NURSING COMPREHENSIVE / TRANSITION TO RN
NUR 283 Comp Exam Comprehensive 160 Study Questions and
Answers - 2026/2027 Official Exam
A+
Complete Blueprint Coverage
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED CORE DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Safety, Infection Control, and Legal-Ethical Practice
Physiological Integrity: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological
Physiological Integrity: Endocrine, GI, Renal, Pharmacology, and Other Systems
Psychosocial Integrity, Maternal-Child, and Health Promotion
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q1.
A charge nurse is making assignments for a medical-surgical unit. One patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and requires initial
teaching on insulin administration. Another patient needs routine vital signs and ambulation assistance. A third patient is
post-operative day 1 after hip replacement and requires assessment of neurovascular status. Which patient should the charge nurse
assign to the registered nurse rather than the LPN or UAP?
A. The patient needing routine vital signs and ambulation
B. The post-operative patient needing neurovascular checks only
C. The patient requiring initial insulin administration teaching
D. Any of the patients may be assigned to the UAP under supervision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Initial teaching and education for a new diagnosis require the RN's scope of practice. LPNs may reinforce teaching but not provide the initial education.
UAPs cannot teach. Neurovascular assessment is also RN-level if it is the first post-op assessment, but the stem highlights the teaching need as the
clearest RN-only task.
Q2.
Four patients are on a medical unit. The nurse must decide whom to assess first after receiving report. Patient A has a blood
pressure of 88/50 mm Hg and is lethargic. Patient B is requesting pain medication for a pain score of 6/10. Patient C has a scheduled
antibiotic due in 20 minutes. Patient D is stable and waiting for discharge teaching. Which patient should the nurse see first?
A. Patient B with pain score of 6/10
B. Patient A with hypotension and lethargy
C. Patient C due for antibiotic
D. Patient D awaiting discharge teaching
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ABCs and unstable vital signs take priority. Hypotension with lethargy suggests possible shock or deterioration and requires immediate assessment.
Pain and scheduled medications are important but secondary to a potentially life-threatening change in condition.
Q3.
A nurse is delegating tasks on a busy shift. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Administering a routine oral medication
B. Teaching a patient about wound care
C. Evaluating a patient's response to a new pain medication
D. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: UAPs may assist with activities of daily living, ambulation of stable patients, and basic care. Medication administration, teaching, and evaluation of
response are within the RN or LPN scope and cannot be delegated to UAP.
Q4.
The nurse is caring for a group of patients and must prioritize care. One patient is experiencing acute shortness of breath and oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air. Another patient has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is diaphoretic. A third patient reports new onset
of chest pain. Which principle of prioritization should guide the nurse's first action?
A. Use the ABC framework and assess the patient with shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation first
B. Address the hypoglycemic patient first because low glucose is always the highest priority
C. Treat the chest pain patient first because cardiac issues always take precedence over respiratory
D. Complete all scheduled medications before addressing any acute changes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing take precedence in the ABC prioritization framework. An oxygen saturation of 88% with acute dyspnea indicates immediate
respiratory compromise. Hypoglycemia and chest pain are also urgent but are addressed after securing airway and breathing.
Q5.
A nurse is reviewing the scope of practice for team members. Which activity is appropriate for an LPN to perform independently
according to typical state nurse practice acts?
A. Initiating a blood transfusion for a patient with anemia
B. Developing the initial plan of care for a newly admitted patient
C. Performing the initial comprehensive admission assessment
D. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet for a patient with heart failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: LPNs may reinforce teaching that has already been initiated by the RN. Initial teaching, initial assessments, and blood product administration are
generally RN responsibilities. Always verify with the specific state nurse practice act.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q6.
During shift report the off-going nurse states that a patient returned from the PACU 30 minutes ago after abdominal surgery. What is
the receiving nurse's priority action upon assuming care?
A. Begin discharge teaching about wound care
B. Delegate vital signs to the UAP while completing charting
C. Perform a focused assessment including vital signs, pain, and surgical site
D. Administer the next scheduled dose of antibiotic immediately
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A patient newly arrived from PACU requires a thorough focused assessment by the RN to establish baseline status, detect early complications, and
ensure stability. Delegation of the first post-PACU assessment is inappropriate.
Q7.
A charge nurse is preparing the assignment for a float nurse from the orthopedic unit who is unfamiliar with the cardiac telemetry unit.
Which patient is the most appropriate assignment for this float nurse?
