CJE BENCHMARK EXAM 2/ NURS 3251 CJE PRACTICE
EXAM | FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS | BRAND NEW
CJE Benchmark Exam 2 / NURS 3251 CJE Practice Exam
200 Original Nursing Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Verified A+ Notes | Updated 2026/2027 | Exam Success Resources
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–80
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 81–130
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 131–180
5. Review Questions — Questions 181–200
INTRODUCTION
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A nurse is beginning an assessment of a hospitalized patient. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Review the patient's discharge instructions
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Administer scheduled medications
D. Obtain the patient's dietary preferences
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation are immediate priorities because impairment can
rapidly become life-threatening. Nursing priorities follow the principle of addressing physiologic
threats before less urgent needs.
,Question 2
Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% in a patient with acute respiratory distress
C. Mild nausea after breakfast
D. Pain rated 3/10
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88% in a patient with acute respiratory distress
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% accompanied by respiratory distress suggests
inadequate oxygenation. Airway and breathing problems take priority over mild pain, nausea, or
a normal temperature.
Question 3
Which statement best describes clinical judgment in nursing?
A. Following physician orders without modification
B. Memorizing disease definitions
C. Using assessment data to recognize problems, prioritize needs, and determine appropriate
action
D. Performing procedures as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: C. Using assessment data to recognize problems, prioritize needs, and
determine appropriate action
Rationale: Clinical judgment requires interpretation of patient information, identification of
priorities, selection of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of outcomes. It goes beyond
memorization or task completion.
Question 4
A nurse receives a new admission. Which information is most important to obtain initially?
A. Favorite foods
B. Preferred television programs
C. Current airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness
D. Preferred discharge destination
Correct Answer: C. Current airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness
,Rationale: Initial assessment should identify potentially life-threatening conditions. ABCs and
neurologic status help determine whether immediate intervention is required.
Question 5
Which nursing action demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A. Using an intervention solely because it is traditional
B. Combining current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. Using the same intervention for every patient
D. Avoiding clinical guidelines
Correct Answer: B. Combining current research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing integrates the best available evidence with professional
expertise and the individual patient's circumstances, values, and preferences.
Question 6
A patient says, “I don't understand why I need this treatment.” What is the nurse's best response?
A. “The provider ordered it, so you need it.”
B. “You don't need to worry about it.”
C. “Tell me what you understand about the treatment so far.”
D. “You can read the consent form later.”
Correct Answer: C. “Tell me what you understand about the treatment so far.”
Rationale: Assessing the patient's current understanding allows the nurse to identify knowledge
gaps and provide individualized education. Therapeutic communication avoids dismissive or
authoritarian responses.
Question 7
Which finding is considered objective data?
A. “I feel short of breath.”
B. “My chest hurts.”
C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
D. “I feel weak.”
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
, Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through examination,
monitoring, or diagnostic testing. Statements describing symptoms are subjective data.
Question 8
Which finding is subjective?
A. Blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
B. Oxygen saturation of 94%
C. Crackles heard on auscultation
D. Patient reports feeling dizzy
Correct Answer: D. Patient reports feeling dizzy
Rationale: Subjective information consists of what the patient reports experiencing. Blood
pressure, oxygen saturation, and auscultated sounds are objective findings.
Question 9
A nurse notices that a patient's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 28/min. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Ignore the finding because respiratory rates vary
B. Assess the patient's respiratory status and overall condition
C. Document the finding at the end of the shift
D. Immediately discharge the patient
Correct Answer: B. Assess the patient's respiratory status and overall condition
Rationale: A significant change in respiratory rate can indicate deterioration. The nurse should
further assess breathing, oxygenation, lung sounds, work of breathing, and associated symptoms.
Question 10
Which nursing action best supports patient safety?
