Sample Questions and Answers
A patient reports dizziness when standing up. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
b. Assess for orthostatic hypotension
c. Educate the patient on proper hydration
d. Administer antihypertensive medication
Answer: b. Assess for orthostatic hypotension
Which of the following interventions is the most effective to prevent patient falls in a healthcare setting?
Encourage patients to call for assistance when needed
b. Use bed alarms for all patients
c. Place high-risk patients near the nursing station
d. Ensure the floor is dry and free of clutter
Answer: d. Ensure the floor is dry and free of clutter
What is the safest way to transfer a patient with left-sided weakness from the bed to a wheelchair?
Place the wheelchair on the patient’s left side
b. Position the wheelchair on the patient’s right side
c. Lift the patient without assistance
d. Use a mechanical lift for all transfers
Answer: b. Position the wheelchair on the patient’s right side
A patient with a high fall risk refuses to stay in bed. What is the nurse’s best response?
Restrain the patient to ensure safety
b. Assign a sitter for close observation
c. Place the patient in a room with no furniture
d. Administer sedative medication
Answer: b. Assign a sitter for close observation
To ensure patient safety, which of the following should be included in a bedside safety checklist?
Properly functioning call light
b. Adequate lighting in the room
c. Bed in the lowest position with brakes locked
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
A patient on anticoagulant therapy falls. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
Call the physician immediately
b. Assess for signs of bleeding or head injury
c. Administer a reversal agent
d. Monitor vital signs every hour
Answer: b. Assess for signs of bleeding or head injury
During medication administration, the nurse notices a discrepancy in the physician’s order. What should the nurse do?
Administer the medication as prescribed
b. Notify the charge nurse immediately
c. Contact the physician for clarification
d. Document the discrepancy without taking action
Answer: c. Contact the physician for clarification
When using restraints, what is the priority nursing intervention?
Ensure the restraints are tight to prevent movement
b. Perform a skin assessment every shift
c. Release the restraints every 2 hours to assess circulation
d. Obtain a family member’s consent before applying
Answer: c. Release the restraints every 2 hours to assess circulation
A nurse observes a colleague not washing hands before patient care. What is the appropriate response?
Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict
b. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the colleague privately
c. Report the colleague to the hospital administration
d. Write an anonymous complaint to the supervisor
Answer: b. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the colleague privately
To reduce the risk of medication errors, which of the following is essential?
Using the five rights of medication administration
b. Administering medications at the same time daily
c. Preparing medications in advance
d. Asking another nurse to double-check all medications
Answer: a. Using the five rights of medication administration
Which of the following best reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
Wearing sterile gloves for all patient interactions
b. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
c. Administering prophylactic antibiotics to all patients
d. Isolating all patients with chronic conditions
Answer: b. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient care
A patient with confusion attempts to pull out their IV line. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Apply wrist restraints
b. Redirect the patient’s attention
c. Remove the IV line immediately
d. Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: b. Redirect the patient’s attention
Before assisting a patient out of bed, the nurse notices the patient is drowsy from medication. What is the most appropriate action?
Assist the patient to the bathroom quickly
b. Allow the patient more time to rest
c. Provide support and use a gait belt for ambulation
d. Encourage the patient to move independently
Answer: c. Provide support and use a gait belt for ambulation
A nurse is reviewing the care plan for a patient at risk for pressure ulcers. Which intervention is most appropriate?
Place the patient in a high Fowler’s position continuously
b. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
c. Massage bony prominences to improve circulation
d. Avoid using a support surface mattress
Answer: b. Reposition the patient every 2 hours
When preparing to administer a high-alert medication, what is the nurse’s best action to ensure safety?
Administer the medication without interruptions
b. Consult with a pharmacist for dosing instructions
c. Perform an independent double-check with another nurse
d. Prepare the medication at the bedside
Answer: c. Perform an independent double-check with another nurse
During patient discharge, the nurse notices the patient has difficulty understanding medication instructions. What is the best action?
Provide written instructions only
b. Call the physician to explain the medications
c. Use the teach-back method to confirm understanding
d. Refer the patient to a pharmacist for further clarification
Answer: c. Use the teach-back method to confirm understanding
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of falls. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education?
“I will use the call light when I need to get up.”
b. “I can walk to the bathroom without help if I feel fine.”
c. “I should wear non-slip socks when walking.”
d. “I should keep items within easy reach.”
Answer: b. “I can walk to the bathroom without help if I feel fine.”
Which intervention should the nurse implement for a patient at risk of aspiration during feeding?
Offer liquids with a straw
b. Position the patient in a supine position
c. Ensure the patient remains upright during and after meals
d. Administer all food and fluids via a feeding tube
Answer: c. Ensure the patient remains upright during and after meals
When delegating patient care tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), what should the nurse consider?
The UAP’s workload
b. The UAP’s level of training and competency
c. The patient’s level of insurance coverage
d. The complexity of the nurse’s other patients
Answer: b. The UAP’s level of training and competency
Which of the following practices reduces the risk of medication errors?
