,Table of Contents
1. Concepts in Nursing Practice
2. Professional Nursing
3. Social Determinants of Health
4. Health Assessment
5. Patient Teaching
6. Chronic Illness
7. Pain Management
8. Palliative Care
9. Infection Control
10. Fluid & Electrolytes
11. Cancer
12. Surgery
13. Respiratory Disorders
14. Cardiovascular Disorders
15. Hematologic Disorders
16. Immune Disorders
17. Gastrointestinal Disorders
18. Endocrine Disorders
19. Kidney & Urinary Disorders
20. Reproductive Health
21. Neurologic Disorders
22. Musculoskeletal Disorders
23. Arthritis
24. Orthopedic Trauma
, 25. Dementia & Delirium
26. Spinal Cord Disorders
Total Questions: 238
Major Topics Covered
• Nursing Foundations
• Professional Practice
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Assessment
• Patient Education
• Chronic Disease Management
• Pain & Palliative Care
• Infection Prevention & Control
• Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
• Oncology Nursing
• Perioperative Nursing
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Hematologic Disorders
• Immune Disorders
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Endocrine Disorders
• Kidney & Urinary Disorders
• Reproductive Health
• Neurologic Disorders
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Arthritis
, • Orthopedic Trauma
• Dementia & Delirium
• Spinal Cord Disorders
Professional Nursing
Original Practice Questions
Question 1
During a shift assessment, a nurse notices that a patient's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 30
breaths/minute, oxygen saturation has fallen to 89% on room air, and the patient appears anxious. Which
action demonstrates the highest priority in professional nursing practice?
A. Reassess the patient after completing medication administration for other patients.
B. Notify the healthcare provider after documenting all assessment findings.
C. Initiate appropriate nursing interventions to support oxygenation while promptly communicating the
patient's change in condition.
D. Encourage the patient to relax because anxiety is likely causing the symptoms.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Professional nursing requires early recognition of clinical deterioration and prompt intervention. Supporting
oxygenation while communicating significant changes to the healthcare provider promotes patient safety and
timely treatment.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Delaying intervention may allow the patient's condition to worsen.
B. Documentation is important but should never delay immediate patient care.
D. Anxiety may accompany respiratory distress, but the patient's physiologic changes require immediate
assessment and intervention.
Clinical Pearl
Early recognition of deterioration is one of the most effective ways to prevent adverse patient outcomes.
Exam Success Tip
,When several options appear correct, prioritize interventions that address airway, breathing, circulation, and
patient safety.
Question 2
While reviewing a medication order, a nurse notices that the prescribed dose is significantly higher than the
usual recommended range. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider before administering the medication.
B. Administer the medication because it was prescribed by the provider.
C. Ask another nurse to administer the medication.
D. Delay the medication until the next scheduled dose without informing anyone.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Nurses are professionally accountable for safe medication administration. Any questionable order should be
verified before administration to protect patient safety.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
B. Nurses are responsible for questioning potentially unsafe orders.
C. Responsibility for medication safety cannot be transferred to another nurse.
D. Withholding medication without communicating concerns delays appropriate patient care.
Clinical Pearl
Professional accountability includes recognizing and addressing unsafe medication orders before harm occurs.
Exam Success Tip
Never assume that every written prescription is correct. Verify anything that appears inconsistent with safe
practice.
Question 3
A patient who is fully alert refuses a recommended blood transfusion after discussing the benefits and risks
with the healthcare team. Which nursing action best reflects professional nursing practice?
A. Ask family members to persuade the patient to accept treatment.
B. Respect the patient's decision, document the discussion, and notify the provider.
C. Proceed with the transfusion because delaying treatment could be harmful.
,D. Continue explaining the benefits until the patient changes their mind.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
A competent adult has the right to make informed healthcare decisions, including refusing recommended
treatment. The nurse's role is to respect autonomy, ensure the refusal is informed, document appropriately,
and communicate with the provider.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Family members cannot override the informed decision of a competent adult.
C. Administering treatment without consent is generally inappropriate unless a recognized legal exception
applies.
D. Providing additional education is appropriate when requested, but repeated pressure should not undermine
the patient's autonomous decision.
Clinical Pearl
Respect for patient autonomy is a cornerstone of ethical nursing practice.
Exam Success Tip
Differentiate between providing information to support informed decision-making and attempting to coerce a
patient into accepting treatment.
Question 4
Before delegating morning care, the charge nurse reviews the assignments for the nursing team. Which task is
most appropriate to delegate to an experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Reinforcing discharge instructions for a patient newly diagnosed with heart failure.
