Fundamentals of Nursing Mastery: ACE the Fundamentals Alternate Format Section on the NCLEX

Nursing fundamentals are the bedrock of a successful nursing career, forming the cornerstone of the NCLEX examination.

Unfortunately, many nursing students tend to underestimate the importance of mastering these fundamental concepts only to realize their crucial role in both the exam and their future careers.

In this episode, I’ll delve deep into the core principles of nursing, breaking down 100 complex concepts to equip you with the knowledge needed to excel in this crucial part of your exam.

Let’s transform your approach and understanding of nursing fundamentals.

Then tune in now!

Let’s Answer These Questions Together!

1. The principle of autonomy is the right to refuse treatment, choose treatment, and make one’s own decision.

This statement is true.

2. A pregnant teenager must get the consent of the parents for medical care and treatment.

This statement is false. Teenagers can consent to medical care and treatment involving pregnancy or STDs.

3. If the patient is sedated, the nurse can still get consent from them.

This statement is false. The nurse cannot get consent when the patient is under sedation.

4. Minors can give consent if they are married or emancipated.

This statement is true.

5. If the patient does not want to sign the Against Medical Advice form, they cannot leave.

This statement is false. The patient can still leave without signing the Against Medical Advice form. 

6. The patient often has the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment.

This statement is true. Just remember that there are exceptions, such as not having the mental capacity to refuse treatment.

7. The power of attorney is the one who makes the decision for the patient when the patient is no longer able to.

This statement is true.

8. Giving an injection without consent is an example of assault.

This statement is false. Giving an injection without consent is an example of battery.

9. Assault is touching an individual without consent in a harmful way.

This statement is false. Battery is touching an individual without consent in a harmful way.

10. Threat or fear of harm is assault.

This statement is true.

11. Teenagers are not allowed to be part of medical decisions.

This statement is false. Teenagers are allowed to be part of medical decisions but the parent or guardian must provide consent.

12. Psychiatric patients have the right to refuse treatment.

This statement is true.

13. Living will is an example of an advance directive.

This statement is true.

14. The nurse should notify the physician if the patient wants to leave against medical advice.

This statement is true.

15. Court can deny parents’ treatment refusal if the minor is in critical condition.

This statement is true.

16. Even if the parents’ decision causes harm to the child’s life, the nurse must follow it.

This statement is false. A parents’ decision that can cause harm to the child’s life can be challenged.

17. Medications and procedures performed with minimal to no pain to benefit the patient’s health are considered ordinary means.

This statement is true.

18. If abortion is against the nurse’s belief, then the nurse does not have to be a part of the procedure.

This statement is true.

19. The order of the stages of grief is depression, anger, bargaining, denial, and acceptance.

This statement is false. The order of the stages of grief is denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

20. As an advocate, the nurse makes the decision for the patient.

This statement is false. As an advocate, the nurse does not make decisions for the patient.

21. Mammograms are an example of secondary prevention.

This statement is true.

22. Stroke rehabilitation programs are examples of tertiary prevention.

This statement is true.

23. Immunization against infectious diseases is an example of primary prevention.

This statement is true.

24. Secondary prevention is the treatment of existing diseases.

This statement is false. Tertiary prevention is the treatment of existing diseases.

25. The five stages of the nursing process are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evolution.

This statement is false. The five stages of the nursing process are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

26. The nurse manager is responsible for budgeting and handling serious problems in the unit.

This statement is true.

27. Democratic management encourages staff to be part of the decision-making process.

This statement is true.

28. Authoritarian leadership retains as much authority as possible.

This statement is true.

29. The nurse case manager coordinates patient care and assists with treatment plans.

This statement is true.

30. The nurse assistant cannot perform blood glucose checks.

This statement is false. The nurse assistant can perform blood glucose checks.

31. The licensed practical nurse cannot administer oral medications.

This statement is false. The licensed practical nurse can administer oral medications.

32. The licensed practical nurse can evaluate patient care.

This statement is false. The licensed practical nurse cannot evaluate patient care.

