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KAPLAN PATIENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
PATIENT SAFETY
Prepare for the Kaplan Patient Safety Assessment with a focused study resource
covering essential principles of safe and effective nursing care. It supports review of
infection prevention, fall prevention, medication safety, risk reduction, error
prevention, communication, and appropriate nursing interventions. Use the material
to reinforce safety concepts, strengthen clinical judgment, and identify areas that
may require additional review. This resource is best suited for nursing students and
NCLEX candidates preparing for patient safety assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: GENERAL PATIENT SAFETY PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-10)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
a) Place the client in restraints
b) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
c) Perform a comprehensive fall risk assessment
d) Administer a sedative to keep the client calm
Answer: c) Perform a comprehensive fall risk assessment
Rationale: The first step in fall prevention is performing a comprehensive fall
risk assessment using a validated tool (e.g., Morse Fall Scale, Hendrich II).
This identifies specific risk factors and guides individualized interventions.
Restraints should be a last resort, not a first-line intervention. Side rails are
not a substitute for assessment.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important for preventing medication errors?
a) Check the client's identification band using two identifiers
b) Review the medication administration record (MAR)
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c) Check the medication label three times
d) Ask the client if they have allergies
Answer: a) Check the client's identification band using two identifiers
Rationale: Verifying the client's identity using at least two identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth) against the MAR is the most important action to
prevent medication errors. This is the first step in the medication
administration process and is required by The Joint Commission's National
Patient Safety Goals.
3. A client has a new order for a restraint. The nurse understands that
restraints should be used:
a) As a first-line intervention for agitation
b) Only when less restrictive measures have failed
c) For punishment of non-compliant behavior
d) For the convenience of the healthcare team
Answer: b) Only when less restrictive measures have failed
Rationale: Restraints should only be used as a last resort when less
restrictive interventions have failed or are contraindicated. They should never
be used for punishment, convenience, or as a first-line intervention.
Restraints require a provider's order, ongoing assessment, and frequent
monitoring.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who is confused and at risk for falls.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a) Place the client in a room farthest from the nurses' station
b) Assign a nursing assistant to sit with the client (sitter)
c) Administer a sedative to keep the client calm
d) Keep the bed in the highest position
Answer: b) Assign a nursing assistant to sit with the client (sitter)
Rationale: Providing constant supervision with a sitter is an appropriate
intervention for a confused client at risk for falls. The client should be placed
near the nurses' station, not farthest away. Sedatives may increase confusion
and should be avoided. The bed should be in the lowest position.
, Page 3 of 39
5. The nurse is documenting in a client's chart. Which entry is most
appropriate and meets legal standards?
a) "Client was angry and hostile today."
b) "Client stated, 'I want to hurt myself.'"
c) "Client seems depressed and withdrawn."
d) "Client is definitely having delusions."
Answer: b) "Client stated, 'I want to hurt myself.'"
Rationale: Documentation should use the client's exact words whenever
possible, especially regarding safety concerns. This provides objective,
factual data rather than subjective interpretations or labels. "Seems," "was
angry," and "definitely" are subjective and not appropriate.
6. The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
Which finding requires immediate action?
a) Slight increase in temperature to 99.2°F (37.3°C)
b) Flushing of the face and mild headache
c) Low back pain and chills
d) Localized urticaria at the IV site
Answer: c) Low back pain and chills
Rationale: Low back pain and chills are classic signs of an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction, a life-threatening emergency. The transfusion should be
stopped immediately. Localized urticaria may indicate a mild allergic reaction;
flushing and headache are less concerning. A slight temperature increase
may occur but is not as urgent.
7. The nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action is
correct?
a) The sterile field is kept at waist level
b) The sterile field may be left unattended
c) Sterile gloves are donned before opening the sterile package
d) The nurse may reach over the sterile field
Answer: a) The sterile field is kept at waist level
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Rationale: A sterile field should be kept at or above waist level to prevent
contamination. The sterile field should never be left unattended, sterile gloves
are donned after opening the sterile package, and reaching over the sterile
field contaminates it.
8. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client. Which action is
most important to ensure continuity of care and patient safety?
a) Providing written discharge instructions only
b) Ensuring the client understands the discharge plan and has follow-up
appointments scheduled
c) Calling the client's family to pick them up
d) Completing the discharge paperwork
Answer: b) Ensuring the client understands the discharge plan and has
follow-up appointments scheduled
Rationale: Ensuring client understanding of the discharge plan and
confirming follow-up appointments are essential for continuity of care and
preventing readmission. Written instructions alone are insufficient if the client
does not understand them. The "teach-back" method should be used to
confirm understanding.
9. The nurse observes a colleague administering a medication without
checking the client's identification band. What is the nurse's best action?
a) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict
b) Report the behavior to the nurse manager
c) Confront the colleague in front of the client
d) Document the incident in the client's chart
Answer: b) Report the behavior to the nurse manager
Rationale: The nurse has an ethical and professional obligation to report
unsafe practice. Failing to check client identification is a medication safety
violation. Confrontation should be done privately, not in front of the client.
Reporting to the manager is the appropriate action to ensure patient safety.
KAPLAN PATIENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
PATIENT SAFETY
Prepare for the Kaplan Patient Safety Assessment with a focused study resource
covering essential principles of safe and effective nursing care. It supports review of
infection prevention, fall prevention, medication safety, risk reduction, error
prevention, communication, and appropriate nursing interventions. Use the material
to reinforce safety concepts, strengthen clinical judgment, and identify areas that
may require additional review. This resource is best suited for nursing students and
NCLEX candidates preparing for patient safety assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: GENERAL PATIENT SAFETY PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-10)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
a) Place the client in restraints
b) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
c) Perform a comprehensive fall risk assessment
d) Administer a sedative to keep the client calm
Answer: c) Perform a comprehensive fall risk assessment
Rationale: The first step in fall prevention is performing a comprehensive fall
risk assessment using a validated tool (e.g., Morse Fall Scale, Hendrich II).
This identifies specific risk factors and guides individualized interventions.
Restraints should be a last resort, not a first-line intervention. Side rails are
not a substitute for assessment.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important for preventing medication errors?
a) Check the client's identification band using two identifiers
b) Review the medication administration record (MAR)
, Page 2 of 39
c) Check the medication label three times
d) Ask the client if they have allergies
Answer: a) Check the client's identification band using two identifiers
Rationale: Verifying the client's identity using at least two identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth) against the MAR is the most important action to
prevent medication errors. This is the first step in the medication
administration process and is required by The Joint Commission's National
Patient Safety Goals.
3. A client has a new order for a restraint. The nurse understands that
restraints should be used:
a) As a first-line intervention for agitation
b) Only when less restrictive measures have failed
c) For punishment of non-compliant behavior
d) For the convenience of the healthcare team
Answer: b) Only when less restrictive measures have failed
Rationale: Restraints should only be used as a last resort when less
restrictive interventions have failed or are contraindicated. They should never
be used for punishment, convenience, or as a first-line intervention.
Restraints require a provider's order, ongoing assessment, and frequent
monitoring.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who is confused and at risk for falls.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a) Place the client in a room farthest from the nurses' station
b) Assign a nursing assistant to sit with the client (sitter)
c) Administer a sedative to keep the client calm
d) Keep the bed in the highest position
Answer: b) Assign a nursing assistant to sit with the client (sitter)
Rationale: Providing constant supervision with a sitter is an appropriate
intervention for a confused client at risk for falls. The client should be placed
near the nurses' station, not farthest away. Sedatives may increase confusion
and should be avoided. The bed should be in the lowest position.
, Page 3 of 39
5. The nurse is documenting in a client's chart. Which entry is most
appropriate and meets legal standards?
a) "Client was angry and hostile today."
b) "Client stated, 'I want to hurt myself.'"
c) "Client seems depressed and withdrawn."
d) "Client is definitely having delusions."
Answer: b) "Client stated, 'I want to hurt myself.'"
Rationale: Documentation should use the client's exact words whenever
possible, especially regarding safety concerns. This provides objective,
factual data rather than subjective interpretations or labels. "Seems," "was
angry," and "definitely" are subjective and not appropriate.
6. The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
Which finding requires immediate action?
a) Slight increase in temperature to 99.2°F (37.3°C)
b) Flushing of the face and mild headache
c) Low back pain and chills
d) Localized urticaria at the IV site
Answer: c) Low back pain and chills
Rationale: Low back pain and chills are classic signs of an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction, a life-threatening emergency. The transfusion should be
stopped immediately. Localized urticaria may indicate a mild allergic reaction;
flushing and headache are less concerning. A slight temperature increase
may occur but is not as urgent.
7. The nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action is
correct?
a) The sterile field is kept at waist level
b) The sterile field may be left unattended
c) Sterile gloves are donned before opening the sterile package
d) The nurse may reach over the sterile field
Answer: a) The sterile field is kept at waist level
, Page 4 of 39
Rationale: A sterile field should be kept at or above waist level to prevent
contamination. The sterile field should never be left unattended, sterile gloves
are donned after opening the sterile package, and reaching over the sterile
field contaminates it.
8. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client. Which action is
most important to ensure continuity of care and patient safety?
a) Providing written discharge instructions only
b) Ensuring the client understands the discharge plan and has follow-up
appointments scheduled
c) Calling the client's family to pick them up
d) Completing the discharge paperwork
Answer: b) Ensuring the client understands the discharge plan and has
follow-up appointments scheduled
Rationale: Ensuring client understanding of the discharge plan and
confirming follow-up appointments are essential for continuity of care and
preventing readmission. Written instructions alone are insufficient if the client
does not understand them. The "teach-back" method should be used to
confirm understanding.
9. The nurse observes a colleague administering a medication without
checking the client's identification band. What is the nurse's best action?
a) Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict
b) Report the behavior to the nurse manager
c) Confront the colleague in front of the client
d) Document the incident in the client's chart
Answer: b) Report the behavior to the nurse manager
Rationale: The nurse has an ethical and professional obligation to report
unsafe practice. Failing to check client identification is a medication safety
violation. Confrontation should be done privately, not in front of the client.
Reporting to the manager is the appropriate action to ensure patient safety.
