Foundations of Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real NACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Foundations of Nursing flashcards as text
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action breaks sterile technique?
Answer: Placing sterile items at the edge of the sterile drape (1 inch border)
The 1-inch border around a sterile drape is considered contaminated; sterile items must be placed within the interior of the field.
Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of beneficence?
Answer: Administering ordered pain medication before a painful procedure
Beneficence means acting in the patient's best interest; proactively managing pain before a procedure promotes well-being.
A patient's chart shows a temperature of 38.9°C. What is the equivalent Fahrenheit temperature?
Answer: 102.0°F
Using the formula °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32: (38.9 × 1.8) + 32 = 70.02 + 32 = 102.02°F, which rounds to 102.0°F.
When performing a head-to-toe physical assessment, in what order should the nurse assess the abdomen?
Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
The abdomen is assessed by inspection first, then auscultation before percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
A nurse notes that a patient's urine output has been 80 mL over the past 4 hours. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Answer: Oliguria; requires further assessment and notification of provider
Normal urine output is at least 30 mL/hour; 80 mL over 4 hours equals only 20 mL/hour, which meets the definition of oliguria and requires provider notification.
A patient receiving IV fluids develops redness, warmth, and swelling at the insertion site. The nurse should first:
Answer: Discontinue the IV and remove the catheter
Signs of phlebitis (redness, warmth, swelling) at an IV site require immediate discontinuation of the infusion and removal of the catheter.
Which position is most appropriate for a patient who is unconscious and breathing spontaneously to prevent aspiration?
Answer: Lateral (recovery/side-lying) position
The lateral (recovery) position allows secretions and vomit to drain from the mouth, reducing aspiration risk in an unconscious patient.