Fundamentals of Nursing is where many NORCET questions start: normal values, angles, positions, devices and safety rules. These are quick marks if you know them cold, and easy to lose if you mix them up. This NORCET fundamentals of nursing revision collects the high-yield points in tables, then tests you with 10 practice MCQs.
This NORCET fundamentals of nursing revision matches Weeks 2–3 of our NORCET 12 study plan. Values in this guide are standard adult values from nursing textbooks; always follow your hospital’s protocol in practice.
Table of Contents
Vital signs: normal adult values
| Vital sign | Normal adult range | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature (oral) | About 36.5–37.5 °C | Rectal reads higher, axillary lower |
| Pulse | 60–100 beats/min | Below 60 bradycardia; above 100 tachycardia |
| Respiration | 12–20 breaths/min | Count for a full minute if irregular |
| Blood pressure | Below 120/80 mmHg is normal | Pulse pressure = systolic − diastolic |
| SpO2 | 95–100% | Check probe position and perfusion |
The apical pulse is heard at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line. A pulse deficit is the apical rate minus the radial rate, counted at the same time. Revise the steps in our vital signs procedure guide.
Injections: angles and sites
| Route | Needle angle | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Intradermal (ID) | 10–15° | Raises a small bleb; used for sensitivity and Mantoux tests |
| Subcutaneous (SC) | 45° (90° if enough tissue can be pinched) | Insulin and heparin are given SC |
| Intramuscular (IM) | 90° | Z-track technique stops leakage of irritant drugs |
| Intravenous (IV) | About 15–25° for cannulation | Check patency before giving drugs |
- Ventrogluteal is the preferred IM site for most adults: deep muscle, away from major nerves and vessels.
- Vastus lateralis is the preferred IM site for infants.
- Deltoid takes only small volumes, usually up to about 1 mL, and is used for many vaccines.
Patient positions
| Position | What it is | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Fowler’s | Head of bed raised about 45–60° | Breathing difficulty, feeding |
| Semi-Fowler’s | About 30–45° | After many surgeries, tube feeding |
| High Fowler’s | About 60–90° | Severe breathlessness |
| Left lateral (Sims’) | On the left side, upper knee flexed | Enema, rectal examination |
| Lithotomy | On back, legs raised in stirrups | Vaginal examination, delivery, perineal procedures |
| Dorsal recumbent | On back, knees flexed, feet flat | Female catheterisation, abdominal examination |
| Prone | Lying face down | Back examination, some respiratory care |
More detail: body alignment and patient positioning and complications of immobility.
Oxygen delivery devices
| Device | Usual flow | Approximate oxygen delivered |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal cannula | 1–6 L/min | About 24–44% |
| Simple face mask | 5–10 L/min | About 40–60% |
| Non-rebreather mask | 10–15 L/min | Highest of these; reservoir bag must stay inflated |
| Venturi mask | As marked on the valve | Fixed, precise percentage (e.g. 24%, 28%) |
A Venturi mask is the usual choice when an exact oxygen percentage is needed, for example in COPD.
Tubes and catheters
- Nasogastric tube length: measure nose tip → earlobe → xiphisternum (NEX).
- NG placement check: X-ray is the most reliable method; checking the pH of aspirate is common at the bedside. Do not rely on the “whoosh” test.
- Urinary catheter insertion: about 5–7.5 cm in females and 17–22.5 cm in males, until urine flows.
- Specimens: see our guide to urine specimen collection.
Infection control and biomedical waste
- WHO hand hygiene: hand washing takes 40–60 seconds; alcohol hand rub takes 20–30 seconds.
- WHO’s 5 moments: before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body-fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching patient surroundings.
- Autoclave: commonly 121 °C at 15 psi for 15–20 minutes.
| BMW colour (BMW Rules 2016) | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Anatomical waste, soiled dressings, expired medicines, chemical waste |
| Red | Contaminated recyclable plastics: tubing, catheters, IV sets, gloves |
| White (translucent, puncture-proof) | Sharps: needles, blades |
| Blue | Glassware and metallic body implants |
Full notes: biomedical waste management, PPE donning and doffing and the infection control unit.
Pressure injuries and the Braden scale
| Stage | What you see |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Intact skin with redness that does not blanch |
| Stage 2 | Partial-thickness skin loss; dermis exposed |
| Stage 3 | Full-thickness skin loss; fat may be visible |
| Stage 4 | Full-thickness skin and tissue loss; bone, tendon or muscle exposed |
| Unstageable | Base hidden by slough or eschar |
Staging follows the revised NPIAP pressure injury staging system. On the Braden scale, scores range from 6 to 23; a score of 18 or below means the patient is at risk.
