MMOC & EPOCS • 1 MAXE
Nursing Fundamentals
NURS School of Nursing — Exam 1 Review
S CO P E O F P R A C T I C E · CO M M U N I C AT I O N · E T H I C S · L E A D E R S H I P
EXAM 1
Nursing Fundamentals — Exam 1
S CO P E O F P R A C T I C E , CO M M U N I C AT I O N , E T H I CS & P R O F E SS I O N A L STA N D A R D S
INSTITUTION School of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS-FUND-EXAM1
PROGRAM Nursing — ADN / BSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Exam 1 — Scope of Practice & Communication TOTAL QUESTIONS 70+ Comprehensive Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice / Definition / Select All That Apply
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover ANA Scope and Standards, Benner's proficiency levels, ethical principles, therapeutic communication, cultural competence, documentation, and legal aspects of nursing.
▸ Verified answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ Pay close attention to the differences between regulatory bodies (State Board of Nursing vs. ANA) and between therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication techniques.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION Questions 1 – 70+
1. What is the ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice?
A. A set of hospital policies only.
B. Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations — established by the ANA.
C. A medical textbook.
D. A list of tasks nurses cannot perform.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Nursing is diagnosis/treatment of human response and advocacy for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations
RATIONALE The American Nurses Association (ANA) establishes the scope and standards that define professional nursing practice. The definition emphasizes that nursing addresses human
responses to health conditions — not just the conditions themselves — and includes advocacy as a core function across all levels of care from individual to population health. The ANA
also establishes the Standards of Practice (ADPIE) and Standards of Professional Performance.
2. What are Benner's five stages of nursing proficiency in correct order?
A. Expert, Proficient, Competent, Advanced Beginner, Novice.
B. Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent, Proficient, Expert.
C. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Specialist, Master.
D. Student, Graduate, Resident, Fellow, Attending.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Novice → Advanced Beginner → Competent → Proficient → Expert
RATIONALE Benner's model describes skill acquisition in nursing: Novice (beginning student, no experience, rule-based); Advanced Beginner (some experience, recognizes meaningful patterns);
Competent (2-3 years in same position, can anticipate care and establish long-term goals); Proficient (2-3+ years, holistic assessment, transfers knowledge from experience); Expert
(diverse experience, intuitive grasp, focus on both patient-centered problems and healthcare system issues). This progression guides preceptorship, orientation, and career
development.
3. Who develops, revises, and maintains the scope of practice that applies to all nurses?
A. The State Board of Nursing.
B. The American Nurses Association (ANA).
C. The hospital employer.
D. The physician.
CORRECT ANSWER B — The American Nurses Association (ANA)
RATIONALE The ANA is the professional nursing organization that develops, maintains, and periodically revises the Scope and Standards of Practice. While the State Board of Nursing legally
defines and regulates nursing practice through the Nurse Practice Act, the ANA provides the professional framework, defines competencies, and establishes practice guidelines. The
ANA also writes the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Performance.
4. What are the ANA Standards of Practice (the nursing process standards)?
A. Ethics, Education, Research, Quality, Communication.
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.
C. Safety, Teamwork, Informatics, Patient-Centered Care.
D. Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, Veracity.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
RATIONALE The ANA Standards of Practice mirror the nursing process: Assessment (collect data), Diagnosis (analyze data to identify problems), Outcome Identification (establish expected
outcomes), Planning (develop plan with strategies), Implementation (carry out the plan — includes coordination of care and health teaching/promotion), and Evaluation (assess
progress toward outcomes). These six standards define the competent level of nursing practice. They are distinct from the Standards of Professional Performance which address
ethics, education, research, quality, communication, leadership, and collaboration.
, 5. What ethical principles are included in the ANA Code of Ethics for nurses?
A. Only confidentiality.
B. Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, and Veracity (truthfulness).
C. Only beneficence.
D. Only autonomy.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, and Veracity
RATIONALE The ANA Code of Ethics establishes the philosophical ideals of right and wrong that guide nursing practice. Key ethical principles: Accountability — answering for your actions;
Responsibility — reliability and dependability in carrying out duties; Confidentiality — maintaining patient privacy and protecting health information; Veracity — truthfulness in all
professional interactions. Additional bioethical principles include autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity.
