NUR 283 All Comp Exam Questions and
100% Correct Answers Latest 2026/27
Update - Galen College of Nursing
1. A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. Patient with a broken hip requesting pain medication
B. Patient with a tracheostomy and oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Patient who needs discharge teaching about warfarin
D. Patient scheduled for an abdominal CT scan in 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are always the priority. An SpO2 of 88% indicates hypoxemia, and the
tracheostomy patient is at high risk for airway obstruction or mucus plugging. Pain, teaching, and
diagnostic tests can wait until the airway is stable .
2. An RN on a medical-surgical unit delegates a task to an LPN/LVN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Initial assessment of a new admission with chest pain
B. Administration of IV push morphine to a post-op patient
C. Administering oral metoprolol to a stable hypertensive patient
D. Creating a care plan for a patient with diabetes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LPNs/LVNs can administer oral medications to stable patients. Initial assessment, IV push
opioids, and care plan creation require RN scope of practice .
3. A charge nurse is assigning staff. Which patient should be assigned to an experienced RN rather
than a new graduate?
A. Patient with pneumonia on room air
B. Patient with appendicitis scheduled for surgery in 4 hours
C. Patient with unstable atrial fibrillation and a new heparin drip
D. Patient with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A patient with unstable atrial fibrillation and a new heparin drip requires complex assessment,
,monitoring, and titration skills. New graduates should be assigned stable patients with predictable
outcomes .
4. The nurse is delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate?
A. Measuring vital signs on a stable patient
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Assessing the pain level of a post-operative patient
D. Changing a sterile wound dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NAP can perform vital signs on stable patients. Teaching, assessment, and sterile procedures
require licensed nursing judgment .
5. The nurse manager is observing a new graduate nurse. Which action by the graduate requires
immediate correction?
A. Documenting medications after administration
B. Using two patient identifiers before giving a blood transfusion
C. Delegating vital signs on a stable patient to UAP
D. Asking the charge nurse for help with a complex wound dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Medications should be documented immediately after administration, not later, to prevent
errors and ensure accurate records .
6. The nurse is using the SBAR tool to communicate with a provider. Which statement represents
the "B" (Background) component?
A. "The patient's heart rate is 120 and blood pressure is 85/50."
B. "I think the patient is going into septic shock."
C. "The patient is post-op day 2 from a bowel resection and has a history of diabetes."
D. "I recommend transferring the patient to the ICU."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Background includes relevant history, admission diagnosis, and pertinent clinical information.
Situation is the current problem. Assessment is the nurse's professional opinion. Recommendation is the
suggested action .
7. A nurse on a busy telemetry unit receives a handoff report. Which patient should the nurse see
first?
,A. Patient with chest pain that resolved after nitroglycerin
B. Patient with a new atrial fibrillation and heart rate of 110
C. Patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and peaked T waves
D. Patient with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL and no symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia with ECG changes (peaked T waves) is life-threatening and can lead to cardiac
arrest. Immediate intervention is required .
8. A charge nurse is making client assessments. Which client should the charge nurse assign to the
LVN/LPN?
A. A client with dyspnea scheduled for a bronchoscopy
B. A client with chest pain awaiting cardiac catheterization
C. A post-operative client 2 hours post-surgery with unstable vital signs
D. A client receiving a blood transfusion with signs of transfusion reaction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: LVN/LPNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes. The client with dyspnea
scheduled for a diagnostic procedure is stable and appropriate for LPN assignment .
9. The nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Which delegated task would REQUIRE FOLLOW-UP by the charge nurse?
A. Assisting a client who had a paracentesis 2 hours ago to get out of bed for the first time
B. Taking routine vital signs on a stable post-operative client
C. Assisting a client with ambulation who has been walking for 3 days
D. Recording intake and output for a client on fluid restriction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anytime a client is doing something for the first time (first ambulation, first void, etc.), the RN
needs to perform or directly supervise the activity .
10. The nurse is prioritizing patient care after a change of shift report. The nurse should first plan
to see the patient who:
A. Had an ERCP 30 minutes ago and is reporting difficulty swallowing
B. Is scheduled for discharge in 2 hours and needs discharge teaching
C. Has a wound dressing scheduled to be changed in 1 hour
D. Requested pain medication for chronic back pain
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing after an ERCP could indicate complications such as perforation, bleeding,
or aspiration risk. This is an airway/breathing issue .
11. The nurse working on the mother-baby unit has become aware of the following client
situations. Which client should the nurse INITIALLY assess?
A. A neonate who is 4 hours old, whose resting heart rate is 95 BPM
B. A mother who delivered 6 hours ago and is requesting pain medication
C. A newborn who is breastfeeding poorly but has adequate wet diapers
D. A mother who needs assistance with her first breastfeeding attempt
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal heart rate for a newborn is 120-140 BPM. A heart rate of 95 BPM is LOW and indicates
potential bradycardia .
12. A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit has just received a handoff report on the following
clients. The nurse should FIRST plan to assess the client who has:
A. Acute pancreatitis and is reporting the development of pain on deep inspiration
B. Type 2 diabetes with a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C. Hypertension with blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
D. Appendicitis scheduled for surgery in 4 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis indicates a potentially serious condition. Pain on deep inspiration could
signal pleuritic involvement or developing complications such as pleural effusion .
13. A client with status asthmaticus is being assessed. Which finding indicates that the client is
experiencing respiratory failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B. Pulse oximetry reading of 90%
C. Wheezing that is suddenly absent
D. Use of accessory muscles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sudden absence of wheezing in a client with status asthmaticus is an ominous sign
indicating severe airway obstruction with minimal air movement—a "silent chest" suggesting impending
respiratory failure .
