FALL SEMESTER 2025 | SuccESS in
PRAcTicAL/VocATionAL nuRSing: FRoM STudEnT To
LEAdER, 10Th EdiTion by PATRiciA M. nugEnT,
bARbARA A. ViTALE & PATRiciA S. gREEn |
coMPLETE STudy guidE, ExAM PREP QuESTionS
wiTh coRREcT AnSwERS, RATionALES &
LEAdERShiP dEVELoPMEnT REViEw | uPdATEd
2025–2026 EdiTion FoR Pn/Vn STudEnTS & ncLEx-
Pn PREPARATion
Question 1:
A patient is newly diagnosed with hypertension. Which dietary recommendation
should the nurse provide?
A) Increase intake of saturated fats
B) Limit sodium intake
C) Eat more processed foods
D) Decrease fluid intake
Correct Option: B) Limit sodium intake
Rationale:
Limiting sodium intake is crucial for managing hypertension, as high sodium levels can
increase blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet
emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, while reducing salt
intake.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A) Administer pain medication
B) Assess vital signs
C) Provide reassurance
D) Schedule an ECG
Correct Option: B) Assess vital signs
Rationale:
Assessing vital signs is the priority intervention to determine the severity of the patient’s
condition and to guide further treatment. While pain management is important,
understanding the patient’s hemodynamic status is critical in acute settings.
,Question 3:
A patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. What is the most
appropriate initial action by the nurse?
A) Administer insulin
B) Give the patient a glass of orange juice
C) Call the physician
D) Provide glucose tablets
Correct Option: D) Provide glucose tablets
Rationale:
Providing glucose tablets is the quickest way to raise blood sugar levels in a
hypoglycemic patient. Oral glucose is rapidly absorbed, making it an effective first
response.
Question 4:
What is the primary purpose of performing hand hygiene in a healthcare setting?
A) To prevent the spread of infections
B) To comply with hospital policies
C) To save time during patient care
D) To protect both patients and healthcare workers
Correct Option: D) To protect both patients and healthcare workers
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers from
infections. It significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens and is a fundamental
practice in infection control.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. Which assessment finding would be a cause for concern?
A) Clear urine output
B) Pain at the incision site
C) Abdominal distension
D) Elevated temperature (>101°F)
Correct Option: D) Elevated temperature (>101°F)
Rationale:
An elevated temperature can indicate an infection or complications following surgery.
,While pain and abdominal distension can be common post-operative symptoms, a
significant fever should be evaluated further.
Question 6:
Which of the following is an essential nursing intervention for a patient receiving
anticoagulant therapy?
A) Monitor for signs of infection
B) Encourage increased physical activity
C) Educate about dietary restrictions
D) Assess for signs of bleeding
Correct Option: D) Assess for signs of bleeding
Rationale:
Patients on anticoagulants are at risk for bleeding, making it essential for the nurse to
regularly assess for signs such as bruising, hematuria, or unusual bleeding. Monitoring
helps to prevent serious complications.
Question 7:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
statement indicates that the patient understands the instructions?
A) "I should shake the inhaler before each use."
B) "I will exhale fully before I place the inhaler in my mouth."
C) "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
D) "I should use the inhaler only when I feel short of breath."
Correct Option: B) "I will exhale fully before I place the inhaler in my mouth."
Rationale:
Exhaling fully before using the inhaler ensures that the patient can take a deep breath
in, allowing for better medication delivery to the lungs. Proper technique is important for
effective treatment.
Question 8:
What is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A) Wearing gloves at all times
B) Practicing proper hand hygiene
C) Using antibiotics prophylactically
D) Isolating all patients
, Correct Option: B) Practicing proper hand hygiene
Rationale:
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent HAIs, as it minimizes the
transmission of pathogens. It is a critical component of infection control protocols in
healthcare settings.
Question 9:
A patient is diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). Which symptom would
the nurse expect to find?
A) Dyspnea on exertion
B) Bradycardia
C) Increased appetite
D) Weight loss
Correct Option: A) Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale:
Dyspnea on exertion is a common symptom of CHF due to fluid accumulation and
pulmonary congestion. Patients often experience shortness of breath during physical
activities.
Question 10:
When caring for a patient with a wound, what is the priority nursing action?
A) Change the dressing regularly
B) Assess the wound for signs of infection
C) Administer pain medication
D) Educate the patient about wound care
Correct Option: B) Assess the wound for signs of infection
Rationale:
Assessing the wound for signs of infection is the priority action, as early detection and
intervention can prevent further complications and promote healing.
Question 11:
A nurse is assessing a patient with COPD. Which finding would indicate worsening
respiratory status?
