LVN TERM 1 FINAL EXAM UNITEK COLLEGE
2026/2027 | 59 Questions with Complete Solutions |
Licensed Vocational Nursing | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing & Legal/Ethical Principles
(Questions 1-10)
Q1. A 78-year-old patient with diabetes is admitted for wound care. During
assessment, the LVN notes the patient is anxious, has uncontrolled pain, and has
not eaten in 12 hours. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need should the
LVN address FIRST?
A. Pain control, because psychosocial needs take priority over physiological needs
B. Nutrition, because the patient has not eaten and diabetes requires glucose
management
C. Wound care, because the admitting diagnosis is the primary focus of nursing care
D. Pain control, because uncontrolled pain is a physiological need that must be
addressed before higher-level needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (pain, oxygen, nutrition,
elimination) before safety, love/belonging, esteem, or self-actualization. While
nutrition and wound care are important, uncontrolled pain is an immediate
physiological threat that must be addressed first. Pain is not a psychosocial need—it
is a physiological stressor that affects vital signs, healing, and coping capacity.
Correct Answer: D
,Q2. An LVN is caring for a patient who refuses a scheduled blood transfusion
based on religious beliefs. The patient's family insists the transfusion must be
given to save the patient's life. What is the LVN's MOST appropriate action?
A. Follow the family's wishes because they are the next of kin and have legal
authority
B. Administer the transfusion as ordered because it is a life-saving medical necessity
C. Notify the RN and provider immediately, document the refusal, and respect the
patient's autonomous right to refuse treatment
D. Ask the charge nurse to convince the patient to accept the transfusion for the
family's sake
Rationale: Patient autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle. A competent adult
has the legal right to refuse treatment, even if the refusal may result in death. The
LVN must report the refusal to the RN and provider, document thoroughly, and
ensure the patient's decision is respected. The family cannot override a competent
patient's wishes, and the LVN cannot administer treatment against the patient's will.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. During a simulation lab at Unitek College, an LVN student is practicing
therapeutic communication with a standardized patient who just received a
terminal cancer diagnosis. The patient states, "I don't know how my children will
manage without me." Which response demonstrates the BEST therapeutic
communication technique?
A. "Don't worry, your children are resilient and will be fine."
B. "You sound concerned about how your children will cope after you're gone. Tell
me more about that."
C. "Let's focus on your treatment plan instead of worrying about the future."
D. "Many patients feel this way, but you need to stay positive for your family."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication requires empathy, active listening, and open-
ended questioning. Option B uses reflection (repeating the patient's concern) and an
open-ended invitation to explore feelings, which validates the patient's emotions
without false reassurance, changing the subject, or offering platitudes. Options A, C,
,and D block communication by minimizing feelings, redirecting inappropriately, or
using non-therapeutic responses.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. An LVN is reviewing a patient's medication administration record (MAR) and
notices an order for "Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The patient's apical pulse is 58
bpm. According to Unitek clinical documentation protocols and standard nursing
practice, what should the LVN do FIRST?
A. Administer the medication as ordered because 58 bpm is only slightly below
normal
B. Hold the medication, recheck the apical pulse in 15 minutes, and document
"medication held—bradycardia"
C. Administer the medication and notify the provider later if the patient becomes
symptomatic
D. Hold the medication, notify the RN immediately, and document the vital sign and
hold reason per Unitek protocol
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The standard hold
parameter for Digoxin is an apical pulse below 60 bpm (or below 100 bpm for
infants). The LVN must hold the dose, notify the RN immediately per chain of
command, and document the vital sign, the hold reason, and notification using
Unitek's structured documentation format. The LVN does not independently decide
to give or permanently withhold the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Q5. A 45-year-old patient is being discharged after hip replacement surgery. The
LVN is providing discharge teaching about wound care and activity restrictions.
According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, which developmental
stage is this patient MOST likely experiencing, and what is the primary
developmental task?
, A. Intimacy vs. Isolation—forming meaningful relationships
B. Generativity vs. Stagnation—contributing to society and guiding the next
generation
C. Integrity vs. Despair—reflecting on life with satisfaction or regret
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion—establishing a sense of self
Rationale: Erikson's stage of Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs during middle
adulthood (ages 40-65). The primary task is to contribute to society, raise children,
mentor others, and leave a legacy. A 45-year-old patient would be in this stage.
Intimacy vs. Isolation is young adulthood (20-40), Integrity vs. Despair is older
adulthood (65+), and Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence (12-18).
Correct Answer: B
Q6. An LVN witnesses a nursing assistant (CNA) performing a blood glucose check
on a patient without verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers. The CNA
states, "I know this patient; I've checked her sugar three times today already."
What is the LVN's MOST appropriate action?
A. Allow the CNA to proceed because familiarity reduces the risk of patient
identification errors
B. Correct the CNA immediately, ensure two-identifier verification is completed, and
report the incident to the RN per Unitek's simulation lab safety protocol
C. Document the incident in the patient's chart without saying anything to the CNA
D. Wait until after the procedure to discuss proper identification with the CNA
privately
Rationale: Patient safety requires two-identifier verification (name and date of birth
or medical record number) before EVERY procedure, regardless of familiarity. The
LVN must intervene immediately to prevent a potential error, then report to the RN
per chain of command and Unitek's incident reporting protocol. Waiting or silent
documentation allows an unsafe practice to continue and places the patient at risk.
