NUR 211 – Nursing Fundamentals
Practice Exam Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s pain. Which method is MOST reliable for
determining pain level?
A. Vital signs
B. Patient self-report
C. Facial expressions
D. Family interpretation
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain is subjective and self-report is the gold standard.
2. A patient has a temperature of 38.5°C. What is the BEST nursing action
first?
A. Notify physician immediately
B. Encourage fluids and reassess
C. Apply oxygen
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild fever is initially managed with supportive care.
3. Which site is MOST accurate for measuring core body temperature in
adults?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
, Answer: D
Rationale: Rectal temperature most closely reflects core temperature.
4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. When should alcohol-based sanitizer
NOT be used?
A. Before patient contact
B. After removing gloves
C. When hands are visibly soiled
D. Before medication administration
Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required when hands are visibly dirty.
5. A patient is at risk for aspiration. Which position is BEST?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
Rationale: Upright position reduces aspiration risk.
6. Which pulse site is BEST for assessing circulation during cardiac arrest?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Pedal
D. Brachial
Answer: B
Rationale: Carotid pulse reflects central circulation.
7. A nurse is administering oxygen therapy. Which action is PRIORITY?
A. Document after administration
B. Ensure correct flow rate
C. Turn off oxygen during meals
D. Humidify oxygen always
Answer: B
Rationale: Correct flow rate prevents hypoxia or toxicity.
8. A patient reports shortness of breath. What is FIRST action?
A. Call physician
, B. Assess airway and oxygenation
C. Give medication
D. Obtain X-ray
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities.
9. Which sign indicates hypoxia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Warm skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates low oxygen levels.
10.A nurse is documenting care. Which is MOST appropriate?
A. “Patient is fine”
B. “Patient appears upset”
C. “Patient reports pain 7/10”
D. “Patient doing better”
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective patient statements are required.
11.Which IV site has the lowest risk of infiltration?
A. Hand veins
B. Wrist
C. Forearm
D. Foot
Answer: C
Rationale: Forearm veins are more stable.
12.A patient has low blood pressure. What is FIRST intervention?
A. Give antihypertensive
B. Assess patient and vital signs
C. Restrict fluids
D. Call family
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment precedes intervention.
, 13.A nurse is changing a sterile dressing. What breaks sterility?
A. Keeping field dry
B. Touching sterile gloves to non-sterile surface
C. Wearing mask
D. Using sterile gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Contamination occurs with non-sterile contact.
14.A patient is on fall precautions. What is MOST important?
A. Raise all side rails
B. Keep call light within reach
C. Restrict fluids
D. Limit visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Call light access reduces fall risk.
15.Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle cramps?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium affects muscle function.
16.A patient is receiving morphine. What is PRIORITY monitoring?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Respiratory rate
C. Skin color
D. Appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids depress respiration.
17.Which sign indicates infection?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever
C. Low urine output
D. Pale skin
Practice Exam Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s pain. Which method is MOST reliable for
determining pain level?
A. Vital signs
B. Patient self-report
C. Facial expressions
D. Family interpretation
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain is subjective and self-report is the gold standard.
2. A patient has a temperature of 38.5°C. What is the BEST nursing action
first?
A. Notify physician immediately
B. Encourage fluids and reassess
C. Apply oxygen
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild fever is initially managed with supportive care.
3. Which site is MOST accurate for measuring core body temperature in
adults?
A. Axillary
B. Oral
C. Tympanic
D. Rectal
, Answer: D
Rationale: Rectal temperature most closely reflects core temperature.
4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. When should alcohol-based sanitizer
NOT be used?
A. Before patient contact
B. After removing gloves
C. When hands are visibly soiled
D. Before medication administration
Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required when hands are visibly dirty.
5. A patient is at risk for aspiration. Which position is BEST?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
Rationale: Upright position reduces aspiration risk.
6. Which pulse site is BEST for assessing circulation during cardiac arrest?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Pedal
D. Brachial
Answer: B
Rationale: Carotid pulse reflects central circulation.
7. A nurse is administering oxygen therapy. Which action is PRIORITY?
A. Document after administration
B. Ensure correct flow rate
C. Turn off oxygen during meals
D. Humidify oxygen always
Answer: B
Rationale: Correct flow rate prevents hypoxia or toxicity.
8. A patient reports shortness of breath. What is FIRST action?
A. Call physician
, B. Assess airway and oxygenation
C. Give medication
D. Obtain X-ray
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities.
9. Which sign indicates hypoxia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Warm skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates low oxygen levels.
10.A nurse is documenting care. Which is MOST appropriate?
A. “Patient is fine”
B. “Patient appears upset”
C. “Patient reports pain 7/10”
D. “Patient doing better”
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective patient statements are required.
11.Which IV site has the lowest risk of infiltration?
A. Hand veins
B. Wrist
C. Forearm
D. Foot
Answer: C
Rationale: Forearm veins are more stable.
12.A patient has low blood pressure. What is FIRST intervention?
A. Give antihypertensive
B. Assess patient and vital signs
C. Restrict fluids
D. Call family
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment precedes intervention.
, 13.A nurse is changing a sterile dressing. What breaks sterility?
A. Keeping field dry
B. Touching sterile gloves to non-sterile surface
C. Wearing mask
D. Using sterile gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Contamination occurs with non-sterile contact.
14.A patient is on fall precautions. What is MOST important?
A. Raise all side rails
B. Keep call light within reach
C. Restrict fluids
D. Limit visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Call light access reduces fall risk.
15.Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle cramps?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium affects muscle function.
16.A patient is receiving morphine. What is PRIORITY monitoring?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Respiratory rate
C. Skin color
D. Appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids depress respiration.
17.Which sign indicates infection?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever
C. Low urine output
D. Pale skin