A) Decreased respiratory rate
B) Increased use of accessory muscles
PRAcTicAL/VocATionAL nuRSing: FRoM STudEnT To
LEAdER, 10Th EdiTion by PATRiciA M. nugEnT,
bARbARA A. ViTALE & PATRiciA S. gREEn |
coMPLETE STudy guidE, ExAM PREP QuESTionS
wiTh coRREcT AnSwERS, RATionALES &
LEAdERShiP dEVELoPMEnT REViEw | uPdATEd
2025–2026 EdiTion FoR Pn/Vn STudEnTS & ncLEx-
Pn PREPARATion
Question 1:
A patient is newly diagnosed with hypertension. Which dietary recommendation
should the nurse provide?
A) Increase intake of saturated fats
B) Limit sodium intake
C) Eat more processed foods
D) Decrease fluid intake
Correct Option: B) Limit sodium intake
Rationale:
Limiting sodium intake is crucial for managing hypertension, as high sodium levels can
increase blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet
emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, while reducing salt
intake.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A) Administer pain medication
B) Assess vital signs
C) Provide reassurance
D) Schedule an ECG
Correct Option: B) Assess vital signs
Rationale:
Assessing vital signs is the priority intervention to determine the severity of the patient’s
condition and to guide further treatment. While pain management is important,
understanding the patient’s hemodynamic status is critical in acute settings.
,Question 3:
A patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. What is the most
appropriate initial action by the nurse?
A) Administer insulin
B) Give the patient a glass of orange juice
C) Call the physician
D) Provide glucose tablets
Correct Option: D) Provide glucose tablets
Rationale:
Providing glucose tablets is the quickest way to raise blood sugar levels in a
hypoglycemic patient. Oral glucose is rapidly absorbed, making it an effective first
response.
Question 4:
What is the primary purpose of performing hand hygiene in a healthcare setting?
A) To prevent the spread of infections
B) To comply with hospital policies
C) To save time during patient care
D) To protect both patients and healthcare workers
Correct Option: D) To protect both patients and healthcare workers
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers from
infections. It significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens and is a fundamental
practice in infection control.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. Which assessment finding would be a cause for concern?
A) Clear urine output
B) Pain at the incision site
C) Abdominal distension
D) Elevated temperature (>101°F)
Correct Option: D) Elevated temperature (>101°F)
Rationale:
An elevated temperature can indicate an infection or complications following surgery.
,While pain and abdominal distension can be common post-operative symptoms, a
significant fever should be evaluated further.
Question 6:
Which of the following is an essential nursing intervention for a patient receiving
anticoagulant therapy?
A) Monitor for signs of infection
B) Encourage increased physical activity
C) Educate about dietary restrictions
D) Assess for signs of bleeding
Correct Option: D) Assess for signs of bleeding
Rationale:
Patients on anticoagulants are at risk for bleeding, making it essential for the nurse to
regularly assess for signs such as bruising, hematuria, or unusual bleeding. Monitoring
helps to prevent serious complications.
Question 7:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
statement indicates that the patient understands the instructions?
A) "I should shake the inhaler before each use."
B) "I will exhale fully before I place the inhaler in my mouth."
C) "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
D) "I should use the inhaler only when I feel short of breath."
Correct Option: B) "I will exhale fully before I place the inhaler in my mouth."
Rationale:
Exhaling fully before using the inhaler ensures that the patient can take a deep breath
in, allowing for better medication delivery to the lungs. Proper technique is important for
effective treatment.
Question 8:
What is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A) Wearing gloves at all times
B) Practicing proper hand hygiene
C) Using antibiotics prophylactically
D) Isolating all patients
, Correct Option: B) Practicing proper hand hygiene
Rationale:
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent HAIs, as it minimizes the
transmission of pathogens. It is a critical component of infection control protocols in
healthcare settings.
Question 9:
A patient is diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). Which symptom would
the nurse expect to find?
A) Dyspnea on exertion
B) Bradycardia
C) Increased appetite
D) Weight loss
Correct Option: A) Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale:
Dyspnea on exertion is a common symptom of CHF due to fluid accumulation and
pulmonary congestion. Patients often experience shortness of breath during physical
activities.
Question 10:
When caring for a patient with a wound, what is the priority nursing action?
A) Change the dressing regularly
B) Assess the wound for signs of infection
C) Administer pain medication
D) Educate the patient about wound care
Correct Option: B) Assess the wound for signs of infection
Rationale:
Assessing the wound for signs of infection is the priority action, as early detection and
intervention can prevent further complications and promote healing.
Question 11:
A nurse is assessing a patient with COPD. Which finding would indicate worsening
respiratory status?
A) Decreased respiratory rate
B) Increased use of accessory muscles