6. What is the difference between autonomy and accountability for the nurse?
A. They are the same concept.
B. Autonomy is initiating independent nursing interventions without medical orders; accountability is professional and legal responsibility for the type and quality of care provided.
C. Autonomy is only for physicians.
D. Accountability only applies to managers.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Autonomy: independent nursing interventions; Accountability: professional/legal responsibility for care quality
RATIONALE Autonomy refers to the nurse's ability to initiate independent nursing interventions based on knowledge and judgment without requiring a medical order (e.g., positioning, patient
education, comfort measures). Accountability means the nurse accepts professional and legal responsibility for the type and quality of nursing care provided — you are answerable
for your actions and their outcomes. Both are essential elements of professional nursing practice.
7. What are the four primary roles of the professional nurse?
A. Administrator, Manager, Supervisor, Director.
B. Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Communicator.
C. Technician, Assistant, Secretary, Coordinator.
D. Researcher, Writer, Publisher, Presenter.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Communicator
RATIONALE The four core nursing roles: Caregiver — helps patients maintain/regain health, manage disease, and attain maximal function through the healing process; Advocate — protects
patients' human and legal rights, safeguards care against errors, suggests alternatives, and facilitates personal/cultural preferences; Educator — explains, demonstrates, reinforces,
and evaluates patient learning progress; Communicator — uses effective interpersonal and therapeutic skills to establish helping relationships across diverse settings. These roles are
interdependent and performed simultaneously.
8. What is the difference between licensure and certification in nursing?
A. They are identical.
B. Licensure is a mandatory state-level credentialing process granting the right to practice (NCLEX); certification is a voluntary specialty credential earned after licensure.
C. Certification is mandatory; licensure is voluntary.
D. Licensure is only for advanced practice nurses.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Licensure: mandatory state credential (NCLEX) to practice; Certification: voluntary specialty credential after licensure
RATIONALE Licensure is a mandatory legal process established by each state through its Nurse Practice Act. Passing the NCLEX-RN grants the right to practice as a registered nurse. Certification is
voluntary — after becoming licensed, a nurse may pursue additional credentialing in a specialty area (e.g., CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency nursing) demonstrating advanced
knowledge and competence. Accreditation is a voluntary process granted by private governing bodies to educational programs that meet established standards.
9. What is the primary cause of ethical dilemmas in nursing?
A. Lack of time.
B. Conflicting values — nurses must distinguish between value, fact, and opinion.
C. Poor documentation.
D. Equipment failure.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Conflicting values; nurses must distinguish between value, fact, and opinion
RATIONALE Ethical dilemmas arise when two or more ethical principles conflict and there is no clearly "right" answer. They are rooted in conflicting values — what one person holds as
fundamentally important may differ from another's beliefs. To navigate ethical dilemmas, nurses must distinguish between: Value (personal belief about worth), Fact (verifiable,
objective information), and Opinion (personal judgment that may or may not be based on fact). The ethical decision-making process includes: ask if this is an ethical dilemma, gather
information, clarify values, verbalize the problem, identify options, negotiate a plan, and evaluate over time.
10. What is the difference between continuing education and inservice training?
A. They are the same thing.
B. Continuing education addresses global/societal issues and latest research (offered by professional organizations); inservice training focuses on new technology or skills required by
employers/suppliers.
C. Continuing education is only for new graduates.
D. Inservice training is always voluntary.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Continuing education: broader issues, research, offered by professional organizations; Inservice: new technology/skills, employer-required
RATIONALE Continuing education (CE) encompasses formal, organized learning on broad topics — global health issues, evidence-based practice updates, societal healthcare trends — and is
typically offered by professional organizations (e.g., "Care of the Older Adult with Dementia"). Inservice training is a focused educational program on new technology, equipment,
procedures, or skills specific to the workplace — required by employers or equipment suppliers (e.g., "New Chemotherapy Drug Administration," "New Mechanical Lift Operation").
Both contribute to lifelong professional development but serve different purposes.
