RATIONALE Microorganisms are microscopic living organisms. Some are harmless/beneficial; others (pathogens) cause
disease.
2. Bacteria are:
A. Tiny infectious agents that must enter a host cell to replicate.
B. Single-celled organisms that reproduce rapidly; some helpful, some cause infection.
C. Organisms that include yeasts and molds.
D. Organisms that live on a host at the host's expense.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Single-celled organisms that reproduce rapidly. A = viruses. C = fungi. D = parasites.
RATIONALE Bacteria are prokaryotic single-celled organisms. Some are normal flora; others are pathogenic (e.g.,
Streptococcus, E. coli, TB).
, 3. Viruses differ from bacteria in that viruses:
A. Can reproduce independently on surfaces.
B. Must enter a living host cell to replicate.
C. Are always beneficial to humans.
D. Thrive in warm, moist environments like fungi.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Viruses are tiny infectious agents that must enter a living host cell to replicate; they cannot
reproduce independently.
RATIONALE Examples: influenza, HIV, RSV, COVID-19, rhinovirus, hepatitis. Viruses hijack host cellular machinery to
reproduce.
4. Fungi include:
A. Only molds.
B. Yeasts and molds; thrive in warm, moist environments.
C. Only single-celled organisms in water.
D. Only parasites.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Fungi include yeasts and molds. Examples: tinea (ringworm), Candida (yeast/thrush), mold.
RATIONALE Fungal infections may be superficial (skin, nails) or systemic (immunocompromised patients).
5. Protozoa are:
A. Multicellular worms.
B. Single-celled organisms found in water/soil; some cause intestinal or blood infections.
C. Non-living infectious proteins.
D. Bacterial spores.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Single-celled organisms in water/soil. Examples: malaria (Plasmodium), toxoplasmosis.
RATIONALE Protozoan infections often occur through contaminated water or vector transmission (mosquitoes).
6. Nonpathogens differ from pathogens in that nonpathogens:
A. Always cause severe disease.
B. Do not cause disease; may be harmless or beneficial.
C. Require oxygen to survive.
D. Are always viruses.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Nonpathogens do not cause disease; many are part of normal flora. Pathogens are capable of
causing disease.
RATIONALE Example: Normal gut bacteria aid digestion (nonpathogenic) vs. Salmonella (pathogenic).