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
Hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Very hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Easy
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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 technique
  • 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
Easy
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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 dehydration
  • 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