STATE EXAM NURSING NEW ZEALAND
FINALS EXAMINATION QUESTIONS 1 WITH
CORRECT ASWERS
You are caring for bill a 50 year old who has been hospitalised with a possible diagnosis
of pancreatitis. Which of the following symptoms would you anticipate observing in bill
a) Elevate white blood cell count, ankle oedema and right groin pain
b) Left upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
c) Hypoglycaemia, hypertension, and hypochondrial pain
d) Epigastric pain, pyrexia, and elevated white blood cell count - Correct Answers -b
The initial diagnosis of pancreatitis would be confirmed if bills blood test showed a
significant elevation in serum
a) Amylase
b) Glucose
c) Potassium
d) Trypsin - Correct Answers -D
Pain control is an important nursing goal. Which of the following medications would be
the drug of choice for bill
a) Pethidine
b) Cimetidine
c) Morphine
d) Codine - Correct Answers -C
You monitor bills vital signs frequently, observing for the signs of shock. Shock is
extremely difficult to manage in pancreatitis primarily because of the
a) Frequency and severity of gastrointestinal haemorrhage
b) Vasodilating effects of kinin peptides
c) Tendency towards congestive heart failure
d) Frequent incidence of acute tubular necrosis - Correct Answers -A
While helping bill change position in bed, you note bill has muscle twitching in his hands
and forearms. These symptoms are significant because clients who suffer from
pancreatitis are at risk of
a) Hypermagnesemia
b) Hypoglycaemia
c) Hypocalcaemia
d) Hyponatremia - Correct Answers -C
,Bill does not drink alcohol because of his religious beliefs. When the physician persists
in asking him about his alcohol intake, bill becomes annoyed. You explain the reasoning
behind the questioning by telling bill that
a) There is a strong link between alcohol use and pancreatitis
b) Alcohol intake can interfere with some of the tests used to diagnose pancreatitis
c) Alcoholism is a major health problem and all hospitalised clients are asked about
their alcohol intake
d) The physician must obtain the pertinent facts, and religious beliefs cannot be
considered - Correct Answers -C
Winston a 22 year old man is brought to the emergency room with an apparent head
injury after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He is unconscious on arrival and
exhibits signs of increasing intracranial pressure. His fiancée and his older sister
accompany him. On winstons arrival in the emergency room, which of the following
considerations should receive the highest priority
a) Establishing an airway
b) Replacing blood losses
c) Stopping bleeding from open wounds
d) Determining whether he has a neck fracture
Which of the following methods would be best, from a legal standpoint, for obtaining
permission to treat Winston
a) Having his sister sign the consent form
b) Having two independent doctors agree on the need for treatment
c) Obtaining a verbal consent by telephone from his mother
d) Obtaining written consent from his fiancée - Correct Answers -A B
As winstons condition worsens, his rising intracranial pressure would be indicated by
a) Rising blood pressure and falling pulse rate
b) Rising pulse rate and falling blood pressure
c) Rising blood pressure and rising pulse rate
d) Falling pulse rate and falling blood pressure - Correct Answers -A
The nurse assesses the client frequently for signs of increasing intracranial pressure,
including
a) Unequal pupil size
b) Decreasing systolic blood pressure
c) Tachycardia
d) Decreasing body temperature - Correct Answers -A
Which of the following respiratory signs would indicate increasing intracranial pressure
in the brain stem
a) Slow, irregular respirations
b) Rapid, shallow respirations
c) Asymmetric chest expansion
,d) Nasal flaring - Correct Answers -A
During the past few months, Elizabeth, a 56 year old woman has felt brief twinges of
chest pain while working in her garden and has had frequent episodes of indigestion.
She comes to the hospital after experiencing severe anterior chest pain while raking
leaves. Her evaluation confirms a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris
Elizabeths states i really thought i was having a heart attack. How can you tell the
difference. Which response by the nurse would provide the client with the most accurate
information about the difference between the pain of angina and that of myocardial
infarction
a) The pain associated with a heart attack is much more severe
b) The pain associated with a heart attack radiates into the jaw and down the left arm
c) It is impossible to differentiate angina pain from that of a heart attack without an ECG
d) The pain of angina is usually relieved by resting or lying down - Correct Answers -D
As an initial step in treating elizabeths angina, the physician prescribes nitroglycerin
tablets, 0.3mg given sublingual. This drugs principal effects are produced by
a) Antispasmodic effects on the pericardium
b) Stimulation of a a- and 13- receptor sites
c) Vasodilation of peripheral vasculature
d) Improved conductivity in the myocardium - Correct Answers -C
The nurse teaches Elizabeth that which of the following meals would be best for her low
cholesterol diet
a) Hamburger, salad, and milkshake
b) Baked liver, green beans, and coffee
c) Spaghetti with tomato sauce, salad and coffee
d) Fried chicken, green beans and skim milk - Correct Answers -C
Which of the following symptoms should the nurse teach Elizabeth to report immediately
to her physician
a) A change in the pattern of her pain
b) Pain during sexual activity
c) Pain during an argument with her husband
d) During or after an activity such as lawn mowing - Correct Answers -A
After stabilisation and treatment, Elizabeth is discharged from the hospital. At her follow
up appointment, she is discouraged because she is experiencing pain with increasing
frequency. She states that she visits an invalid friend twice a week and now cannot walk
up the second flight of steps to the friends apartment without pain. Which action can the
nurse could suggest that would most likely help the client deal with this problem
a) Visit her friend early in the day
b) Rest for at least an hour before climbing the stairs
c) Take a nitroglycerin tablet before climbing the stairs
d) Lie down once she reaches the friends apartment - Correct Answers -C
, The nurse teaches Elizabeth that common expected side effects of nitroglycerin include
a) Headache, hypotension, and dizziness
b) Hypertension, flushing and forgetfulness
c) Hypotension, diplopia and shortness of breath
d) Stomach cramps, constipation and urinary frequency - Correct Answers -A
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets begin to work within 1 to 2 minutes. How should the
nurse instruct the client to use the drug when chest pain occurs
a) Take one tablet every 2 to 5 minutes until the pain stops
b) Take one tablets and rest for 10 minutes. Call the physician if pain persists after 10
minutes
c) Take one tablet, then an additional tablet every 5 minutes for a total of three tablets.