B. Measuring and documenting routine vital signs for a stable postoperative patient.
C. Assessing pain in a patient who recently received IV opioids.
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a new antihypertensive medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable patient is within the typical role of a trained UAP. The registered nurse
remains responsible for assessment, interpretation of findings, teaching, and evaluation.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Patient education is the nurse's responsibility.
,C. Pain assessment requires nursing judgment.
D. Evaluating medication effectiveness requires clinical assessment.
Clinical Pearl
Delegate routine, predictable tasks—not nursing assessment, teaching, or evaluation.
Exam Success Tip
When delegation questions appear, ask yourself whether the task requires clinical judgment.
Question 5
A newly admitted patient expresses concern that personal medical information might be shared with others.
Which nursing response best reflects professional responsibility?
A. "Only your family can access your health information."
B. "Your health information is protected, and it is shared only with individuals involved in your care or as
permitted by law."
C. "Hospital staff are free to discuss your condition while at work."
D. "Once you are admitted, your medical information becomes public."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Professional nursing practice includes protecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality. Information
should be shared only when appropriate for patient care or as legally permitted.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Family access depends on the patient's preferences and applicable laws.
C. Casual discussion of patient information is inappropriate.
D. Medical information does not become public because of hospitalization.
Clinical Pearl
Maintaining confidentiality builds trust and supports ethical patient care.
Exam Success Tip
Questions about privacy usually emphasize confidentiality and limiting access to those with a legitimate need
to know.
, Question 6
While preparing medications, a nurse realizes that the wrong medication was administered to a patient one
hour earlier. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the error at the end of the shift.
B. Notify the provider, assess the patient, follow facility policy, and report the medication error.
C. Ask the next shift to monitor the patient.
D. Wait to see whether the patient develops symptoms before reporting the error.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
When a medication error occurs, the nurse's priority is patient safety. Immediate assessment, appropriate
notification, and reporting according to policy are essential.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Delaying action may compromise patient safety.
C. Responsibility cannot be transferred without appropriate assessment and communication.
D. Waiting for symptoms delays necessary intervention.
Clinical Pearl
Reporting errors promotes patient safety and quality improvement rather than punishment.
Exam Success Tip
Medication error questions typically prioritize patient assessment before administrative tasks.
Question 7
During bedside handoff, a patient asks a question about a newly prescribed medication. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Tell the patient to wait until the next medication pass.
B. Provide accurate education within the nurse's scope and confirm the patient's understanding.
C. Refer every medication question directly to the pharmacist without discussion.
D. Ask another patient to wait while the conversation continues.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
,Patient education is an essential nursing responsibility. The nurse should provide accurate information
appropriate to their role and verify understanding.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Unnecessarily delays patient education.
C. Pharmacists are valuable resources, but nurses also provide medication teaching.
D. Patient privacy should be maintained during discussions.
Clinical Pearl
Effective education improves adherence and supports informed decision-making.
Exam Success Tip
When education is part of the nurse's role, ensure the information is accurate and assess the patient's
understanding.
Question 8
An experienced nurse notices that a colleague appears overwhelmed while caring for several high-acuity
patients. Which action best demonstrates professional teamwork?
A. Ignore the situation because every nurse is responsible for their own assignment.
B. Offer appropriate assistance and communicate with the charge nurse if additional support is needed.
C. Complete only personal assigned tasks.
D. Discuss the colleague's performance with other staff during break.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Professional nursing practice promotes collaboration and mutual support to maintain safe, high-quality patient
care.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Teamwork contributes to patient safety.
C. Limiting help may increase the risk of missed care.
D. Discussing a colleague's performance inappropriately is unprofessional.
Clinical Pearl
Strong teamwork improves communication and reduces preventable patient harm.
, Exam Success Tip
Questions about collaboration often focus on communication, mutual support, and patient safety.
Question 9
While reviewing laboratory results before administering medication, a nurse notices a critical potassium level
that may affect treatment. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication as scheduled.
B. Ignore the laboratory result because the provider has already written the order.
C. Assess the patient, recognize the significance of the result, and communicate the finding before
administering medications that could worsen the condition.
D. Wait until the next laboratory draw for confirmation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Professional nursing requires integrating assessment findings with laboratory data before implementing
treatment. Recognizing significant abnormalities helps prevent patient harm.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Medication administration should be based on current clinical information.
B. Nurses are accountable for recognizing potentially unsafe situations.
D. Delaying action may place the patient at risk.
Clinical Pearl
Always consider how abnormal laboratory values may influence treatment decisions.
Exam Success Tip
Combine assessment findings with laboratory results to guide safe clinical decisions.
Question 10
Near the end of a shift, a nurse realizes that an ordered dressing change was unintentionally missed because of
an emergency elsewhere on the unit. Which response best reflects professional accountability?
