Canadian PN Exam Questions with
Accurate Answers
21. Mr. Lewis reports that he takes a combination inhaler that contains a long-
acting beta2-agonist as well as a steroid. What is the therapeutic action of these
two medications?
1. The medications act in combination to decrease airway inflammation.
2. They work in combination to decrease airway bronchoconstriction.
3. They provide bronchodilation and reduced airway inflammation.
4. The two medications potentiate each other and provide longer-acting symptom
control. correct answer 3. They provide bronchodilation and reduced airway
inflammation.
A 2-day-old 36-week gestation infant is receiving oxygen in the neonatal intensive
care unit. He is not able to tolerate oral feeds as yet. His mother is upset as she
had planned to breastfeed. What would be appropriate for the practical nurse to
say to her?
1. "I will bring you the electric breast pump so that you may start pumping your
breasts for when your baby can start feedings."
2. "Your baby will probably need feeds through an intravenous infusion for
several weeks and perhaps after that you may be able to provide him with breast
milk."
3. "It is best to give premature infants formula when they start feedings as the
exact amounts of milk can be determined."
4. "As soon as the baby is out of oxygen, you will be able to put him to breast."
correct answer 1. "I will bring you the electric breast pump so that you may start
pumping your breasts for when your baby can start feedings."
,A 2-year-old child in respiratory distress has the following physician order: "Give
oxygen by face mask to keep the O2 saturation above 95%." The nurse notes that
the oxygen saturation has fallen to 80%. What should be the initial action by the
practical nurse?
1. Double-check the order with the physician.
2. Administer additional oxygen.
3. Arrange for arterial blood gases to confirm the O2 saturation reading.
4. Perform a chest assessment. correct answer 2. Administer additional oxygen.
A 6-year-old has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a new diagnosis of
type1 diabetes mellitus. The practical nurse is to health teach about monitoring
blood glucose levels. This health teaching needs to include:
1. Taking the blood glucose level is completed only once in the morning before
breakfast.
2. The ideal blood glucose level is between 4 to 7 mmol/L.
3. Dietary restrictions need to be followed to keep the blood glucose levels low.
4. The child will need to monitor his or her own blood glucose levels at school.
correct answer 2. The ideal blood glucose level is between 4 to 7 mmol/L.
A child at the Tiny Tots daycare centre has been diagnosed with impetigo. What
advice should the practical nurse working at the daycare provide to the centre's
child-care workers?
1. Place the daycare centre under quarantine.
,2. Close the daycare until complete cleaning has been performed.
3. No special precautions are required.
4. Suspend attendance for the infected child for 48 hours. correct answer 4.
Suspend attendance for the infected child for 48 hours.
Impetigo is an infection of the skin caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus
bacteria and is transmissible to other children. The child with impetigo must be
isolated from other children until 24-48 hours after treatment has started.
A client in the thoracic unit pulls out his right-side chest tube. What is the
immediate action by the practical nurse?
1. Place an occlusive dressing over the puncture site.
2. Call for the on-site physician.
3. Position the client on his right side.
4. Place a saline dressing over the exit site. correct answer 1. Place an occlusive
dressing over the puncture site.
A client is ordered 325 mg of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) prn for headache. The
practical nurse is aware that this client is also receiving warfarin (Coumadin).
Which of the following is the most appropriate action to be taken by the practical
nurse?
1. Contact the doctor for clarification of the orders.
2. Ask the client if he has taken Aspirin before while also taking Coumadin.
3. Contact the pharmacist about the potential drug interaction.
, 4. Consult with nursing colleagues about whether to give the ASA to the client.
correct answer 1. Contact the doctor for clarification of the orders.
A client is ordered venlafaxine (Effexor) for depression. The client refuses to take
the medication, stating that it causes headaches. What should the practical nurse
do?
1. Do not give the medication because the client has withdrawn her consent.
2. Tell the charge nurse the situation to see if she can convince the client to take
the medication.
3. Administer the medication because the client has been diagnosed with
depression.
4. Insist that the client take the medication but tell her she will give her Tylenol
for the headache. correct answer 1. Do not give the medication because the client
has withdrawn her consent.
A community practical nurse is concerned because many of her chronically ill
clients do not have a primary care provider. What short-term solution should the
practical nurse suggest to the clients?
1. Advise them to go to the local community walk-in clinic as necessary.
2. Provide them with a list of all the community physicians for them to call.
3. Advise them to call the provincial telephone health information line for advice.
4. Provide the clients with comprehensive health care to the best of her ability.
correct answer 1. Advise them to go to the local community walk-in clinic as
necessary.
