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NUR 265 EXAM 4 PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Part I: Emergency and Disaster Nursing (Questions 1–25)
1. A charge nurse reviews the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) with
staff. Which statement by a staff nurse indicates correct understanding of HICS?
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 is an organizational framework that establishes clear roles,
responsibilities, and reporting structures within a healthcare facility during
emergencies; it does not replace local emergency services, is not limited to federal
declarations, and requires coordinated rather than unrelated response plans across
units.
2. An emergency room nurse is triaging victims of a multi-casualty event. Which
client should the nurse prioritize for treatment?
A. A client with a minor laceration who is ambulatory.
B. A client with an open femur fracture and a rapid, weak pulse.
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C. A client with a sprained ankle who is in severe pain.
D. A client who is deceased.
Rationale: In mass casualty triage, the priority is to identify and treat clients with
life-threatening injuries but a high chance of survival, such as an open fracture
with signs of shock; clients with minor injuries or those who are deceased or have
catastrophic injuries are lower priority.
3. 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: Airway is the priority in any emergency; the jaw-thrust maneuver
opens the airway without extending the neck, which is critical when a cervical
injury is suspected.
4. A client presents to the emergency department with chest pain, shortness of
breath, a productive cough, and night sweats. The client has AIDS and a low CD4+
count. Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Prepare the client for insertion of a chest tube.
B. Initiate airborne precautions.
C. Obtain a throat culture.
D. Assess the client for shingles.
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Rationale: A client with AIDS, a low CD4+ count, and respiratory symptoms may
have tuberculosis or another airborne infection; airborne precautions should be
initiated promptly to protect others.
5. Which of the following best describes the first step in the emergency response
sequence?
A. Ensure scene safety and identify hazards before providing care.
B. Begin CPR immediately without assessing the scene.
C. Move the client before stabilizing the airway.
D. Administer medications before obtaining vital signs.
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority in any emergency; rescuers must ensure
their own safety and the safety of others before providing care.
6. During a disaster, which client should the nurse triage as the highest priority
using the color-coded triage system?
A. A client with a minor injury who can walk.
B. A client with a life-threatening injury who requires immediate intervention
and has a high chance of survival.
C. A client with a catastrophic injury who is unlikely to survive.
D. A client who is deceased.
Rationale: In the color-coded triage system, red tags indicate clients who require
immediate intervention and have a high chance of survival; these clients are the
highest priority.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure in the emergency
department. Which action should the nurse take first?
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A. Protect the client from injury by guiding them to the floor and removing
nearby objects.
B. Restrain the client’s movements.
C. Place a tongue blade in the client’s mouth.
D. Administer an anticonvulsant immediately.
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is to protect the client from injury; never
restrain the client or place anything in the mouth.
8. Which of the following is a key principle of disaster triage?
A. Treating clients on a first-come, first-served basis.
B. Prioritizing care based on severity and likelihood of survival.
C. Treating the least injured clients first.
D. Ignoring severity to conserve resources.
Rationale: Disaster triage prioritizes clients based on severity and likelihood of
survival to maximize overall outcomes.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has been exposed to a chemical agent. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Decontaminate the client to remove the chemical agent.
B. Administer an antidote immediately.
C. Obtain a complete history.
D. Perform a neurologic assessment.
Rationale: Decontamination is the first priority for clients exposed to chemical
agents to prevent further absorption and protect healthcare workers.
10. Which of the following is an example of a human-caused disaster?
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NUR 265 EXAM 4 PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Part I: Emergency and Disaster Nursing (Questions 1–25)
1. A charge nurse reviews the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) with
staff. Which statement by a staff nurse indicates correct understanding of HICS?
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 is an organizational framework that establishes clear roles,
responsibilities, and reporting structures within a healthcare facility during
emergencies; it does not replace local emergency services, is not limited to federal
declarations, and requires coordinated rather than unrelated response plans across
units.
2. An emergency room nurse is triaging victims of a multi-casualty event. Which
client should the nurse prioritize for treatment?
A. A client with a minor laceration who is ambulatory.
B. A client with an open femur fracture and a rapid, weak pulse.
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,Page 2 of 84
C. A client with a sprained ankle who is in severe pain.
D. A client who is deceased.
Rationale: In mass casualty triage, the priority is to identify and treat clients with
life-threatening injuries but a high chance of survival, such as an open fracture
with signs of shock; clients with minor injuries or those who are deceased or have
catastrophic injuries are lower priority.
3. 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: Airway is the priority in any emergency; the jaw-thrust maneuver
opens the airway without extending the neck, which is critical when a cervical
injury is suspected.
4. A client presents to the emergency department with chest pain, shortness of
breath, a productive cough, and night sweats. The client has AIDS and a low CD4+
count. Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Prepare the client for insertion of a chest tube.
B. Initiate airborne precautions.
C. Obtain a throat culture.
D. Assess the client for shingles.
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,Page 3 of 84
Rationale: A client with AIDS, a low CD4+ count, and respiratory symptoms may
have tuberculosis or another airborne infection; airborne precautions should be
initiated promptly to protect others.
5. Which of the following best describes the first step in the emergency response
sequence?
A. Ensure scene safety and identify hazards before providing care.
B. Begin CPR immediately without assessing the scene.
C. Move the client before stabilizing the airway.
D. Administer medications before obtaining vital signs.
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority in any emergency; rescuers must ensure
their own safety and the safety of others before providing care.
6. During a disaster, which client should the nurse triage as the highest priority
using the color-coded triage system?
A. A client with a minor injury who can walk.
B. A client with a life-threatening injury who requires immediate intervention
and has a high chance of survival.
C. A client with a catastrophic injury who is unlikely to survive.
D. A client who is deceased.
Rationale: In the color-coded triage system, red tags indicate clients who require
immediate intervention and have a high chance of survival; these clients are the
highest priority.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure in the emergency
department. Which action should the nurse take first?
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A. Protect the client from injury by guiding them to the floor and removing
nearby objects.
B. Restrain the client’s movements.
C. Place a tongue blade in the client’s mouth.
D. Administer an anticonvulsant immediately.
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is to protect the client from injury; never
restrain the client or place anything in the mouth.
8. Which of the following is a key principle of disaster triage?
A. Treating clients on a first-come, first-served basis.
B. Prioritizing care based on severity and likelihood of survival.
C. Treating the least injured clients first.
D. Ignoring severity to conserve resources.
Rationale: Disaster triage prioritizes clients based on severity and likelihood of
survival to maximize overall outcomes.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has been exposed to a chemical agent. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Decontaminate the client to remove the chemical agent.
B. Administer an antidote immediately.
C. Obtain a complete history.
D. Perform a neurologic assessment.
Rationale: Decontamination is the first priority for clients exposed to chemical
agents to prevent further absorption and protect healthcare workers.
10. Which of the following is an example of a human-caused disaster?
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