VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
1. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Answer: B) 60-100 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60-100
bpm. Rates below 60 may indicate bradycardia while rates above 100
indicate tachycardia.
2. Which of the following is the correct order of steps for obtaining a
capillary blood sample?
A) Clean site, puncture, wipe first drop, collect sample, apply pressure
B) Puncture, clean site, collect sample, wipe first drop, apply pressure
C) Clean site, puncture, collect sample, wipe first drop, apply pressure
D) Apply pressure, clean site, puncture, collect sample, wipe first drop
Answer: A) Clean site, puncture, wipe first drop, collect sample, apply
pressure
Rationale: The correct order is to clean the site with alcohol, allow it to
dry, puncture, wipe away the first drop which contains tissue fluid,
collect the sample, then apply pressure to stop bleeding.
,3. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg. Which
of the following correctly describes this reading?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 Hypertension
D) Stage 2 Hypertension
Answer: C) Stage 1 Hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 or
diastolic 80-89. A reading of 148/92 falls into Stage 1 hypertension (140-
159/90-99).
4. What is the medical term for fainting?
A) Syncope
B) Dyspnea
C) Apnea
D) Anoxia
Answer: A) Syncope
Rationale: Syncope is the medical term for fainting, a temporary loss of
consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
5. Which of the following is a sign of impending anaphylactic shock?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypertension
C) Wheezing and stridor
D) Decreased respiratory rate
,Answer: C) Wheezing and stridor
Rationale: Wheezing and stridor indicate respiratory distress and airway
compromise, which are critical signs of anaphylactic shock requiring
immediate intervention.
6. What is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in adults?
A) Deltoid
B) Ventrogluteal
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: B) Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections in adults
due to its large muscle mass and avoidance of major nerves and blood
vessels.
7. A patient's lab results show an elevated WBC count. This most likely
indicates:
A) Dehydration
B) Infection
C) Anemia
D) Diabetes
Answer: B) Infection
Rationale: An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) typically
indicates the body is fighting an infection or inflammatory process.
, 8. What position should a patient be placed in for a lumbar puncture?
A) Prone
B) Lithotomy
C) Lateral recumbent with knees drawn to chest
D) Supine with legs elevated
Answer: C) Lateral recumbent with knees drawn to chest
Rationale: The lateral recumbent position with knees drawn to the
chest (fetal position) maximizes the space between vertebrae for
lumbar puncture access.
9. The physician orders 500 mg of a medication that is available as 250
mg tablets. How many tablets should you administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Answer: B) 2 tablets
Rationale: 500 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 2 tablets. This is a basic dosage
calculation using the formula: ordered dose ÷ available dose.
10. What does the abbreviation "NPO" mean?
A) Nothing by mouth
B) Normal pulse oximetry
C) Non-prescription order
D) New patient orientation