Which statement by a staff nurse shows understanding?
A. HICS is used only after a federal disaster declaration.
B. HICS replaces local emergency services at the scene.
✓ C. HICS assigns facility responsibilities and reporting channels.
D. HICS permits each unit to establish an unrelated response plan.
Rationale: HICS creates a uniform facility response by defining responsibilities and clear
channels of reporting.
2. A nurse plans end-of-life care for a client with AIDS. Which goal is realistic?
A. The client will avoid all opioid medication.
✓ B. The client will receive medication that limits breakthrough pain.
C. The client will remain free of all disease manifestations.
D. The client will increase strenuous activity each day.
Rationale: Comfort is central to end-of-life care; medication should be used to reduce
episodes of breakthrough pain.
3. Before surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy, a client says, 'I am afraid they will
find cancer.' Which response is therapeutic?
✓ A. It sounds as though you are worried that cancer may be found.
B. You should not worry until the pathology report returns.
C. Tell me why you think the result will be cancer.
D. Most enlarged prostates are not cancerous.
Rationale: Restating the client's concern acknowledges the fear and encourages further
communication without offering false reassurance.
4. A middle-aged client reports a pathogenic BRCA1 mutation. The nurse should
identify an increased risk for which condition?
A. Laryngeal cancer
B. Renal cancer
C. Thyroid cancer
✓ D. Breast cancer
Rationale: A BRCA1 mutation is associated with an increased probability of developing
breast cancer.
,5. A client reports sudden severe chest pain. Which test should the nurse obtain
promptly to evaluate for myocardial infarction?
A. Pulmonary function testing
✓ B. 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. Mantoux test
D. Bronchoscopy
Rationale: A 12-lead ECG is obtained promptly with acute chest pain to identify changes
associated with myocardial ischemia or infarction.
6. At a motor-vehicle crash, a client is apneic and a cervical injury is suspected. Which
action is the priority?
✓ A. Open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver.
B. Apply a rigid cervical collar.
C. Complete a neurologic assessment.
D. Inspect the client for additional injuries.
Rationale: Using the ABC priority framework, the airway is addressed first; the jaw-thrust
helps protect the cervical spine.
7. During disaster triage after a toxic release, which task is the lowest priority for a
registered nurse and can be delegated to nonmedical personnel?
A. Performing a concise assessment
B. Preventing cross-contamination
C. Maintaining client tracking
✓ D. Transporting a stable client to the discharge area
Rationale: Moving a stable client to the discharge location is a nonskilled task; the nurse
should focus on essential assessment and care.
8. A nurse hesitates to give prescribed morphine to a dying client because of concern
about causing harm. Which ethical principle is the nurse considering?
A. Veracity
B. Fidelity
✓ C. Nonmaleficence
D. Utilitarianism
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the duty to avoid intentionally causing harm.
, 9. Immediately after a sexual assault, which source of support is likely to be most
effective if chosen by the client?
A. A long-term therapy group
B. A hospital chaplain regardless of preference
✓ C. A trusted close friend
D. A discharge-planning agency
Rationale: Immediate support from a trusted friend or family member can lessen stress;
other professional resources often support longer-term recovery.
10. A client with AIDS and a markedly decreased CD4 count is at greatest risk for
which oral infection?
A. Actinic keratosis
✓ B. Candidiasis
C. Basal cell carcinoma
D. Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Rationale: Oral candidiasis occurs frequently when immune function is significantly
compromised.
11. A client with AIDS has recurrent pneumonia. Which action helps guide selection of
an effective antimicrobial?
A. Limit fluid intake to 1,500 mL/day.
B. Lower the head of the bed to 10 degrees.
✓ C. Obtain a sputum culture.
D. Schedule coughing every 8 hours.
Rationale: A sputum culture identifies the causative organism and helps determine which
antimicrobial is appropriate.
12. Which statement by a client learning hearing-aid care indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I will avoid hairspray while wearing it.
B. I will keep spare batteries available.
✓ C. I will wipe the device with alcohol.
D. A whistle when I cup my hand can indicate battery function.
Rationale: Alcohol can damage the hearing-aid mechanism; the device should be cleaned
according to manufacturer directions, usually with a soft cloth.