RN Fundamentals 2016 70 Questions: Your Complete Preparation Guide
Preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam is one of the most important steps in becoming a registered nurse. A key part of this journey is mastering the foundational principles of nursing care. The RN Fundamentals 2016 70 Questions resource offers a focused way to test your understanding and strengthen your confidence before sitting for the exam. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use these 70 questions effectively, what topics they cover, and why they’re crucial for anyone preparing for the NCLEX-RN.
Understanding RN Fundamentals
Before jumping into practice questions, it’s essential to know what “RN Fundamentals” actually means. In nursing, “fundamentals” refers to the basic principles of patient care that every nurse must know. This includes safety, hygiene, infection control, communication, documentation, and basic clinical decision-making.
These foundational concepts are often tested early in nursing school and heavily emphasized on the NCLEX-RN. Without a strong grasp of them, it’s difficult to move confidently into more complex areas like pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, or pediatric care.
Why Focus on 2016 Questions?
You might wonder why there is emphasis on “RN Fundamentals 2016 70 Questions” specifically. The year 2016 marked a period when many nursing programs updated their practice materials to align with evolving NCLEX-RN standards. The 70-question format provides a manageable yet comprehensive approach, allowing students to evaluate their readiness across a range of core topics.
Though the NCLEX has changed slightly over time, the fundamental concepts remain largely consistent. So these questions are still highly relevant and useful for practice.
What the 70 Questions Typically Cover
These 70 practice questions are usually selected to touch on every major area of fundamental nursing knowledge. While each set might vary depending on the publisher or educator, here are some of the major categories generally included:
1. Basic Nursing Skills
- Vital signs monitoring
- Personal hygiene and patient comfort
- Intake and output measurement
- Assisting with mobility
2. Infection Control
- Hand hygiene practices
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Isolation precautions
- Sterile field maintenance
3. Safety and Patient Protection
- Fall prevention
- Medication safety
- Identifying safety hazards in the environment
- Emergency response basics
4. Communication
- Therapeutic communication techniques
- Patient education
- Working with families
- Collaborating with healthcare teams
5. Documentation
- Charting basics
- Legal guidelines
- Confidentiality (HIPAA)
- Electronic health records (EHR)
6. Ethical and Legal Responsibilities
- Informed consent
- Scope of practice
- Reporting obligations
- Advocacy
7. Nursing Process
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
How to Approach the 70 Questions Effectively
Simply answering the questions isn’t enough—you need a strategy to make your practice truly effective. Here’s a structured way to use these 70 questions to your advantage.
Review First, Answer Later
Before attempting the questions, spend some time reviewing your nursing fundamentals textbook or lecture notes. A solid refresher helps improve accuracy and reduces guesswork.
Simulate the Exam Environment
Try to answer all 70 questions in one sitting. Avoid distractions and time yourself. This mimics the pressure of the real NCLEX and builds your test-taking stamina.
Reflect on Each Question
After completing the set, go back through each question—especially the ones you got wrong. Ask yourself why the correct answer is right and why the others are wrong. This critical thinking process is where real learning happens.
Take Notes on Weak Areas
Keep a journal or notebook of topics you struggled with. Did you miss questions on infection control? Were legal terms confusing? Use this record to guide your next study session.
Sample Practice Questions Breakdown
While we can’t include the full 70 questions here, let’s look at three sample-style questions that represent the kinds of problems you might encounter in the 2016 set.
Question 1:
A nurse is preparing to give a bed bath to a patient who is immobile. Which action is most appropriate to promote skin integrity?
A) Use hot water to remove bacteria
B) Rub vigorously to improve circulation
C) Pat skin dry gently after rinsing
D) Avoid using soap to reduce irritation
Answer: C
Patting the skin dry helps avoid friction that could lead to skin breakdown.
Question 2:
A client with suspected tuberculosis is admitted. Which precaution should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions only
B) Airborne precautions with negative-pressure room
C) Droplet precautions and gown
D) Standard precautions only
Answer: B
Airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room, are required for TB.
Question 3:
Which action demonstrates effective use of therapeutic communication?
A) “You should not feel that way.”
B) “Everything will be fine; don’t worry.”
C) “Can you tell me more about what’s bothering you?”
D) “Let’s talk about something happier.”
Answer: C
Open-ended questions invite the patient to express themselves and build trust.
Benefits of Practicing the RN Fundamentals 2016 Questions
Reinforces Core Knowledge
By regularly reviewing these questions, you strengthen your foundation. This helps not just with the NCLEX-RN but in clinical practice too.
Builds Test-Taking Confidence
Many students fear standardized tests. Practice questions simulate the testing experience and help reduce anxiety.
Reveals Knowledge Gaps
You won’t know what you don’t know until you test yourself. These questions make gaps visible early enough to address them.
Promotes Critical Thinking
The NCLEX doesn’t just test memorization—it requires you to think like a nurse. Well-designed questions encourage you to analyze scenarios and make smart clinical decisions.
How Often to Use These Questions
Consistency is key. You don’t have to do all 70 questions every day. Instead:
- Do 10–15 questions daily for two weeks
- Schedule full practice sessions twice a week
- Review missed answers carefully
- Re-test your weak areas after 7–10 days
This spaced repetition model is proven to improve long-term retention.
Mastering RN Fundamentals
The RN Fundamentals 2016 70 Questions set is more than just a quiz—it’s a powerful learning tool. It represents a focused snapshot of essential nursing knowledge. Used strategically, it can sharpen your skills, boost your confidence, and move you closer to becoming a licensed registered nurse.
Passing the NCLEX-RN starts with mastering the fundamentals. By incorporating these practice questions into your study routine, you ensure that you’re not just memorizing facts—you’re learning how to think, act, and care like a nurse.