Nursing Fundamentals Practice Questions
Nursing school questions often test whether students can recognize priorities rather than simply recall definitions.
Questions
1. Which patient should be assessed first?
- A. Patient requesting water
- B. Patient with sudden difficulty breathing
- C. Patient asking about lunch
- D. Patient requesting a blanket
- Answer: B
2. Which is objective data?
- A. "I feel dizzy."
- B. "I have pain."
- C. Blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
- D. "I feel weak."
- Answer: C
3. Which action is most important before providing patient care?
- A. Appropriate hand hygiene
- B. Checking the television
- C. Opening the window
- D. Asking about hobbies
- Answer: A
4. What is the purpose of patient identification?
- A. Reduce errors by confirming the correct patient
- B. Make communication longer
- C. Replace assessment
- D. Determine room decoration
- Answer: A
5. Which intervention reduces fall risk?
- A. Keeping frequently used items accessible
- B. Leaving obstacles on the floor
- C. Encouraging unsafe independent ambulation
- D. Raising the bed unnecessarily
- Answer: A
6. Which statement is therapeutic?
- A. "You shouldn't be worried."
- B. "Tell me more about your concern."
- C. "I know exactly how you feel."
- D. "Everything will be fine."
- Answer: B
7. Why should nursing documentation be accurate?
- A. It communicates care and patient information
- B. It is optional
- C. It replaces patient care
- D. It prevents all errors automatically
- Answer: A
8. Which action supports patient privacy?
- A. Discussing information in a public elevator
- B. Protecting confidential information
- C. Leaving records open
- D. Sharing information with friends
- Answer: B
9. Which patient finding requires prompt attention?
- A. New confusion
- B. Normal appetite
- C. Request for a blanket
- D. Mild boredom
- Answer: A
10. Why is reassessment important?
- A. It determines whether a patient's condition or response has changed
- B. It replaces all interventions
- C. It eliminates documentation
- D. It is only needed at discharge
- Answer: A
11. Which position generally supports easier breathing?
- A. Upright
- B. Flat
- C. Prone in every situation
- D. Trendelenburg
- Answer: A
12. Which information is subjective?
- A. Temperature
- B. Heart rate
- C. Patient's description of pain
- D. Blood pressure
- Answer: C
13. Which intervention helps protect skin integrity?
- A. Appropriate repositioning and skin assessment
- B. Leaving a patient in one position indefinitely
- C. Ignoring moisture
- D. Avoiding nutrition assessment
- Answer: A
14. What should the nurse do if an order appears unclear?
- A. Clarify it before proceeding
- B. Guess
- C. Ask another patient
- D. Ignore it permanently
- Answer: A
15. Which action is appropriate when a patient refuses care?
- A. Explore the patient's concerns and follow appropriate procedures
- B. Force the patient
- C. Threaten the patient
- D. Leave without documenting
- Answer: A
16. Which communication technique encourages patients to elaborate?
- A. Open-ended questions
- B. Interruptions
- C. Judgmental statements
- D. Rapid topic changes
- Answer: A
17. Why is patient education important?
- A. It helps patients understand their care and participate appropriately
- B. It eliminates all complications
- C. It replaces treatment
- D. It guarantees compliance
- Answer: A
18. Which finding is a potential safety concern?
- A. Wet floor near a patient's bed
- B. Clear pathway
- C. Call light within reach
- D. Proper footwear
- Answer: A
19. What should a nurse do after an intervention?
- A. Evaluate the patient's response
- B. Immediately forget about the patient
- C. Avoid reassessment
- D. Delete documentation
- Answer: A
20. Why should nurses prioritize care?
- A. Patients have different levels of urgency and need
- B. Every task has identical urgency
- C. Prioritization is optional
- D. It only applies to physicians
- Answer: A
21. Which action helps prevent infection transmission?
- A. Proper hand hygiene
- B. Reusing disposable equipment
- C. Sharing personal items
- D. Skipping environmental cleaning
- Answer: A
22. Which statement shows appropriate patient education?
- A. "I'll explain the instructions and check that you understand them."
- B. "You don't need to know why."
- C. "Just do what you're told."
- D. "Don't ask questions."
- Answer: A
23. What should the nurse do when noticing a significant change in condition?
- A. Assess and communicate the change appropriately
- B. Wait several days
- C. Ignore it
- D. Hide the information
- Answer: A
24. What is the main purpose of a nursing handoff?
- A. Transfer relevant patient-care information between caregivers
- B. Discuss personal opinions
- C. Entertain staff
- D. Avoid documentation
- Answer: A
25. Which skill is especially valuable for nursing school exams?
- A. Recognizing the safest priority action
- B. Choosing the longest answer
- C. Memorizing without understanding
- D. Ignoring patient safety
- Answer: A
