NURS 110 | NURS110 Exam 1: Introduction to
Professional Nursing - WCU Updated and Latest
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale
1. Florence Nightingale is primarily known for her contribution to nursing through which of
the following actions?
A. Founding the first visiting nurse service
B. Establishing the American Red Cross
C. Improving sanitation and hygiene in military hospitals
D. Advocating for the rights of the mentally ill
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Nightingale revolutionized nursing by focusing on environmental
factors like clean air and water to improve patient outcomes. Option B is incorrect because
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross during the Civil War. Option C is incorrect as
Lillian Wald was the founder of public health nursing and visiting services. Option D refers
to the work of Dorothea Dix in mental health reform. Understanding these historical
foundations is essential for recognizing the roots of modern nursing practice.
2. A patient chooses to refuse a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The
nurse supports this decision, demonstrating which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Fidelity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
healthcare decisions without coercion. Beneficence involves taking positive actions to help
others, which may conflict with a patient’s refusal of care. Fidelity relates to the duty to be
faithful and keep promises made to patients. Justice refers to the fair and equitable
distribution of healthcare resources among all individuals. Nurses must prioritize
autonomy while ensuring the patient is fully informed of the consequences of their choice.
3. Which document legally defines the scope of nursing practice and the requirements for
licensure in a specific state?
A. ANA Standards of Professional Performance
B. The Code of Ethics for Nurses
,C. The Patient’s Bill of Rights
D. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The Nurse Practice Act is a state law that protects the public by
defining the legal boundaries of nursing. Option A is incorrect because the ANA standards
are professional guidelines rather than state laws. Option C describes the rights patients
have during their hospital stay but does not govern nursing licensure. Option D is a moral
framework for nursing behavior but lacks the legal authority of the NPA. It is the
responsibility of every nurse to understand the specific NPA of the state where they
practice.
4. The nurse is using SBAR to communicate with a physician about a patient’s declining
condition. What does the ‘R’ in SBAR stand for?
A. Response
B. Recommendation
C. Rationale
D. Review
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Recommendation is the final step in SBAR where the nurse suggests a
specific action or intervention. Response is incorrect because it is the physician’s reaction,
not a part of the structured tool. Rationale is incorrect as it describes the reasoning behind
a choice rather than the action itself. Review is incorrect because it implies looking back
rather than providing a forward-moving plan for care. Effective use of SBAR improves
patient safety by ensuring concise and clear professional communication.
5. A nurse ensures that all patients on the unit receive the same quality of care regardless of
their socioeconomic status. This reflects which principle?
A. Veracity
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Confidentiality
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Justice involves the fair and equitable distribution of resources and
treatments to all individuals. Veracity refers to the obligation to tell the truth and not
mislead patients. Non-maleficence is the ethical duty to do no harm and avoid causing
unnecessary suffering. Confidentiality is the protection of patient information from
, unauthorized disclosure under HIPAA laws. Nurses apply justice by advocating for equal
access to healthcare for every member of the community.
6. Which role is the nurse fulfilling when providing information to a patient about the risks
and benefits of a scheduled surgery?
A. Manager
B. Educator
C. Researcher
D. Counselor
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: In the role of educator, the nurse provides facts and assesses patient
understanding to promote health literacy. The role of manager involves coordinating team
activities and managing hospital resources effectively. The researcher role focuses on
identifying problems and participating in studies to improve nursing practice. The
counselor role involves helping patients cope with emotional or psychological stress
through support. Effective education is a cornerstone of patient safety and successful post-
operative recovery.
7. An RN delegates the task of measuring vital signs to a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
(UAP). Who is ultimately accountable for the accuracy of these measurements?
A. The UAP
B. The RN
C. The Charge Nurse
D. The Hospital Administrator
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The RN remains accountable for the outcome of delegated tasks even
though the UAP performs the action. While the UAP is responsible for the performance, the
professional nurse must evaluate the results. The Charge Nurse oversees the unit but is not
directly accountable for individual delegated tasks by other nurses. Hospital administrators
set policies but do not hold clinical accountability for specific patient vital signs.
Understanding accountability is crucial for maintaining professional standards and patient
safety within the nursing team.
8. Which historical figure is recognized as the first professionally trained African American
nurse in the United States?
