NSG 305 — Emergency Nursing exam
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1. A patient arrives in the emergency department after a motor
vehicle collision with severe facial trauma. Which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Assessing the patient's pain level
B. Obtaining a complete medical history
C. Assessing and maintaining the airway
D. Checking the patient's immunization status
Rationale: Airway assessment is the immediate priority in a trauma
patient because facial trauma, swelling, blood, vomitus, or foreign
material can rapidly obstruct the airway. Emergency nursing follows
the ABC approach, beginning with airway management.
, 2. A patient with suspected shock has a blood pressure of 82/48
mmHg, heart rate of 128/min, cool clammy skin, and altered
mental status. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate
first?
A. Restricting oral fluids
B. Establishing large-bore intravenous access and administering
prescribed fluids
C. Encouraging ambulation
D. Administering a sedative
Rationale: The findings indicate significant circulatory compromise.
Rapid vascular access allows administration of isotonic fluids, blood
products, or medications as indicated. Restoring circulating volume is
a major priority in shock management.
3. Which patient should the emergency nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a closed ankle fracture and pain rated 7/10
B. A patient with a superficial forearm laceration
C. A patient with sudden difficulty breathing and cyanosis
D. A patient requesting medication for chronic back pain
Rationale: Acute respiratory distress with cyanosis indicates
potentially life-threatening hypoxemia. Airway and breathing
problems take priority over stable injuries and chronic complaints.
, 4. A patient presents with crushing substernal chest pain,
diaphoresis, and nausea. Which diagnostic test should be
obtained as rapidly as possible?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Chest CT
C. 12-lead electrocardiogram
D. Pulmonary function testing
Rationale: A 12-lead ECG is essential for rapidly identifying myocardial
ischemia or acute myocardial infarction and determining whether
immediate reperfusion therapy may be indicated.
5. A patient arrives after ingesting an unknown quantity of
medication. Which information is most important for the nurse to
obtain initially?
A. The patient's occupation
B. The patient's dietary preferences
C. The substance ingested, approximate amount, and time of
ingestion
D. The patient's usual exercise routine
Rationale: Identifying the substance, dose, and timing helps
determine toxicity risk and guides antidote administration and other
treatment decisions.
, 6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a suspected
head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the knee
C. A decreasing level of consciousness
D. Small superficial scalp abrasion
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness may indicate increasing
intracranial pressure, cerebral edema, intracranial bleeding, or
worsening cerebral injury. It requires immediate reassessment and
intervention.
7. A patient with an open fracture is admitted to the emergency
department. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Pushing the exposed bone back into the wound
B. Applying heat to the injured extremity
C. Covering the wound with a sterile dressing and immobilizing the
extremity
D. Encouraging active range-of-motion exercises
Rationale: An open fracture carries a high risk of infection and
neurovascular injury. The wound should be covered with a sterile
dressing and the extremity immobilized. Exposed bone should never
be pushed back into the wound.
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient arrives in the emergency department after a motor
vehicle collision with severe facial trauma. Which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Assessing the patient's pain level
B. Obtaining a complete medical history
C. Assessing and maintaining the airway
D. Checking the patient's immunization status
Rationale: Airway assessment is the immediate priority in a trauma
patient because facial trauma, swelling, blood, vomitus, or foreign
material can rapidly obstruct the airway. Emergency nursing follows
the ABC approach, beginning with airway management.
, 2. A patient with suspected shock has a blood pressure of 82/48
mmHg, heart rate of 128/min, cool clammy skin, and altered
mental status. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate
first?
A. Restricting oral fluids
B. Establishing large-bore intravenous access and administering
prescribed fluids
C. Encouraging ambulation
D. Administering a sedative
Rationale: The findings indicate significant circulatory compromise.
Rapid vascular access allows administration of isotonic fluids, blood
products, or medications as indicated. Restoring circulating volume is
a major priority in shock management.
3. Which patient should the emergency nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a closed ankle fracture and pain rated 7/10
B. A patient with a superficial forearm laceration
C. A patient with sudden difficulty breathing and cyanosis
D. A patient requesting medication for chronic back pain
Rationale: Acute respiratory distress with cyanosis indicates
potentially life-threatening hypoxemia. Airway and breathing
problems take priority over stable injuries and chronic complaints.
, 4. A patient presents with crushing substernal chest pain,
diaphoresis, and nausea. Which diagnostic test should be
obtained as rapidly as possible?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Chest CT
C. 12-lead electrocardiogram
D. Pulmonary function testing
Rationale: A 12-lead ECG is essential for rapidly identifying myocardial
ischemia or acute myocardial infarction and determining whether
immediate reperfusion therapy may be indicated.
5. A patient arrives after ingesting an unknown quantity of
medication. Which information is most important for the nurse to
obtain initially?
A. The patient's occupation
B. The patient's dietary preferences
C. The substance ingested, approximate amount, and time of
ingestion
D. The patient's usual exercise routine
Rationale: Identifying the substance, dose, and timing helps
determine toxicity risk and guides antidote administration and other
treatment decisions.
, 6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a suspected
head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the knee
C. A decreasing level of consciousness
D. Small superficial scalp abrasion
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness may indicate increasing
intracranial pressure, cerebral edema, intracranial bleeding, or
worsening cerebral injury. It requires immediate reassessment and
intervention.
7. A patient with an open fracture is admitted to the emergency
department. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Pushing the exposed bone back into the wound
B. Applying heat to the injured extremity
C. Covering the wound with a sterile dressing and immobilizing the
extremity
D. Encouraging active range-of-motion exercises
Rationale: An open fracture carries a high risk of infection and
neurovascular injury. The wound should be covered with a sterile
dressing and the extremity immobilized. Exposed bone should never
be pushed back into the wound.