33. The nurse can assess patients and fill prescriptions.

This statement is false. The nurse can assess patients but cannot fill prescriptions.

34. The licensed practical nurse cannot initiate teaching plans but can reinforce teaching.

This statement is true.

35. The licensed practical nurse can provide care for stable patients.

This statement is true.

36. Confidential information cannot be disclosed even if the patient’s life is harmed or threatened.

This statement is false. Confidential information can be disclosed if the patient is a violent threat to himself or others.

37. Even if the nurse changes the patient’s real name for a case study, the nurse is still breaking HIPAA.

This statement is false. De-identified health information is changing the patient’s real name for a case study, which does not violate HIPAA.

38. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Assurance Act.

This statement is false. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

39. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles must be informed by the physician about the patient’s epilepsy disorder.

This statement is true.

40. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles must be informed by the physician about the patient’s seizure disorder.

This statement is true.

41. The abuser should not be offered help for anger management.

This statement is false. Abusers can be offered help from an agency to assist in anger management.

42. If the nurse notices signs and symptoms of abuse in the child, the nurse must report it.

This statement is true.

43. Discharge planning begins when the patient is ready to go home.

This statement is false. Discharge planning begins prior to the patient leaving the hospital when the patient is admitted.

44. If the medication is withheld, it must be documented, and the physician must be aware.

This statement is true.

45. During discharge planning, the patient is taught how to provide self-care at home, what to expect, and when to notify the physician.

This statement is true.

46. The Nurse Practice Act ensures safe and competent nursing practice for those who need nursing care under the state rules and regulations.

This statement is true.

47. Moral dilemmas can place nurses in a stressful situation when deciding between following ethics or medical practice.

This statement is true.

48. If the coworker is not doing the right thing and the nurse is friends with the coworker, the nurse is stuck in a moral dilemma about telling the boss or having the coworker’s back.

This statement is true.

49. Medical malpractice is a type of negligence which is a breach or violation of professional duty.

This statement is true.

50. An example of fidelity is the nurse keeping the promise not to disclose the patient’s illness to the patient’s family as requested by the patient.

This statement is true.

51. Two nurses assigned to six patients each is an example of justice.

This statement is true.

52. Veracity is falsifying information and not being truthful.

This statement is false. Veracity is being truthful and not withholding information.

53. The nurse is accountable for her actions when she forgot to administer the medication and reported it to the nurse manager and physician.

This statement is true.

54. An incident report is completed after an error occurred to determine the factors that led to the error.

This statement is true.

55. Disciplinary action is the same in every state.

This statement is false. Disciplinary action can vary from state to state.

56. The American Nurses Association Code is a guideline for nurses to follow protocol and policies while following ethical obligations.

This statement is true.

57. Nurses can be liable for any injuries that occur from charting errors.

This statement is true.

58. Printing patient records is a violation of HIPAA.

This statement is false. Patient records can be printed.

59. Healthcare staff should always bend at the waist and wear non-skid shoes to prevent falls.

This statement is false. Healthcare staff should always bend at the knees and hips. Nurses should wear non-skid shoes to prevent falls.

60. In the Emergency Response Plan, the priority is to remove people from danger and to contact the supervisor.

This statement is true.

61. Examples of external emergencies include fire and gas leaks.

This statement is false. Examples of internal emergencies include fire and gas leaks.

62. Examples of biological emergencies include anthrax and smallpox.

This statement is true.

63. The nurse should prioritize decontamination if the patient is exposed to a chemical emergency.

This statement is true.

64. The acronym R.A.C.E. is rescue, alleviate, contain, and extinguish.

This statement is false. The acronym R.A.C.E. is rescue, alarm, contain, and extinguish.

65. An example of preventing error is assessing for any allergies, especially prior to administering new medications.

This statement is true.

66. In the Coding System for Hazards, the color blue symbolizes a health hazard.

This statement is true.

67. In the Coding System for Hazards, the color white symbolizes a special hazard.

This statement is true.

68. The Material Safety Data Sheet contains the substance name and the hazards associated with the substance.

This statement is true.

69. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration created the Hazard Communication Standard.

This statement is true.

70. The Hazard Communication Standard does not require that employees be trained on how to use the product safely.

This statement is false. The Hazard Communication Standard does require that employees are trained on how to use the product safely.

71. In the Hazards Classification, teratogens do not cause birth defects.

This statement is false. In the Hazards Classification, teratogens do cause birth defects.

72. The infectious agent is the person who is at risk of becoming infected.

This statement is false. The susceptible host is the person that is at risk of becoming infected.

73. A patient with tuberculosis should be placed in an airborne isolation room with negative pressure.

This statement is true.

74. A patient with rubella can be placed in the same room as a patient with varicella.

This statement is false. A patient with rubella can be placed in a room with another patient with rubella but cannot be placed in a room with a patient who has an airborne disease.

75. A nurse can place a patient who has droplet precautions in a private room or with other roommates with the same infection.

This statement is true.

76. Scarlet fever and mumps are examples of infectious diseases that require contact precautions.

This statement is false. Scarlet fever and mumps are examples of infectious diseases that require droplet precautions.

77. Measles is an example of an infectious disease that requires droplet precautions.

This statement is false. Measles is an example of an infectious disease that requires airborne precautions.

78. Gloves and gowns are put on after entering the patient’s room.

This statement is false. Gloves and gowns are put on before entering the patient’s room.

79. Conjunctivitis requires droplet precautions.

This statement is true.

80. The CDC recommends that healthcare workers provide proven immunity for hepatitis B but not tetanus.

This statement is false. The CDC recommends that healthcare workers provide proven immunity for hepatitis B and tetanus.

81. The nurse requires the patient’s permission before using restraints when the patient is demonstrating risk of harm to him/herself or to others.

This statement is false. The nurse does not require the patient’s permission before using restraints when the patient is demonstrating a risk of harm to him/herself or to others.

82. Restraint orders can be written on an as-needed basis.

This statement is false. Orders for restraints cannot be written on an as-needed basis.

83. Restraints must be renewed after 24-hours.

This statement is true.

84. If the patient was restrained due to violence, direct observation is mandatory.

This statement is true.

85. Sedative is an example of a chemical restraint.

This statement is true.

86. A patient in 4-point restraints must be monitored every 15-minutes.

This statement is true.

87. The nurse cannot place a patient in a room against his/her will.

This statement is false. The nurse can place a patient in a room against his/her will and is prevented from leaving the room until it is deemed safe for the patient and others.

88. Violence in a hospital can be committed by a patient but not a coworker.

This statement is false. Violence can be committed by a patient, coworker, or stranger.

89. Threats and homicide are types of violence that can occur in the workplace.

This statement is true.

90. The nurse should call security after the patient hits the staff.

This statement is false. The nurse should call security if the situation becomes threatening. The nurse should not wait until violence occurs.

91. If the victim experiences electrical shock and is connected to the electrical source, the nurse should immediately provide care.

This statement is false. The nurse should not touch the victim due to the risk of shock.

92. The healthcare staff can use a “cheater” adapter plug if needed.

This statement is false. The “cheater” adapter plug should not be used.

93. The nurse should not use any frayed or broken cords and should not roll machinery over cords.

This statement is true.

94. Due to the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, incidents that caused serious injury or illness by machinery must be reported to the Food and Drug Administration and the company of the machine.

This statement is true.

95. Staff can notify the leader or manager if they believe a delegated task is unsafe.

This statement is true.

96. Joint Commission standards are the basis of an objective evaluation process that can help healthcare organizations measure, assess, and improve performance.

This statement is true.

97. Nurses must ensure that the patient understands all options before making an informed decision.

This statement is true.

98. Someone who is designated to make medical decisions when the patient is no longer able to is the durable power of attorney.

This statement is true.

99. The Right to Die Law states that the patient has the right to choose death if he/she is terminal.

This statement is true.

100. A reservoir is where an infectious agent dies.

This statement is false. A reservoir is where the infectious agent grows.