Fundamentals Practice Exam A

A nurse is caring for a client who has an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The provider briefly discusses treatment options and leaves the client's room. When the nurse asks if the client would like to discuss any concerns, the client declines. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"I am available to talk if you should change your mind."

A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is at the end of life. The nurse should recognize that which of the following statements by the client's partner indicates effective coping ?

"I am relying on support from our family during this time." This statement indicates effective coping because the partner is relying on others in the family for support during a time of crisis.

A client who is postop is verbalizing pain as a 2 on a pain scale of 0-10. The nurse understands that the preop teaching regarding pain control has been effective when the client states which of the following?

"It might help me to listen to music while I'm lying in bed." Listening to music is an effective nonpharmacological intervention for the management of mild pain.

A nurse is caring for a client who asks about the purpose of the advance directives. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

"They indicate the form of treatment a client is willing to accept in the event of a serious illness." Explanation: Advance directives include a living will, which permits clients to direct the treatment they will receive in the event of a medical emergency or serious illness.

A nurse manager is preparing to review medication documentation with a group of newly licensed nurses. Which of the following statements should the nurse manager plan to include in the teaching?

"Use the complete name of the medication magnesium sulfate." The Institute for Safe Medication Practices designates that nurses and providers write the complete medication name for magnesium sulfate when documenting medications to avoid any misinterpretation of MgSO4 as MSO4, which means morphine sulfate.

a nurse is assessing an older adult client's risk for falls. Which of the following assessments should the nurse use to identify client's safety needs?

- pupil clarity - visual fields - visual acuity Explanation: Cloudy pupils mean that the client has cataracts. This makes vision cloudy and creates halos around lights, which can increase the risk for falls because clients cannot see items in their path clearly. The nurse should use a finger to test the client's peripheral vision by moving the finger out of range and then back into the visual field to determine when the client sees the finger. Clients who have a visual field impairment are at an increased risk for falls because they might not see objects outside of their central vision and trip over them or bump into them and fall. The nurse should use a Snellen chart to assess distance vision and a handheld card to assess near vision. Clients who wear eyeglasses should wear them during the assessments. Clients who have impaired visual acuity are at an increased risk for falls because they might not see objects in their path and trip over them or bump into them and fall.

A nurse is educating a client who has a terminal illness about declining resuscitation in a living will. The client asks, What would happen if I arrived at the emergency department and I had difficulty breathing? Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"We would give you oxygen through a tube in your nose." Explanation: Oxygen can provide comfort and is not considered a resuscitative measure when the nurse delivers it via nasal cannula.

A nurse is preparing to administer 750 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride IV to infuse over 7 hr. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round to the nearest whole number.

750 mL/7 hr = 107.1 mL/hr = 107 mL/hr Volume (mL)X mL/hr = Time (hr) 750 mLX mL/hr = 7 hr X mL/hr = 107.14 mL/hr

A nurse is performing a skin assessment for a client who expresses concern about skin cancer. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as potential indication of a skin malignancy?

A mole with an asymmetrical appearance Explanation: An uneven or asymmetrical shape is a potential indication of a skin malignancy. This is manifested when part of a lesion or mole looks different from the other part.

A nurse is assessing a client who has required bed rest for the past month. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client has developed thrombophlebitis?

Calf Swelling Explanation: Swelling, redness, and tenderness in a calf muscle are manifestations of thrombophlebitis, a common complication of immobility.

A nurse is assessing a client's readiness to learn about insulin self-administration. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client's ready to learn?

I can concentrate best in the morning." Explanation: The client's statement indicates a readiness to learn because he is verbalizing the best time for him to learn.

A nurse on a medical surgical unit is caring for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints Explanation: The use of restraints without padding can abrade the client's skin resulting in client injury

A nurse is evaluating a client's use of a cane. Which of the following actions should the nurse identify as an indication of correct use?

The client should hold the cane on the stronger side of her body to increase support and maintain alignment.

A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take to minimize the risk for injury to the client?