Call the physician if pain persists after 3 tablets
d) Take one tablet. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take two tablets. If pain still persists
5 minutes later, call the physician - Correct Answers -C
Which of the following points should the nurse include when instructing the client with
angina about sublingual nitroglycerin
a) The drug will cause your urine to turn bright orange
b) Store the tablets in a tight, light resistant container
c) Use the tablets only when the pain is severe
d) The shelf life of nitroglycerin is up to 2 years - Correct Answers -B
Josie a 38 year old woman is admitted to the emergency room after being found
unconscious at the wheel of her car in the hospital car park. Josie is comatosed and
does not respond to stimuli. A drug overdose is suspected
Which of the following assessment findings would lead the nurse to suspect that the
coma is a result of a toxic drug overdose
a) Hypertension
b) Hyperpyrexia
c) Dilated pupils
d) Facial asymmetry - Correct Answers -C
Blood and urine analysis confirm a diagnosis of salicylate overdose. Josie is treated
with activated charcoal, which would be administered by
a) Intravenous infusion
b) Nasogastric tube
c) Rectal infusior
d) Oral tablets - Correct Answers -B
What specific potential adverse effect of charcoal administration to josie must the nurse
be aware and guard against
a) Anaphylaxis
b) Renal failure
c) Aspiration
d) Cardiac arrest - Correct Answers -C
FINALS EXAMINATION QUESTIONS 1 WITH
CORRECT ASWERS
You are caring for bill a 50 year old who has been hospitalised with a possible diagnosis
of pancreatitis. Which of the following symptoms would you anticipate observing in bill
a) Elevate white blood cell count, ankle oedema and right groin pain
b) Left upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
c) Hypoglycaemia, hypertension, and hypochondrial pain
d) Epigastric pain, pyrexia, and elevated white blood cell count - Correct Answers -b
The initial diagnosis of pancreatitis would be confirmed if bills blood test showed a
significant elevation in serum
a) Amylase
b) Glucose
c) Potassium
d) Trypsin - Correct Answers -D
Pain control is an important nursing goal. Which of the following medications would be
the drug of choice for bill
a) Pethidine
b) Cimetidine
c) Morphine
d) Codine - Correct Answers -C
You monitor bills vital signs frequently, observing for the signs of shock. Shock is
extremely difficult to manage in pancreatitis primarily because of the
a) Frequency and severity of gastrointestinal haemorrhage
b) Vasodilating effects of kinin peptides
c) Tendency towards congestive heart failure
d) Frequent incidence of acute tubular necrosis - Correct Answers -A
While helping bill change position in bed, you note bill has muscle twitching in his hands
and forearms. These symptoms are significant because clients who suffer from
pancreatitis are at risk of
a) Hypermagnesemia
b) Hypoglycaemia
c) Hypocalcaemia
d) Hyponatremia - Correct Answers -C
,Bill does not drink alcohol because of his religious beliefs. When the physician persists
in asking him about his alcohol intake, bill becomes annoyed. You explain the reasoning
behind the questioning by telling bill that
a) There is a strong link between alcohol use and pancreatitis
b) Alcohol intake can interfere with some of the tests used to diagnose pancreatitis
c) Alcoholism is a major health problem and all hospitalised clients are asked about
their alcohol intake
d) The physician must obtain the pertinent facts, and religious beliefs cannot be
considered - Correct Answers -C
Winston a 22 year old man is brought to the emergency room with an apparent head
injury after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He is unconscious on arrival and
exhibits signs of increasing intracranial pressure. His fiancée and his older sister
accompany him. On winstons arrival in the emergency room, which of the following
considerations should receive the highest priority
a) Establishing an airway
b) Replacing blood losses
c) Stopping bleeding from open wounds
d) Determining whether he has a neck fracture
Which of the following methods would be best, from a legal standpoint, for obtaining
permission to treat Winston
a) Having his sister sign the consent form
b) Having two independent doctors agree on the need for treatment
c) Obtaining a verbal consent by telephone from his mother
d) Obtaining written consent from his fiancée - Correct Answers -A B
As winstons condition worsens, his rising intracranial pressure would be indicated by
a) Rising blood pressure and falling pulse rate
b) Rising pulse rate and falling blood pressure
c) Rising blood pressure and rising pulse rate
d) Falling pulse rate and falling blood pressure - Correct Answers -A
The nurse assesses the client frequently for signs of increasing intracranial pressure,
including
a) Unequal pupil size
b) Decreasing systolic blood pressure
c) Tachycardia
d) Decreasing body temperature - Correct Answers -A
Which of the following respiratory signs would indicate increasing intracranial pressure
in the brain stem
a) Slow, irregular respirations
b) Rapid, shallow respirations
c) Asymmetric chest expansion
,d) Nasal flaring - Correct Answers -A
During the past few months, Elizabeth, a 56 year old woman has felt brief twinges of
chest pain while working in her garden and has had frequent episodes of indigestion.
