Basic Nursing Questions and Answers: Take the Nursing Quiz

1. Which method is commonly used to measure blood pressure?

Sphygmomanometer

Thermometer

Pulse oximeter

ECG machine

A sphygmomanometer is commonly used to measure blood pressure, ensuring accurate systolic and diastolic readings. This device consists of an inflatable cuff that is placed around the upper arm, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure within the cuff, and a stethoscope to listen for the sound of blood flow. The results obtained from a sphygmomanometer are crucial in diagnosing and managing hypertension.

Explanation

A sphygmomanometer is commonly used to measure blood pressure, ensuring accurate systolic and diastolic readings. This device consists of an inflatable cuff that is placed around the upper arm, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure within the cuff, and a stethoscope to listen for the sound of blood flow. The results obtained from a sphygmomanometer are crucial in diagnosing and managing hypertension.

2. What is the best way to ensure patient identification before medication administration?

Checking the patient’s ID band

Asking a family member

Verifying with the nurse on duty

Observing the patient’s behavior

Checking the patient’s ID band is the best way to ensure proper identification before administering medication. This step helps prevent medication errors and ensures that the right patient receives the right treatment. It is important to verify the patient's identity using at least two unique identifiers before proceeding with any medical interventions.

Explanation

Checking the patient’s ID band is the best way to ensure proper identification before administering medication. This step helps prevent medication errors and ensures that the right patient receives the right treatment. It is important to verify the patient's identity using at least two unique identifiers before proceeding with any medical interventions.

3. Which route is used for the fastest drug absorption?

Intravenous

Oral

Subcutaneous

Intramuscular

The intravenous route is used for the fastest drug absorption as it delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. This method is often preferred in emergency situations when immediate effects are needed. Additionally, intravenous administration allows for precise control over the dosage of medication given to the patient. It is also commonly used for patients who are unable to take medications orally. Intravenous administration bypasses the digestive system, ensuring that the full dose of medication reaches the bloodstream quickly and efficiently.

Explanation

The intravenous route is used for the fastest drug absorption as it delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. This method is often preferred in emergency situations when immediate effects are needed. Additionally, intravenous administration allows for precise control over the dosage of medication given to the patient. It is also commonly used for patients who are unable to take medications orally. Intravenous administration bypasses the digestive system, ensuring that the full dose of medication reaches the bloodstream quickly and efficiently.

4. What needs of a patient does a nurse address?

Physical

Emotional

Mental

All of the above

Nurses address a patient's physical needs through medical care, administer emotional support to alleviate stress, and attend to mental well-being by considering cognitive aspects. Their holistic approach ensures comprehensive care, fostering overall health and recovery for individuals under their supervision.

Explanation

Nurses address a patient's physical needs through medical care, administer emotional support to alleviate stress, and attend to mental well-being by considering cognitive aspects. Their holistic approach ensures comprehensive care, fostering overall health and recovery for individuals under their supervision.

5. What is the normal body temperature in Celsius?

36.5–37.5

35.5–36.5

38.0–39.0

37.5–38.5

The normal body temperature in Celsius is 36.5–37.5. It represents the healthy range for most individuals. Maintaining a stable body temperature is crucial for overall health and proper bodily functions. Fluctuations outside of this range may indicate an underlying health issue that should be addressed by a medical professional. It is important to monitor changes in body temperature and seek medical attention if there are any concerns. Additionally, staying hydrated and dressing appropriately for the weather can help regulate body temperature.

Explanation

The normal body temperature in Celsius is 36.5–37.5. It represents the healthy range for most individuals. Maintaining a stable body temperature is crucial for overall health and proper bodily functions. Fluctuations outside of this range may indicate an underlying health issue that should be addressed by a medical professional. It is important to monitor changes in body temperature and seek medical attention if there are any concerns. Additionally, staying hydrated and dressing appropriately for the weather can help regulate body temperature.

6. Which position is ideal for a patient in respiratory distress?

Fowler’s

Supine

Prone

Lateral

Fowler’s position is ideal for a patient in respiratory distress as it promotes better lung expansion. This position involves the patient sitting upright at a 45-60 degree angle, which helps to improve oxygenation and ease breathing. It is commonly used in emergency situations such as asthma attacks or heart failure exacerbations. In addition to improving oxygenation and ease of breathing, Fowler's position also helps reduce the risk of aspiration. This position is also beneficial for patients experiencing chest pain or difficulty swallowing.