A. Mary Mahoney
B. Harriet Tubman
C. Sojourner Truth
Professional Nursing - WCU Updated and Latest
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale
1. Florence Nightingale is primarily known for her contribution to nursing through which of
the following actions?
A. Founding the first visiting nurse service
B. Establishing the American Red Cross
C. Improving sanitation and hygiene in military hospitals
D. Advocating for the rights of the mentally ill
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Nightingale revolutionized nursing by focusing on environmental
factors like clean air and water to improve patient outcomes. Option B is incorrect because
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross during the Civil War. Option C is incorrect as
Lillian Wald was the founder of public health nursing and visiting services. Option D refers
to the work of Dorothea Dix in mental health reform. Understanding these historical
foundations is essential for recognizing the roots of modern nursing practice.
2. A patient chooses to refuse a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The
nurse supports this decision, demonstrating which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Fidelity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
healthcare decisions without coercion. Beneficence involves taking positive actions to help
others, which may conflict with a patient’s refusal of care. Fidelity relates to the duty to be
faithful and keep promises made to patients. Justice refers to the fair and equitable
distribution of healthcare resources among all individuals. Nurses must prioritize
autonomy while ensuring the patient is fully informed of the consequences of their choice.
3. Which document legally defines the scope of nursing practice and the requirements for
licensure in a specific state?
A. ANA Standards of Professional Performance
B. The Code of Ethics for Nurses
,C. The Patient’s Bill of Rights
D. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The Nurse Practice Act is a state law that protects the public by
defining the legal boundaries of nursing. Option A is incorrect because the ANA standards
are professional guidelines rather than state laws. Option C describes the rights patients
have during their hospital stay but does not govern nursing licensure. Option D is a moral
framework for nursing behavior but lacks the legal authority of the NPA. It is the
responsibility of every nurse to understand the specific NPA of the state where they
practice.
4. The nurse is using SBAR to communicate with a physician about a patient’s declining
condition. What does the ‘R’ in SBAR stand for?
A. Response
B. Recommendation
C. Rationale
D. Review
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Recommendation is the final step in SBAR where the nurse suggests a
specific action or intervention. Response is incorrect because it is the physician’s reaction,
not a part of the structured tool. Rationale is incorrect as it describes the reasoning behind
a choice rather than the action itself. Review is incorrect because it implies looking back
rather than providing a forward-moving plan for care. Effective use of SBAR improves
patient safety by ensuring concise and clear professional communication.
5. A nurse ensures that all patients on the unit receive the same quality of care regardless of
their socioeconomic status. This reflects which principle?
A. Veracity
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Confidentiality
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Justice involves the fair and equitable distribution of resources and
treatments to all individuals. Veracity refers to the obligation to tell the truth and not
mislead patients. Non-maleficence is the ethical duty to do no harm and avoid causing
unnecessary suffering. Confidentiality is the protection of patient information from
, unauthorized disclosure under HIPAA laws. Nurses apply justice by advocating for equal
access to healthcare for every member of the community.
6. Which role is the nurse fulfilling when providing information to a patient about the risks
and benefits of a scheduled surgery?
A. Manager
B. Educator
C. Researcher
D. Counselor
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: In the role of educator, the nurse provides facts and assesses patient
understanding to promote health literacy. The role of manager involves coordinating team
activities and managing hospital resources effectively. The researcher role focuses on
identifying problems and participating in studies to improve nursing practice. The
counselor role involves helping patients cope with emotional or psychological stress
through support. Effective education is a cornerstone of patient safety and successful post-
operative recovery.
7. An RN delegates the task of measuring vital signs to a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
(UAP). Who is ultimately accountable for the accuracy of these measurements?
A. The UAP
B. The RN
C. The Charge Nurse
D. The Hospital Administrator
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The RN remains accountable for the outcome of delegated tasks even
though the UAP performs the action. While the UAP is responsible for the performance, the
professional nurse must evaluate the results. The Charge Nurse oversees the unit but is not
directly accountable for individual delegated tasks by other nurses. Hospital administrators
set policies but do not hold clinical accountability for specific patient vital signs.
Understanding accountability is crucial for maintaining professional standards and patient
safety within the nursing team.
8. Which historical figure is recognized as the first professionally trained African American
nurse in the United States?
A. Mary Mahoney
B. Harriet Tubman
C. Sojourner Truth
