CJE BENCHMARK EXAM 1 PATIENT CARE
FUNDAMENTALS 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
| COMPLETE ACTUAL REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED CLINICAL
RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE FOR STUVIA
UPLOAD
Aces your mandatory healthcare milestone
with this premium 2026/2027 CJE
Benchmark Exam 1 Patient Care
Fundamentals actual exam master test
bank featuring 50 high-yield, verified
multiple-choice questions and answers.
Every question is perfectly formatted with
bold italicized answers and detailed clinical
rationales mapping out core nursing skills,
patient safety protocols, and foundational
healthcare principles. Designed specifically
for rapid learning, building high-conversion
study sets, or direct digital upload, this
verified test bank ensures you achieve an
elite score on your very first attempt
,Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change for a patient with a surgical
wound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to maintain a sterile
field?
A) Open the sterile drape away from the body
B) Apply sterile gloves before opening any supplies
C) Pour sterile solution into the tray from a height of 12 inches
D) Cleanse the wound using clean technique
Answer: A) Open the sterile drape away from the body
Rationale: When opening a sterile package or drape, the nurse must open the top flap
away from the body first to prevent reaching over the sterile field, which would
contaminate it.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is at high risk for skin breakdown. Which
of the following interventions is most effective in preventing pressure injuries?
A) Massaging reddened bony prominences during turns
B) Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees continuously
C) Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours
D) Using a donut-shaped cushion when the patient sits in a chair
Answer: C) Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves localized pressure on bony prominences,
restoring blood flow to the tissues and preventing ischemic tissue damage.
Question 3
A patient presents with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, an oxygen saturation
of 88% on room air, and audible wheezing. Which of the following oxygen delivery
devices should the nurse apply first?
A) Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Simple face mask at 5 L/min
C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min
D) Venturi mask at 4 L/min
Answer: C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers high concentrations of oxygen (up to 90%)
and is indicated for patients experiencing severe respiratory distress or hypoxemic
hypoxia.
,Question 4
A nurse is performing a primary physical assessment on an unconscious patient
admitted to the emergency department. Which assessment parameter takes absolute
priority?
A) Level of consciousness
B) Airway patency
C) Pupillary reaction
D) Capillary refill time
Answer: B) Airway patency
Rationale: Following the standard ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework,
establishing and maintaining a patent airway is the absolute first priority in emergency
patient care.
Question 5
While measuring a patient's vital signs, the nurse notes an irregular radial pulse. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A) Document the finding and check again in 4 hours
B) Count the apical pulse for one full minute
C) Administer a PRN dose of digoxin immediately
D) Notify the healthcare provider within 10 minutes
Answer: B) Count the apical pulse for one full minute
Rationale: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse must assess the apical pulse
for 60 seconds to accurately determine the heart rate and evaluate the cardiac rhythm.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The patient reports a pain level of 8 out of 10. Which of the following actions should the
nurse perform first?
A) Instruct the patient to perform deep-breathing exercises
B) Assess the patient’s vital signs and surgical incision site
C) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic medication
D) Encourage the patient to ambulate down the hallway
Answer: B) Assess the patient’s vital signs and surgical incision site
, Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process. The nurse must
evaluate the patient's physiological status and wound integrity before intervening.
Question 7
A nurse enters a patient’s room and discovers a small fire in the wastebasket. Applying
the RACE protocol, which action must the nurse perform first?
A) Activate the facility fire alarm system
B) Extinguish the fire using a passenger fire extinguisher
C) Remove the patient from immediate danger
D) Close all doors and windows to contain the smoke
Answer: C) Remove the patient from immediate danger
Rationale: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
Protecting human life by moving the patient out of danger is always the first step.
Question 8
A nurse is assisting a patient who has left-sided weakness to transfer from the bed to a
wheelchair. Where should the nurse position the wheelchair?
A) On the patient’s left side
B) On the patient’s right side
C) Directly facing the foot of the bed
D) At a 90-degree angle to the head of the bed
Answer: B) On the patient’s right side
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the patient's unaffected (strong) side allows the
patient to bear weight on the stronger leg and pivot safely during the transfer.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which of the following landmarks should the nurse use to locate the ventrogluteal site?