A. Document that the dressing was changed to avoid criticism.
B. Leave the task for the next shift without communicating.
1. Concepts in Nursing Practice
2. Professional Nursing
3. Social Determinants of Health
4. Health Assessment
5. Patient Teaching
6. Chronic Illness
7. Pain Management
8. Palliative Care
9. Infection Control
10. Fluid & Electrolytes
11. Cancer
12. Surgery
13. Respiratory Disorders
14. Cardiovascular Disorders
15. Hematologic Disorders
16. Immune Disorders
17. Gastrointestinal Disorders
18. Endocrine Disorders
19. Kidney & Urinary Disorders
20. Reproductive Health
21. Neurologic Disorders
22. Musculoskeletal Disorders
23. Arthritis
24. Orthopedic Trauma
, 25. Dementia & Delirium
26. Spinal Cord Disorders
Total Questions: 238
Major Topics Covered
• Nursing Foundations
• Professional Practice
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Assessment
• Patient Education
• Chronic Disease Management
• Pain & Palliative Care
• Infection Prevention & Control
• Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
• Oncology Nursing
• Perioperative Nursing
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Hematologic Disorders
• Immune Disorders
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Endocrine Disorders
• Kidney & Urinary Disorders
• Reproductive Health
• Neurologic Disorders
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Arthritis
, • Orthopedic Trauma
• Dementia & Delirium
• Spinal Cord Disorders
Professional Nursing
Original Practice Questions
Question 1
During a shift assessment, a nurse notices that a patient's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 30
breaths/minute, oxygen saturation has fallen to 89% on room air, and the patient appears anxious. Which
action demonstrates the highest priority in professional nursing practice?
A. Reassess the patient after completing medication administration for other patients.
B. Notify the healthcare provider after documenting all assessment findings.
C. Initiate appropriate nursing interventions to support oxygenation while promptly communicating the
patient's change in condition.
D. Encourage the patient to relax because anxiety is likely causing the symptoms.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Professional nursing requires early recognition of clinical deterioration and prompt intervention. Supporting
oxygenation while communicating significant changes to the healthcare provider promotes patient safety and
timely treatment.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Delaying intervention may allow the patient's condition to worsen.
B. Documentation is important but should never delay immediate patient care.
D. Anxiety may accompany respiratory distress, but the patient's physiologic changes require immediate
assessment and intervention.
Clinical Pearl
Early recognition of deterioration is one of the most effective ways to prevent adverse patient outcomes.
Exam Success Tip
,When several options appear correct, prioritize interventions that address airway, breathing, circulation, and
patient safety.
Question 2
While reviewing a medication order, a nurse notices that the prescribed dose is significantly higher than the
usual recommended range. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider before administering the medication.
B. Administer the medication because it was prescribed by the provider.
C. Ask another nurse to administer the medication.
D. Delay the medication until the next scheduled dose without informing anyone.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Nurses are professionally accountable for safe medication administration. Any questionable order should be
verified before administration to protect patient safety.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
B. Nurses are responsible for questioning potentially unsafe orders.
C. Responsibility for medication safety cannot be transferred to another nurse.
D. Withholding medication without communicating concerns delays appropriate patient care.
Clinical Pearl
Professional accountability includes recognizing and addressing unsafe medication orders before harm occurs.
Exam Success Tip
Never assume that every written prescription is correct. Verify anything that appears inconsistent with safe
practice.
Question 3
A patient who is fully alert refuses a recommended blood transfusion after discussing the benefits and risks
with the healthcare team. Which nursing action best reflects professional nursing practice?
A. Ask family members to persuade the patient to accept treatment.
B. Respect the patient's decision, document the discussion, and notify the provider.
C. Proceed with the transfusion because delaying treatment could be harmful.
,D. Continue explaining the benefits until the patient changes their mind.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
A competent adult has the right to make informed healthcare decisions, including refusing recommended
treatment. The nurse's role is to respect autonomy, ensure the refusal is informed, document appropriately,
and communicate with the provider.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Family members cannot override the informed decision of a competent adult.
C. Administering treatment without consent is generally inappropriate unless a recognized legal exception
applies.
D. Providing additional education is appropriate when requested, but repeated pressure should not undermine
the patient's autonomous decision.
Clinical Pearl
Respect for patient autonomy is a cornerstone of ethical nursing practice.
Exam Success Tip
Differentiate between providing information to support informed decision-making and attempting to coerce a
patient into accepting treatment.
Question 4
Before delegating morning care, the charge nurse reviews the assignments for the nursing team. Which task is
most appropriate to delegate to an experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Reinforcing discharge instructions for a patient newly diagnosed with heart failure.
B. Measuring and documenting routine vital signs for a stable postoperative patient.
C. Assessing pain in a patient who recently received IV opioids.
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a new antihypertensive medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable patient is within the typical role of a trained UAP. The registered nurse
remains responsible for assessment, interpretation of findings, teaching, and evaluation.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Patient education is the nurse's responsibility.
