2026/2027 | 100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
| COMPREHENSIVE NURSING REVIEW
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for fall precautions. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the bedside table across the doorway
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position.
Rationale: Keeping the bed low reduces the distance a client could fall and is a standard fall-
prevention intervention.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is most
important for preventing medication errors?
A. Ask another nurse to select the medication
B. Verify the medication against the prescription
C. Prepare medications for several clients simultaneously
D. Document the medication before administering it
Answer: B. Verify the medication against the prescription.
Rationale: Comparing the medication with the prescription helps ensure the correct
medication, dose, route, and timing.
3. Which finding indicates that a client may be experiencing hypoxia?
A. Oxygen saturation of 98%
B. Restlessness and confusion
C. Respiratory rate of 16/min
D. Warm, dry skin
Answer: B. Restlessness and confusion.
,Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and confusion can be early manifestations of inadequate
oxygenation.
4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub. When should
the nurse use soap and water instead?
A. Before taking a client's blood pressure
B. After touching intact skin
C. When hands are visibly soiled
D. Before entering a client's room
Answer: C. When hands are visibly soiled.
Rationale: Soap and water are required when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with
certain organisms such as C. difficile spores.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia. Which intervention should the nurse
implement during meals?
A. Position the client flat
B. Encourage rapid eating
C. Place the client upright
D. Provide thin liquids only
Answer: C. Place the client upright.
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes safer swallowing and decreases the risk of
aspiration.
6. Which action demonstrates appropriate therapeutic communication?
A. Changing the subject when the client cries
B. Asking, “Why did you do that?”
C. Using silence when appropriate
D. Offering personal opinions
Answer: C. Using silence when appropriate.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives clients time to organize their thoughts and express
feelings.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which question is most appropriate?
, A. “You don't have much pain, do you?”
B. “Can you describe your pain?”
C. “Why are you having pain?”
D. “Is your pain severe?”
Answer: B. “Can you describe your pain?”
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the client to describe pain characteristics in their
own words.
8. A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Place the wheelchair several feet away
C. Leave the footrests down
D. Pull the client by the arms
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes.
Rationale: Locking the brakes prevents the wheelchair from moving during the transfer and
promotes client safety.
9. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Heart rate of 76/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. New onset confusion
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: C. New onset confusion.
Rationale: Acute confusion can indicate hypoxia, infection, metabolic abnormalities,
medication effects, or another acute change requiring evaluation.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who requires contact precautions. Which personal
protective equipment should the nurse generally apply before entering the room?
A. Gloves and gown
B. Surgical mask only
C. N95 respirator only
D. Shoe covers only
Answer: A. Gloves and gown.