Explanation

Fowler’s position is ideal for a patient in respiratory distress as it promotes better lung expansion. This position involves the patient sitting upright at a 45-60 degree angle, which helps to improve oxygenation and ease breathing. It is commonly used in emergency situations such as asthma attacks or heart failure exacerbations. In addition to improving oxygenation and ease of breathing, Fowler's position also helps reduce the risk of aspiration. This position is also beneficial for patients experiencing chest pain or difficulty swallowing.

7. An HIV/AIDS-positive new mother is the nurse's patient. The student questions the nurse about the methods other than a positive HIV test that are used to diagnose AIDS. The nurse answers:

"The complaints of at least 3 common findings."

"The absence of any opportunistic infection."

"CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200."

"Developmental delays in children."

The correct answer is C: "CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200." CD4 lymphocyte counts are normally 600 to 1000. In 1993 the Center for Disease Control defined AIDS as having a positive HIV plus one of these – the presence of an opportunistic infection or a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 200.

Explanation

The correct answer is C: "CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200." CD4 lymphocyte counts are normally 600 to 1000. In 1993 the Center for Disease Control defined AIDS as having a positive HIV plus one of these – the presence of an opportunistic infection or a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 200.

8. Which of these is an example of a variation in the newborn resulting from the presence of maternal hormones?

Engorgement of the breasts.

Mongolian spots.

Edema of the scrotum.

Lanugo.

Engorgement of the breasts is an example of a variation in the newborn resulting from the presence of maternal hormones. During pregnancy, maternal hormones stimulate the development of the mammary glands in the fetus. After birth, the sudden withdrawal of these hormones can lead to breast engorgement in both male and female infants. This is a temporary and normal variation that typically resolves on its own as the infant's body adjusts to the postnatal environment.

Explanation

Engorgement of the breasts is an example of a variation in the newborn resulting from the presence of maternal hormones. During pregnancy, maternal hormones stimulate the development of the mammary glands in the fetus. After birth, the sudden withdrawal of these hormones can lead to breast engorgement in both male and female infants. This is a temporary and normal variation that typically resolves on its own as the infant's body adjusts to the postnatal environment.

9. A client has developed thrombophlebitis of the left leg. What is the most important nursing intervention to prioritize?

Elevate leg on 2 pillows.

Apply support stockings.

Apply warm compress.

Maintain complete bed rest.

Elevating the leg on two pillows is a nursing intervention commonly used to manage thrombophlebitis. By elevating the leg, the goal is to reduce swelling and enhance venous return, helping to alleviate symptoms and promote healing. This position aids in preventing stasis of blood in the affected leg and may contribute to overall comfort.

Explanation

Elevating the leg on two pillows is a nursing intervention commonly used to manage thrombophlebitis. By elevating the leg, the goal is to reduce swelling and enhance venous return, helping to alleviate symptoms and promote healing. This position aids in preventing stasis of blood in the affected leg and may contribute to overall comfort.

10. A nurse evaluating a special needs 2-year-old in a clinic should stress which goal when talking to the child's mother?

Teaching the child self care skills

Preparing for independent toileting

Promoting the child's optimal development

Helping the family decide on long term care

Promoting optimal development is a key focus in the care of special needs children. This involves addressing the child's individual needs, milestones, and abilities, and providing interventions and support to maximize their overall development. While aspects of self-care skills and toileting may be part of the child's development plan, the overarching goal is to ensure the child reaches their highest potential in all aspects of growth and development.

Explanation

Promoting optimal development is a key focus in the care of special needs children. This involves addressing the child's individual needs, milestones, and abilities, and providing interventions and support to maximize their overall development. While aspects of self-care skills and toileting may be part of the child's development plan, the overarching goal is to ensure the child reaches their highest potential in all aspects of growth and development.

11. The nurse is reviewing a depressed client's history from an earlier admission. Documentation of anhedonia is noted. The nurse understands that this finding refers to:

Reports of difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Expression of persistent suicidal thoughts.

Lack of enjoyment in usual pleasures.

Reduced senses of taste and smell.