100% Correct Answers Latest 2026/27
Update - Galen College of Nursing
1. A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. Patient with a broken hip requesting pain medication
B. Patient with a tracheostomy and oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Patient who needs discharge teaching about warfarin
D. Patient scheduled for an abdominal CT scan in 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are always the priority. An SpO2 of 88% indicates hypoxemia, and the
tracheostomy patient is at high risk for airway obstruction or mucus plugging. Pain, teaching, and
diagnostic tests can wait until the airway is stable .
2. An RN on a medical-surgical unit delegates a task to an LPN/LVN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Initial assessment of a new admission with chest pain
B. Administration of IV push morphine to a post-op patient
C. Administering oral metoprolol to a stable hypertensive patient
D. Creating a care plan for a patient with diabetes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LPNs/LVNs can administer oral medications to stable patients. Initial assessment, IV push
opioids, and care plan creation require RN scope of practice .
3. A charge nurse is assigning staff. Which patient should be assigned to an experienced RN rather
than a new graduate?
A. Patient with pneumonia on room air
B. Patient with appendicitis scheduled for surgery in 4 hours
C. Patient with unstable atrial fibrillation and a new heparin drip
D. Patient with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A patient with unstable atrial fibrillation and a new heparin drip requires complex assessment,
,monitoring, and titration skills. New graduates should be assigned stable patients with predictable
outcomes .
4. The nurse is delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate?
A. Measuring vital signs on a stable patient
B. Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Assessing the pain level of a post-operative patient
D. Changing a sterile wound dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NAP can perform vital signs on stable patients. Teaching, assessment, and sterile procedures
require licensed nursing judgment .
5. The nurse manager is observing a new graduate nurse. Which action by the graduate requires
immediate correction?
A. Documenting medications after administration
B. Using two patient identifiers before giving a blood transfusion
C. Delegating vital signs on a stable patient to UAP
D. Asking the charge nurse for help with a complex wound dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Medications should be documented immediately after administration, not later, to prevent
errors and ensure accurate records .
6. The nurse is using the SBAR tool to communicate with a provider. Which statement represents
the "B" (Background) component?
A. "The patient's heart rate is 120 and blood pressure is 85/50."
B. "I think the patient is going into septic shock."
C. "The patient is post-op day 2 from a bowel resection and has a history of diabetes."
D. "I recommend transferring the patient to the ICU."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Background includes relevant history, admission diagnosis, and pertinent clinical information.
Situation is the current problem. Assessment is the nurse's professional opinion. Recommendation is the
suggested action .
7. A nurse on a busy telemetry unit receives a handoff report. Which patient should the nurse see
first?
,A. Patient with chest pain that resolved after nitroglycerin
B. Patient with a new atrial fibrillation and heart rate of 110
C. Patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and peaked T waves
D. Patient with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL and no symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia with ECG changes (peaked T waves) is life-threatening and can lead to cardiac
arrest. Immediate intervention is required .
8. A charge nurse is making client assessments. Which client should the charge nurse assign to the
LVN/LPN?
A. A client with dyspnea scheduled for a bronchoscopy
B. A client with chest pain awaiting cardiac catheterization
C. A post-operative client 2 hours post-surgery with unstable vital signs
D. A client receiving a blood transfusion with signs of transfusion reaction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: LVN/LPNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes. The client with dyspnea
scheduled for a diagnostic procedure is stable and appropriate for LPN assignment .
9. The nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Which delegated task would REQUIRE FOLLOW-UP by the charge nurse?
A. Assisting a client who had a paracentesis 2 hours ago to get out of bed for the first time
B. Taking routine vital signs on a stable post-operative client
C. Assisting a client with ambulation who has been walking for 3 days
D. Recording intake and output for a client on fluid restriction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anytime a client is doing something for the first time (first ambulation, first void, etc.), the RN
needs to perform or directly supervise the activity .
10. The nurse is prioritizing patient care after a change of shift report. The nurse should first plan
to see the patient who:
A. Had an ERCP 30 minutes ago and is reporting difficulty swallowing
B. Is scheduled for discharge in 2 hours and needs discharge teaching
C. Has a wound dressing scheduled to be changed in 1 hour
D. Requested pain medication for chronic back pain
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing after an ERCP could indicate complications such as perforation, bleeding,
or aspiration risk. This is an airway/breathing issue .
11. The nurse working on the mother-baby unit has become aware of the following client
situations. Which client should the nurse INITIALLY assess?
A. A neonate who is 4 hours old, whose resting heart rate is 95 BPM
B. A mother who delivered 6 hours ago and is requesting pain medication
C. A newborn who is breastfeeding poorly but has adequate wet diapers
D. A mother who needs assistance with her first breastfeeding attempt
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal heart rate for a newborn is 120-140 BPM. A heart rate of 95 BPM is LOW and indicates
potential bradycardia .
12. A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit has just received a handoff report on the following
clients. The nurse should FIRST plan to assess the client who has:
A. Acute pancreatitis and is reporting the development of pain on deep inspiration
B. Type 2 diabetes with a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C. Hypertension with blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
D. Appendicitis scheduled for surgery in 4 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis indicates a potentially serious condition. Pain on deep inspiration could
signal pleuritic involvement or developing complications such as pleural effusion .
13. A client with status asthmaticus is being assessed. Which finding indicates that the client is
experiencing respiratory failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B. Pulse oximetry reading of 90%
C. Wheezing that is suddenly absent
D. Use of accessory muscles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sudden absence of wheezing in a client with status asthmaticus is an ominous sign
indicating severe airway obstruction with minimal air movement—a "silent chest" suggesting impending
respiratory failure .
