NUR 100 Exam 1 Exam Prep
Document 2026/2027 | Fortis College |
Foundations of Nursing | 100 Verified
Questions with Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
Section 1: History of Nursing & Professional Roles (Questions 1–20) ...... 2
Section 2: Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing (Questions 21–40) ...... 2
Section 3: Infection Control, Hand Hygiene, PPE, & Isolation Precautions (Questions 41–60) ...... 2
Section 4: Vital Signs (Questions 61–80) ...... 2
Section 5: Basic Nursing Skills (Questions 81–100) ...... 2
Section 1: History of Nursing & Professional Roles
Q1: Which historical figure is credited with establishing the first formal nursing school and emphasizing
sanitation, hygiene, and statistical analysis of patient outcomes?
A. Clara Barton
B. Dorothea Dix
C. Florence Nightingale. [CORRECT]
D. Mary Eliza Mahoney
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established the first secular nursing school at St. Thomas' Hospital in
London in 1860 and pioneered the use of statistical data to improve patient care and hospital sanitation.
Her work transformed nursing into a respected profession based on scientific principles.
Q2: A nursing student is reviewing the QSEN competencies. Which competency focuses on the nurse's
ability to use data and technology to monitor patient outcomes and support clinical decision-making?
,A. Patient-centered care
B. Safety
C. Informatics. [CORRECT]
D. Teamwork and collaboration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QSEN competency of informatics requires nurses to use information and technology to
communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making. This includes electronic
health records, clinical databases, and patient monitoring systems.
Q3: During a clinical rotation, a student nurse is asked to explain the difference between an RN and an
LPN in terms of scope of practice. Which statement accurately describes a key distinction?
A. LPNs can independently develop nursing diagnoses and care plans
B. RNs are responsible for initial assessments, care planning, and complex patient education, while LPNs
provide direct care under RN supervision. [CORRECT]
C. LPNs have identical scope of practice to RNs in all states
D. RNs only perform administrative duties and do not provide direct patient care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Registered nurses perform comprehensive assessments, develop nursing diagnoses, create
care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes. Licensed practical nurses provide direct patient care such as
medication administration and wound care under the supervision and direction of an RN or physician.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks limited English. The nurse uses a professional medical
interpreter rather than the patient's teenage daughter. Which nursing principle is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Autonomy
B. Cultural competence and professional standards for accurate communication. [CORRECT]
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using professional medical interpreters ensures accurate translation of medical information
and protects patient confidentiality. Family members, especially minors, may misinterpret information
or omit sensitive details, compromising informed consent and care quality.
,Q5: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need takes priority when a nurse is planning care
for a patient who is experiencing both severe pain and difficulty breathing?
A. Pain relief
B. Breathing and airway maintenance. [CORRECT]
C. Emotional support
D. Self-esteem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs, with oxygen and airway maintenance
being the most fundamental. Without adequate oxygenation, all other needs become secondary,
making respiratory support the highest priority in nursing care planning.
Q6: A new graduate nurse is reviewing the standards of practice established by the American Nurses
Association (ANA). Which statement best describes the purpose of these standards?
A. To establish minimum salary requirements for nurses
B. To define the professional responsibilities and accountabilities for nursing practice across all settings.
[CORRECT]
C. To regulate nursing licensure in each state
D. To determine hospital staffing ratios
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Standards of Practice define the professional responsibilities, competencies, and
accountabilities expected of all registered nurses regardless of specialty or practice setting. These
standards guide clinical decision-making and serve as a benchmark for quality care.
Q7: A nurse is using AIDET communication when introducing herself to a patient. What does the "A" in
AIDET represent?
A. Assessment
B. Acknowledge. [CORRECT]
C. Advocate
D. Analyze
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AIDET stands for Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You.
Acknowledging the patient by name, making eye contact, and showing awareness of their needs
establishes rapport and demonstrates respect, which is the foundation of patient-centered
communication.
, Q8: Which nursing role involves analyzing patient care data, identifying trends, and implementing
evidence-based changes to improve patient outcomes within a healthcare organization?
A. Bedside staff nurse
B. Nurse educator
C. Nurse informaticist
D. Nurse manager or quality improvement nurse. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nurse managers and quality improvement nurses analyze clinical data, monitor outcomes,
and lead initiatives to enhance care delivery. This role bridges direct patient care with administrative
oversight and evidence-based practice implementation.
Q9: A nursing student asks the instructor why evidence-based practice (EBP) is important in nursing.
Which response best explains the significance of EBP?
A. It allows nurses to follow traditional care methods passed down through generations
B. It integrates the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to
guide nursing decisions. [CORRECT]
C. It replaces the need for nursing judgment and critical thinking
D. It is only used in academic settings and not in clinical practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research evidence, clinical expertise,
and patient values to optimize outcomes. It moves nursing beyond tradition or intuition to scientifically
grounded care that is continuously evaluated and improved.
Q10: During a clinical experience, a student nurse observes a nurse delegating a task to a certified
nursing assistant (CNA). Which task is appropriate for the CNA to perform?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Performing a sterile dressing change
C. Assisting a patient with ambulation and toileting. [CORRECT]
D. Developing a nursing care plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs are trained to provide direct patient care activities of daily living such as ambulation,
bathing, toileting, and feeding. Tasks requiring nursing judgment, sterile technique, medication
administration, or care planning remain within the RN or LPN scope of practice.