,C. Pain assessment requires nursing judgment.
D. Evaluating medication effectiveness requires clinical assessment.
Clinical Pearl
Delegate routine, predictable tasks—not nursing assessment, teaching, or evaluation.
Exam Success Tip
When delegation questions appear, ask yourself whether the task requires clinical judgment.
Question 5
A newly admitted patient expresses concern that personal medical information might be shared with others.
Which nursing response best reflects professional responsibility?
A. "Only your family can access your health information."
B. "Your health information is protected, and it is shared only with individuals involved in your care or as
permitted by law."
C. "Hospital staff are free to discuss your condition while at work."
D. "Once you are admitted, your medical information becomes public."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Professional nursing practice includes protecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality. Information
should be shared only when appropriate for patient care or as legally permitted.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Family access depends on the patient's preferences and applicable laws.
C. Casual discussion of patient information is inappropriate.
D. Medical information does not become public because of hospitalization.
Clinical Pearl
Maintaining confidentiality builds trust and supports ethical patient care.
Exam Success Tip
Questions about privacy usually emphasize confidentiality and limiting access to those with a legitimate need
to know.
, Question 6
While preparing medications, a nurse realizes that the wrong medication was administered to a patient one
hour earlier. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the error at the end of the shift.
B. Notify the provider, assess the patient, follow facility policy, and report the medication error.
C. Ask the next shift to monitor the patient.
D. Wait to see whether the patient develops symptoms before reporting the error.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
When a medication error occurs, the nurse's priority is patient safety. Immediate assessment, appropriate
notification, and reporting according to policy are essential.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Delaying action may compromise patient safety.
C. Responsibility cannot be transferred without appropriate assessment and communication.
D. Waiting for symptoms delays necessary intervention.
Clinical Pearl
Reporting errors promotes patient safety and quality improvement rather than punishment.
Exam Success Tip
Medication error questions typically prioritize patient assessment before administrative tasks.
Question 7
During bedside handoff, a patient asks a question about a newly prescribed medication. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Tell the patient to wait until the next medication pass.
B. Provide accurate education within the nurse's scope and confirm the patient's understanding.
C. Refer every medication question directly to the pharmacist without discussion.
D. Ask another patient to wait while the conversation continues.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
,Patient education is an essential nursing responsibility. The nurse should provide accurate information
appropriate to their role and verify understanding.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Unnecessarily delays patient education.
C. Pharmacists are valuable resources, but nurses also provide medication teaching.
D. Patient privacy should be maintained during discussions.
Clinical Pearl
Effective education improves adherence and supports informed decision-making.
Exam Success Tip
When education is part of the nurse's role, ensure the information is accurate and assess the patient's
understanding.
Question 8
An experienced nurse notices that a colleague appears overwhelmed while caring for several high-acuity
patients. Which action best demonstrates professional teamwork?
A. Ignore the situation because every nurse is responsible for their own assignment.
B. Offer appropriate assistance and communicate with the charge nurse if additional support is needed.
C. Complete only personal assigned tasks.
D. Discuss the colleague's performance with other staff during break.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Professional nursing practice promotes collaboration and mutual support to maintain safe, high-quality patient
care.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Teamwork contributes to patient safety.
C. Limiting help may increase the risk of missed care.
D. Discussing a colleague's performance inappropriately is unprofessional.
Clinical Pearl
Strong teamwork improves communication and reduces preventable patient harm.
, Exam Success Tip
Questions about collaboration often focus on communication, mutual support, and patient safety.
Question 9
While reviewing laboratory results before administering medication, a nurse notices a critical potassium level
that may affect treatment. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication as scheduled.
B. Ignore the laboratory result because the provider has already written the order.
C. Assess the patient, recognize the significance of the result, and communicate the finding before
administering medications that could worsen the condition.
D. Wait until the next laboratory draw for confirmation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Professional nursing requires integrating assessment findings with laboratory data before implementing
treatment. Recognizing significant abnormalities helps prevent patient harm.
Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate
A. Medication administration should be based on current clinical information.
B. Nurses are accountable for recognizing potentially unsafe situations.
D. Delaying action may place the patient at risk.
Clinical Pearl
Always consider how abnormal laboratory values may influence treatment decisions.
Exam Success Tip
Combine assessment findings with laboratory results to guide safe clinical decisions.
Question 10
Near the end of a shift, a nurse realizes that an ordered dressing change was unintentionally missed because of
an emergency elsewhere on the unit. Which response best reflects professional accountability?
A. Document that the dressing was changed to avoid criticism.
B. Leave the task for the next shift without communicating.
