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BCOT WEEK 7 PRACTICE EXAM Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. Before administering a tube feeding, the nurse should first:
A. Verify tube placement and check gastric residual as
prescribed
B. Administer without checking placement if recently placed
C. Use a syringe to push feeding rapidly
D. Keep the head of bed flat during and after feeding
Answer: A
Rationale: Verify placement and check residual before feeding;
elevate head of bed.
2. A client receiving enteral feedings has a gastric residual of
250 mL. The nurse should:
A. Hold the feeding and notify the provider per protocol
B. Administer the feeding as scheduled
C. Discard the residual and continue
D. Flush the tube and ignore
Answer: A
Rationale: High residual may indicate delayed gastric emptying;
follow protocol and notify provider.
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3. The nurse should keep the head of bed elevated at least what
degree during and after tube feedings?
A. 30–45 degrees
B. 10 degrees
C. Flat
D. 90 degrees always
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevate head 30–45 degrees to reduce aspiration
risk.
4. A client with a nasogastric tube to low suction is at risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypercalcemia only
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suction removes gastric acid and potassium.
5. A client with a tracheostomy has a cuffed tube. The nurse
should:
A. Monitor cuff pressure and suction as needed
B. Inflate the cuff as much as possible
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C. Deflate continuously
D. Never check cuff pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Cuff pressure should be monitored to prevent
tracheal damage.
6. When suctioning a tracheostomy, the nurse should:
A. Hyperoxygenate before and after and suction only during
withdrawal
B. Apply suction while inserting the catheter
C. Suction for 30 seconds continuously
D. Use the same catheter without rinsing for multiple passes
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperoxygenate; suction only during withdrawal;
limit to 10–15 seconds.
7. The maximum time for a single suction pass is:
A. 10–15 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Limit suction to 10–15 seconds to prevent hypoxia.
BCOT WEEK 7 PRACTICE EXAM Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. Before administering a tube feeding, the nurse should first:
A. Verify tube placement and check gastric residual as
prescribed
B. Administer without checking placement if recently placed
C. Use a syringe to push feeding rapidly
D. Keep the head of bed flat during and after feeding
Answer: A
Rationale: Verify placement and check residual before feeding;
elevate head of bed.
2. A client receiving enteral feedings has a gastric residual of
250 mL. The nurse should:
A. Hold the feeding and notify the provider per protocol
B. Administer the feeding as scheduled
C. Discard the residual and continue
D. Flush the tube and ignore
Answer: A
Rationale: High residual may indicate delayed gastric emptying;
follow protocol and notify provider.
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3. The nurse should keep the head of bed elevated at least what
degree during and after tube feedings?
A. 30–45 degrees
B. 10 degrees
C. Flat
D. 90 degrees always
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevate head 30–45 degrees to reduce aspiration
risk.
4. A client with a nasogastric tube to low suction is at risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypercalcemia only
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suction removes gastric acid and potassium.
5. A client with a tracheostomy has a cuffed tube. The nurse
should:
A. Monitor cuff pressure and suction as needed
B. Inflate the cuff as much as possible
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C. Deflate continuously
D. Never check cuff pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Cuff pressure should be monitored to prevent
tracheal damage.
6. When suctioning a tracheostomy, the nurse should:
A. Hyperoxygenate before and after and suction only during
withdrawal
B. Apply suction while inserting the catheter
C. Suction for 30 seconds continuously
D. Use the same catheter without rinsing for multiple passes
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperoxygenate; suction only during withdrawal;
limit to 10–15 seconds.
7. The maximum time for a single suction pass is:
A. 10–15 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 2 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: Limit suction to 10–15 seconds to prevent hypoxia.