Use a bed exit alarm system. Explanation: The nurse should identify that a client who has dementia requires assistance when exiting their bed and might be unable to remember to ask for help. The client's condition places them at a risk for falling. A bed alarm system can alert staff members that the client is trying to get out of bed and requires assistance.

A nurse is teaching a client and his family how to care for the client's tracheostomy at home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Use tracheostomy covers when outdoors Explanation: The cover protects the client's airway from air, dust, and airborne particles

A nurse is caring for a client who has diarrhea due to shigella. Which of the following precautions should the nurse take?

Wear a gown The nurse should implement contact precautions for a client who has shigella to prevent the transmission of the bacteria. The nurse should wear a gown when providing care for a client who requires contact precautions due to the risk of contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces.

A nurse is administering 1 L of 0.9% sodium chloride to a client who is postoperative and has fluid-volume deficit. Which of the following changes should the nurse identify as an indication that the treatment was successful?

check the IV tubing for obstruction. The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client. If checking the IV tubing and verifying an obstruction, the nurse might be able to facilitate the flow of fluid through the tubing. This could re-establish the infusion rate the provider prescribed.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Abdominal cramping Explanation: This client has hyponatremia, which is a low sodium level. Manifestations include abdominal cramping, weakness, confusion, lethargy, headache, and nausea.

A nurse is caring for a client who has herpes zoster and asks the nurse about the use of complementary and alternative therapies for pain control. The nurse should inform the client that his condition is a contraindication for which of the following therapies?

Acupuncture The nurse should inform the client that herpes zoster, or any skin infection, is a contraindication for the use of acupuncture. An open portal on the skin's surface could increase the risk of further infection.

A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative. When the nurse prepares to change her dressings, she says, Everytime you change my bandage, it hurts so much. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority actions.

Administer pain medication 45 min before changing the client's dressing. The priority action the nurse should take when using Maslow's hierarchy of needs is to meet the client's physiological need for comfort and pain relief. Therefore, the priority intervention is to administer an analgesic 30 to 60 min before changing the client's dressing.

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client about self administering heparin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching.

Administer the medication into the abdomen. Explanation: The nurse should instruct the client to administer the medication into the abdomen at least 5.08 cm (2 in) from the umbilicus. The client should pinch or spread the skin at the injection site to administer the medication into the subcutaneous tissue.

A nurse is preparing an education program for staff about advocacy. Which of the following should the nurse include?

Advocacy ensures clients' safety, health, and rights. Explanation: As a client advocate, the nurse ensures clients' safety, health, and rights, including the right to privacy, confidentiality, and refusal of care.

a nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client. The nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage. A second nurse must witness the disposal of any portion of a dose of a controlled substance.

A nurse is planning care for a client who has had a stroke with severe aphasia and dysphagia. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to an assistive personnel?

Assist the client with a partial bed bath. Measure the client's BP after the nurse administers an antihypertensive medication. Use a communication board to ask what the client wants for lunch.

A nurse is responding to a call light and finds a client lying on the bathroom floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Check the client for injuries Explanations: The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is to assess the client for injuries.

A nurse is admitting a new client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while performing medication reconciliation.

Compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions. The nurse should compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions when performing medication reconciliation.

The nurse is admitting a client who has an abdominal wound with a large amount of purulent drainage. Which type of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?

Contact precautions Major wound infections require contact precautions, which means the nurse should admit the client to a private room. All caregivers should wear a gown and gloves during direct contact with patient)

A nurse is administering 1L of 0.9% sodium chloride to a client who is postoperative and has fluid-volume deficit. Which of the following changes should the nurse identify as an indication that the treatment was successful?

Decrease in heart rate explanation: Fluid volume deficit causes tachycardia. With correction of the imbalance, the heart rate should return to the expected range.

A nurse is caring for a postoperative adult client who refuses to use an incentive spirometer following major abdominal surgery. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?

Determine the reasons why the client is refusing to use the incentive spirometer. The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is to assess the client; therefore, the priority action for the nurse to take is to determine why the client is refusing the treatment.