A. A stable patient with controlled atrial fibrillation on oral medications awaiting discharge
B. A newly admitted patient with acute decompensated heart failure and pulmonary edema
C. A patient with unstable angina requiring frequent titration of nitroglycerin infusion
D. A patient who just returned from cardiac catheterization with a femoral access site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Float nurses should be assigned the most stable patients with conditions closest to their usual practice. Unstable cardiac patients, titration of
vasoactive drips, and fresh post-procedure patients require unit-specific expertise.
Q8.
The nurse is using the SBAR communication framework when calling a provider about a change in patient condition. Which
statement correctly represents the 'R' (Recommendation) component?
A. The patient's blood pressure is 78/42 and heart rate is 128.
B. I recommend a fluid bolus and that you come evaluate the patient now.
C. I am calling about Mr. Jones in room 412 who is post-operative day 1.
D. The patient has a history of hypertension and was given pain medication one hour ago.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In SBAR, Recommendation is the nurse's suggested action or request. Background provides history, Assessment/Situation give current data. Clear
recommendations improve communication and response time.
Q9.
A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient situation requires the nurse to notify the provider immediately?
A. A patient with chronic heart failure whose weight increased by 1 lb overnight
B. A post-operative patient with a urine output of 20 mL over the past 2 hours
C. A patient requesting a PRN pain medication that was last given 5 hours ago
D. A patient whose blood pressure is 138/84, consistent with previous readings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oliguria (less than 30 mL/hour) after surgery may indicate hypovolemia, renal impairment, or other complications and warrants prompt provider
notification. A 1 lb weight gain is less urgent; the other findings are expected or stable.
Q10.
The nurse is teaching a group of new graduates about prioritization. Which statement by a new graduate indicates correct
understanding of Maslow's hierarchy as applied to nursing prioritization?
A. Psychosocial needs should always be met before physiological needs.
B. All patient needs should be addressed simultaneously without ranking.
C. Self-esteem needs are the highest priority in acute care settings.
D. Airway and oxygenation needs take precedence over most other concerns.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs, particularly airway, breathing, and circulation, form the base of Maslow's hierarchy and take priority in clinical decision-making.
Psychosocial needs are important but secondary in acute situations.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q10
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q11.
A patient is being transferred from the ICU to a medical-surgical unit. Which information is most critical for the receiving nurse to
obtain during the handoff report?
A. The patient's preferred television channels and dietary likes
B. The names of all previous nurses who cared for the patient
C. Current medications, recent vital signs, lines/drains, and any pending results
D. The exact time the patient last had a bath
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Safe handoff requires current clinical status, medications, invasive devices, and outstanding issues. Preferences are useful but not the highest priority
for preventing adverse events during transfer.
Q12.
The nurse is reviewing incident reports. Which situation requires completion of an incident (occurrence) report?
A. A visitor slips and falls in the hallway outside the patient's room
B. A patient receives a scheduled antibiotic 15 minutes later than ordered
C. A patient refuses a routine blood draw after informed discussion
D. A family member brings food from home for the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falls involving patients or visitors are reportable events. Minor delays in non-critical medications, informed refusals, and family food do not typically
require incident reports unless harm or policy breach occurs.
Q13.
A nurse is planning care for a patient who will be discharged home with a new colostomy. Which member of the interprofessional
team is most appropriate to consult for specialized teaching about stoma care and appliance management?
A. Physical therapist
B. Wound, ostomy, and continence nurse
C. Respiratory therapist
D. Dietitian only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurses specialize in ostomy education, appliance selection, and skin care. While dietitians address nutrition,
the hands-on stoma management teaching is the WOC nurse's domain.
Q14.
The nurse is assigning tasks. Which task is appropriate to assign to an LPN?
A. Conducting the initial admission history and physical assessment
B. Administering IV push morphine to a post-operative patient
C. Changing a sterile central line dressing according to protocol
D. Developing the comprehensive nursing care plan from scratch
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Many state practice acts allow LPNs to perform sterile dressing changes and other skilled procedures after appropriate training. Initial assessments, IV
push medications (in many jurisdictions), and care-plan development remain RN responsibilities.
Q15.
A patient with a history of falls is admitted. Which intervention is the highest priority for fall prevention on the first day of admission?
