All Free Fundamentals of Nursing MCQs with Answers

Every Fundamentals of Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

500 questions · page 1 of 25

  • A. Patient says, "I feel dizzy" after standing.
  • B. Patient appears anxious and looks very unwell.
  • C. Patient is difficult and refuses all treatment.
  • D. Patient seems uncomfortable during the procedure.

Explanation: The statement in option A records the patient’s own words, making it subjective data documented accurately.

Correct answer: Patient says, "I feel dizzy" after standing.
  • A. Erase the error and write the correct entry.
  • B. Cover the error with correction fluid and rewrite it.
  • C. Draw one line through it, then sign and date it.
  • D. Remove the page and complete a replacement page.

Explanation: A single line keeps the original entry readable, while the nurse adds the correction, date, time, and signature according to facility…

Correct answer: Draw one line through it, then sign and date it.
Hard
  • A. Complete an incident report before assessing the patient.
  • B. Assess the patient and notify the prescriber promptly.
  • C. Document that no harm occurred and continue the dose.
  • D. Wait until the next shift to discuss the medication error.

Explanation: The patient’s immediate safety and assessment take priority after a medication error.

Correct answer: Assess the patient and notify the prescriber promptly.
Fairly easy
  • A. It replaces the patient’s progress note about the event.
  • B. It is used to record facts about an unusual event.
  • C. It is placed in the patient’s medical record for review.
  • D. It is completed only when the patient has an injury.

Explanation: An incident report records factual details of an unusual event, including events that cause no injury or near misses.

Correct answer: It is used to record facts about an unusual event.
Fairly easy
  • A. The patient was admitted with pneumonia yesterday.
  • B. The patient’s respiratory rate is 30 per minute and oxygen saturation is 88%.
  • C. The patient needs review by the medical officer now.
  • D. The patient has a history of chronic bronchitis.

Explanation: Assessment states the nurse’s current clinical findings and interpretation, such as abnormal respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.

Correct answer: The patient’s respiratory rate is 30 per minute and oxygen saturation is 88%.
Fairly easy
  • A. Do not worry because the operation is routine.
  • B. You sound frightened; what concerns you most?
  • C. You should ask the surgeon about the operation.
  • D. Many patients feel this way before surgery.

Explanation: This response acknowledges the patient’s emotion and uses an open question to encourage expression of concerns.

Correct answer: You sound frightened; what concerns you most?
Fairly easy
  • A. Continue speaking quietly because no visitors are nearby.
  • B. Discuss the results only with staff directly involved in care.
  • C. Ask a relative to explain the results to the patient.
  • D. Write the results on the ward noticeboard for the team.

Explanation: Confidential information should be shared only with healthcare professionals who need it for the patient’s care, using a private setting.

Correct answer: Discuss the results only with staff directly involved in care.
Fairly easy
  • A. Patient fell because she is careless and confused.
  • B. Patient found sitting on the floor beside the bed at 10:15 am.
  • C. Patient had an accident and was probably frightened.
  • D. Patient fell safely, so no further action was required.

Explanation: The entry records what the nurse observed, including the location and time, without assigning blame or guessing the cause.

Correct answer: Patient found sitting on the floor beside the bed at 10:15 am.
  • A. Accept the order and administer it without repeating it.
  • B. Ask another nurse to remember the order for the next shift.
  • C. Repeat the prescription back and record it according to policy.
  • D. Wait for the prescriber to visit before recording the prescription.

Explanation: Read-back or repeat-back confirms that the prescription was heard correctly and reduces errors in names, doses, and routes.

Correct answer: Repeat the prescription back and record it according to policy.
  • A. Ask about the patient’s pain score before taking action.
  • B. Check the patient immediately and call for urgent assistance.
  • C. Complete the handover notes before visiting the patient.
  • D. Offer oral fluids and reassess the patient after 30 minutes.

