NCCHC–CCHP Practice Exam 2
Questions and Answers with
Rationales
Question 1
A patient with diabetes becomes confused and lethargic. Which
assessment should be performed promptly when clinically feasible?
A. Blood glucose
B. Visual acuity only
C. Dental examination
D. Hearing test
Answer: A. Blood glucose
Rationale:
Altered mental status in a patient with diabetes may result from
hypoglycemia or severe hyperglycemia, among other causes. Rapid
glucose assessment can identify a potentially reversible and life-
threatening condition.
Question 2
During intake screening, a patient states, “I don't want to live anymore,”
but denies having a specific plan. What should the health-care
professional do?
,A. Document the statement and take no further action
B. Assume there is no suicide risk because there is no plan
C. Conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment
D. Immediately discharge the patient from medical care
Answer: C. Conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment
Rationale:
Suicidal thoughts can occur without a specific plan. Risk assessment
should explore suicidal intent, previous attempts, access to means,
current stressors, psychiatric symptoms, substance use, protective
factors, and other relevant circumstances. Appropriate precautions
should be implemented based on the assessment.
Question 3
Which factor is particularly important when assessing suicide risk in a
newly incarcerated patient?
A. Favorite recreational activity
B. Recent transition and associated psychosocial stressors
C. Preferred meal
D. Educational background alone
Answer: B. Recent transition and associated psychosocial stressors
Rationale:
Admission to a correctional setting can involve abrupt changes in
environment, relationships, legal circumstances, access to substances or
medications, and social support. Transitions can increase vulnerability,
particularly when combined with previous mental illness, substance use,
prior suicidal behavior, or other risk factors.
,Question 4
A patient is placed on suicide precautions. Which principle is most
important?
A. Observation should be performed according to the patient's assessed
level of risk and established procedures
B. The patient should never receive clinical reassessment
C. All suicide precautions should be identical regardless of risk
D. The patient should be left alone to demonstrate responsibility
Answer: A. Observation should be performed according to the
patient's assessed level of risk and established procedures
Rationale:
Suicide precautions should be based on clinical assessment and facility
procedures. Observation must be meaningful and appropriately matched
to risk. Clinical reassessment is also important because suicide risk can
change rapidly.
Question 5
A patient with diabetes reports that meals are sometimes delayed
because of institutional scheduling, resulting in missed or delayed
insulin doses. What is the best response?
A. Tell the patient to skip insulin whenever meals are delayed
B. Assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate diabetes-
management plan
C. Stop all insulin permanently
D. Ignore the problem unless the patient develops symptoms
Answer: B. Assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate
diabetes-management plan
, Rationale:
Diabetes management depends on coordination between medication
administration, nutrition, glucose monitoring, and activity. Correctional
health staff should identify operational barriers and develop a clinically
appropriate plan to reduce hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia risks.
Question 6
A patient newly admitted to a correctional facility report taking several
prescription medications but cannot remember the names or doses. What
is the most appropriate action?
A. Withhold all medications until release
B. Obtain and verify the patient's medication history and reconcile the
medications
C. Ask the patient to remember the medications later
D. Give commonly used medications without an order
Answer: B. Obtain and verify the patient's medication history and
reconcile the medications
Rationale:
Medication reconciliation is essential during intake because incomplete
medication information can result in omissions, duplications,
interactions, withdrawal, or toxicity. Staff should obtain available
records, verify medications, doses, routes, indications, allergies, and
recent changes, then establish an appropriate treatment plan.
Question 7
Questions and Answers with
Rationales
Question 1
A patient with diabetes becomes confused and lethargic. Which
assessment should be performed promptly when clinically feasible?
A. Blood glucose
B. Visual acuity only
C. Dental examination
D. Hearing test
Answer: A. Blood glucose
Rationale:
Altered mental status in a patient with diabetes may result from
hypoglycemia or severe hyperglycemia, among other causes. Rapid
glucose assessment can identify a potentially reversible and life-
threatening condition.
Question 2
During intake screening, a patient states, “I don't want to live anymore,”
but denies having a specific plan. What should the health-care
professional do?
,A. Document the statement and take no further action
B. Assume there is no suicide risk because there is no plan
C. Conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment
D. Immediately discharge the patient from medical care
Answer: C. Conduct an appropriate suicide-risk assessment
Rationale:
Suicidal thoughts can occur without a specific plan. Risk assessment
should explore suicidal intent, previous attempts, access to means,
current stressors, psychiatric symptoms, substance use, protective
factors, and other relevant circumstances. Appropriate precautions
should be implemented based on the assessment.
Question 3
Which factor is particularly important when assessing suicide risk in a
newly incarcerated patient?
A. Favorite recreational activity
B. Recent transition and associated psychosocial stressors
C. Preferred meal
D. Educational background alone
Answer: B. Recent transition and associated psychosocial stressors
Rationale:
Admission to a correctional setting can involve abrupt changes in
environment, relationships, legal circumstances, access to substances or
medications, and social support. Transitions can increase vulnerability,
particularly when combined with previous mental illness, substance use,
prior suicidal behavior, or other risk factors.
,Question 4
A patient is placed on suicide precautions. Which principle is most
important?
A. Observation should be performed according to the patient's assessed
level of risk and established procedures
B. The patient should never receive clinical reassessment
C. All suicide precautions should be identical regardless of risk
D. The patient should be left alone to demonstrate responsibility
Answer: A. Observation should be performed according to the
patient's assessed level of risk and established procedures
Rationale:
Suicide precautions should be based on clinical assessment and facility
procedures. Observation must be meaningful and appropriately matched
to risk. Clinical reassessment is also important because suicide risk can
change rapidly.
Question 5
A patient with diabetes reports that meals are sometimes delayed
because of institutional scheduling, resulting in missed or delayed
insulin doses. What is the best response?
A. Tell the patient to skip insulin whenever meals are delayed
B. Assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate diabetes-
management plan
C. Stop all insulin permanently
D. Ignore the problem unless the patient develops symptoms
Answer: B. Assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate
diabetes-management plan
, Rationale:
Diabetes management depends on coordination between medication
administration, nutrition, glucose monitoring, and activity. Correctional
health staff should identify operational barriers and develop a clinically
appropriate plan to reduce hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia risks.
Question 6
A patient newly admitted to a correctional facility report taking several
prescription medications but cannot remember the names or doses. What
is the most appropriate action?
A. Withhold all medications until release
B. Obtain and verify the patient's medication history and reconcile the
medications
C. Ask the patient to remember the medications later
D. Give commonly used medications without an order
Answer: B. Obtain and verify the patient's medication history and
reconcile the medications
Rationale:
Medication reconciliation is essential during intake because incomplete
medication information can result in omissions, duplications,
interactions, withdrawal, or toxicity. Staff should obtain available
records, verify medications, doses, routes, indications, allergies, and
recent changes, then establish an appropriate treatment plan.
Question 7