A. Performing a fall-risk assessment and implementing appropriate precautions immediately
B. Providing a brochure about fall risks at discharge
C. Waiting until the physical therapist evaluates the patient before taking any action
D. Restraining the patient to prevent any possibility of falling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fall-risk assessment on admission and prompt implementation of precautions (bed alarm, non-slip footwear, call light within reach, etc.) are
evidence-based first steps. Restraints are a last resort and require orders and justification.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
NUR 283 Comp Exam Comprehensive 160 Study Questions and
Answers - 2026/2027 Official Exam
A+
Complete Blueprint Coverage
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED CORE DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Safety, Infection Control, and Legal-Ethical Practice
Physiological Integrity: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological
Physiological Integrity: Endocrine, GI, Renal, Pharmacology, and Other Systems
Psychosocial Integrity, Maternal-Child, and Health Promotion
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q1.
A charge nurse is making assignments for a medical-surgical unit. One patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and requires initial
teaching on insulin administration. Another patient needs routine vital signs and ambulation assistance. A third patient is
post-operative day 1 after hip replacement and requires assessment of neurovascular status. Which patient should the charge nurse
assign to the registered nurse rather than the LPN or UAP?
A. The patient needing routine vital signs and ambulation
B. The post-operative patient needing neurovascular checks only
C. The patient requiring initial insulin administration teaching
D. Any of the patients may be assigned to the UAP under supervision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Initial teaching and education for a new diagnosis require the RN's scope of practice. LPNs may reinforce teaching but not provide the initial education.
UAPs cannot teach. Neurovascular assessment is also RN-level if it is the first post-op assessment, but the stem highlights the teaching need as the
clearest RN-only task.
Q2.
Four patients are on a medical unit. The nurse must decide whom to assess first after receiving report. Patient A has a blood
pressure of 88/50 mm Hg and is lethargic. Patient B is requesting pain medication for a pain score of 6/10. Patient C has a scheduled
antibiotic due in 20 minutes. Patient D is stable and waiting for discharge teaching. Which patient should the nurse see first?
A. Patient B with pain score of 6/10
B. Patient A with hypotension and lethargy
C. Patient C due for antibiotic
D. Patient D awaiting discharge teaching
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ABCs and unstable vital signs take priority. Hypotension with lethargy suggests possible shock or deterioration and requires immediate assessment.
Pain and scheduled medications are important but secondary to a potentially life-threatening change in condition.
Q3.
A nurse is delegating tasks on a busy shift. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Administering a routine oral medication
B. Teaching a patient about wound care
C. Evaluating a patient's response to a new pain medication
D. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: UAPs may assist with activities of daily living, ambulation of stable patients, and basic care. Medication administration, teaching, and evaluation of
response are within the RN or LPN scope and cannot be delegated to UAP.
Q4.
The nurse is caring for a group of patients and must prioritize care. One patient is experiencing acute shortness of breath and oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air. Another patient has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is diaphoretic. A third patient reports new onset
of chest pain. Which principle of prioritization should guide the nurse's first action?
A. Use the ABC framework and assess the patient with shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation first
B. Address the hypoglycemic patient first because low glucose is always the highest priority
C. Treat the chest pain patient first because cardiac issues always take precedence over respiratory
D. Complete all scheduled medications before addressing any acute changes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing take precedence in the ABC prioritization framework. An oxygen saturation of 88% with acute dyspnea indicates immediate
respiratory compromise. Hypoglycemia and chest pain are also urgent but are addressed after securing airway and breathing.
Q5.
A nurse is reviewing the scope of practice for team members. Which activity is appropriate for an LPN to perform independently
according to typical state nurse practice acts?
A. Initiating a blood transfusion for a patient with anemia
B. Developing the initial plan of care for a newly admitted patient
C. Performing the initial comprehensive admission assessment
D. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet for a patient with heart failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: LPNs may reinforce teaching that has already been initiated by the RN. Initial teaching, initial assessments, and blood product administration are
generally RN responsibilities. Always verify with the specific state nurse practice act.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q6.
During shift report the off-going nurse states that a patient returned from the PACU 30 minutes ago after abdominal surgery. What is
the receiving nurse's priority action upon assuming care?
A. Begin discharge teaching about wound care
B. Delegate vital signs to the UAP while completing charting
C. Perform a focused assessment including vital signs, pain, and surgical site
D. Administer the next scheduled dose of antibiotic immediately
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A patient newly arrived from PACU requires a thorough focused assessment by the RN to establish baseline status, detect early complications, and
ensure stability. Delegation of the first post-PACU assessment is inappropriate.
Q7.
A charge nurse is preparing the assignment for a float nurse from the orthopedic unit who is unfamiliar with the cardiac telemetry unit.
Which patient is the most appropriate assignment for this float nurse?
