Nursing Comprehensive Review: 50 MCQs
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Nursing Code of Ethics?
a) To provide a basis for legal action against nurses.
b) To define the specific tasks nurses must perform.
c) To guide the profession in self-regulation and ethical decision-making.
d) To ensure nurses are paid fairly for their work.
2. When performing a physical assessment, which technique should usually be performed last for
the abdomen?
a) Inspection
b) Auscultation
c) Percussion
d) Palpation
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and expresses doubt. What is the nurse’s best action?
a) Reassure the patient that the surgeon is the best.
b) Notify the surgeon that the patient has questions about the procedure.
c) Hand the patient the consent form to sign quickly.
d) Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery yourself.
4. Which type of precaution is required for a patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis?
a) Standard Precautions
b) Droplet Precautions
c) Airborne Precautions
d) Contact Precautions
5. The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with a risk of falls. Which intervention is most important?
a) Keeping all four side rails up.
b) Keeping the bed in the lowest position.
c) Administering a sedative at night.
d) Restricting the patient to bed rest.
6. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is shaky and sweaty. What is the priority nursing action?
a) Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
b) Check the blood glucose level.
c) Call the doctor immediately.
d) Offer a high-protein snack.
7. What is the hallmark sign of a Tension Pneumothorax?
a) Hypertension
b) Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
c) Bradycardia
d) Increased breath sounds on the affected side
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient with chronic renal failure most at risk for?
a) Hypokalemia
b) Hyperkalemia
c) Hyponatremia
d) Hypocalcemia
, 9. In a patient with a suspected Myocardial Infarction, which lab value is the most specific indicator
of cardiac muscle damage?
a) Myoglobin
b) CK-MB
c) Troponin I
d) LDH
10. A nurse is caring for a patient post-cholecystectomy. Which is a priority to prevent respiratory
complications?
a) Keeping the patient supine.
b) Encouraging incentive spirometry and deep breathing.
c) Administering prophylactic antibiotics.
d) Limiting fluid intake.
11. What is the priority assessment for a patient in a leg cast who reports extreme pain not relieved
by meds?
a) Temperature of the foot
b) Pedal pulses and capillary refill
c) Blood pressure
d) Skin integrity around the cast edges
12. Which medication is considered the 'gold standard' for treating an acute asthma attack?
a) Salmeterol
b) Albuterol
c) Prednisone
d) Theophylline
13. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills and hives. What is the first action?
a) Slow the infusion rate.
b) Call the physician.
c) Stop the transfusion.
d) Administer Benadryl.
14. What is the primary goal of care for a patient with Osteoarthritis?
a) Cure the underlying disease.
b) Maintain joint function and manage pain.
c) Prevent the spread to other organs.
d) Ensure the patient stays on strict bed rest.
15. For a patient with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is contraindicated?
a) Elevating the affected limb.
b) Massaging the affected leg.
c) Administering anticoagulants.
d) Monitoring for shortness of breath.
16. What is the most common sign of placenta previa?
a) Painful vaginal bleeding.
b) Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding.
c) Board-like abdomen.
d) Severe back pain.
17. A newborn has a heart rate of 110, a strong cry, some flexion of extremities, and a pink body
with blue hands/feet. What is the APGAR score?
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Nursing Code of Ethics?
a) To provide a basis for legal action against nurses.
b) To define the specific tasks nurses must perform.
c) To guide the profession in self-regulation and ethical decision-making.
d) To ensure nurses are paid fairly for their work.
2. When performing a physical assessment, which technique should usually be performed last for
the abdomen?
a) Inspection
b) Auscultation
c) Percussion
d) Palpation
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and expresses doubt. What is the nurse’s best action?
a) Reassure the patient that the surgeon is the best.
b) Notify the surgeon that the patient has questions about the procedure.
c) Hand the patient the consent form to sign quickly.
d) Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery yourself.
4. Which type of precaution is required for a patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis?
a) Standard Precautions
b) Droplet Precautions
c) Airborne Precautions
d) Contact Precautions
5. The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with a risk of falls. Which intervention is most important?
a) Keeping all four side rails up.
b) Keeping the bed in the lowest position.
c) Administering a sedative at night.
d) Restricting the patient to bed rest.
6. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is shaky and sweaty. What is the priority nursing action?
a) Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
b) Check the blood glucose level.
c) Call the doctor immediately.
d) Offer a high-protein snack.
7. What is the hallmark sign of a Tension Pneumothorax?
a) Hypertension
b) Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
c) Bradycardia
d) Increased breath sounds on the affected side
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient with chronic renal failure most at risk for?
a) Hypokalemia
b) Hyperkalemia
c) Hyponatremia
d) Hypocalcemia
, 9. In a patient with a suspected Myocardial Infarction, which lab value is the most specific indicator
of cardiac muscle damage?
a) Myoglobin
b) CK-MB
c) Troponin I
d) LDH
10. A nurse is caring for a patient post-cholecystectomy. Which is a priority to prevent respiratory
complications?
a) Keeping the patient supine.
b) Encouraging incentive spirometry and deep breathing.
c) Administering prophylactic antibiotics.
d) Limiting fluid intake.
11. What is the priority assessment for a patient in a leg cast who reports extreme pain not relieved
by meds?
a) Temperature of the foot
b) Pedal pulses and capillary refill
c) Blood pressure
d) Skin integrity around the cast edges
12. Which medication is considered the 'gold standard' for treating an acute asthma attack?
a) Salmeterol
b) Albuterol
c) Prednisone
d) Theophylline
13. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills and hives. What is the first action?
a) Slow the infusion rate.
b) Call the physician.
c) Stop the transfusion.
d) Administer Benadryl.
14. What is the primary goal of care for a patient with Osteoarthritis?
a) Cure the underlying disease.
b) Maintain joint function and manage pain.
c) Prevent the spread to other organs.
d) Ensure the patient stays on strict bed rest.
15. For a patient with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is contraindicated?
a) Elevating the affected limb.
b) Massaging the affected leg.
c) Administering anticoagulants.
d) Monitoring for shortness of breath.
16. What is the most common sign of placenta previa?
a) Painful vaginal bleeding.
b) Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding.
c) Board-like abdomen.
d) Severe back pain.
17. A newborn has a heart rate of 110, a strong cry, some flexion of extremities, and a pink body
with blue hands/feet. What is the APGAR score?