Explanation: Hypotension, pallor, and increasing drain output suggest possible postoperative haemorrhage, so circulation and immediate patient…

Correct answer: Check the patient immediately and call for urgent assistance.
  • A. Temperature is 38.4°C by oral thermometer
  • B. Patient states, "My pain is 8 out of 10"
  • C. Respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute
  • D. Skin is cool and clammy on examination

Explanation: Subjective data are symptoms or feelings reported by the patient, such as a pain score.

Correct answer: Patient states, "My pain is 8 out of 10"
Very hard
  • A. Enter it in the earlier time slot without explanation
  • B. Add a dated and timed late entry with the current time
  • C. Ask another nurse to add the finding to the record
  • D. Write it on a separate paper and keep it with the chart

Explanation: A late entry should be clearly labelled, dated and timed, and should state when the assessment actually occurred.

Correct answer: Add a dated and timed late entry with the current time
Hard
  • A. Medication given because it remains prescribed
  • B. Medication refused, reason given, and prescriber informed
  • C. Medication omitted without an entry to avoid blame
  • D. Medication held and recorded as a medication error

Explanation: The nurse records the refusal, the patient’s stated reason when available, the assessment, and the actions taken, including notification…

Correct answer: Medication refused, reason given, and prescriber informed
  • A. Patient reports nausea after breakfast
  • B. Blood pressure is 90/58 mmHg
  • C. Nurse concludes that dehydration is suspected
  • D. Encourage oral fluids as tolerated

Explanation: The assessment section contains the nurse’s clinical interpretation of the subjective and objective findings.

Correct answer: Nurse concludes that dehydration is suspected
Very hard
  • A. Delete the entry and type a replacement
  • B. Use the approved correction or addendum function
  • C. Ask a colleague to change the entry under their login
  • D. Leave the error because electronic records cannot be corrected

Explanation: The nurse should use the approved correction or addendum process so the original entry remains visible with an audit trail.

Correct answer: Use the approved correction or addendum function
Fairly easy
  • A. The patient was admitted with pneumonia
  • B. The patient has increasing work of breathing
  • C. The oxygen saturation is 89% on 4 litres
  • D. Please review the patient immediately and consider urgent treatment

Explanation: Recommendation states what action or response the nurse is requesting. The admission diagnosis is situation or background, the breathing…

Correct answer: Please review the patient immediately and consider urgent treatment
  • A. You should try to stay positive about the diagnosis
  • B. Why are you refusing to talk about your illness?
  • C. I notice this is difficult; what concerns you most now?
  • D. Many patients feel this way, so there is no need to worry

Explanation: This response uses an observation and an open-ended, nonjudgmental question to invite the patient to share concerns.

Correct answer: I notice this is difficult; what concerns you most now?
Moderate
  • A. Share only necessary information in a private setting
  • B. Discuss the full history where visitors cannot hear clearly
  • C. Send the record through a personal messaging application
  • D. Leave the printed handover sheet at the nurses’ station

Explanation: Confidential communication uses the minimum information needed for care and occurs through an approved private channel.

Correct answer: Share only necessary information in a private setting
  • A. Record the report and reassess the patient at the next round
  • B. Assess airway, breathing, circulation and immediate safety
  • C. Ask the family to explain whether confusion is usual
  • D. Complete routine documentation before seeing the patient

Explanation: Acute confusion may signal hypoxia, poor perfusion, hypoglycaemia or another urgent problem, so immediate assessment and safety take…

Correct answer: Assess airway, breathing, circulation and immediate safety
  • A. Tell the family because relatives should always be informed
  • B. Promise that no healthcare worker will ever know
  • C. Ask about the patient’s wishes and explain confidentiality limits
  • D. Tell the family only if they call the nurses’ station repeatedly

Explanation: The nurse should explore the patient’s preference, protect privacy and explain that information is shared only with consent or when…

Correct answer: Ask about the patient’s wishes and explain confidentiality limits