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Nursing 354 Diagnostic Testing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for a complete blood count (CBC). Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Remain NPO for 12 hours
B. Increase fluid intake immediately before the test
C. Follow the usual diet unless other tests require fasting
D. Avoid all medications for 24 hours
Answer: Follow the usual diet unless other tests require fasting
Rationale: A CBC generally does not require fasting. The nurse should determine
whether other laboratory tests ordered at the same time require fasting.
2. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating oxygen-carrying
capacity?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. White blood cell count
D. Sodium
Answer: Hemoglobin
,Rationale: Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells and is an
important indicator of oxygen-carrying capacity.
3. A patient is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat a high-fat breakfast before the test
B. Drink only juice before the test
C. Follow the prescribed fasting instructions
D. Exercise vigorously before specimen collection
Answer: Follow the prescribed fasting instructions
Rationale: Depending on the laboratory and specific lipid testing protocol,
fasting may be required. The patient should follow the prescribed preparation
instructions.
4. Which laboratory test is commonly used to evaluate kidney function?
A. Troponin
B. Creatinine
C. Bilirubin
D. Amylase
Answer: Creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is commonly used to assess renal filtration and
kidney function.
5. A nurse reviews a patient's estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
What does this test primarily estimate?
A. Liver enzyme activity
B. Cardiac electrical activity
C. Kidney filtration ability
D. Lung diffusion capacity
Answer: Kidney filtration ability
,Rationale: eGFR estimates how effectively the kidneys filter blood and is
commonly used to assess chronic kidney disease.
6. Which test is most directly associated with evaluating long-term blood
glucose control?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum sodium
C. Troponin
D. Serum calcium
Answer: Hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose levels over
approximately the previous 2 to 3 months.
7. A patient is scheduled for a chest radiograph. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Verify the patient's identity and explain the procedure
C. Restrict fluids for 24 hours
D. Insert a urinary catheter
Answer: Verify the patient's identity and explain the procedure
Rationale: Correct patient identification and patient education are fundamental
safety measures before diagnostic procedures.
8. Which diagnostic test uses sound waves to create images of internal
structures?
A. Computed tomography
B. Magnetic resonance imaging
C. Ultrasound
D. Nuclear medicine scan
Answer: Ultrasound
, Rationale: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of
tissues and organs.
9. Which nursing action is appropriate before an MRI?
A. Remove metal objects from the patient
B. Encourage the patient to drink alcohol
C. Administer oral contrast to every patient
D. Place the patient in a lead-lined room
Answer: Remove metal objects from the patient
Rationale: MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, so metallic objects and certain
implanted devices can pose significant safety risks.
10.Which patient statement requires additional assessment before an MRI?
A. "I am nervous about being in the scanner."
B. "I have a metallic implant."
C. "I wore comfortable clothing."
D. "I brought my identification."
Answer: "I have a metallic implant."
Rationale: Certain metallic implants may be unsafe in an MRI environment. The
nurse must identify and verify the type of implant before the examination.
11.A patient is receiving iodinated contrast for a CT scan. Which history is
especially important for the nurse to obtain?
A. History of seasonal allergies only
B. Previous reaction to contrast media
C. History of wearing glasses
D. History of mild motion sickness
Answer: Previous reaction to contrast media
Rationale: A previous reaction to contrast media is an important risk factor and
should be reported before contrast administration.
Nursing 354 Diagnostic Testing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for a complete blood count (CBC). Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Remain NPO for 12 hours
B. Increase fluid intake immediately before the test
C. Follow the usual diet unless other tests require fasting
D. Avoid all medications for 24 hours
Answer: Follow the usual diet unless other tests require fasting
Rationale: A CBC generally does not require fasting. The nurse should determine
whether other laboratory tests ordered at the same time require fasting.
2. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating oxygen-carrying
capacity?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. White blood cell count
D. Sodium
Answer: Hemoglobin
,Rationale: Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells and is an
important indicator of oxygen-carrying capacity.
3. A patient is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat a high-fat breakfast before the test
B. Drink only juice before the test
C. Follow the prescribed fasting instructions
D. Exercise vigorously before specimen collection
Answer: Follow the prescribed fasting instructions
Rationale: Depending on the laboratory and specific lipid testing protocol,
fasting may be required. The patient should follow the prescribed preparation
instructions.
4. Which laboratory test is commonly used to evaluate kidney function?
A. Troponin
B. Creatinine
C. Bilirubin
D. Amylase
Answer: Creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is commonly used to assess renal filtration and
kidney function.
5. A nurse reviews a patient's estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
What does this test primarily estimate?
A. Liver enzyme activity
B. Cardiac electrical activity
C. Kidney filtration ability
D. Lung diffusion capacity
Answer: Kidney filtration ability
,Rationale: eGFR estimates how effectively the kidneys filter blood and is
commonly used to assess chronic kidney disease.
6. Which test is most directly associated with evaluating long-term blood
glucose control?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum sodium
C. Troponin
D. Serum calcium
Answer: Hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose levels over
approximately the previous 2 to 3 months.
7. A patient is scheduled for a chest radiograph. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Verify the patient's identity and explain the procedure
C. Restrict fluids for 24 hours
D. Insert a urinary catheter
Answer: Verify the patient's identity and explain the procedure
Rationale: Correct patient identification and patient education are fundamental
safety measures before diagnostic procedures.
8. Which diagnostic test uses sound waves to create images of internal
structures?
A. Computed tomography
B. Magnetic resonance imaging
C. Ultrasound
D. Nuclear medicine scan
Answer: Ultrasound
, Rationale: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of
tissues and organs.
9. Which nursing action is appropriate before an MRI?
A. Remove metal objects from the patient
B. Encourage the patient to drink alcohol
C. Administer oral contrast to every patient
D. Place the patient in a lead-lined room
Answer: Remove metal objects from the patient
Rationale: MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, so metallic objects and certain
implanted devices can pose significant safety risks.
10.Which patient statement requires additional assessment before an MRI?
A. "I am nervous about being in the scanner."
B. "I have a metallic implant."
C. "I wore comfortable clothing."
D. "I brought my identification."
Answer: "I have a metallic implant."
Rationale: Certain metallic implants may be unsafe in an MRI environment. The
nurse must identify and verify the type of implant before the examination.
11.A patient is receiving iodinated contrast for a CT scan. Which history is
especially important for the nurse to obtain?
A. History of seasonal allergies only
B. Previous reaction to contrast media
C. History of wearing glasses
D. History of mild motion sickness
Answer: Previous reaction to contrast media
Rationale: A previous reaction to contrast media is an important risk factor and
should be reported before contrast administration.