Anhedonia is a key symptom of depression and is characterized by a diminished ability to experience pleasure or interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. It can affect various aspects of life, including hobbies, social interactions, and other activities that used to bring joy. The other options, such as difficulty sleeping, persistent suicidal thoughts, and reduced senses of taste and smell, are associated with depression but do not specifically represent anhedonia.

Explanation

Anhedonia is a key symptom of depression and is characterized by a diminished ability to experience pleasure or interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. It can affect various aspects of life, including hobbies, social interactions, and other activities that used to bring joy. The other options, such as difficulty sleeping, persistent suicidal thoughts, and reduced senses of taste and smell, are associated with depression but do not specifically represent anhedonia.

12. The nurse is caring for a client in the coronary care unit. The display on the cardiac monitor indicates ventricular fibrillation. What ought to be done first by the nurse?

Perform defibrillation.

Administer epinephrine as ordered.

Assess for the presence of pulse.

Institute CPR.

The correct answer is C: Assess for presence of pulse
Artifact can mimic ventricular fibrillation on a cardiac monitor. If the client is truly in ventricular fibrillation, no pulse will be present. The standard of care is to verify the monitor display with an assessment of the client’s pulse.

Explanation

The correct answer is C: Assess for presence of pulse
Artifact can mimic ventricular fibrillation on a cardiac monitor. If the client is truly in ventricular fibrillation, no pulse will be present. The standard of care is to verify the monitor display with an assessment of the client’s pulse.

13. While assessing a client in an outpatient facility with a panic disorder, the nurse completes a thorough health history and physical exam. Which finding is most significant for this client?

Compulsive behavior.

Sense of impending doom.

Fear of flying.

Predictable episodes.

A sense of impending doom is a common and characteristic symptom of panic attacks in individuals with panic disorder. It is often described as an overwhelming feeling of fear, apprehension, or impending catastrophe. This symptom distinguishes panic disorder from other anxiety disorders. Compulsive behavior, fear of flying, and predictable episodes may be associated with other anxiety disorders but are not as specific to panic disorder.

Explanation

A sense of impending doom is a common and characteristic symptom of panic attacks in individuals with panic disorder. It is often described as an overwhelming feeling of fear, apprehension, or impending catastrophe. This symptom distinguishes panic disorder from other anxiety disorders. Compulsive behavior, fear of flying, and predictable episodes may be associated with other anxiety disorders but are not as specific to panic disorder.

14. The nurse is planning care for a client with pneumococcal pneumonia. Which of the following would be most effective in removing respiratory secretions?

Administration of cough suppressants.

Increasing oral fluid intake to 3000 cc per day

Maintaining bed rest with bathroom privileges

None of the above

Increasing oral fluid intake to 3000 cc per day is a reasonable and supportive intervention for a client with pneumococcal pneumonia. Adequate hydration helps to thin respiratory secretions, making them easier to mobilize and clear. While chest physiotherapy is a more direct method for removing secretions, promoting hydration is a valuable complementary measure. It is essential to consider a holistic approach to care, combining strategies that support both hydration and respiratory clearance for optimal outcomes in pneumonia management.

Explanation

Increasing oral fluid intake to 3000 cc per day is a reasonable and supportive intervention for a client with pneumococcal pneumonia. Adequate hydration helps to thin respiratory secretions, making them easier to mobilize and clear. While chest physiotherapy is a more direct method for removing secretions, promoting hydration is a valuable complementary measure. It is essential to consider a holistic approach to care, combining strategies that support both hydration and respiratory clearance for optimal outcomes in pneumonia management.

15. The nursing care plan for a client with decreased adrenal function should include

Encouraging activity.

Placing client in reverse isolation.

Limiting visitors.

Measures to prevent constipation.

For a client with decreased adrenal function, such as in Addison's disease or secondary adrenal insufficiency, the nursing care plan should include measures to prevent constipation. Decreased adrenal function can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including a sluggish bowel due to reduced cortisol levels, which can necessitate measures to promote regular bowel movements.

Explanation

For a client with decreased adrenal function, such as in Addison's disease or secondary adrenal insufficiency, the nursing care plan should include measures to prevent constipation. Decreased adrenal function can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including a sluggish bowel due to reduced cortisol levels, which can necessitate measures to promote regular bowel movements.

Basic Nursing Quiz: Questions And Answers