Mosby’s Essentials For Nursing Assistants
Workbook 7th Edition
Answer Key Complete Solution 2026/2027
1
An 82-year-old resident with a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation suddenly
slumps in their chair during breakfast. You notice the right side of their face drooping,
slurred speech, and inability to lift their right arm. The resident appears confused and
frightened. What is your immediate priority action?
A. Assist the resident to their room to rest
B. Notify the nurse immediately and activate emergency stroke protocol
C. Offer water to help speech
D. Wait to see if symptoms resolve
Rationale:
Sudden facial droop, unilateral weakness, and slurred speech indicate an acute stroke. Rapid
medical intervention is critical to restore blood flow and reduce brain damage. Delaying action
increases the risk of permanent neurological deficits and possible death.
2
A resident with severe COPD who usually maintains oxygen saturation at 92% on 2L nasal
cannula begins showing increased confusion, labored breathing, and cyanosis of the lips.
Respirations are 36 per minute, and accessory muscles are in use. Oxygen is at prescribed
level. What is your immediate action?
A. Encourage the resident to walk
B. Sit resident upright and notify the nurse immediately
C. Remove oxygen to reassess
D. Offer water
Rationale:
Acute respiratory distress with hypoxia is life-threatening. Upright positioning aids lung
expansion, and immediate nurse notification ensures urgent intervention to prevent respiratory
failure. Altering oxygen independently may worsen CO₂ retention.
3
A resident recovering from abdominal surgery reports severe abdominal pain, nausea, and
vomiting. You observe a firm, distended abdomen with no bowel movement for 24 hours.
Blood pressure is 88/54 mmHg, and the resident appears pale. What is your priority
action?
,A. Apply warm compress
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Notify the nurse immediately for possible bowel obstruction
D. Offer food
Rationale:
Postoperative abdominal distention, hypotension, and nausea may indicate ileus or obstruction.
Delaying medical evaluation risks bowel perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis. Nurse intervention
is necessary for assessment and possible surgical intervention.
4
A resident with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, sweaty, and tremulous during morning care.
Finger-stick glucose reads 38 mg/dL. The resident is conscious but disoriented. What is
your first action?
A. Offer insulin
B. Administer fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and notify nurse
C. Allow the resident to rest
D. Offer water only
Rationale:
Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly progress to seizure, coma, or death. Fast-acting carbohydrate
stabilizes blood glucose. Nurse notification ensures follow-up evaluation and adjustment of
insulin dosing to prevent recurrence.
5
A resident with advanced dementia suddenly becomes agitated, hallucinating that people
are attacking them. They have a low-grade fever and decreased appetite over the past day.
What is your priority action?
A. Argue with the resident about reality
B. Notify the nurse immediately for acute mental status change
C. Restrain the resident
D. Ignore the behavior
Rationale:
Sudden behavioral changes with fever in an elderly resident indicate possible delirium, often
caused by infection. Immediate nurse assessment prevents worsening confusion and potential
complications.
6
A resident with a long-term indwelling catheter complains of lower abdominal pain,
burning during urination, and cloudy urine with a foul odor. Temperature is 101.8°F
(38.8°C). What is your priority action?
,A. Encourage fluids independently
B. Notify the nurse immediately for possible urinary tract infection
C. Remove catheter
D. Ignore mild symptoms
Rationale:
Fever, suprapubic discomfort, and cloudy urine indicate a likely catheter-associated infection.
Timely reporting prevents progression to sepsis or kidney involvement.
7
A resident post-hip replacement reports severe leg pain while attempting to stand. The leg
appears shortened and externally rotated. They refuse movement due to extreme
discomfort. What is your immediate priority action?
A. Attempt to straighten the leg
B. Support the leg as found and notify nurse immediately
C. Assist with ambulation
D. Massage the area
Rationale:
Externally rotated, shortened leg suggests dislocation or fracture. Moving the limb could worsen
the injury. Immediate stabilization and nurse notification ensure proper imaging and prevent
complications.
8
A resident falls in the hallway and complains of headache and dizziness. They are on
anticoagulant therapy, and no external bleeding is visible. What is your priority action?