Document 2026/2027 | Fortis College |
Foundations of Nursing | 100 Verified
Questions with Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
Section 1: History of Nursing & Professional Roles (Questions 1–20) ...... 2
Section 2: Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing (Questions 21–40) ...... 2
Section 3: Infection Control, Hand Hygiene, PPE, & Isolation Precautions (Questions 41–60) ...... 2
Section 4: Vital Signs (Questions 61–80) ...... 2
Section 5: Basic Nursing Skills (Questions 81–100) ...... 2
Section 1: History of Nursing & Professional Roles
Q1: Which historical figure is credited with establishing the first formal nursing school and emphasizing
sanitation, hygiene, and statistical analysis of patient outcomes?
A. Clara Barton
B. Dorothea Dix
C. Florence Nightingale. [CORRECT]
D. Mary Eliza Mahoney
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Florence Nightingale established the first secular nursing school at St. Thomas' Hospital in
London in 1860 and pioneered the use of statistical data to improve patient care and hospital sanitation.
Her work transformed nursing into a respected profession based on scientific principles.
Q2: A nursing student is reviewing the QSEN competencies. Which competency focuses on the nurse's
ability to use data and technology to monitor patient outcomes and support clinical decision-making?
,A. Patient-centered care
B. Safety
C. Informatics. [CORRECT]
D. Teamwork and collaboration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QSEN competency of informatics requires nurses to use information and technology to
communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making. This includes electronic
health records, clinical databases, and patient monitoring systems.
Q3: During a clinical rotation, a student nurse is asked to explain the difference between an RN and an
LPN in terms of scope of practice. Which statement accurately describes a key distinction?
A. LPNs can independently develop nursing diagnoses and care plans
B. RNs are responsible for initial assessments, care planning, and complex patient education, while LPNs
provide direct care under RN supervision. [CORRECT]
C. LPNs have identical scope of practice to RNs in all states
D. RNs only perform administrative duties and do not provide direct patient care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Registered nurses perform comprehensive assessments, develop nursing diagnoses, create
care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes. Licensed practical nurses provide direct patient care such as
medication administration and wound care under the supervision and direction of an RN or physician.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a patient who speaks limited English. The nurse uses a professional medical
interpreter rather than the patient's teenage daughter. Which nursing principle is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Autonomy
B. Cultural competence and professional standards for accurate communication. [CORRECT]
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using professional medical interpreters ensures accurate translation of medical information
and protects patient confidentiality. Family members, especially minors, may misinterpret information
or omit sensitive details, compromising informed consent and care quality.
,Q5: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need takes priority when a nurse is planning care
for a patient who is experiencing both severe pain and difficulty breathing?
A. Pain relief
B. Breathing and airway maintenance. [CORRECT]
C. Emotional support
D. Self-esteem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs, with oxygen and airway maintenance
being the most fundamental. Without adequate oxygenation, all other needs become secondary,
making respiratory support the highest priority in nursing care planning.
Q6: A new graduate nurse is reviewing the standards of practice established by the American Nurses
Association (ANA). Which statement best describes the purpose of these standards?
A. To establish minimum salary requirements for nurses
B. To define the professional responsibilities and accountabilities for nursing practice across all settings.
[CORRECT]
C. To regulate nursing licensure in each state
D. To determine hospital staffing ratios
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Standards of Practice define the professional responsibilities, competencies, and
accountabilities expected of all registered nurses regardless of specialty or practice setting. These
standards guide clinical decision-making and serve as a benchmark for quality care.
Q7: A nurse is using AIDET communication when introducing herself to a patient. What does the "A" in
AIDET represent?
A. Assessment
B. Acknowledge. [CORRECT]
C. Advocate
D. Analyze
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AIDET stands for Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You.
Acknowledging the patient by name, making eye contact, and showing awareness of their needs
establishes rapport and demonstrates respect, which is the foundation of patient-centered
communication.
, Q8: Which nursing role involves analyzing patient care data, identifying trends, and implementing
evidence-based changes to improve patient outcomes within a healthcare organization?
A. Bedside staff nurse
B. Nurse educator
C. Nurse informaticist
D. Nurse manager or quality improvement nurse. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nurse managers and quality improvement nurses analyze clinical data, monitor outcomes,
and lead initiatives to enhance care delivery. This role bridges direct patient care with administrative
oversight and evidence-based practice implementation.
Q9: A nursing student asks the instructor why evidence-based practice (EBP) is important in nursing.
Which response best explains the significance of EBP?
A. It allows nurses to follow traditional care methods passed down through generations
B. It integrates the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to
guide nursing decisions. [CORRECT]
C. It replaces the need for nursing judgment and critical thinking
D. It is only used in academic settings and not in clinical practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research evidence, clinical expertise,
and patient values to optimize outcomes. It moves nursing beyond tradition or intuition to scientifically
grounded care that is continuously evaluated and improved.
Q10: During a clinical experience, a student nurse observes a nurse delegating a task to a certified
nursing assistant (CNA). Which task is appropriate for the CNA to perform?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Performing a sterile dressing change
C. Assisting a patient with ambulation and toileting. [CORRECT]
D. Developing a nursing care plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs are trained to provide direct patient care activities of daily living such as ambulation,
bathing, toileting, and feeding. Tasks requiring nursing judgment, sterile technique, medication
administration, or care planning remain within the RN or LPN scope of practice.