A. Leaving the bed in its highest position
B. Keeping frequently used items within reach
C. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance despite weakness
D. Leaving the call light on the floor
Correct Answer: B. Keeping frequently used items within reach
EXAM | FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS | BRAND NEW
CJE Benchmark Exam 2 / NURS 3251 CJE Practice Exam
200 Original Nursing Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Verified A+ Notes | Updated 2026/2027 | Exam Success Resources
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–80
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 81–130
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 131–180
5. Review Questions — Questions 181–200
INTRODUCTION
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A nurse is beginning an assessment of a hospitalized patient. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Review the patient's discharge instructions
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Administer scheduled medications
D. Obtain the patient's dietary preferences
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation are immediate priorities because impairment can
rapidly become life-threatening. Nursing priorities follow the principle of addressing physiologic
threats before less urgent needs.
,Question 2
Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% in a patient with acute respiratory distress
C. Mild nausea after breakfast
D. Pain rated 3/10
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88% in a patient with acute respiratory distress
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% accompanied by respiratory distress suggests
inadequate oxygenation. Airway and breathing problems take priority over mild pain, nausea, or
a normal temperature.
Question 3
Which statement best describes clinical judgment in nursing?
A. Following physician orders without modification
B. Memorizing disease definitions
C. Using assessment data to recognize problems, prioritize needs, and determine appropriate
action
D. Performing procedures as quickly as possible
Correct Answer: C. Using assessment data to recognize problems, prioritize needs, and
determine appropriate action
Rationale: Clinical judgment requires interpretation of patient information, identification of
priorities, selection of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of outcomes. It goes beyond
memorization or task completion.
Question 4
A nurse receives a new admission. Which information is most important to obtain initially?
A. Favorite foods
B. Preferred television programs
C. Current airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness
D. Preferred discharge destination
Correct Answer: C. Current airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness
,Rationale: Initial assessment should identify potentially life-threatening conditions. ABCs and
neurologic status help determine whether immediate intervention is required.
Question 5
Which nursing action demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A. Using an intervention solely because it is traditional
B. Combining current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. Using the same intervention for every patient
D. Avoiding clinical guidelines
Correct Answer: B. Combining current research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing integrates the best available evidence with professional
expertise and the individual patient's circumstances, values, and preferences.
Question 6
A patient says, “I don't understand why I need this treatment.” What is the nurse's best response?
A. “The provider ordered it, so you need it.”
B. “You don't need to worry about it.”
C. “Tell me what you understand about the treatment so far.”
D. “You can read the consent form later.”
Correct Answer: C. “Tell me what you understand about the treatment so far.”
Rationale: Assessing the patient's current understanding allows the nurse to identify knowledge
gaps and provide individualized education. Therapeutic communication avoids dismissive or
authoritarian responses.
Question 7
Which finding is considered objective data?
A. “I feel short of breath.”
B. “My chest hurts.”
C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
D. “I feel weak.”
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
, Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through examination,
monitoring, or diagnostic testing. Statements describing symptoms are subjective data.
Question 8
Which finding is subjective?
A. Blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
B. Oxygen saturation of 94%
C. Crackles heard on auscultation
D. Patient reports feeling dizzy
Correct Answer: D. Patient reports feeling dizzy
Rationale: Subjective information consists of what the patient reports experiencing. Blood
pressure, oxygen saturation, and auscultated sounds are objective findings.
Question 9
A nurse notices that a patient's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 28/min. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Ignore the finding because respiratory rates vary
B. Assess the patient's respiratory status and overall condition
C. Document the finding at the end of the shift
D. Immediately discharge the patient
Correct Answer: B. Assess the patient's respiratory status and overall condition
Rationale: A significant change in respiratory rate can indicate deterioration. The nurse should
further assess breathing, oxygenation, lung sounds, work of breathing, and associated symptoms.
Question 10
Which nursing action best supports patient safety?
A. Leaving the bed in its highest position
B. Keeping frequently used items within reach
C. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance despite weakness
D. Leaving the call light on the floor
Correct Answer: B. Keeping frequently used items within reach