Using abbreviations for medication orders
b. Relying solely on memory for patient allergies
c. Verifying patient identity using two identifiers
d. Combining multiple medications in one syringe
Answer: c. Verifying patient identity using two identifiers
A nurse is working with a patient with limited mobility. What is the priority intervention to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Encourage fluid intake
b. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
c. Perform a head-to-toe assessment daily
d. Limit physical activity to prevent fatigue
Answer: b. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
When using a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR), how can the nurse ensure patient confidentiality?
Share the password with trusted coworkers
b. Log out immediately after using the EMR
c. Access the EMR from any public device
d. Print all records for reference
Answer: b. Log out immediately after using the EMR
Which of the following is a key principle of effective handoff communication during a shift change?
Discussing the patient’s diagnosis only
b. Using a standardized handoff tool such as SBAR
c. Limiting the discussion to high-priority patients
d. Sharing only written notes
Answer: b. Using a standardized handoff tool such as SBAR
A patient with a latex allergy is scheduled for surgery. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Notify the dietary team to avoid latex in meals
b. Use only non-latex gloves and equipment
c. Administer antihistamines before surgery
d. Schedule the surgery as the last case of the day
Answer: b. Use only non-latex gloves and equipment
What is the primary purpose of using side rails on a hospital bed?
To prevent patients from getting out of bed
b. To enhance patient comfort during sleep
c. To assist with patient repositioning
d. To reduce the risk of patient falls
Answer: d. To reduce the risk of patient falls
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a patient. What is the best way to ensure correct dosing?
Use a tuberculin syringe
b. Verify the dosage with another licensed nurse
c. Estimate the dose based on prior administration
d. Shake the insulin vial thoroughly
Answer: b. Verify the dosage with another licensed nurse
A patient reports feeling pain at the IV insertion site. What is the nurse’s first action?
Flush the IV line with normal saline
b. Assess the IV site for signs of infiltration or phlebitis
c. Increase the IV infusion rate
d. Remove the IV catheter immediately
Answer: b. Assess the IV site for signs of infiltration or phlebitis
During a fire in a healthcare facility, what is the nurse’s priority action?
Contain the fire by closing all doors
b. Activate the fire alarm system
c. Rescue patients in immediate danger
d. Extinguish the fire if it is small
Answer: c. Rescue patients in immediate danger
Which of the following is a safe practice for preventing needlestick injuries?
Recap needles using both hands
b. Dispose of needles in sharps containers immediately after use
c. Break the needle before disposal
d. Reuse needles if no contamination occurred
Answer: b. Dispose of needles in sharps containers immediately after use
When lifting a heavy object, what is the nurse’s best action to prevent injury?
Bend at the waist to reach the object
b. Keep the object close to the body while lifting
c. Use a twisting motion to lift the object
d. Lift with the arms while keeping the legs straight
Answer: b. Keep the object close to the body while lifting
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of falls. Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?
Complete a fall-risk assessment.
b. Educate the patient about fall prevention.
c. Place a fall-risk identification bracelet on the patient.
d. Ensure the bed is in the lowest position.
Answer: a. Complete a fall-risk assessment.
Rationale: Conducting a fall-risk assessment is the first step in identifying specific risk factors and implementing appropriate interventions to prevent falls.
When caring for a patient with a known latex allergy, which of the following precautions should the nurse take?
Use latex gloves to prevent contamination.
b. Place a latex allergy alert sign on the patient’s door.
c. Avoid using any plastic equipment.
d. Administer prophylactic antihistamines.
Answer: b. Place a latex allergy alert sign on the patient’s door.
Rationale: Clearly indicating the patient’s latex allergy helps ensure all healthcare providers take necessary precautions to avoid latex exposure.
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about fire safety. Which of the following instructions should be included regarding what to do if a child’s clothing catches fire?
Have the child run to a safe area.
b. Instruct the child to stop, drop, and roll.
c. Pour water over the child immediately.
d. Remove the burning clothing quickly.
Answer: b. Instruct the child to stop, drop, and roll.
Rationale: Teaching children to stop, drop, and roll helps extinguish flames and reduces injury if their clothing catches fire.
In the event of a chemical spill in a healthcare facility, what is the nurse’s immediate priority?
Evacuate all patients from the unit.
b. Contain the spill to prevent further exposure.
c. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
d. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Answer: d. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Rationale: Wearing appropriate PPE protects the nurse from exposure, allowing safe management of the chemical spill.
A patient is on contact precautions for a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO). Which action by the nurse indicates proper adherence to these precautions?
Wearing a mask when entering the patient’s room.
b. Using an N95 respirator for all patient interactions.
c. Donning gloves and gown before entering the room.
d. Keeping the door to the patient’s room open at all times.
Answer: c. Donning gloves and gown before entering the room.
Rationale: Contact precautions require wearing gloves and a gown to prevent the spread of MDROs.
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