Practical Nursing in Canada, 1st Edition
Authors:
Katherine Poser,Adrianne Dill Linton,Mary
Ann Matteson
TEST BANK.
1. A Practical Nurse is preparing to admit a post-operative
patient. Which action best reflects application of the
nursing process during admission?
A. Ask the patient to sign all consent forms immediately.
B. Perform an initial focused assessment to identify
immediate needs.
C. Provide discharge teaching about home care before the
assessment.
D. Delegate all admission documentation to a nursing
assistant.
,Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment; a
focused initial assessment identifies priorities (airway, pain,
bleeding) so safe care can be planned.
Delegation/teaching/consent have roles but come after
assessment.
Citation: Linton & Matteson, 1st ed. — Chapter: Aspects of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
2. Which statement best describes the Practical Nurse’s scope
when caring for a stable medical-surgical patient?
A. Diagnose new medical conditions independently.
B. Initiate prescription medications without approval.
C. Carry out nursing interventions within the employer and
regulatory scope.
D. Perform complex surgical procedures.
Answer: C
Rationale: Practical Nurses provide nursing care within their
regulated scope and employer policies; diagnosing, prescribing,
or surgical procedures are outside PN scope.
Citation: Linton & Matteson, 1st ed. — Chapter: Aspects of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
3. A patient refuses a dressing change. The PN’s best
immediate response is to:
, A. Tell the patient the dressing must be changed or they’ll
be discharged.
B. Force the dressing change to prevent infection.
C. Explore reasons for refusal and document the
discussion.
D. Ignore the refusal and change the dressing while the
patient sleeps.
Answer: C
Rationale: Respect for autonomy requires exploring reasons,
providing information, negotiating care, and documenting
informed refusal; coercion is inappropriate.
Citation: Linton & Matteson, 1st ed. — Chapter: Aspects of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
4. Which entry in the chart is most appropriate when
documenting a focused assessment of a surgical wound?
A. “Wound looks okay.”
B. “Clean, dry, intact dressing.”
C. “Wound 3 cm × 2 cm, edges approximated, slight serous
drainage; no odor.”
D. “Patient says wound is fine.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Documentation should be specific, objective, and
measurable (size, appearance, drainage), which supports clinical
decisions and communication.
, Citation: Linton & Matteson, 1st ed. — Chapter: Aspects of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
5. A Practical Nurse delegates taking routine vital signs to a
nursing assistant. Which action by the PN is required
before delegating?
A. Assume the assistant knows when to report abnormal
findings.
B. Provide clear instructions about frequency and reporting
thresholds.
C. Assign delegation only in writing after the shift ends.
D. Delegate assessment of incision site as well.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safe delegation requires clear instructions, expected
frequency, parameters for immediate reporting, and
consideration of client complexity.
Citation: Linton & Matteson, 1st ed. — Chapter: Aspects of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
6. Which communication method uses a structured handover
format to convey critical patient information?
A. Casual bedside talk.
B. SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment,
Recommendation).