A) The acromion process and the axillary line
B) The greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest
C) The patella and the mid-portion of the lateral thigh
D) The posterior superior iliac spine and the coccyx
Answer: B) The greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest
FUNDAMENTALS 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
| COMPLETE ACTUAL REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED CLINICAL
RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE FOR STUVIA
UPLOAD
Aces your mandatory healthcare milestone
with this premium 2026/2027 CJE
Benchmark Exam 1 Patient Care
Fundamentals actual exam master test
bank featuring 50 high-yield, verified
multiple-choice questions and answers.
Every question is perfectly formatted with
bold italicized answers and detailed clinical
rationales mapping out core nursing skills,
patient safety protocols, and foundational
healthcare principles. Designed specifically
for rapid learning, building high-conversion
study sets, or direct digital upload, this
verified test bank ensures you achieve an
elite score on your very first attempt
,Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change for a patient with a surgical
wound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to maintain a sterile
field?
A) Open the sterile drape away from the body
B) Apply sterile gloves before opening any supplies
C) Pour sterile solution into the tray from a height of 12 inches
D) Cleanse the wound using clean technique
Answer: A) Open the sterile drape away from the body
Rationale: When opening a sterile package or drape, the nurse must open the top flap
away from the body first to prevent reaching over the sterile field, which would
contaminate it.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is at high risk for skin breakdown. Which
of the following interventions is most effective in preventing pressure injuries?
A) Massaging reddened bony prominences during turns
B) Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees continuously
C) Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours
D) Using a donut-shaped cushion when the patient sits in a chair
Answer: C) Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves localized pressure on bony prominences,
restoring blood flow to the tissues and preventing ischemic tissue damage.
Question 3
A patient presents with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, an oxygen saturation
of 88% on room air, and audible wheezing. Which of the following oxygen delivery
devices should the nurse apply first?
A) Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Simple face mask at 5 L/min
C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min
D) Venturi mask at 4 L/min
Answer: C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers high concentrations of oxygen (up to 90%)
and is indicated for patients experiencing severe respiratory distress or hypoxemic
hypoxia.
,Question 4
A nurse is performing a primary physical assessment on an unconscious patient
admitted to the emergency department. Which assessment parameter takes absolute
priority?
A) Level of consciousness
B) Airway patency
C) Pupillary reaction
D) Capillary refill time
Answer: B) Airway patency
Rationale: Following the standard ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework,
establishing and maintaining a patent airway is the absolute first priority in emergency
patient care.
Question 5
While measuring a patient's vital signs, the nurse notes an irregular radial pulse. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A) Document the finding and check again in 4 hours
B) Count the apical pulse for one full minute
C) Administer a PRN dose of digoxin immediately
D) Notify the healthcare provider within 10 minutes
Answer: B) Count the apical pulse for one full minute
Rationale: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse must assess the apical pulse
for 60 seconds to accurately determine the heart rate and evaluate the cardiac rhythm.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The patient reports a pain level of 8 out of 10. Which of the following actions should the
nurse perform first?
A) Instruct the patient to perform deep-breathing exercises
B) Assess the patient’s vital signs and surgical incision site
C) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic medication
D) Encourage the patient to ambulate down the hallway
Answer: B) Assess the patient’s vital signs and surgical incision site
, Rationale: Assessment is always the first step of the nursing process. The nurse must
evaluate the patient's physiological status and wound integrity before intervening.
Question 7
A nurse enters a patient’s room and discovers a small fire in the wastebasket. Applying
the RACE protocol, which action must the nurse perform first?
A) Activate the facility fire alarm system
B) Extinguish the fire using a passenger fire extinguisher
C) Remove the patient from immediate danger
D) Close all doors and windows to contain the smoke
Answer: C) Remove the patient from immediate danger
Rationale: The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
Protecting human life by moving the patient out of danger is always the first step.
Question 8
A nurse is assisting a patient who has left-sided weakness to transfer from the bed to a
wheelchair. Where should the nurse position the wheelchair?
A) On the patient’s left side
B) On the patient’s right side
C) Directly facing the foot of the bed
D) At a 90-degree angle to the head of the bed
Answer: B) On the patient’s right side
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the patient's unaffected (strong) side allows the
patient to bear weight on the stronger leg and pivot safely during the transfer.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which of the following landmarks should the nurse use to locate the ventrogluteal site?
A) The acromion process and the axillary line
B) The greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest
C) The patella and the mid-portion of the lateral thigh
D) The posterior superior iliac spine and the coccyx
Answer: B) The greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest
