Nursing 354 Discharge Planning Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
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1. Which is the primary goal of discharge planning?
A. Reduce the patient's length of stay
B. Ensure continuity of safe care after discharge
C. Decrease the workload of hospital staff
D. Prevent the patient from returning to the hospital
Answer: Ensure continuity of safe care after discharge
Rationale: Effective discharge planning promotes safe continuity of care by
preparing the patient and caregivers for ongoing treatment, medications,
follow-up, and self-management after leaving the healthcare facility.
2. When should discharge planning begin?
A. On the day of discharge
B. After the physician writes the discharge order
C. At admission or as early as possible
D. After the patient requests discharge instructions
Answer: At admission or as early as possible
,Rationale: Early discharge planning allows the healthcare team to identify
anticipated needs, barriers, resources, and follow-up requirements before the
patient leaves the facility.
3. Which assessment is most important when determining whether a patient
can safely manage care at home?
A. Favorite foods
B. Ability to perform required self-care activities
C. Preferred hospital room
D. Television preferences
Answer: Ability to perform required self-care activities
Rationale: Assessing functional ability helps determine whether the patient can
safely perform activities such as medication administration, wound care,
mobility, and personal hygiene after discharge.
4. A nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a patient with newly
prescribed medication. What is the best approach?
A. Give the patient a printed medication list only
B. Ask the patient to read the medication label independently
C. Use clear teaching and verify understanding with teach-back
D. Tell the caregiver to explain the medication later
Answer: Use clear teaching and verify understanding with teach-back
Rationale: Teach-back allows the nurse to determine whether the patient
understands the instructions rather than simply asking whether the patient has
questions.
5. Which finding indicates a potential barrier to successful discharge?
A. Patient has transportation for follow-up appointments
B. Patient understands medication instructions
C. Patient has no reliable place to obtain prescribed medications
D. Patient has a supportive caregiver
,Answer: Patient has no reliable place to obtain prescribed medications
Rationale: Medication access is an important component of safe discharge.
Financial, transportation, or pharmacy-access problems can interfere with
treatment adherence and recovery.
6. Which healthcare professional is commonly involved in arranging
community resources for patients with complex discharge needs?
A. Social worker
B. Radiology technologist
C. Laboratory technician
D. Operating-room technician
Answer: Social worker
Rationale: Social workers help patients access community resources, financial
assistance, transportation, housing support, and other services needed for safe
transitions of care.
7. A patient is being discharged after hip surgery. Which instruction is most
important to reinforce?
A. Avoid all physical activity permanently
B. Follow prescribed mobility and safety precautions
C. Stop pain medication immediately
D. Remain in bed for several weeks
Answer: Follow prescribed mobility and safety precautions
Rationale: Following mobility precautions reduces the risk of injury, falls,
complications, and impaired recovery after orthopedic surgery.
8. What is the nurse's responsibility regarding discharge medications?
A. Assume the patient already understands all medications
B. Compare medication orders and clarify discrepancies
C. Tell the patient to discontinue all previous medications
D. Allow the patient to determine which medications are necessary
, Answer: Compare medication orders and clarify discrepancies
Rationale: Medication reconciliation helps identify omissions, duplications,
interactions, and unintended changes during transitions between healthcare
settings.
9. Which statement by a patient demonstrates understanding of a new
prescription?
A. "I will take it whenever I remember."
B. "I will stop taking it once I feel better."
C. "I will take it exactly as prescribed and report concerning effects."
D. "I will double the dose if I miss one."
Answer: I will take it exactly as prescribed and report concerning effects.
Rationale: Following the prescribed regimen and recognizing when to report
adverse effects supports safe medication use after discharge.
10.Which method best evaluates a patient's understanding of discharge
instructions?
A. Asking, "Do you understand?"
B. Asking the patient to repeat or demonstrate the instructions
C. Giving the patient a lengthy written handout
D. Asking a family member whether the patient understands
Answer: Asking the patient to repeat or demonstrate the instructions
Rationale: Teach-back and demonstration provide objective evidence that the
patient understands how to perform the required care.
11.A patient has limited health literacy. What should the nurse do?
A. Use complex medical terminology
B. Provide information rapidly
C. Use plain language and confirm understanding
D. Ask the patient to research the condition independently
Answer: Use plain language and confirm understanding
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which is the primary goal of discharge planning?
A. Reduce the patient's length of stay
B. Ensure continuity of safe care after discharge
C. Decrease the workload of hospital staff
D. Prevent the patient from returning to the hospital
Answer: Ensure continuity of safe care after discharge
Rationale: Effective discharge planning promotes safe continuity of care by
preparing the patient and caregivers for ongoing treatment, medications,
follow-up, and self-management after leaving the healthcare facility.
2. When should discharge planning begin?
A. On the day of discharge
B. After the physician writes the discharge order
C. At admission or as early as possible
D. After the patient requests discharge instructions
Answer: At admission or as early as possible
,Rationale: Early discharge planning allows the healthcare team to identify
anticipated needs, barriers, resources, and follow-up requirements before the
patient leaves the facility.
3. Which assessment is most important when determining whether a patient
can safely manage care at home?
A. Favorite foods
B. Ability to perform required self-care activities
C. Preferred hospital room
D. Television preferences
Answer: Ability to perform required self-care activities
Rationale: Assessing functional ability helps determine whether the patient can
safely perform activities such as medication administration, wound care,
mobility, and personal hygiene after discharge.
4. A nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a patient with newly
prescribed medication. What is the best approach?
A. Give the patient a printed medication list only
B. Ask the patient to read the medication label independently
C. Use clear teaching and verify understanding with teach-back
D. Tell the caregiver to explain the medication later
Answer: Use clear teaching and verify understanding with teach-back
Rationale: Teach-back allows the nurse to determine whether the patient
understands the instructions rather than simply asking whether the patient has
questions.
5. Which finding indicates a potential barrier to successful discharge?
A. Patient has transportation for follow-up appointments
B. Patient understands medication instructions
C. Patient has no reliable place to obtain prescribed medications
D. Patient has a supportive caregiver
,Answer: Patient has no reliable place to obtain prescribed medications
Rationale: Medication access is an important component of safe discharge.
Financial, transportation, or pharmacy-access problems can interfere with
treatment adherence and recovery.
6. Which healthcare professional is commonly involved in arranging
community resources for patients with complex discharge needs?
A. Social worker
B. Radiology technologist
C. Laboratory technician
D. Operating-room technician
Answer: Social worker
Rationale: Social workers help patients access community resources, financial
assistance, transportation, housing support, and other services needed for safe
transitions of care.
7. A patient is being discharged after hip surgery. Which instruction is most
important to reinforce?
A. Avoid all physical activity permanently
B. Follow prescribed mobility and safety precautions
C. Stop pain medication immediately
D. Remain in bed for several weeks
Answer: Follow prescribed mobility and safety precautions
Rationale: Following mobility precautions reduces the risk of injury, falls,
complications, and impaired recovery after orthopedic surgery.
8. What is the nurse's responsibility regarding discharge medications?
A. Assume the patient already understands all medications
B. Compare medication orders and clarify discrepancies
C. Tell the patient to discontinue all previous medications
D. Allow the patient to determine which medications are necessary
, Answer: Compare medication orders and clarify discrepancies
Rationale: Medication reconciliation helps identify omissions, duplications,
interactions, and unintended changes during transitions between healthcare
settings.
9. Which statement by a patient demonstrates understanding of a new
prescription?
A. "I will take it whenever I remember."
B. "I will stop taking it once I feel better."
C. "I will take it exactly as prescribed and report concerning effects."
D. "I will double the dose if I miss one."
Answer: I will take it exactly as prescribed and report concerning effects.
Rationale: Following the prescribed regimen and recognizing when to report
adverse effects supports safe medication use after discharge.
10.Which method best evaluates a patient's understanding of discharge
instructions?
A. Asking, "Do you understand?"
B. Asking the patient to repeat or demonstrate the instructions
C. Giving the patient a lengthy written handout
D. Asking a family member whether the patient understands
Answer: Asking the patient to repeat or demonstrate the instructions
Rationale: Teach-back and demonstration provide objective evidence that the
patient understands how to perform the required care.
11.A patient has limited health literacy. What should the nurse do?
A. Use complex medical terminology
B. Provide information rapidly
C. Use plain language and confirm understanding
D. Ask the patient to research the condition independently
Answer: Use plain language and confirm understanding
