FLORIDA GENERAL STANDARDS (CORE)
COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
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Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing / Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1-
35)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube.
Which action should the nurse take first to verify tube placement?
A. Aspirate gastric contents and check the pH.
B. Auscultate for air insufflation over the epigastric area.
C. Measure the length of the tube from the nose to the ear.
D. Obtain an abdominal x-ray.
Answer: A
Rationale: While an x-ray is the gold standard for initial placement, the first
action to verify placement before each feeding is to aspirate gastric contents
and check the pH (typically ≤ 4). Auscultation is an unreliable method.
Measuring the tube length is done during insertion, not as a daily verification
method.
2. A patient is on contact precautions for a Clostridium difficile infection.
Which hand hygiene product is most effective?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
B. Antimicrobial soap and water.
,C. Iodine-based surgical scrub.
D. Chlorhexidine wipes.
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. The
mechanical action of washing with soap and water is necessary to physically
remove the spores from the hands.
3. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and reports chills and lower back
pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate.
B. Stop the transfusion immediately.
C. Administer diphenhydramine.
D. Assess the client's temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chills and lower back pain are classic signs of an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to
prevent further complications, then maintain IV access with normal saline and
notify the provider.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a patient. Which of the following is an
appropriate action?
A. Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement.
B. Tie the restraints to the bed's side rails.
C. Ensure the restraint allows for two fingers to be inserted between the
restraint and the wrist.
D. Document the restraint application every 4 hours.
Answer: C
,Rationale: Restraints should be applied loosely enough to allow for two
fingers to fit between the restraint and the skin to prevent circulatory
impairment. They must never be tied to side rails (which move) and must be
documented frequently (every 15-30 minutes for continuous monitoring, not
just every 4 hours).
5. A patient with a nasogastric tube for continuous suction complains of a dry
mouth. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide ice chips to suck on.
B. Offer sips of water.
C. Provide frequent oral care with glycerin swabs.
D. Apply petroleum jelly to the lips.
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient is NPO. Ice chips and water are contraindicated.
Glycerin swabs can be drying, but frequent oral care with a moisturizing
solution is the best intervention. Petroleum jelly is applied to the nostrils to
prevent irritation, not specifically for a dry mouth.
6. A client is prescribed 1500 mL of normal saline over 12 hours. The drop
factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 125 gtt/min
D. 75 gtt/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume (1500 mL) / Total time (720 mins) = 2.08 mL/min.
2.08 x Drop factor (15) = 31.2, rounded down to 31 gtt/min.
, 7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. The
medication is an enteric-coated tablet. What should the nurse do?
A. Crush the tablet and dissolve it in water.
B. Open the capsule and mix the contents with juice.
C. Contact the pharmacy for a liquid formulation.
D. Administer the tablet intact via the tube.
Answer: C
Rationale: Enteric-coated and sustained-release medications should never be
crushed because it destroys their protective or time-release properties. The
safest action is to contact the pharmacy for an appropriate alternative
formulation.
8. A patient is on fall precautions. Which of the following interventions is most
appropriate for a confused patient?
A. Place the bed in the lowest position with all side rails up.
B. Use a bed alarm and place the call light within reach.
C. Keep the room dark to promote sleep.
D. Restrain the patient to prevent falls.
Answer: B
Rationale: A bed alarm alerts staff and the call light empowers the patient.
Side rails can be a hazard if the patient tries to climb over them. Restraints are
a last resort.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient in isolation. In which order should the nurse
apply PPE?
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
B. Mask, goggles, gown, gloves.
C. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
---
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing / Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1-
35)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube.
Which action should the nurse take first to verify tube placement?
A. Aspirate gastric contents and check the pH.
B. Auscultate for air insufflation over the epigastric area.
C. Measure the length of the tube from the nose to the ear.
D. Obtain an abdominal x-ray.
Answer: A
Rationale: While an x-ray is the gold standard for initial placement, the first
action to verify placement before each feeding is to aspirate gastric contents
and check the pH (typically ≤ 4). Auscultation is an unreliable method.
Measuring the tube length is done during insertion, not as a daily verification
method.
2. A patient is on contact precautions for a Clostridium difficile infection.
Which hand hygiene product is most effective?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
B. Antimicrobial soap and water.
,C. Iodine-based surgical scrub.
D. Chlorhexidine wipes.
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. The
mechanical action of washing with soap and water is necessary to physically
remove the spores from the hands.
3. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and reports chills and lower back
pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate.
B. Stop the transfusion immediately.
C. Administer diphenhydramine.
D. Assess the client's temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: Chills and lower back pain are classic signs of an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to
prevent further complications, then maintain IV access with normal saline and
notify the provider.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a patient. Which of the following is an
appropriate action?
A. Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement.
B. Tie the restraints to the bed's side rails.
C. Ensure the restraint allows for two fingers to be inserted between the
restraint and the wrist.
D. Document the restraint application every 4 hours.
Answer: C
,Rationale: Restraints should be applied loosely enough to allow for two
fingers to fit between the restraint and the skin to prevent circulatory
impairment. They must never be tied to side rails (which move) and must be
documented frequently (every 15-30 minutes for continuous monitoring, not
just every 4 hours).
5. A patient with a nasogastric tube for continuous suction complains of a dry
mouth. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide ice chips to suck on.
B. Offer sips of water.
C. Provide frequent oral care with glycerin swabs.
D. Apply petroleum jelly to the lips.
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient is NPO. Ice chips and water are contraindicated.
Glycerin swabs can be drying, but frequent oral care with a moisturizing
solution is the best intervention. Petroleum jelly is applied to the nostrils to
prevent irritation, not specifically for a dry mouth.
6. A client is prescribed 1500 mL of normal saline over 12 hours. The drop
factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 125 gtt/min
D. 75 gtt/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume (1500 mL) / Total time (720 mins) = 2.08 mL/min.
2.08 x Drop factor (15) = 31.2, rounded down to 31 gtt/min.
, 7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. The
medication is an enteric-coated tablet. What should the nurse do?
A. Crush the tablet and dissolve it in water.
B. Open the capsule and mix the contents with juice.
C. Contact the pharmacy for a liquid formulation.
D. Administer the tablet intact via the tube.
Answer: C
Rationale: Enteric-coated and sustained-release medications should never be
crushed because it destroys their protective or time-release properties. The
safest action is to contact the pharmacy for an appropriate alternative
formulation.
8. A patient is on fall precautions. Which of the following interventions is most
appropriate for a confused patient?
A. Place the bed in the lowest position with all side rails up.
B. Use a bed alarm and place the call light within reach.
C. Keep the room dark to promote sleep.
D. Restrain the patient to prevent falls.
Answer: B
Rationale: A bed alarm alerts staff and the call light empowers the patient.
Side rails can be a hazard if the patient tries to climb over them. Restraints are
a last resort.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient in isolation. In which order should the nurse
apply PPE?
A. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
B. Mask, goggles, gown, gloves.
C. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles.
