Core Nursing Competencies Exam 1 Practice
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the proper position to use for an unresponsive patient during oral care to
prevent aspiration?
A) Prone position
B) Sims position
C) Semi-fowlers position with head to side
D) Trendelenburg position
E) Supine position
Correct Answer
B) Sims position
C) Semi-fowlers position with head to side
Question 2
a patient is suffering from shortness of breath. the correct goal statement would be
written as:
a. the patient will be comfortable by the morning
b. the patient will breathe unlabored at 14 to 18 breaths per minute by the end of
shift
c. the patient will not complain of breathing problems within the next 8 hours
d. the patient will have a respiratory rate of 14 to 18 breaths per minute
Correct Answer
b. the patient will breathe unlabored at 14 to 18 breaths per minute by the end of
shift
Page 1 of 52
,Question 3
Concept mapping is one way to:
A. connect concepts to a central subject.
B. relate ideas to patient health problems.
C. challenge a nurse's thinking about patient needs and problems.
D. graphically display ideas by organizing data.
E. all of the above.
Correct Answer
E. all of the above.
Question 4
The student nurse is teaching a family member the importance of foot care for his or
her mother, who has diabetes. Which safety precautions are important for the family
member to know to prevent infection? (Select all that apply.)
a. Cut nails frequently.
b. Assess skin for redness, abrasions, and open areas daily.
c. Soak feet in water at least 10 minutes before nail care.
d. Apply lotion to feet daily.
e. Clean between toes after bathing.
Correct Answer
b. Assess skin for redness, abrasions, and open areas daily.
d. Apply lotion to feet daily.
e. Clean between toes after bathing.
Question 5
The acronym PES stands for
Correct Answer
Problem, etiology, symptoms
Question 6
what might you do before you start a pilot study?
Correct Answer
develop a plan of care to test on those few people
Page 2 of 52
,Question 7
A client who is postoperative following knee arthroplasty is concerned about the
adverse effects of the medication prescribed for pain management. Which of the
following members of the interprofessional care team can assist the client in
understanding the medication's effects? (Select all that apply)
A. Provider
B. Certified nursing assistant
C. Pharmacist
D. Registered nurse
E. Respiratory therapist
Correct Answer
Provider
Pharmacist
Registered nurse
Question 8
a female patient has just found a large lump in her breast. the physician needs to
perform a breast biopsy. the nurse helps the patient into the proper position and
offers support during the biopsy. the nurse is demonstrating:
a. enabling
b. comforting
c. sense of presence
d. maintaining belief
Correct Answer
c. sense of presence
Question 9
Measuring the patient's response to nursing interventions and his or her progress
toward achieving goals occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
1. Planning
2. Evaluation
3. Assessment
4. Nursing diagnosis
Correct Answer
2. Evaluation
Page 3 of 52
, Question 10
John had a patient last week on clinical who had an infiltrated peripheral IV. Why is
John now more prepared to observe for problems with Mrs. Taylor's IV?
A. Reflection
B. Curiosity
C. Experience
D. Knowledge
C. Experience
Correct Answer
C. Experience
Question 11
A nurse is preparing a presentation about basic nutrients for a group of high school
athletes. She should explain that which of the following nutrients provides the body
with the most energy ?
A. Fat
B. Protein
C. Glycogen
D. Carbohydrates
Correct Answer
Carbohydrates
Question 12
The second part of the nursing diagnosis statement
Correct Answer
is connected to the first using related to
Page 4 of 52
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the proper position to use for an unresponsive patient during oral care to
prevent aspiration?
A) Prone position
B) Sims position
C) Semi-fowlers position with head to side
D) Trendelenburg position
E) Supine position
Correct Answer
B) Sims position
C) Semi-fowlers position with head to side
Question 2
a patient is suffering from shortness of breath. the correct goal statement would be
written as:
a. the patient will be comfortable by the morning
b. the patient will breathe unlabored at 14 to 18 breaths per minute by the end of
shift
c. the patient will not complain of breathing problems within the next 8 hours
d. the patient will have a respiratory rate of 14 to 18 breaths per minute
Correct Answer
b. the patient will breathe unlabored at 14 to 18 breaths per minute by the end of
shift
Page 1 of 52
,Question 3
Concept mapping is one way to:
A. connect concepts to a central subject.
B. relate ideas to patient health problems.
C. challenge a nurse's thinking about patient needs and problems.
D. graphically display ideas by organizing data.
E. all of the above.
Correct Answer
E. all of the above.
Question 4
The student nurse is teaching a family member the importance of foot care for his or
her mother, who has diabetes. Which safety precautions are important for the family
member to know to prevent infection? (Select all that apply.)
a. Cut nails frequently.
b. Assess skin for redness, abrasions, and open areas daily.
c. Soak feet in water at least 10 minutes before nail care.
d. Apply lotion to feet daily.
e. Clean between toes after bathing.
Correct Answer
b. Assess skin for redness, abrasions, and open areas daily.
d. Apply lotion to feet daily.
e. Clean between toes after bathing.
Question 5
The acronym PES stands for
Correct Answer
Problem, etiology, symptoms
Question 6
what might you do before you start a pilot study?
Correct Answer
develop a plan of care to test on those few people
Page 2 of 52
,Question 7
A client who is postoperative following knee arthroplasty is concerned about the
adverse effects of the medication prescribed for pain management. Which of the
following members of the interprofessional care team can assist the client in
understanding the medication's effects? (Select all that apply)
A. Provider
B. Certified nursing assistant
C. Pharmacist
D. Registered nurse
E. Respiratory therapist
Correct Answer
Provider
Pharmacist
Registered nurse
Question 8
a female patient has just found a large lump in her breast. the physician needs to
perform a breast biopsy. the nurse helps the patient into the proper position and
offers support during the biopsy. the nurse is demonstrating:
a. enabling
b. comforting
c. sense of presence
d. maintaining belief
Correct Answer
c. sense of presence
Question 9
Measuring the patient's response to nursing interventions and his or her progress
toward achieving goals occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
1. Planning
2. Evaluation
3. Assessment
4. Nursing diagnosis
Correct Answer
2. Evaluation
Page 3 of 52
, Question 10
John had a patient last week on clinical who had an infiltrated peripheral IV. Why is
John now more prepared to observe for problems with Mrs. Taylor's IV?
A. Reflection
B. Curiosity
C. Experience
D. Knowledge
C. Experience
Correct Answer
C. Experience
Question 11
A nurse is preparing a presentation about basic nutrients for a group of high school
athletes. She should explain that which of the following nutrients provides the body
with the most energy ?
A. Fat
B. Protein
C. Glycogen
D. Carbohydrates
Correct Answer
Carbohydrates
Question 12
The second part of the nursing diagnosis statement
Correct Answer
is connected to the first using related to
Page 4 of 52