Nursing Fundamentals
NURS School of Nursing — Exam 1 Review
S CO P E O F P R A C T I C E · CO M M U N I C AT I O N · E T H I C S · L E A D E R S H I P
EXAM 1
Nursing Fundamentals — Exam 1
S CO P E O F P R A C T I C E , CO M M U N I C AT I O N , E T H I CS & P R O F E SS I O N A L STA N D A R D S
INSTITUTION School of Nursing COURSE CODE NURS-FUND-EXAM1
PROGRAM Nursing — ADN / BSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Exam 1 — Scope of Practice & Communication TOTAL QUESTIONS 70+ Comprehensive Questions
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice / Definition / Select All That Apply
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise indicated.
▸ Questions cover ANA Scope and Standards, Benner's proficiency levels, ethical principles, therapeutic communication, cultural competence, documentation, and legal aspects of nursing.
▸ Verified answers with detailed rationales are provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ Pay close attention to the differences between regulatory bodies (State Board of Nursing vs. ANA) and between therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication techniques.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION Questions 1 – 70+
1. What is the ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice?
A. A set of hospital policies only.
B. Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations — established by the ANA.
C. A medical textbook.
D. A list of tasks nurses cannot perform.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Nursing is diagnosis/treatment of human response and advocacy for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations
RATIONALE The American Nurses Association (ANA) establishes the scope and standards that define professional nursing practice. The definition emphasizes that nursing addresses human
responses to health conditions — not just the conditions themselves — and includes advocacy as a core function across all levels of care from individual to population health. The ANA
also establishes the Standards of Practice (ADPIE) and Standards of Professional Performance.
2. What are Benner's five stages of nursing proficiency in correct order?
A. Expert, Proficient, Competent, Advanced Beginner, Novice.
B. Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent, Proficient, Expert.
C. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Specialist, Master.
D. Student, Graduate, Resident, Fellow, Attending.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Novice → Advanced Beginner → Competent → Proficient → Expert
RATIONALE Benner's model describes skill acquisition in nursing: Novice (beginning student, no experience, rule-based); Advanced Beginner (some experience, recognizes meaningful patterns);
Competent (2-3 years in same position, can anticipate care and establish long-term goals); Proficient (2-3+ years, holistic assessment, transfers knowledge from experience); Expert
(diverse experience, intuitive grasp, focus on both patient-centered problems and healthcare system issues). This progression guides preceptorship, orientation, and career
development.
3. Who develops, revises, and maintains the scope of practice that applies to all nurses?
A. The State Board of Nursing.
B. The American Nurses Association (ANA).
C. The hospital employer.
D. The physician.
CORRECT ANSWER B — The American Nurses Association (ANA)
RATIONALE The ANA is the professional nursing organization that develops, maintains, and periodically revises the Scope and Standards of Practice. While the State Board of Nursing legally
defines and regulates nursing practice through the Nurse Practice Act, the ANA provides the professional framework, defines competencies, and establishes practice guidelines. The
ANA also writes the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Performance.
4. What are the ANA Standards of Practice (the nursing process standards)?
A. Ethics, Education, Research, Quality, Communication.
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.
C. Safety, Teamwork, Informatics, Patient-Centered Care.
D. Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, Veracity.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
RATIONALE The ANA Standards of Practice mirror the nursing process: Assessment (collect data), Diagnosis (analyze data to identify problems), Outcome Identification (establish expected
outcomes), Planning (develop plan with strategies), Implementation (carry out the plan — includes coordination of care and health teaching/promotion), and Evaluation (assess
progress toward outcomes). These six standards define the competent level of nursing practice. They are distinct from the Standards of Professional Performance which address
ethics, education, research, quality, communication, leadership, and collaboration.
, 5. What ethical principles are included in the ANA Code of Ethics for nurses?
A. Only confidentiality.
B. Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, and Veracity (truthfulness).
C. Only beneficence.
D. Only autonomy.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Accountability, Responsibility, Confidentiality, and Veracity
RATIONALE The ANA Code of Ethics establishes the philosophical ideals of right and wrong that guide nursing practice. Key ethical principles: Accountability — answering for your actions;
Responsibility — reliability and dependability in carrying out duties; Confidentiality — maintaining patient privacy and protecting health information; Veracity — truthfulness in all
professional interactions. Additional bioethical principles include autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity.
