COMPLETE REVIEW QUESTION BANK
200 Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral edema. Which of the
following techniques should the nurse use to accurately evaluate
pitting edema?
A. Press firmly against the edematous area for 5 seconds and observe
the depth of indentation
B. Gently palpate the skin and note the presence of tautness
C. Measure the circumference of the affected extremity
D. Assess skin turgor by pinching the skin over the sternum
Answer: A Pressing firmly against the edematous area for 5 seconds
allows the nurse to assess pitting edema by measuring the depth of
indentation (graded 1+ to 4+). Gentle palpation does not provide
accurate measurement. Circumference measurement tracks changes
but does not evaluate pitting. Skin turgor assessment over the sternum
evaluates dehydration, not edema.
2. A nurse is providing oral hygiene to an unconscious client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to prevent aspiration?
,A. Place the client in a supine position with the head flat
B. Use a toothbrush to vigorously clean the teeth
C. Position the client in a side-lying position with the head turned to the
side
D. Use a large amount of mouthwash to rinse the oral cavity
Answer: C Positioning the client in a side-lying position with the head
turned to the side allows fluids to drain from the mouth by gravity and
reduces the risk of aspiration. Supine positioning increases aspiration
risk. Vigorous brushing can damage oral tissues. Large amounts of
mouthwash increase aspiration risk.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube for gastric
decompression. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Measure the length of the tube from the nose to the earlobe to the
xiphoid process
B. Apply lubricant to the distal end of the tube
C. Place the client in a high Fowler's position
D. Assess the client's gag reflex and ability to swallow
Answer: C The nurse should first place the client in a high Fowler's
position to facilitate tube insertion and reduce the risk of aspiration.
While measuring, lubricating, and assessing gag reflex are all important
steps, positioning the client is the priority initial action for safety and
optimal insertion technique.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client who has an order for continuous
bladder irrigation following a transurethral resection of the prostate.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Monitor the output for blood clots and report large clots
immediately
B. Maintain the irrigation solution at room temperature only
C. Clamp the drainage tubing for 30 minutes after each irrigation
D. Discontinue irrigation if the output is less than the input
Answer: A Monitoring output for blood clots is essential as large clots
can indicate hemorrhage or obstruction. Irrigation solution should be at
room temperature, but this is not the priority action. Clamping drainage
tubing is contraindicated. Discontinuing irrigation when output is less
than input may indicate obstruction requiring intervention, not
discontinuation.
5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
colostomy. Which of the following statements indicates the client
understands the teaching?
A. I will change the pouch every day to prevent skin breakdown
B. I should eat foods high in fiber to reduce odor
C. I will empty the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full
D. I can expect the stoma to be large and purple in color
Answer: C Emptying the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full
prevents leakage and pouch separation. Pouches should be changed
every 3-7 days or when leaking, not daily. High-fiber foods increase
, output, not reduce odor. A healthy stoma should be pink/red and moist,
not purple (which indicates ischemia).
6. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which of the
following actions demonstrates proper sterile technique?
A. The nurse places the sterile field at waist level
B. The nurse opens the sterile package away from the body
C. The nurse reaches over the sterile field to retrieve supplies
D. The nurse wears sterile gloves but does not use sterile drapes
Answer: A Placing the sterile field at waist level maintains sterility as
the field is within the nurse's line of sight. Opening sterile packages
away from the body prevents contamination, but this is not the
demonstration of sterile field maintenance. Reaching over the sterile
field contaminates it. Sterile drapes should be used to create an
adequate sterile field.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Position the client in a left lateral Sims' position
B. Administer the enema solution at a temperature of 120°F
C. Insert the rectal tube 10-15 cm (4-6 inches)
D. Place the enema bag 30 cm (12 inches) above the client's hip
Answer: A The left lateral Sims' position allows the enema solution to
flow into the sigmoid and descending colon by gravity, following the
natural anatomical path. Solution should be at 105-110°F (not 120°F).