A nurse is admitting a client who is having an exacerbation of heart failure. In planning this client's care, when should the nurse initiate discharge planning

During the admission process Explanation: Discharge planning should begin as soon as the client is undergoing the admission process. The nurse should begin to assess the client's needs and plan for care both during and after the client's time in the facility.

A nurse is assessing four adult clients. Which of the following physical assessment techniques should the nurse use?

Ensure the bladder of the blood pressure cuff surrounds 80% of the client's arm. The nurse should use a blood pressure cuff with a bladder that surrounds 80% of the client's arm circumference to give an accurate reading.

A nurse is caring for a client who requires an NG tube for stomach decompression. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when inserting the NG tube?

Have the client take sips of water to promote insertion of the NG tube into the esophagus. Explanation: Taking sips of water as the NG tube passes through the oropharynx will close the epiglottis over the trachea and prevent the tube from passing into the trachea.

A nurse is preparing to apply a dressing for a pt who has a stage 2 pressure injury. Which of the following types of dressing should the nurse use?

Hydrocolloid Hydrocolloid dressings promote healing in stage 2 pressure injuries by creating a moist wound bed.

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who will be using a walker. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

I will hire someone to trim the tree that hangs low over the stairs of my front porch. Explanation: Clearing stairs of any object that could cause the client to trip or require them to bend over while walking will decrease the risk for falls.

A nurse is assessing a client who reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask when assessing the quality of the client's pain.

Is your pain sharp or dull Explanation: This helps determine the quality of the pain. QRSTU

A nurse is talking with an older adult client who is contemplating retirement. The client states, "I keep thinking about how much I enjoy my job. I'm not sure if I want to retire." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Let's talk about how the change in your job status will affect you Explanation: This response is therapeutic because the nurse is encouraging the client to verbalize feelings about the life transition of retirement

A nurse is initiating a protective environment for a client who has had an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Which of the following precautions should the nurse plan for this client?

Make sure the client wears a mask when outside her room if there is construction in the area. explanation: An allogeneic stem cell transplant compromises the client's immune system, greatly increasing the risk for infection. The client will need protection from breathing in any pathogens in the environment.

A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative following knee arthroplasty and requires the use of thigh length sequential compression sleeves. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Make sure two fingers can fit under the sleeves. The nurse should ensure that there is enough space for two fingers to fit under the sleeve because any less space between the sleeves and the legs can inhibit circulation when the sleeves inflate.

A nurse is caring fro a client who is postoperative and has signs of hemorrhagic shock. when the nurse notifies the surgeon, he directs her to continue to take the client's vital signs every 15 min and call him back in 1 hr. from a legal perspective, which of the following actions should the nurse take next?

Notify the nurse manager The greatest risk to the client is not receiving timely intervention for a deterioration in physiological status; therefore, the next action the nurse should take is to activate the chain of command to ensure that the client receives the necessary care.

A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent the spread of infection?

Place a client who has tuberculosis in a room with negative-pressure airflow. A client who has tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include placing the client in a room that has negative-pressure airflow to reduce the risk of infection transmission.

A nurse is planning to insert a peripheral IV catheter for an older adult client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Place the client's arm in a dependent position. Explanation: The nurse should place the client's arm in a dependent position because the veins will dilate due to gravity.

A nurse is assessing a client's electrolyte status. Which of the following finding should the nurse report to the provider?

Potassium 5.4 mEq/L This value is above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, so the nurse should report this finding to the provider. This client is at risk for dysrhythmias.

A nurse is administering an otic medication to an older adult client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure that the medication reaches the inner ear?

Press gently on the tragus of the client's ear. Explanation: Pressing gently on the tragus of the ear will help the medication get into the inner ear.

A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing anger about his diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Reassure the client that this is an expected response. Explanation: During the anger stage of the psychosocial adaptation to illness, the nurse should support the client and explain that this is an expected reaction to a cancer diagnosis

A nurse is talking with the partner of a client who has dementia. The client's partner expresses frustration about finding time to manage household responsibilities while caring for his partner.

Role overload The partner's expression of frustration is an example of role overload, which refers to having more responsibilities within a role than one person can manage.