6. What is the difference between autonomy and accountability for the nurse?
A. They are the same concept.
B. Autonomy is initiating independent nursing interventions without medical orders; accountability is professional and legal responsibility for the type and quality of care provided.
C. Autonomy is only for physicians.
D. Accountability only applies to managers.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Autonomy: independent nursing interventions; Accountability: professional/legal responsibility for care quality
RATIONALE Autonomy refers to the nurse's ability to initiate independent nursing interventions based on knowledge and judgment without requiring a medical order (e.g., positioning, patient
education, comfort measures). Accountability means the nurse accepts professional and legal responsibility for the type and quality of nursing care provided — you are answerable
for your actions and their outcomes. Both are essential elements of professional nursing practice.
7. What are the four primary roles of the professional nurse?
A. Administrator, Manager, Supervisor, Director.
B. Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Communicator.
C. Technician, Assistant, Secretary, Coordinator.
D. Researcher, Writer, Publisher, Presenter.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Communicator
RATIONALE The four core nursing roles: Caregiver — helps patients maintain/regain health, manage disease, and attain maximal function through the healing process; Advocate — protects
patients' human and legal rights, safeguards care against errors, suggests alternatives, and facilitates personal/cultural preferences; Educator — explains, demonstrates, reinforces,
and evaluates patient learning progress; Communicator — uses effective interpersonal and therapeutic skills to establish helping relationships across diverse settings. These roles are
interdependent and performed simultaneously.
8. What is the difference between licensure and certification in nursing?
A. They are identical.
B. Licensure is a mandatory state-level credentialing process granting the right to practice (NCLEX); certification is a voluntary specialty credential earned after licensure.
C. Certification is mandatory; licensure is voluntary.
D. Licensure is only for advanced practice nurses.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Licensure: mandatory state credential (NCLEX) to practice; Certification: voluntary specialty credential after licensure
RATIONALE Licensure is a mandatory legal process established by each state through its Nurse Practice Act. Passing the NCLEX-RN grants the right to practice as a registered nurse. Certification is
voluntary — after becoming licensed, a nurse may pursue additional credentialing in a specialty area (e.g., CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency nursing) demonstrating advanced
knowledge and competence. Accreditation is a voluntary process granted by private governing bodies to educational programs that meet established standards.
9. What is the primary cause of ethical dilemmas in nursing?
A. Lack of time.
B. Conflicting values — nurses must distinguish between value, fact, and opinion.
C. Poor documentation.
D. Equipment failure.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Conflicting values; nurses must distinguish between value, fact, and opinion
RATIONALE Ethical dilemmas arise when two or more ethical principles conflict and there is no clearly "right" answer. They are rooted in conflicting values — what one person holds as
fundamentally important may differ from another's beliefs. To navigate ethical dilemmas, nurses must distinguish between: Value (personal belief about worth), Fact (verifiable,
objective information), and Opinion (personal judgment that may or may not be based on fact). The ethical decision-making process includes: ask if this is an ethical dilemma, gather
information, clarify values, verbalize the problem, identify options, negotiate a plan, and evaluate over time.
10. What is the difference between continuing education and inservice training?
A. They are the same thing.
B. Continuing education addresses global/societal issues and latest research (offered by professional organizations); inservice training focuses on new technology or skills required by
employers/suppliers.
C. Continuing education is only for new graduates.
D. Inservice training is always voluntary.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Continuing education: broader issues, research, offered by professional organizations; Inservice: new technology/skills, employer-required
RATIONALE Continuing education (CE) encompasses formal, organized learning on broad topics — global health issues, evidence-based practice updates, societal healthcare trends — and is
typically offered by professional organizations (e.g., "Care of the Older Adult with Dementia"). Inservice training is a focused educational program on new technology, equipment,
procedures, or skills specific to the workplace — required by employers or equipment suppliers (e.g., "New Chemotherapy Drug Administration," "New Mechanical Lift Operation").
Both contribute to lifelong professional development but serve different purposes.