Accurate Answers
21. Mr. Lewis reports that he takes a combination inhaler that contains a long-
acting beta2-agonist as well as a steroid. What is the therapeutic action of these
two medications?
1. The medications act in combination to decrease airway inflammation.
2. They work in combination to decrease airway bronchoconstriction.
3. They provide bronchodilation and reduced airway inflammation.
4. The two medications potentiate each other and provide longer-acting symptom
control. correct answer 3. They provide bronchodilation and reduced airway
inflammation.
A 2-day-old 36-week gestation infant is receiving oxygen in the neonatal intensive
care unit. He is not able to tolerate oral feeds as yet. His mother is upset as she
had planned to breastfeed. What would be appropriate for the practical nurse to
say to her?
1. "I will bring you the electric breast pump so that you may start pumping your
breasts for when your baby can start feedings."
2. "Your baby will probably need feeds through an intravenous infusion for
several weeks and perhaps after that you may be able to provide him with breast
milk."
3. "It is best to give premature infants formula when they start feedings as the
exact amounts of milk can be determined."
4. "As soon as the baby is out of oxygen, you will be able to put him to breast."
correct answer 1. "I will bring you the electric breast pump so that you may start
pumping your breasts for when your baby can start feedings."
,A 2-year-old child in respiratory distress has the following physician order: "Give
oxygen by face mask to keep the O2 saturation above 95%." The nurse notes that
the oxygen saturation has fallen to 80%. What should be the initial action by the
practical nurse?
1. Double-check the order with the physician.
2. Administer additional oxygen.
3. Arrange for arterial blood gases to confirm the O2 saturation reading.
4. Perform a chest assessment. correct answer 2. Administer additional oxygen.
A 6-year-old has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a new diagnosis of
type1 diabetes mellitus. The practical nurse is to health teach about monitoring
blood glucose levels. This health teaching needs to include:
1. Taking the blood glucose level is completed only once in the morning before
breakfast.
2. The ideal blood glucose level is between 4 to 7 mmol/L.
3. Dietary restrictions need to be followed to keep the blood glucose levels low.
4. The child will need to monitor his or her own blood glucose levels at school.
correct answer 2. The ideal blood glucose level is between 4 to 7 mmol/L.
A child at the Tiny Tots daycare centre has been diagnosed with impetigo. What
advice should the practical nurse working at the daycare provide to the centre's
child-care workers?
1. Place the daycare centre under quarantine.
,2. Close the daycare until complete cleaning has been performed.
3. No special precautions are required.
4. Suspend attendance for the infected child for 48 hours. correct answer 4.
Suspend attendance for the infected child for 48 hours.
Impetigo is an infection of the skin caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus
bacteria and is transmissible to other children. The child with impetigo must be
isolated from other children until 24-48 hours after treatment has started.
A client in the thoracic unit pulls out his right-side chest tube. What is the
immediate action by the practical nurse?
1. Place an occlusive dressing over the puncture site.
2. Call for the on-site physician.
3. Position the client on his right side.
4. Place a saline dressing over the exit site. correct answer 1. Place an occlusive
dressing over the puncture site.
A client is ordered 325 mg of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) prn for headache. The
practical nurse is aware that this client is also receiving warfarin (Coumadin).
Which of the following is the most appropriate action to be taken by the practical
nurse?
1. Contact the doctor for clarification of the orders.
2. Ask the client if he has taken Aspirin before while also taking Coumadin.
3. Contact the pharmacist about the potential drug interaction.
, 4. Consult with nursing colleagues about whether to give the ASA to the client.
correct answer 1. Contact the doctor for clarification of the orders.
A client is ordered venlafaxine (Effexor) for depression. The client refuses to take
the medication, stating that it causes headaches. What should the practical nurse
do?
1. Do not give the medication because the client has withdrawn her consent.
2. Tell the charge nurse the situation to see if she can convince the client to take
the medication.
3. Administer the medication because the client has been diagnosed with
depression.
4. Insist that the client take the medication but tell her she will give her Tylenol
for the headache. correct answer 1. Do not give the medication because the client
has withdrawn her consent.
A community practical nurse is concerned because many of her chronically ill
clients do not have a primary care provider. What short-term solution should the
practical nurse suggest to the clients?
1. Advise them to go to the local community walk-in clinic as necessary.
2. Provide them with a list of all the community physicians for them to call.
3. Advise them to call the provincial telephone health information line for advice.
4. Provide the clients with comprehensive health care to the best of her ability.
correct answer 1. Advise them to go to the local community walk-in clinic as
necessary.
