STATE EXAM NURSING NEW ZEALAND
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What does Ambulatory mean? - Correct Answers -Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
What does inpatient surgical care mean? - Correct Answers -Admitted to hospital (min
24 hours)
Surgery classifications? - Correct Answers -Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? - Correct Answers -Return to normal
physical function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) - Correct Answers -Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
What does atelectasis mean? - Correct Answers -Collapse or closure of lung resulting in
reduced or absent gas exchange
List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? - Correct Answers -Fluid balance input
and output
Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
What is meningitis? - Correct Answers -A serious disease in which there is inflammation
of the meninges
Signs and symptoms of meningitis? - Correct Answers -Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
Main cause of meningitis? - Correct Answers -Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
,Viral: Enterovirus
Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) - Correct Answers -Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
What is the purpose of the nursing council? - Correct Answers -To protect the health
and safety of members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and
competent.
Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) - Correct Answers -Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? - Correct
Answers -Do not give until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) - Correct Answers -Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? - Correct
Answers -Place a pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
What is airway obstruction caused by? - Correct Answers -Tongue
Laryngospasm
Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
Treatment for airway obstruction? - Correct Answers -Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
Manifestations of atelectasis? - Correct Answers -Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis, anxiety
,What is a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Occurs from a deep vein
thrombosis, clot forms, travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Pre op weight loss
Compression stockings
Early animation
Hydration
Meds
What causes a deep vein thrombosis? - Correct Answers -Occurs in leg veins due to
inactivity, body positioning, and pressure
Risk factors for DVTs? - Correct Answers -Elderly
Poor nutrition
Surgery over three hours
Limited mobility
Long haul flights
Diabetes
What is wound dehiscence? - Correct Answers -Disruption of previously joined wound
edges due to an infection, too tight sutures, or injury to wound
Risk factors for wound dehiscence? - Correct Answers -Elderly
Poor nutrition
Diabetes
Abdominal surgery
Immunosuppressant
Smoking
Signs of wound inflammation? - Correct Answers -Redness
Warmth
Malaise ( general discomfort)
Tachycardia
Febrile
What are treatments for pain? - Correct Answers -Positioning
Analgesia
List some side effects of opioid use? - Correct Answers -Decreased bp
, Decreased LOC
Vomitting
Respiratory depression
Constipation
What would you assume if someone's temperature was slightly lower post surgery? -
Correct Answers -This could be normal due to lack of muscle movement to keep body
warm
What would you assume if someone's temperature was slightly higher post surgery? -
Correct Answers -This could be normal due to inflammation being the 1st sign of
healing
What would a temp above 38 4-5 days post op signify? - Correct Answers -
Infection/sepsis
What is autologous blood collection? - Correct Answers -Providing blood for oneself
What fresh blood components are given in blood transfusions? - Correct Answers -Red
cells- used to treat anaemia, severe bleeding.
Platelets- to stop bleeding, used in ICU or cancer treatment
Fresh frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate- used for replacing clotting factors and rarely
other blood proteins. Used in ICU or liver disease patients
Blood donations are always tested for? - Correct Answers -Infection
Hep B & C
HIV & AIDS
Syphilis
ABO group
Rh type
Blood group antibodies
What cell is carefully checked before a blood transfusion for incompatibility? - Correct
Answers -Red blood cells
What is a blood crossmatch? - Correct Answers -When a sample of the patients blood is
used along with the donors blood for a transfusion
List some risks for blood transfusions? - Correct Answers -Mild fever
Skin rash
Kidney failure
Dyspnoea
Minor virus infection
What type of burns are there? - Correct Answers -Thermal
Electrical
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What does Ambulatory mean? - Correct Answers -Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
What does inpatient surgical care mean? - Correct Answers -Admitted to hospital (min
24 hours)
Surgery classifications? - Correct Answers -Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? - Correct Answers -Return to normal
physical function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) - Correct Answers -Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
What does atelectasis mean? - Correct Answers -Collapse or closure of lung resulting in
reduced or absent gas exchange
List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? - Correct Answers -Fluid balance input
and output
Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
What is meningitis? - Correct Answers -A serious disease in which there is inflammation
of the meninges
Signs and symptoms of meningitis? - Correct Answers -Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
Main cause of meningitis? - Correct Answers -Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
,Viral: Enterovirus
Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) - Correct Answers -Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
What is the purpose of the nursing council? - Correct Answers -To protect the health
and safety of members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and
competent.
Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) - Correct Answers -Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? - Correct
Answers -Do not give until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) - Correct Answers -Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? - Correct
Answers -Place a pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
What is airway obstruction caused by? - Correct Answers -Tongue
Laryngospasm
Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
Treatment for airway obstruction? - Correct Answers -Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
Manifestations of atelectasis? - Correct Answers -Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis, anxiety
,What is a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Occurs from a deep vein
thrombosis, clot forms, travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answers -Pre op weight loss
Compression stockings
Early animation
Hydration
Meds
What causes a deep vein thrombosis? - Correct Answers -Occurs in leg veins due to
inactivity, body positioning, and pressure
Risk factors for DVTs? - Correct Answers -Elderly
Poor nutrition
Surgery over three hours
Limited mobility
Long haul flights
Diabetes
What is wound dehiscence? - Correct Answers -Disruption of previously joined wound
edges due to an infection, too tight sutures, or injury to wound
Risk factors for wound dehiscence? - Correct Answers -Elderly
Poor nutrition
Diabetes
Abdominal surgery
Immunosuppressant
Smoking
Signs of wound inflammation? - Correct Answers -Redness
Warmth
Malaise ( general discomfort)
Tachycardia
Febrile
What are treatments for pain? - Correct Answers -Positioning
Analgesia
List some side effects of opioid use? - Correct Answers -Decreased bp
, Decreased LOC
Vomitting
Respiratory depression
Constipation
What would you assume if someone's temperature was slightly lower post surgery? -
Correct Answers -This could be normal due to lack of muscle movement to keep body
warm
What would you assume if someone's temperature was slightly higher post surgery? -
Correct Answers -This could be normal due to inflammation being the 1st sign of
healing
What would a temp above 38 4-5 days post op signify? - Correct Answers -
Infection/sepsis
What is autologous blood collection? - Correct Answers -Providing blood for oneself
What fresh blood components are given in blood transfusions? - Correct Answers -Red
cells- used to treat anaemia, severe bleeding.
Platelets- to stop bleeding, used in ICU or cancer treatment
Fresh frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate- used for replacing clotting factors and rarely
other blood proteins. Used in ICU or liver disease patients
Blood donations are always tested for? - Correct Answers -Infection
Hep B & C
HIV & AIDS
Syphilis
ABO group
Rh type
Blood group antibodies
What cell is carefully checked before a blood transfusion for incompatibility? - Correct
Answers -Red blood cells
What is a blood crossmatch? - Correct Answers -When a sample of the patients blood is
used along with the donors blood for a transfusion
List some risks for blood transfusions? - Correct Answers -Mild fever
Skin rash
Kidney failure
Dyspnoea
Minor virus infection
What type of burns are there? - Correct Answers -Thermal
Electrical