Glasgow Coma Scale and blood transfusion
- GCS: eye opening 1–4, verbal 1–5, motor 1–6. Total 3 (lowest) to 15 (normal). A score of 8 or less signals severe impairment.
- Transfusion: use 0.9% sodium chloride only in the line, a blood set with a filter, and stay with the patient for the first 15 minutes.
- Timing: a unit of red cells is usually completed within 4 hours of starting.
- Reaction: stop the transfusion, keep the line open with saline, inform the doctor and blood bank, and document.
Write every finding clearly; see nursing documentation methods.
NORCET fundamentals of nursing practice MCQs
Try each NORCET fundamentals of nursing question first, then open the answer.
1. The preferred intramuscular site for most adults, with the lowest risk of nerve injury, is: (a) dorsogluteal (b) deltoid (c) ventrogluteal (d) rectus femoris
Show answer 1
(c) Ventrogluteal. It is deep and away from the sciatic nerve and major vessels.
2. The needle angle for an intradermal injection is: (a) 10–15° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
Show answer 2
(a) 10–15°, with the bevel up, to raise a bleb.
3. The best position for giving an enema is: (a) right lateral (b) left lateral (Sims’) (c) prone (d) Fowler’s
Show answer 3
(b) Left lateral. Fluid flows along the natural path of the sigmoid colon.
4. On the Braden scale, a patient is considered at risk of pressure injury at a score of: (a) 23 (b) 21 (c) 18 or below (d) only below 6
Show answer 4
(c) 18 or below. Lower scores mean higher risk.
5. The lowest possible Glasgow Coma Scale score is: (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 3 (d) 5
Show answer 5
(c) 3. Each of the three parts scores at least 1.
6. Under the BMW Rules 2016, used needles go into the: (a) yellow bag (b) red bag (c) white translucent puncture-proof container (d) blue box
Show answer 6
(c) White translucent, puncture-proof container for sharps.
7. The only IV fluid that should run with blood in the same line is: (a) 5% dextrose (b) Ringer’s lactate (c) 0.9% sodium chloride (d) 0.45% sodium chloride
Show answer 7
(c) 0.9% sodium chloride. Dextrose can damage red cells, and the calcium in Ringer’s lactate can cause clotting.
8. The usual oxygen flow for a non-rebreather mask is: (a) 1–2 L/min (b) 2–4 L/min (c) 5–6 L/min (d) 10–15 L/min
Show answer 8
(d) 10–15 L/min, enough to keep the reservoir bag inflated.
9. The apical pulse is best heard at the: (a) 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border (b) 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line (c) 4th intercostal space, right midaxillary line (d) suprasternal notch
Show answer 9
(b) 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line, over the apex of the heart.
10. WHO’s recommended duration for hand washing with soap and water is: (a) 5–10 seconds (b) 15 seconds (c) 40–60 seconds (d) 2 minutes
Show answer 10
(c) 40–60 seconds. An alcohol hand rub takes 20–30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How important is Fundamentals of Nursing for NORCET?
It is one of the core nursing subjects in NORCET. Many questions test basic values, procedures and safety rules, so it rewards careful revision.
How should I revise Fundamentals of Nursing for NORCET?
Learn values and angles as tables, practise topic-wise MCQs daily, and keep an error notebook. Our NORCET 12 study plan gives this subject Weeks 2 and 3.
Which IM site is safest for adults?
The ventrogluteal site is preferred for most adults because it is deep and away from major nerves and vessels.
What is the Braden scale cut-off for risk?
A Braden score of 18 or below indicates risk of pressure injury.
After this NORCET fundamentals of nursing revision, the next part of the series covers cardiovascular nursing high-yield points. Keep practising daily and add every wrong answer to your error notebook.
Educational Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only, aimed at students and faculty in Nursing, Medical, Paramedical, and allied Health Science programmes. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and must not replace guidance from a qualified physician, nurse, or licensed healthcare professional.
While we review all content carefully and align it with recognised syllabi (INC, RGUHS, state nursing councils), medical knowledge evolves rapidly. Always verify clinical procedures, drug doses, and protocols against your institution's current guidelines before applying them in patient care.
For complete terms, see our Disclaimer. Found an error? Let us know.
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