2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which action best supports a safe admission medication
reconciliation?
A) Remove all home medications from the record
B) Ask the patient to remember only prescription drugs
C) Document only medications administered in the facility
D) Compare the patient’s home medications with current orders and clarify
discrepancies
Correct Answer: D) Compare the patient’s home medications with current
orders and clarify discrepancies
Rationale: Medication reconciliation compares medications used before
admission with current orders to identify omissions, duplications,
interactions, and unintended changes.
Q2. A patient is being transferred from one unit to another. Which
information is most important to communicate during the handoff?
A) The patient’s preferred television programs
B) Current condition, recent changes, treatments, and outstanding care
needs
C) The names of all previous roommates
D) The patient’s usual meal preferences
Correct Answer: B) Current condition, recent changes, treatments, and
outstanding care needs
Rationale: A safe transfer requires clinically relevant information so the
receiving team can continue care without interruption or missed priorities.
Q3. Which patient statement best demonstrates understanding of
discharge teaching?
A) “I will take my medication whenever I remember.”
B) “I will stop the medication once I feel better.”
C) “I know which medications to take, when to take them, and when to seek
help.”
D) “My family will figure out the instructions for me.”
Correct Answer: C) “I know which medications to take, when to take them,
and when to seek help.”
,Rationale: Effective discharge teaching includes medication use, follow-up
requirements, warning signs, and actions the patient should take after
leaving the facility.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of discharge planning?
A) To begin only on the day the patient leaves
B) To transfer responsibility entirely to the family
C) To reduce the amount of nursing documentation
D) To prepare the patient for continued safe care after leaving the facility
Correct Answer: D) To prepare the patient for continued safe care after
leaving the facility
Rationale: Discharge planning promotes continuity of care by addressing
medications, follow-up, equipment, education, and the patient’s ability to
manage care after discharge.
Q5. A competent patient decides to leave the hospital against
medical advice. What is the nurse’s priority?
A) Physically prevent the patient from leaving
B) Explain the risks, notify the appropriate provider, and document the event
C) Tell the family to restrain the patient
D) Automatically discharge the patient without documentation
Correct Answer: B) Explain the risks, notify the appropriate provider, and
document the event
Rationale: A competent patient may choose to leave, but the healthcare
team should explain potential consequences, notify the provider, follow
facility procedures, and document the patient’s decision.
Q6. Which situation is characteristic of an emergency admission?
A) The admission was scheduled several weeks in advance
B) The patient selected the admission date
C) The patient arrives unexpectedly because of sudden illness or injury
D) The patient completed discharge planning before admission
Correct Answer: C) The patient arrives unexpectedly because of sudden
illness or injury
Rationale: Emergency admissions are unplanned and occur when an acute
condition requires immediate evaluation or treatment.
, Q7. Which approach can reduce anxiety during a planned
admission?
A) Limit explanations to avoid overwhelming the patient
B) Encourage questions and explain what will happen during the admission
C) Avoid discussing unfamiliar procedures
D) Tell the patient that anxiety is unavoidable
Correct Answer: B) Encourage questions and explain what will happen during
the admission
Rationale: Clear information, orientation, and opportunities to ask questions
can reduce uncertainty and help the patient adapt to the healthcare
environment.
Q8. Which item should generally be included when transferring a
patient to another healthcare agency?
A) Only the patient’s room number
B) The nurse’s personal opinion of the patient
C) Only the diagnosis
D) Relevant clinical information, current treatments, medications, and
ongoing needs
Correct Answer: D) Relevant clinical information, current treatments,
medications, and ongoing needs
Rationale: Transfer communication must provide enough clinical
information for the receiving team to continue treatment safely and
appropriately.
Q9. What is the nurse’s responsibility when valuable personal
belongings are identified during admission?
A) Secure them according to facility policy or arrange for them to be sent
home
B) Store them in the nurse’s personal locker
C) Leave them at the bedside without documentation
D) Discard them if the patient cannot immediately account for them
Correct Answer: A) Secure them according to facility policy or arrange for
them to be sent home
Rationale: Valuables should be protected against loss by following facility
procedures and documenting their handling.