Correct Answer: B
2026/2027 | 59 Questions with Complete Solutions |
Licensed Vocational Nursing | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing & Legal/Ethical Principles
(Questions 1-10)
Q1. A 78-year-old patient with diabetes is admitted for wound care. During
assessment, the LVN notes the patient is anxious, has uncontrolled pain, and has
not eaten in 12 hours. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need should the
LVN address FIRST?
A. Pain control, because psychosocial needs take priority over physiological needs
B. Nutrition, because the patient has not eaten and diabetes requires glucose
management
C. Wound care, because the admitting diagnosis is the primary focus of nursing care
D. Pain control, because uncontrolled pain is a physiological need that must be
addressed before higher-level needs
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (pain, oxygen, nutrition,
elimination) before safety, love/belonging, esteem, or self-actualization. While
nutrition and wound care are important, uncontrolled pain is an immediate
physiological threat that must be addressed first. Pain is not a psychosocial need—it
is a physiological stressor that affects vital signs, healing, and coping capacity.
Correct Answer: D
,Q2. An LVN is caring for a patient who refuses a scheduled blood transfusion
based on religious beliefs. The patient's family insists the transfusion must be
given to save the patient's life. What is the LVN's MOST appropriate action?
A. Follow the family's wishes because they are the next of kin and have legal
authority
B. Administer the transfusion as ordered because it is a life-saving medical necessity
C. Notify the RN and provider immediately, document the refusal, and respect the
patient's autonomous right to refuse treatment
D. Ask the charge nurse to convince the patient to accept the transfusion for the
family's sake
Rationale: Patient autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle. A competent adult
has the legal right to refuse treatment, even if the refusal may result in death. The
LVN must report the refusal to the RN and provider, document thoroughly, and
ensure the patient's decision is respected. The family cannot override a competent
patient's wishes, and the LVN cannot administer treatment against the patient's will.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. During a simulation lab at Unitek College, an LVN student is practicing
therapeutic communication with a standardized patient who just received a
terminal cancer diagnosis. The patient states, "I don't know how my children will
manage without me." Which response demonstrates the BEST therapeutic
communication technique?
A. "Don't worry, your children are resilient and will be fine."
B. "You sound concerned about how your children will cope after you're gone. Tell
me more about that."
C. "Let's focus on your treatment plan instead of worrying about the future."
D. "Many patients feel this way, but you need to stay positive for your family."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication requires empathy, active listening, and open-
ended questioning. Option B uses reflection (repeating the patient's concern) and an
open-ended invitation to explore feelings, which validates the patient's emotions
without false reassurance, changing the subject, or offering platitudes. Options A, C,
,and D block communication by minimizing feelings, redirecting inappropriately, or
using non-therapeutic responses.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. An LVN is reviewing a patient's medication administration record (MAR) and
notices an order for "Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The patient's apical pulse is 58
bpm. According to Unitek clinical documentation protocols and standard nursing
practice, what should the LVN do FIRST?
A. Administer the medication as ordered because 58 bpm is only slightly below
normal
B. Hold the medication, recheck the apical pulse in 15 minutes, and document
"medication held—bradycardia"
C. Administer the medication and notify the provider later if the patient becomes
symptomatic
D. Hold the medication, notify the RN immediately, and document the vital sign and
hold reason per Unitek protocol
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The standard hold
parameter for Digoxin is an apical pulse below 60 bpm (or below 100 bpm for
infants). The LVN must hold the dose, notify the RN immediately per chain of
command, and document the vital sign, the hold reason, and notification using
Unitek's structured documentation format. The LVN does not independently decide
to give or permanently withhold the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Q5. A 45-year-old patient is being discharged after hip replacement surgery. The
LVN is providing discharge teaching about wound care and activity restrictions.
According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, which developmental
stage is this patient MOST likely experiencing, and what is the primary
developmental task?
, A. Intimacy vs. Isolation—forming meaningful relationships
B. Generativity vs. Stagnation—contributing to society and guiding the next
generation
C. Integrity vs. Despair—reflecting on life with satisfaction or regret
D. Identity vs. Role Confusion—establishing a sense of self
Rationale: Erikson's stage of Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs during middle
adulthood (ages 40-65). The primary task is to contribute to society, raise children,
mentor others, and leave a legacy. A 45-year-old patient would be in this stage.
Intimacy vs. Isolation is young adulthood (20-40), Integrity vs. Despair is older
adulthood (65+), and Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence (12-18).
Correct Answer: B
Q6. An LVN witnesses a nursing assistant (CNA) performing a blood glucose check
on a patient without verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers. The CNA
states, "I know this patient; I've checked her sugar three times today already."
What is the LVN's MOST appropriate action?
A. Allow the CNA to proceed because familiarity reduces the risk of patient
identification errors
B. Correct the CNA immediately, ensure two-identifier verification is completed, and
report the incident to the RN per Unitek's simulation lab safety protocol
C. Document the incident in the patient's chart without saying anything to the CNA
D. Wait until after the procedure to discuss proper identification with the CNA
privately
Rationale: Patient safety requires two-identifier verification (name and date of birth
or medical record number) before EVERY procedure, regardless of familiarity. The
LVN must intervene immediately to prevent a potential error, then report to the RN
per chain of command and Unitek's incident reporting protocol. Waiting or silent
documentation allows an unsafe practice to continue and places the patient at risk.
Correct Answer: B
