N170 | MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM | 2026–2027
N170 MIDTERM
PRACTICE EXAM
2026–2027 | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
50 original multiple-choice questions • A–D options • Detailed rationales • Explanations for
incorrect options
How to Use This Practice Exam
• Choose the single best answer for each question before reviewing the explanation.
• Focus on safety, immediate threats, assessment before intervention when appropriate, and
timely escalation of deterioration.
• Use the rationale to review both why the best answer fits and why each alternative is less
appropriate.
• This is an original study resource for practice, not an official, leaked, or verified N170
examination.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notices that
the client's identification band is missing. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Use two approved identifiers after resolving the identification issue
C. Ask a family member to confirm the client's name
D. Check the name written on the door
Correct Answer: B
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
, N170 | MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM | 2026–2027
Detailed Rationale: Medication administration requires reliable identification using
approved identifiers, such as full name and date of birth or medical record number,
according to policy. A missing band must be addressed before proceeding.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Room number is not an acceptable client identifier.
C. A family member's confirmation does not replace the required identification process.
D. Room and door labels can be wrong and are not approved identifiers.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 2. A client who is short of breath is sitting upright and speaking in
two-word phrases. Which action has the highest priority?
A. Complete the full admission history
B. Assess airway and breathing and summon immediate assistance
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Document the symptoms before intervening
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Severe dyspnea and limited speech can signal respiratory compromise.
Immediate airway and breathing assessment and rapid assistance take priority over routine
tasks.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A full history can wait until the client is stabilized.
C. Oral fluids do not address respiratory compromise and may be unsafe.
D. Documentation is important but must not delay urgent assessment and intervention.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 3. A nurse enters a room and finds a client on the floor beside the
bed. What should the nurse do first?
A. Help the client stand immediately
B. Assess responsiveness, breathing, and possible injury before moving the client
C. Leave to obtain a wheelchair
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
, N170 | MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM | 2026–2027
D. Complete an incident report
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: The nurse first assesses the client for immediate threats and injury.
Moving a client before assessing for injury can worsen harm.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Standing the client up before assessment may worsen an injury.
C. The client should not be left unattended when potentially injured.
D. Incident reporting occurs after immediate assessment and care.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which hand hygiene action is appropriate after caring for a client
with suspected Clostridioides difficile infection?
A. Use alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Wash hands with soap and water when hands may be contaminated with spores
C. Wear gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Rinse hands briefly without soap
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: C. difficile forms spores, and soap-and-water handwashing is
particularly important when spore contamination is suspected, alongside appropriate
precautions.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Alcohol-based hand rub is not reliably sporicidal.
C. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
D. A brief rinse without soap is insufficient.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A client says, 'I am frightened about my surgery tomorrow.' Which
response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. You should not worry; this surgery is routine
B. Why are you frightened?
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
N170 MIDTERM
PRACTICE EXAM
2026–2027 | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
50 original multiple-choice questions • A–D options • Detailed rationales • Explanations for
incorrect options
How to Use This Practice Exam
• Choose the single best answer for each question before reviewing the explanation.
• Focus on safety, immediate threats, assessment before intervention when appropriate, and
timely escalation of deterioration.
• Use the rationale to review both why the best answer fits and why each alternative is less
appropriate.
• This is an original study resource for practice, not an official, leaked, or verified N170
examination.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notices that
the client's identification band is missing. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Use two approved identifiers after resolving the identification issue
C. Ask a family member to confirm the client's name
D. Check the name written on the door
Correct Answer: B
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
, N170 | MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM | 2026–2027
Detailed Rationale: Medication administration requires reliable identification using
approved identifiers, such as full name and date of birth or medical record number,
according to policy. A missing band must be addressed before proceeding.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Room number is not an acceptable client identifier.
C. A family member's confirmation does not replace the required identification process.
D. Room and door labels can be wrong and are not approved identifiers.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 2. A client who is short of breath is sitting upright and speaking in
two-word phrases. Which action has the highest priority?
A. Complete the full admission history
B. Assess airway and breathing and summon immediate assistance
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Document the symptoms before intervening
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Severe dyspnea and limited speech can signal respiratory compromise.
Immediate airway and breathing assessment and rapid assistance take priority over routine
tasks.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A full history can wait until the client is stabilized.
C. Oral fluids do not address respiratory compromise and may be unsafe.
D. Documentation is important but must not delay urgent assessment and intervention.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 3. A nurse enters a room and finds a client on the floor beside the
bed. What should the nurse do first?
A. Help the client stand immediately
B. Assess responsiveness, breathing, and possible injury before moving the client
C. Leave to obtain a wheelchair
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
, N170 | MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM | 2026–2027
D. Complete an incident report
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: The nurse first assesses the client for immediate threats and injury.
Moving a client before assessing for injury can worsen harm.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Standing the client up before assessment may worsen an injury.
C. The client should not be left unattended when potentially injured.
D. Incident reporting occurs after immediate assessment and care.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which hand hygiene action is appropriate after caring for a client
with suspected Clostridioides difficile infection?
A. Use alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Wash hands with soap and water when hands may be contaminated with spores
C. Wear gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Rinse hands briefly without soap
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: C. difficile forms spores, and soap-and-water handwashing is
particularly important when spore contamination is suspected, alongside appropriate
precautions.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Alcohol-based hand rub is not reliably sporicidal.
C. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
D. A brief rinse without soap is insufficient.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A client says, 'I am frightened about my surgery tomorrow.' Which
response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. You should not worry; this surgery is routine
B. Why are you frightened?
Original educational practice resource • Not an official or verified exam
