Hill College Transition from Vocational to Professional Nursing Exam
1. Which phase of the nursing process is unique to the Professional Nurse (RN)
compared to the Vocational Nurse (LVN) in many states?
A. Implementation of basic care
B. Data collection
C. Initial comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
D. Assisting with the plan of care
Answer: C
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Which task is
most appropriate for the RN to assign?
A. Performing a complex initial admission assessment
B. Titrating an intravenous vasoactive drip
C. Developing the discharge teaching plan for a new diabetic patient
D. Administering a routine scheduled dose of an oral antibiotic
Answer: D
3. An RN is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
see first?
A. A patient with asthma who has a new onset of silent chest sounds during an
exacerbation
B. A post-operative patient reporting a pain level of 6 out of 10
C. A patient with a history of heart failure reporting 2+ pitting edema
D. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose is 150 mg/dL
Answer: A
4. What is the primary difference between the scope of practice for an RN and
an LVN regarding the nursing process?
A. The LVN focuses on evaluation; the RN focuses on implementation.
B. There is no difference in the scope of practice.
C. The RN is responsible for all steps, while the LVN assists in data collection and
implementation.
D. The LVN works independently, whereas the RN works under the LVN.
Answer: C
, 5. Which leadership style involves the leader making all decisions without
seeking input from the staff?
A. Laissez-faire
B. Democratic
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Answer: C
6. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How does the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
7. The RN is caring for a patient with hypokalemia. Which food should the nurse
encourage the patient to eat?
A. White bread
B. Apples
C. Cottage cheese
D. Bananas
Answer: D
8. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they respect a patient’s
right to refuse treatment?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: A
9. When administering a medication, which action by the nurse represents the
‘Right Evaluation’?
A. Checking the medication label three times
B. Confirming the patient’s identity with two identifiers
C. Monitoring the patient’s blood pressure 30 minutes after giving an antihypertensive
D. Documenting the medication immediately after administration
Answer: C
1. Which phase of the nursing process is unique to the Professional Nurse (RN)
compared to the Vocational Nurse (LVN) in many states?
A. Implementation of basic care
B. Data collection
C. Initial comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
D. Assisting with the plan of care
Answer: C
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Which task is
most appropriate for the RN to assign?
A. Performing a complex initial admission assessment
B. Titrating an intravenous vasoactive drip
C. Developing the discharge teaching plan for a new diabetic patient
D. Administering a routine scheduled dose of an oral antibiotic
Answer: D
3. An RN is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
see first?
A. A patient with asthma who has a new onset of silent chest sounds during an
exacerbation
B. A post-operative patient reporting a pain level of 6 out of 10
C. A patient with a history of heart failure reporting 2+ pitting edema
D. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose is 150 mg/dL
Answer: A
4. What is the primary difference between the scope of practice for an RN and
an LVN regarding the nursing process?
A. The LVN focuses on evaluation; the RN focuses on implementation.
B. There is no difference in the scope of practice.
C. The RN is responsible for all steps, while the LVN assists in data collection and
implementation.
D. The LVN works independently, whereas the RN works under the LVN.
Answer: C
, 5. Which leadership style involves the leader making all decisions without
seeking input from the staff?
A. Laissez-faire
B. Democratic
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Answer: C
6. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How does the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
7. The RN is caring for a patient with hypokalemia. Which food should the nurse
encourage the patient to eat?
A. White bread
B. Apples
C. Cottage cheese
D. Bananas
Answer: D
8. Which ethical principle is the nurse practicing when they respect a patient’s
right to refuse treatment?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: A
9. When administering a medication, which action by the nurse represents the
‘Right Evaluation’?
A. Checking the medication label three times
B. Confirming the patient’s identity with two identifiers
C. Monitoring the patient’s blood pressure 30 minutes after giving an antihypertensive
D. Documenting the medication immediately after administration
Answer: C