A. Help them stand
B. Notify the nurse immediately and monitor closely for internal bleeding
C. Offer fluids
D. Document later
Rationale:
Anticoagulated residents are at high risk for internal hemorrhage even after minor trauma. Early
detection prevents life-threatening intracranial bleeding.
9
A resident with COPD suddenly shows confusion, shallow respirations at 10 per minute,
and lips turning slightly blue despite prescribed oxygen. What is your immediate action?
A. Allow them to rest
B. Notify the nurse immediately for possible respiratory failure
C. Remove oxygen to reassess
D. Encourage walking
, Rationale:
Decreasing respiratory rate with mental status change suggests CO₂ retention and impending
respiratory failure. Prompt nurse intervention can prevent respiratory arrest.
10
A resident with asthma begins wheezing loudly, clutching their chest, struggling to speak,
and turning blue around the lips. What should you do immediately?
A. Encourage slow breathing
B. Notify the nurse immediately for acute respiratory distress
C. Leave to find help
D. Offer water
Rationale:
Cyanosis and inability to speak full sentences indicate severe airway compromise. Immediate
intervention is required to prevent hypoxia and cardiac arrest.
11
A resident with diabetes complains of dizziness, sweating, and blurred vision. Finger-stick
glucose reads 36 mg/dL. The resident is conscious and able to swallow. What is your first
action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and notify nurse
C. Allow rest
D. Offer water only
Rationale:
Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly progress to seizures or coma. Immediate glucose
administration stabilizes blood sugar, and nurse follow-up ensures safety and adjustment of
insulin.
12
A resident with advanced dementia suddenly refuses food and fluids, becomes withdrawn,
and has a low-grade fever. What is your priority action?
A. Ignore and monitor
B. Report sudden decline in behavior and nutrition to nurse
C. Force-feed the resident
D. Offer reassurance only
Rationale:
Acute cognitive and nutritional decline may indicate infection, dehydration, or metabolic
imbalance. Prompt reporting prevents deterioration and hospitalization.
Workbook 7th Edition
Answer Key Complete Solution 2026/2027
1
An 82-year-old resident with a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation suddenly
slumps in their chair during breakfast. You notice the right side of their face drooping,
slurred speech, and inability to lift their right arm. The resident appears confused and
frightened. What is your immediate priority action?
A. Assist the resident to their room to rest
B. Notify the nurse immediately and activate emergency stroke protocol
C. Offer water to help speech
D. Wait to see if symptoms resolve
Rationale:
Sudden facial droop, unilateral weakness, and slurred speech indicate an acute stroke. Rapid
medical intervention is critical to restore blood flow and reduce brain damage. Delaying action
increases the risk of permanent neurological deficits and possible death.
2
A resident with severe COPD who usually maintains oxygen saturation at 92% on 2L nasal
cannula begins showing increased confusion, labored breathing, and cyanosis of the lips.
Respirations are 36 per minute, and accessory muscles are in use. Oxygen is at prescribed
level. What is your immediate action?
A. Encourage the resident to walk
B. Sit resident upright and notify the nurse immediately
C. Remove oxygen to reassess
D. Offer water
Rationale:
Acute respiratory distress with hypoxia is life-threatening. Upright positioning aids lung
expansion, and immediate nurse notification ensures urgent intervention to prevent respiratory
failure. Altering oxygen independently may worsen CO₂ retention.
3
A resident recovering from abdominal surgery reports severe abdominal pain, nausea, and
vomiting. You observe a firm, distended abdomen with no bowel movement for 24 hours.
Blood pressure is 88/54 mmHg, and the resident appears pale. What is your priority
action?
,A. Apply warm compress
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Notify the nurse immediately for possible bowel obstruction
D. Offer food
Rationale:
Postoperative abdominal distention, hypotension, and nausea may indicate ileus or obstruction.
Delaying medical evaluation risks bowel perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis. Nurse intervention
is necessary for assessment and possible surgical intervention.
4
A resident with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, sweaty, and tremulous during morning care.
