Answers | 2026/2027 | 300 Questions | 100% Correct |
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Section 1: Professional Practice and the Nurse-Client
Partnership (Questions 1-60)
Question 1: A practical nurse is caring for a client who refuses a
prescribed medication. What is the most appropriate initial
action?
A. Administer the medication by an alternative route
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Crush the medication and hide it in food
D. Ask the client's family member to encourage compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: When a client refuses medication, the nurse must respect the client's right to
refuse treatment, document the refusal in the client's chart, and notify the healthcare
provider. The nurse should also assess the reason for refusal and attempt to address
concerns, but never coerce or deceive the client into taking medication .
Question 2: A practical nurse is assigned to care for four clients.
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 92% on room air
B. A client with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
,C. A client post-operative day 1 with a temperature of 99.8°F (37.7°C) and mild pain
D. A client with a change in level of consciousness from baseline
Answer: D
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness is a priority finding that may indicate a
life-threatening condition such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, or neurological deterioration.
The nurse should assess this client first using the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation)
and Maslow's hierarchy of needs . The other clients have stable findings that can be
assessed after the priority client.
Question 3: The practical nurse is providing discharge teaching to
a client with a new diagnosis of diabetes. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can stop taking my insulin when my blood sugar is normal"
B. "I will check my blood sugar before meals and at bedtime"
C. "I don't need to check my blood sugar because I take insulin"
D. "I should check my blood sugar once a week"
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with diabetes should check their blood glucose before meals and at
bedtime to optimize insulin dosing and prevent complications . Monitoring should be
done regularly, not only when symptomatic. Insulin should not be stopped without
provider guidance. The client should also be educated about signs of hypoglycemia and
hyperglycemia.
Question 4: A practical nurse is caring for a client who is
experiencing pain rated 8 out of 10 on a numeric pain scale.
Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Administer a PRN analgesic as prescribed
B. Reassess the pain in 30 minutes
C. Apply a cold compress to the painful area
D. Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques
Answer: A
Rationale: A pain level of 8 out of 10 requires immediate intervention. The nurse should
administer a PRN analgesic as prescribed, then reassess in 30-60 minutes . Non-
pharmacological interventions may also be used, but medication administration is the
priority for severe pain.
Question 5: The practical nurse is preparing to administer a
medication via the sublingual route. Which action is correct?
A. Place the medication between the cheek and gum
B. Place the medication under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely
C. Have the client swallow the medication with water
D. Crush the medication before administration
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve
completely for rapid absorption . The client should not swallow or chew the medication.
Buccal medications are placed between the cheek and gum. Crushing sublingual
medications would alter absorption.
Question 6: A practical nurse is caring for a client with a surgical
wound. The nurse notes the wound edges are separated and there
is a small amount of serosanguineous drainage. What is the
correct action?
, A. Apply a dry sterile dressing and document the findings
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Irrigate the wound with normal saline
D. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing
Answer: A
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage (pink-tinged) is normal in the early stages of
wound healing . The nurse should apply a sterile dressing and document the findings.
The provider should be notified if there are signs of infection (purulent drainage,
erythema, warmth) or wound dehiscence (separation of wound edges).
Question 7: The practical nurse is assessing a client's vital signs.
The client's blood pressure is 150/95 mmHg. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Document the reading and notify the healthcare provider
B. Reassess in 30 minutes
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication
D. Instruct the client to rest and reassess in 15 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: A blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg is elevated and should be documented
and reported to the healthcare provider . The nurse should also assess the client for
symptoms of hypertension (headache, dizziness, blurred vision) and recheck the blood
pressure using the correct technique. Antihypertensive medication should not be
administered without a prescription.
Question 8: A practical nurse is providing oral care to an
unconscious client. Which action is most important to prevent
aspiration?