NURS 110 | NURS110 Final Exam: Introduction to
Professional Nursing - WCU Updated and Latest
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A nurse is performing an admission interview. Which step of the nursing process is being
used when the nurse asks the patient about their current symptoms?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process involving the
systematic collection of data. It requires the nurse to gather both subjective and objective
information about the patient’s health status. This stage is essential for identifying the
patient’s actual and potential health problems. Proper assessment ensures that the rest of
the nursing process is based on accurate facts. It is a continuous and dynamic part of
professional nursing care that occurs during every interaction.
2. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication after being informed of its side effects.
Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting the patient’s decision?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient’s fundamental right to make their
own healthcare decisions. In nursing practice, this means respecting a patient’s choice even
if it conflicts with medical advice. Nurses uphold this principle by ensuring patients are
well-informed and provide voluntary consent. Supporting autonomy promotes a sense of
dignity and control for the individual receiving care. It is a cornerstone of the professional
nursing code of ethics regarding patient-centered care.
3. Which of the following actions is the most effective way for a nurse to prevent the spread
of healthcare-associated infections?
A. Consistent and proper hand hygiene
B. Wearing gloves at all times in the hospital
,C. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
D. Limiting visitor hours for all patients
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective
method to prevent infection transmission. It must be performed before and after every
patient contact according to clinical standards. This simple practice significantly reduces
the presence of transient flora on the nurse’s hands. Failure to perform hand hygiene is a
leading cause of patient morbidity related to hospital stays. Consistency in this practice is a
hallmark of safe, professional nursing responsibility.
4. When using the SBAR tool for professional communication, what information is included in
the ‘B’ component?
A. The nurse’s best judgment of the current situation
B. What the nurse believes needs to happen next
C. A brief summary of the patient’s clinical history
D. A description of the immediate problem
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The ‘B’ in SBAR stands for Background and provides context for the
current issue. This includes relevant medical history, allergies, and recent treatments or
medications. Providing this information helps the listener understand the patient’s
baseline and underlying conditions. It is essential for framing the current situation within
the patient’s overall clinical picture. Structured communication like SBAR reduces the risk
of errors during critical transitions of care.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient from a different culture who avoids direct eye contact. How
should the nurse interpret this behavior?
A. The patient is likely hiding something from the nurse
B. The patient is depressed or feeling low self-esteem
C. This may be a sign of respect within the patient’s culture
D. The patient does not understand the nurse’s questions
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cultural competence involves understanding that non-verbal cues
vary significantly across different populations. In many cultures, avoiding direct eye
contact is a sign of respect toward authority figures like nurses. Interpreting this as a
negative behavior can lead to misunderstandings and damage the therapeutic relationship.
Nurses should assess the individual’s communication norms rather than applying their
, own cultural standards. Respecting these differences is a key component of providing
culturally sensitive and inclusive care.
6. A nurse prioritizes patient care by first addressing a patient with sudden chest pain over a
patient requesting a bath. Which concept is being applied?
A. Implementation of routine care
B. Delegation of professional tasks
C. Clinical judgment and prioritization
D. Adherence to a fixed schedule
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Clinical judgment allows nurses to identify which patient needs are
the most urgent. Prioritization often follows frameworks like Maslow’s Hierarchy or the
ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Addressing chest pain is a priority because it
represents a potential life-threatening physiological emergency. Postponing a bath is
appropriate because it is a hygiene need rather than a safety crisis. Effective prioritization
is a critical skill for ensuring patient safety in a busy clinical environment.
7. A nurse administers pain medication exactly as scheduled to ensure the patient’s comfort.
Which ethical principle does this represent?
A. Beneficence
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Justice
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the
best interest of the patient. Administering pain relief is a direct action taken to improve the
patient’s well-being and alleviate suffering. It reflects the nurse’s commitment to providing
compassionate care that promotes positive outcomes. While other principles are
important, beneficence specifically focuses on the duty to help others. This principle guides
many of the therapeutic interventions performed by professional nurses daily.
8. Before performing a procedure, the nurse checks the patient’s identification band and asks
the patient to state their name and birthdate. Why is this done?