She comes to the hospital after experiencing severe anterior chest pain while raking
leaves. Her evaluation confirms a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris
Elizabeths states i really thought i was having a heart attack. How can you tell the
difference. Which response by the nurse would provide the client with the most accurate
information about the difference between the pain of angina and that of myocardial
infarction
a) The pain associated with a heart attack is much more severe
b) The pain associated with a heart attack radiates into the jaw and down the left arm
c) It is impossible to differentiate angina pain from that of a heart attack without an ECG
d) The pain of angina is usually relieved by resting or lying down - Correct Answers -D
As an initial step in treating elizabeths angina, the physician prescribes nitroglycerin
tablets, 0.3mg given sublingual. This drugs principal effects are produced by
a) Antispasmodic effects on the pericardium
b) Stimulation of a a- and 13- receptor sites
c) Vasodilation of peripheral vasculature
d) Improved conductivity in the myocardium - Correct Answers -C
The nurse teaches Elizabeth that which of the following meals would be best for her low
cholesterol diet
a) Hamburger, salad, and milkshake
b) Baked liver, green beans, and coffee
c) Spaghetti with tomato sauce, salad and coffee
d) Fried chicken, green beans and skim milk - Correct Answers -C
Which of the following symptoms should the nurse teach Elizabeth to report immediately
to her physician
a) A change in the pattern of her pain
b) Pain during sexual activity
c) Pain during an argument with her husband
d) During or after an activity such as lawn mowing - Correct Answers -A
After stabilisation and treatment, Elizabeth is discharged from the hospital. At her follow
up appointment, she is discouraged because she is experiencing pain with increasing
frequency. She states that she visits an invalid friend twice a week and now cannot walk
up the second flight of steps to the friends apartment without pain. Which action can the
nurse could suggest that would most likely help the client deal with this problem
a) Visit her friend early in the day
b) Rest for at least an hour before climbing the stairs
c) Take a nitroglycerin tablet before climbing the stairs
d) Lie down once she reaches the friends apartment - Correct Answers -C
, The nurse teaches Elizabeth that common expected side effects of nitroglycerin include
a) Headache, hypotension, and dizziness
b) Hypertension, flushing and forgetfulness
c) Hypotension, diplopia and shortness of breath
d) Stomach cramps, constipation and urinary frequency - Correct Answers -A
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets begin to work within 1 to 2 minutes. How should the
nurse instruct the client to use the drug when chest pain occurs
a) Take one tablet every 2 to 5 minutes until the pain stops
b) Take one tablets and rest for 10 minutes. Call the physician if pain persists after 10
minutes
c) Take one tablet, then an additional tablet every 5 minutes for a total of three tablets.
Call the physician if pain persists after 3 tablets
d) Take one tablet. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take two tablets. If pain still persists
5 minutes later, call the physician - Correct Answers -C
Which of the following points should the nurse include when instructing the client with
angina about sublingual nitroglycerin
a) The drug will cause your urine to turn bright orange
b) Store the tablets in a tight, light resistant container
c) Use the tablets only when the pain is severe
d) The shelf life of nitroglycerin is up to 2 years - Correct Answers -B
Josie a 38 year old woman is admitted to the emergency room after being found
unconscious at the wheel of her car in the hospital car park. Josie is comatosed and
does not respond to stimuli. A drug overdose is suspected
Which of the following assessment findings would lead the nurse to suspect that the
coma is a result of a toxic drug overdose
a) Hypertension
b) Hyperpyrexia
c) Dilated pupils
d) Facial asymmetry - Correct Answers -C
Blood and urine analysis confirm a diagnosis of salicylate overdose. Josie is treated
with activated charcoal, which would be administered by
a) Intravenous infusion
b) Nasogastric tube
c) Rectal infusior
d) Oral tablets - Correct Answers -B
What specific potential adverse effect of charcoal administration to josie must the nurse
be aware and guard against
a) Anaphylaxis
b) Renal failure
c) Aspiration
d) Cardiac arrest - Correct Answers -C