Finger-stick glucose reads 38 mg/dL. The resident is conscious but disoriented. What is
your first action?
A. Offer insulin
B. Administer fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and notify nurse
C. Allow the resident to rest
D. Offer water only
Rationale:
Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly progress to seizure, coma, or death. Fast-acting carbohydrate
stabilizes blood glucose. Nurse notification ensures follow-up evaluation and adjustment of
insulin dosing to prevent recurrence.
5
A resident with advanced dementia suddenly becomes agitated, hallucinating that people
are attacking them. They have a low-grade fever and decreased appetite over the past day.
What is your priority action?
A. Argue with the resident about reality
B. Notify the nurse immediately for acute mental status change
C. Restrain the resident
D. Ignore the behavior
Rationale:
Sudden behavioral changes with fever in an elderly resident indicate possible delirium, often
caused by infection. Immediate nurse assessment prevents worsening confusion and potential
complications.
6
A resident with a long-term indwelling catheter complains of lower abdominal pain,
burning during urination, and cloudy urine with a foul odor. Temperature is 101.8°F
(38.8°C). What is your priority action?
,A. Encourage fluids independently
B. Notify the nurse immediately for possible urinary tract infection
C. Remove catheter
D. Ignore mild symptoms
Rationale:
Fever, suprapubic discomfort, and cloudy urine indicate a likely catheter-associated infection.
Timely reporting prevents progression to sepsis or kidney involvement.
7
A resident post-hip replacement reports severe leg pain while attempting to stand. The leg
appears shortened and externally rotated. They refuse movement due to extreme
discomfort. What is your immediate priority action?
A. Attempt to straighten the leg
B. Support the leg as found and notify nurse immediately
C. Assist with ambulation
D. Massage the area
Rationale:
Externally rotated, shortened leg suggests dislocation or fracture. Moving the limb could worsen
the injury. Immediate stabilization and nurse notification ensure proper imaging and prevent
complications.
8
A resident falls in the hallway and complains of headache and dizziness. They are on
anticoagulant therapy, and no external bleeding is visible. What is your priority action?
A. Help them stand
B. Notify the nurse immediately and monitor closely for internal bleeding
C. Offer fluids
D. Document later
Rationale:
Anticoagulated residents are at high risk for internal hemorrhage even after minor trauma. Early
detection prevents life-threatening intracranial bleeding.
9
A resident with COPD suddenly shows confusion, shallow respirations at 10 per minute,
and lips turning slightly blue despite prescribed oxygen. What is your immediate action?
A. Allow them to rest
B. Notify the nurse immediately for possible respiratory failure
C. Remove oxygen to reassess
D. Encourage walking
, Rationale:
Decreasing respiratory rate with mental status change suggests CO₂ retention and impending
respiratory failure. Prompt nurse intervention can prevent respiratory arrest.
10
A resident with asthma begins wheezing loudly, clutching their chest, struggling to speak,
and turning blue around the lips. What should you do immediately?
A. Encourage slow breathing
B. Notify the nurse immediately for acute respiratory distress
C. Leave to find help
D. Offer water
Rationale:
Cyanosis and inability to speak full sentences indicate severe airway compromise. Immediate
intervention is required to prevent hypoxia and cardiac arrest.
11
A resident with diabetes complains of dizziness, sweating, and blurred vision. Finger-stick
glucose reads 36 mg/dL. The resident is conscious and able to swallow. What is your first
action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and notify nurse
C. Allow rest
D. Offer water only
Rationale:
Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly progress to seizures or coma. Immediate glucose
administration stabilizes blood sugar, and nurse follow-up ensures safety and adjustment of
insulin.
12
A resident with advanced dementia suddenly refuses food and fluids, becomes withdrawn,
and has a low-grade fever. What is your priority action?
A. Ignore and monitor
B. Report sudden decline in behavior and nutrition to nurse
C. Force-feed the resident
D. Offer reassurance only
Rationale:
Acute cognitive and nutritional decline may indicate infection, dehydration, or metabolic
imbalance. Prompt reporting prevents deterioration and hospitalization.
