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 23 of 25

  • A. Accept the facial expression as proof of mild pain
  • B. Use the patient’s self-report as the primary pain measure
  • C. Delay assessment until the patient shows guarding
  • D. Record the pain as zero because vital signs are normal

Explanation: Pain is subjective, and the patient’s self-report is the most reliable indicator when the patient can communicate.

Correct answer: Use the patient’s self-report as the primary pain measure
Moderate
  • A. Carotid artery in the neck
  • B. Dorsalis pedis artery on the foot
  • C. Temporal artery at the forehead
  • D. Ulnar artery at the wrist

Explanation: The carotid artery is a central pulse and is usually easier to palpate when peripheral circulation is reduced.

Correct answer: Carotid artery in the neck
Easy
  • A. Assist the patient to sit or lie down safely
  • B. Ask the patient to walk to improve circulation
  • C. Repeat the temperature before intervening
  • D. Leave the patient alone while obtaining supplies

Explanation: Safety is the immediate priority because the patient may fall from poor perfusion or presyncope.

Correct answer: Assist the patient to sit or lie down safely
  • A. Temperature of 37.4°C after a warm blanket
  • B. Pulse of 88 beats per minute after quiet rest
  • C. Respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute after an opioid
  • D. Blood pressure of 132/78 mmHg before breakfast

Explanation: A respiratory rate of 6 after an opioid suggests potentially life-threatening respiratory depression, so airway and breathing take…

Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute after an opioid
  • A. Between the teeth and inner cheek
  • B. Under the tongue in a posterior pocket
  • C. On top of the tongue near the frenulum
  • D. Against the hard palate behind the incisors

Explanation: The probe is placed in a posterior sublingual pocket, where blood flow gives a reliable oral temperature.

Correct answer: Under the tongue in a posterior pocket
  • A. On the left arm below the fistula
  • B. On the left arm over the fistula
  • C. On the right arm if it is clinically suitable
  • D. On either arm after applying extra cuff pressure

Explanation: Blood pressure is measured on the opposite arm when an arteriovenous fistula is present.

Correct answer: On the right arm if it is clinically suitable
Hard
  • A. Silence the alarm and document the displayed rate
  • B. Assess the patient and confirm the pulse manually
  • C. Give the prescribed emergency cardiac medication
  • D. Call the family to remain with the patient

Explanation: The nurse first assesses the patient and verifies the monitor reading with a manual pulse because alarms may result from artefact or poor…

Correct answer: Assess the patient and confirm the pulse manually
Moderate
  • A. It directly measures the oxygen content of arterial blood
  • B. It remains accurate when peripheral circulation is severely poor
  • C. It estimates haemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively
  • D. It replaces assessment of respiratory effort and mental status

Explanation: Pulse oximetry estimates the percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen and does not directly measure total oxygen content.

Correct answer: It estimates haemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively
  • A. A visual analogue line without explanation
  • B. A faces pain scale with clear instructions
  • C. A blood pressure reading as an indirect measure
  • D. The nurse's estimate based on facial expression

Explanation: A faces scale can help a patient who cannot use a numeric scale, provided the nurse explains that the faces represent increasing pain…

Correct answer: A faces pain scale with clear instructions
  • A. Oral site
  • B. Axillary site
  • C. Tympanic site
  • D. Rectal site

Explanation: The rectal route can injure the rectal mucosa and introduce microorganisms, increasing infection risk in severe neutropenia.

Correct answer: Rectal site
Hard
  • A. Stage 1 pressure injury
  • B. Stage 2 pressure injury
  • C. Stage 3 pressure injury
  • D. Stage 4 pressure injury

Explanation: Stage 3 pressure injury involves full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose and often granulation tissue or undermining, but no exposed…

Correct answer: Stage 3 pressure injury
  • A. Purulent drainage
  • B. Serosanguineous drainage
  • C. Serous drainage
  • D. Sanguineous drainage

Explanation: Serous drainage is watery and clear to pale yellow. Purulent drainage is thick and usually indicates infection, sanguineous drainage is…

Correct answer: Serous drainage
Moderate
  • A. The wound edges are slightly pink
  • B. The patient reports mild discomfort
  • C. The wound has increasing purulent drainage
  • D. The surrounding skin is mildly dry

Explanation: Increasing purulent drainage with worsening pain and local inflammation suggests wound infection and requires prompt reporting.

Correct answer: The wound has increasing purulent drainage
Hard
  • A. Opening the sterile pack below waist level
  • B. Keeping sterile hands above waist level
  • C. Touching the wound with a clean gauze pad
  • D. Reaching across the sterile field for supplies

Explanation: Sterile hands and supplies are kept above waist level and within the nurse's view.

Correct answer: Keeping sterile hands above waist level
Hard
  • A. Wiping from the outer skin toward the incision
  • B. Using the same swab repeatedly over the incision
  • C. Cleaning from the incision outward with new swabs
  • D. Scrubbing the incision firmly until all redness disappears

Explanation: The nurse cleans from the least contaminated area, usually the incision, outward, using a new swab for each stroke.

Correct answer: Cleaning from the incision outward with new swabs
  • A. Protein
  • B. Sodium
  • C. Cholesterol
  • D. Simple carbohydrate

Explanation: Protein supplies amino acids needed for collagen formation, immune function, and new tissue growth.

Correct answer: Protein
Moderate
  • A. It increases oxygen delivery to the wound
  • B. It improves leukocyte activity against bacteria
  • C. It reduces infection risk through glycosuria
  • D. It impairs circulation and immune function

Explanation: Uncontrolled diabetes can impair circulation, leukocyte function, and collagen formation, increasing infection risk and delaying repair.

Correct answer: It impairs circulation and immune function
Easy
  • A. Remove the dressing quickly without explanation
  • B. Give prescribed analgesia before the procedure
  • C. Delay all wound assessment until pain ends
  • D. Apply antiseptic directly to reduce nerve sensitivity

Explanation: Giving prescribed analgesia with enough time for effect helps reduce procedural pain and supports cooperation.

Correct answer: Give prescribed analgesia before the procedure
  • A. Massage reddened skin over the sacrum
  • B. Reposition the patient at planned intervals
  • C. Use a donut-shaped ring under the sacrum
  • D. Keep the head of bed elevated as high as possible

Explanation: Regular repositioning relieves pressure and supports tissue perfusion, with the schedule based on the patient's condition and support…

Correct answer: Reposition the patient at planned intervals
  • A. Formation of granulation tissue and new capillaries
  • B. Clot formation with immediate platelet aggregation
  • C. Breakdown of collagen by inflammatory enzymes
  • D. Maturation of scar tissue with reduced vascularity

Explanation: The proliferative phase produces granulation tissue, new capillaries, collagen, and epithelial coverage.

Correct answer: Formation of granulation tissue and new capillaries