A nurse is preparing a change of shift report. Which of the following tools or documents should the nurse use to communicate continuity of care

Situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) Explanation: SBAR is a communication tool nurses use to relate a client's status during a change-of-shift report.

A nurse is lifting a bedside cabinet to move it closer to a client who is sitting in a chair. To prevent self-injury, which of the following actions should the nurse take when lifting this object?

Stand close to the cabinet when lifting it. This action keeps the cabinet close to the nurse's center of gravity and decreases back strain from horizontal reaching.

A nurse is using an open irrigation technique to irrigate a client's indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Subtract the amount of irrigant used from the client's urine output. The nurse should calculate the fluid used for irrigation and subtract it from the client's total urinary output.

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a client. Which of the following images should the nurse identify as indicating the correct technique for eliciting the client's patellar reflex?

Tap below the knee cap The nurse should identify this image as assessing the client's patellar reflex. To elicit the expected response of lower leg extension, the nurse should allow the client's legs to hang freely over the side of the examination table while seated and quickly tap the patellar tendon just below the kneecap using a reflex hammer.

A home health nurse is performing a follow up visit for a client who has a gastrostomy tube through which they receive intermittent feedings and medications. The client has recently developed diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a possible cause of the diarrhea ?

The client's caregiver washes out the feeding bag with warm water every 24 hrs. Explanation: Feeding bags should be washed out after every feeding to prevent bacterial contamination

A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who dies during the nurse's shift. Identify the sequence in which the nurse should perform the following steps.

The first step is to obtain the death pronouncement from the provider. Next, the nurse should remove tubes and indwelling lines prior to cleansing the client's body. After cleansing, the nurse should ask the family members if they wish to view the body. Finally, the nurse should place a name tag on the body before transfer.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is approaching death. The client is short of breath and has noisy respirations from secretions in their airway. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Turn the client every 2 hr. Explanation: The nurse should turn the client at least once every 2 hr to break up the secretions in the client's lungs and prevent noisy respirations.

A nurse is planning strategies to manage time effectively for client care. Which of the following strategies should the nurse implement?

Use the planning step of the nursing process to prioritize client care delivery. Explanation: Setting up a list of goals and tasks to perform for clients can help the nurse set care priorities and plan tasks accordingly. The priority to-do list is an efficient tool for optimal time management.

A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

administer the medication with the needle at a 45º angle

The nurse is caring for a client with a respiratory infection. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when performing nasotracheal suctioning for the client

apply intermittent suction when withdrawing the catheter explanation: This is to prevent injury to the mucosa. However, suctioning continuously for more than 10 seconds can cause cardiopulmonary compromise.

nurse is caring for a client who has pharyngeal diphtheria. Which of the following types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?

droplet Droplet precautions are a requirement for clients who have infections that spread via droplet nuclei that are larger than 5 microns in diameter, including rubella, meningococcal pneumonia, and streptococcal pharyngitis. The nurse should wear a mask when providing care or when within 1 m (3 feet) of the client who has a disorder requiring droplet precautions.

A nurse is caring for a child who has a prescription for a blood transfusion. The parents have refused the treatment due to religious beliefs. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

examine personal values about the issue Explanation: Nurses should examine their own personal values about the issue in question in order to provide care that is without bias.

A nurse is auscultating the anterior chest of a client newly admitted to a medical-surgical unit. Listen to the audio and identify the breath sounds.

normal breath sounds explanation: These are normal bronchovesicular breath sounds, characteristically of moderate intensity and sounding like blowing as air moves through the larger airways on inspiration and expiration.

A nurse is reviewing evidence-based practice principles about administration of oxygen therapy with newly licensed nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?

regulate oxygen via nasal cannula at a flow rate no more than 6 L/min explanation: Evidence-based practice supports a flow rate of 1 to 6 L/min via nasal cannula. Rates above 6 L/min have a drying effect and force clients to swallow air excessively without increasing their fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2).

A nurse is performing a home safety assessment for a client who is receiving supplemental oxygen. Which of the following observations should the nurse identify as proper protocol.

the client uses non-acetone nail polish remover Explanation: The client should use non-flammable materials