A. A stable patient with controlled atrial fibrillation on oral medications awaiting discharge
B. A newly admitted patient with acute decompensated heart failure and pulmonary edema
C. A patient with unstable angina requiring frequent titration of nitroglycerin infusion
D. A patient who just returned from cardiac catheterization with a femoral access site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Float nurses should be assigned the most stable patients with conditions closest to their usual practice. Unstable cardiac patients, titration of
vasoactive drips, and fresh post-procedure patients require unit-specific expertise.
Q8.
The nurse is using the SBAR communication framework when calling a provider about a change in patient condition. Which
statement correctly represents the 'R' (Recommendation) component?
A. The patient's blood pressure is 78/42 and heart rate is 128.
B. I recommend a fluid bolus and that you come evaluate the patient now.
C. I am calling about Mr. Jones in room 412 who is post-operative day 1.
D. The patient has a history of hypertension and was given pain medication one hour ago.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In SBAR, Recommendation is the nurse's suggested action or request. Background provides history, Assessment/Situation give current data. Clear
recommendations improve communication and response time.
Q9.
A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient situation requires the nurse to notify the provider immediately?
A. A patient with chronic heart failure whose weight increased by 1 lb overnight
B. A post-operative patient with a urine output of 20 mL over the past 2 hours
C. A patient requesting a PRN pain medication that was last given 5 hours ago
D. A patient whose blood pressure is 138/84, consistent with previous readings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oliguria (less than 30 mL/hour) after surgery may indicate hypovolemia, renal impairment, or other complications and warrants prompt provider
notification. A 1 lb weight gain is less urgent; the other findings are expected or stable.
Q10.
The nurse is teaching a group of new graduates about prioritization. Which statement by a new graduate indicates correct
understanding of Maslow's hierarchy as applied to nursing prioritization?
A. Psychosocial needs should always be met before physiological needs.
B. All patient needs should be addressed simultaneously without ranking.
C. Self-esteem needs are the highest priority in acute care settings.
D. Airway and oxygenation needs take precedence over most other concerns.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Physiological needs, particularly airway, breathing, and circulation, form the base of Maslow's hierarchy and take priority in clinical decision-making.
Psychosocial needs are important but secondary in acute situations.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q10
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
, Management of Care, Prioritization, and Delegation
Q11.
A patient is being transferred from the ICU to a medical-surgical unit. Which information is most critical for the receiving nurse to
obtain during the handoff report?
A. The patient's preferred television channels and dietary likes
B. The names of all previous nurses who cared for the patient
C. Current medications, recent vital signs, lines/drains, and any pending results
D. The exact time the patient last had a bath
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Safe handoff requires current clinical status, medications, invasive devices, and outstanding issues. Preferences are useful but not the highest priority
for preventing adverse events during transfer.
Q12.
The nurse is reviewing incident reports. Which situation requires completion of an incident (occurrence) report?
A. A visitor slips and falls in the hallway outside the patient's room
B. A patient receives a scheduled antibiotic 15 minutes later than ordered
C. A patient refuses a routine blood draw after informed discussion
D. A family member brings food from home for the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falls involving patients or visitors are reportable events. Minor delays in non-critical medications, informed refusals, and family food do not typically
require incident reports unless harm or policy breach occurs.
Q13.
A nurse is planning care for a patient who will be discharged home with a new colostomy. Which member of the interprofessional
team is most appropriate to consult for specialized teaching about stoma care and appliance management?
A. Physical therapist
B. Wound, ostomy, and continence nurse
C. Respiratory therapist
D. Dietitian only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurses specialize in ostomy education, appliance selection, and skin care. While dietitians address nutrition,
the hands-on stoma management teaching is the WOC nurse's domain.
Q14.
The nurse is assigning tasks. Which task is appropriate to assign to an LPN?
A. Conducting the initial admission history and physical assessment
B. Administering IV push morphine to a post-operative patient
C. Changing a sterile central line dressing according to protocol
D. Developing the comprehensive nursing care plan from scratch
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Many state practice acts allow LPNs to perform sterile dressing changes and other skilled procedures after appropriate training. Initial assessments, IV
push medications (in many jurisdictions), and care-plan development remain RN responsibilities.
Q15.
A patient with a history of falls is admitted. Which intervention is the highest priority for fall prevention on the first day of admission?
A. Performing a fall-risk assessment and implementing appropriate precautions immediately
B. Providing a brochure about fall risks at discharge
C. Waiting until the physical therapist evaluates the patient before taking any action
D. Restraining the patient to prevent any possibility of falling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fall-risk assessment on admission and prompt implementation of precautions (bed alarm, non-slip footwear, call light within reach, etc.) are
evidence-based first steps. Restraints are a last resort and require orders and justification.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
