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 4 of 25
- A. Soft, formed brown stool passed without straining
- B. Hard, dry stool passed every three days
- C. Loose watery stool passed after each meal
- D. Small pellet-like stool passed with cramping
Explanation: Normal stool is usually soft, formed, and brown, and it passes without excessive straining.
Correct answer: Soft, formed brown stool passed without straining- A. Encourage the patient to drink two glasses of water
- B. Assess the bladder for distension and use a bladder scanner
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without further assessment
- D. Document the finding as expected after surgery
Explanation: Lower abdominal pressure with scant urine suggests possible urinary retention, so bladder assessment is the priority.
Correct answer: Assess the bladder for distension and use a bladder scanner- A. Inject sterile water in the amount printed on the catheter
- B. Inject normal saline until the patient feels pressure
- C. Inject tap water to maintain balloon flexibility
- D. Inject air to make the balloon easier to identify
Explanation: The balloon is inflated with sterile water according to the volume marked on the catheter or device instructions.
Correct answer: Inject sterile water in the amount printed on the catheter- A. On the bed beside the patient's hip
- B. Below bladder level and off the floor
- C. On the mattress above the patient's bladder
- D. On the intravenous stand above the waist
Explanation: Keeping the bag below bladder level allows gravity drainage and reduces backflow of urine.
Correct answer: Below bladder level and off the floor- A. Suprapubic catheter inserted through the lower abdomen
- B. Condom catheter placed over the penis
- C. Intermittent straight catheter inserted every four hours
- D. Incontinence pad applied beneath the patient
Explanation: A suprapubic catheter drains urine through an opening created above the pubic area and may be used when urethral drainage is unsuitable.
Correct answer: Suprapubic catheter inserted through the lower abdomen- A. The patient has mild anxiety about the procedure
- B. The patient has suspected intestinal obstruction
- C. The patient asks to use the bathroom afterward
- D. The patient reports a bowel movement yesterday
Explanation: An enema may worsen a suspected intestinal obstruction and can cause complications, so the finding must be reported before the procedure.
Correct answer: The patient has suspected intestinal obstruction- A. I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to one-half full
- B. I will wait until the pouch is completely full before emptying it
- C. I will clean the stoma with strong antiseptic after every output
- D. I will scrub the stoma firmly to remove its natural mucus
Explanation: Emptying the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full prevents excessive weight and pulling on the appliance seal.
Correct answer: I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to one-half full- A. Collect stool after it contacts toilet water
- B. Place the specimen in a clean, dry container without urine
- C. Mix the specimen with disinfectant before sending it
- D. Collect the sample from a bedpan containing urine
Explanation: A stool specimen should be placed in a clean, dry container and kept free from urine, water, and cleaning chemicals.
Correct answer: Place the specimen in a clean, dry container without urine- A. Clean gently, pat dry, and apply a moisture barrier
- B. Rub the area vigorously with dry gauze after each stool
- C. Apply talcum powder to the moist skin after cleansing
- D. Limit fluid intake to reduce the number of stools
Explanation: Gentle cleansing, patting dry, and a moisture barrier reduce contact with irritating stool and prevent further skin breakdown.
Correct answer: Clean gently, pat dry, and apply a moisture barrier- A. Cut the catheter before deflating the balloon
- B. Deflate the balloon fully before gentle removal
- C. Pull the catheter out while the balloon remains inflated
- D. Clamp the catheter for several hours before removal
Explanation: The retention balloon must be completely deflated before the catheter is gently withdrawn to prevent urethral injury.
Correct answer: Deflate the balloon fully before gentle removal- A. Pale yellow urine with a mild odour
- B. Cloudy urine with a strong odour
- C. Bright red urine with small clots
- D. Dark brown urine with a sweet odour
Explanation: Adequate hydration commonly produces pale yellow urine with a mild odour.
Correct answer: Pale yellow urine with a mild odour- A. Check the tubing for kinks and dependent loops
- B. Remove the catheter and insert another one
- C. Irrigate the catheter with sterile water immediately
- D. Restrict the patient's oral fluids until review
Explanation: The nurse first checks for simple mechanical obstruction, such as a kinked tube or a dependent loop.
Correct answer: Check the tubing for kinks and dependent loops- A. From the catheter sampling port using aseptic technique
- B. From the drainage bag after allowing urine to collect
- C. From the catheter tubing after disconnecting the system
- D. From the first urine emptied into a clean bedpan
Explanation: A sterile specimen is collected from the disinfected sampling port using aseptic technique.
Correct answer: From the catheter sampling port using aseptic technique74. Which patient most clearly has an appropriate indication for intermittent urinary catheterisation?
- A. A patient with temporary inability to empty the bladder
- B. A patient who prefers not to use a bedpan
- C. A patient with mild stress incontinence on coughing
- D. A patient who needs routine urine monitoring at home
Explanation: Intermittent catheterisation can empty the bladder when a patient has temporary or chronic difficulty voiding.
Correct answer: A patient with temporary inability to empty the bladder- A. A small amount of liquid stool leaking around hard stool
- B. Soft formed stool passed every morning
- C. Mild abdominal sounds after eating a meal
- D. One day without a bowel movement in an adult
Explanation: Liquid stool may seep around an impacted mass and is called overflow or paradoxical diarrhoea.
Correct answer: A small amount of liquid stool leaking around hard stool- A. Report the finding promptly to the surgical team
- B. Apply petroleum jelly and reassess it tomorrow
- C. Cover the stoma tightly with a dry dressing
- D. Encourage oral fluids and continue routine care
Explanation: A healthy stoma is moist and pink to red, while a dusky, purple, or cool stoma may indicate impaired blood supply.
Correct answer: Report the finding promptly to the surgical team- A. Monitor fluid balance and signs of dehydration
- B. Encourage a large serving of raw vegetables
- C. Expect the output to be formed within the first day
- D. Limit all oral fluids to reduce the output
Explanation: An ileostomy commonly produces liquid output, which can cause substantial fluid and electrolyte loss.
Correct answer: Monitor fluid balance and signs of dehydration78. Which nursing action helps prevent skin injury in a patient who is frequently incontinent of stool?
- A. Cleanse gently, dry the skin, and apply a moisture barrier
- B. Scrub the perineal area with strong antiseptic after each stool
- C. Leave the skin exposed to stool until the next scheduled bath
- D. Apply talcum powder to all moist skin after each episode
Explanation: Gentle cleansing, careful drying, and a moisture barrier reduce contact with irritating stool and protect the skin.
Correct answer: Cleanse gently, dry the skin, and apply a moisture barrier- A. Leave it as a landmark and insert a new sterile catheter
- B. Remove it, clean the catheter, and use it again
- C. Advance it further and inflate the balloon in the vagina
- D. Withdraw it slightly and redirect the same catheter
Explanation: A catheter placed in the vagina is contaminated and should remain there as a landmark while a new sterile catheter is obtained.
Correct answer: Leave it as a landmark and insert a new sterile catheter- A. Clean the meatus and catheter from the urethra outward
- B. Pull the catheter gently while cleaning the meatus
- C. Clean from the drainage bag toward the urethral opening
- D. Disconnect the catheter from the bag before cleaning the area
Explanation: Perineal and catheter care is performed from the urethral opening outward, using clean technique according to facility policy.
Correct answer: Clean the meatus and catheter from the urethra outward