Concepts & Skills I (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action best
demonstrates adherence to the "Right Patient" principle?
A) Checking the medication label against the MAR
B) Verifying the client's name and date of birth using the wristband
C) Confirming the route with the pharmacy
D) Calculating the dose twice
Correct Answer: Verifying the client's name and date of birth using the
wristband
Rationale: The "Right Patient" requires using two patient identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth) from the wristband, not the room number or bed
label, to prevent medication errors. Option A relates to the "Right Drug," C
to the "Right Route," and D to the "Right Dose."
2. Which technique is essential when performing hand hygiene before
inserting a urinary catheter?
A) Using hand sanitizer for 15 seconds
B) Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C) Rinsing hands with water only
D) Wearing gloves eliminates the need for handwashing
Correct Answer: Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Rationale: Soap and water are required before invasive procedures like
catheter insertion to remove spores and organic matter. Hand sanitizer is
insufficient for C. difficile or visibly soiled hands, and gloves do not replace
hand hygiene.
,3. A client with an indwelling urinary catheter has cloudy, foul-smelling
urine. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Increase oral fluid intake
B) Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection (UTI)
C) Irrigate the catheter with sterile saline
D) Change the catheter bag
Correct Answer: Notify the provider of potential urinary tract infection
(UTI)
Rationale: Cloudy, foul-smelling urine is a classic sign of UTI in
catheterized clients. The provider must be notified for a urine culture and
possible antibiotics. Irrigation is only done for obstruction, not infection.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3
L/min. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Oxygen saturation of 94%
B) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
C) Skin redness and irritation at the nares
D) Confusion and restlessness
Correct Answer: Confusion and restlessness
Rationale: Confusion and restlessness are signs of hypoxia and require
immediate assessment of oxygen saturation and respiratory status. An
oxygen saturation of 94% and a respiratory rate of 18 are within normal
limits.
5. Which laboratory result should immediately be reported by the nurse to
the primary care provider?
A) Hemoglobin: 15.6 g/dL
B) Hematocrit: 32%
,C) Red blood cells: 5.3 million/µL
D) White blood cells: 6000/µL
Correct Answer: Hematocrit: 32%
Rationale: A hematocrit of 32% is below the normal range for both men
and women and may indicate anemia or bleeding. The other values are
within normal ranges and do not require immediate notification.
6. A patient has a 24-hour urine specimen ordered for creatinine
clearance. Which instruction is correct?
A) "Collect all urine from the time the collection begins until it ends."
B) "Save only a sample from each voiding."
C) "Clean the perineal area three times before you begin to urinate."
D) "Discard the first urine specimen, and then collect all urine until the
time period expires."
Correct Answer: "Discard the first urine specimen, and then collect all
urine until the time period expires."
Rationale: A 24-hour urine collection is started by discarding the first
void and then collecting all subsequent urine for the next 24 hours. The
collection ends with the final void at the 24-hour mark.
7. Which blood test is used to monitor renal function?
A) Creatine kinase
B) Triglycerides
C) Creatinine
D) Alkaline phosphatase
Correct Answer: Creatinine
, Rationale: Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism excreted
by the kidneys, and elevated levels indicate impaired renal function.
Creatine kinase monitors muscle damage, triglycerides monitor lipids, and
alkaline phosphatase monitors liver and bone.
8. For which patient is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindicated?
A) A patient with an allergy to latex
B) A patient with an infection
C) A patient with a pacemaker
D) A patient with a head injury
Correct Answer: A patient with a pacemaker
Rationale: MRI uses strong magnetic fields and is contraindicated in
patients with pacemakers, aneurysm clips, or other ferromagnetic
implants. The magnetic field can interfere with pacemaker function and
cause serious injury.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient after a lumbar puncture to obtain a
cerebrospinal fluid specimen. Which post-procedure interventions are
appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
A) Position the patient with head of bed up at least 90 degrees for 4 hours.
B) Assess the puncture site for drainage or bleeding.
C) Encourage PO fluids.
D) Maintain NPO until the gag reflex returns.
E) Encourage ambulation immediately after the test is complete.
Correct Answer: Assess the puncture site for drainage or bleeding.,
Encourage PO fluids.