A. To establish a therapeutic relationship
B. To assess the patient’s level of orientation
C. To ensure the right patient receives the intervention
D. To comply with hospital billing requirements
Professional Nursing - WCU Updated and Latest
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale
1. A nurse is performing an admission interview. Which step of the nursing process is being
used when the nurse asks the patient about their current symptoms?
A. Implementation
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process involving the
systematic collection of data. It requires the nurse to gather both subjective and objective
information about the patient’s health status. This stage is essential for identifying the
patient’s actual and potential health problems. Proper assessment ensures that the rest of
the nursing process is based on accurate facts. It is a continuous and dynamic part of
professional nursing care that occurs during every interaction.
2. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication after being informed of its side effects.
Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding by respecting the patient’s decision?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient’s fundamental right to make their
own healthcare decisions. In nursing practice, this means respecting a patient’s choice even
if it conflicts with medical advice. Nurses uphold this principle by ensuring patients are
well-informed and provide voluntary consent. Supporting autonomy promotes a sense of
dignity and control for the individual receiving care. It is a cornerstone of the professional
nursing code of ethics regarding patient-centered care.
3. Which of the following actions is the most effective way for a nurse to prevent the spread
of healthcare-associated infections?
A. Consistent and proper hand hygiene
B. Wearing gloves at all times in the hospital
,C. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
D. Limiting visitor hours for all patients
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective
method to prevent infection transmission. It must be performed before and after every
patient contact according to clinical standards. This simple practice significantly reduces
the presence of transient flora on the nurse’s hands. Failure to perform hand hygiene is a
leading cause of patient morbidity related to hospital stays. Consistency in this practice is a
hallmark of safe, professional nursing responsibility.
4. When using the SBAR tool for professional communication, what information is included in
the ‘B’ component?
A. The nurse’s best judgment of the current situation
B. What the nurse believes needs to happen next
C. A brief summary of the patient’s clinical history
D. A description of the immediate problem
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The ‘B’ in SBAR stands for Background and provides context for the
current issue. This includes relevant medical history, allergies, and recent treatments or
medications. Providing this information helps the listener understand the patient’s
baseline and underlying conditions. It is essential for framing the current situation within
the patient’s overall clinical picture. Structured communication like SBAR reduces the risk
of errors during critical transitions of care.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient from a different culture who avoids direct eye contact. How
should the nurse interpret this behavior?
A. The patient is likely hiding something from the nurse
B. The patient is depressed or feeling low self-esteem
C. This may be a sign of respect within the patient’s culture
D. The patient does not understand the nurse’s questions
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cultural competence involves understanding that non-verbal cues
vary significantly across different populations. In many cultures, avoiding direct eye
contact is a sign of respect toward authority figures like nurses. Interpreting this as a
negative behavior can lead to misunderstandings and damage the therapeutic relationship.
Nurses should assess the individual’s communication norms rather than applying their
, own cultural standards. Respecting these differences is a key component of providing
culturally sensitive and inclusive care.
6. A nurse prioritizes patient care by first addressing a patient with sudden chest pain over a
patient requesting a bath. Which concept is being applied?
A. Implementation of routine care
B. Delegation of professional tasks
C. Clinical judgment and prioritization
D. Adherence to a fixed schedule
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Clinical judgment allows nurses to identify which patient needs are
the most urgent. Prioritization often follows frameworks like Maslow’s Hierarchy or the
ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Addressing chest pain is a priority because it
represents a potential life-threatening physiological emergency. Postponing a bath is
appropriate because it is a hygiene need rather than a safety crisis. Effective prioritization
is a critical skill for ensuring patient safety in a busy clinical environment.
7. A nurse administers pain medication exactly as scheduled to ensure the patient’s comfort.
Which ethical principle does this represent?
A. Beneficence
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Justice
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and acting in the
best interest of the patient. Administering pain relief is a direct action taken to improve the
patient’s well-being and alleviate suffering. It reflects the nurse’s commitment to providing
compassionate care that promotes positive outcomes. While other principles are
important, beneficence specifically focuses on the duty to help others. This principle guides
many of the therapeutic interventions performed by professional nurses daily.
8. Before performing a procedure, the nurse checks the patient’s identification band and asks
the patient to state their name and birthdate. Why is this done?
A. To establish a therapeutic relationship
B. To assess the patient’s level of orientation
C. To ensure the right patient receives the intervention
D. To comply with hospital billing requirements
