Mosby's Comprehensive Review for the Canadian PN Exam
1. c: The practical nurse takes Sandu's vital signs. Which of the following would be
normal for a 1-week-old infant?
a) Heart rate 100 bpm, respirations 26 breaths per minute, blood pressure 44 mm
Hg systolic
b) Heart rate 165 bpm, respirations 65 breaths per minute, blood pressure 94 mm
Hg systolic
c) Heart rate 140 bpm, respirations 40 breaths per minute, blood pressure 70 mm
Hg systolic
d) Heart rate 130 bpm, respirations 32 breaths per minute, blood pressure 100 mm
Hg systolic
2. a: The practical nurse tests Sandu's Babinski reflex. What is the expected re-
sponse by Sandhu to the Babinski test?
a) Dorsiflexion of the big toe
b) Flexion and extension of the leg
c) Flexion of the fingers
d) Extension and adduction of extremies
3. a: The practical nurse obtains a weight of 3450g for Sandu. Mrs. Wasson is
concerned about the weight loss, telling the practical nurse that she is probably not
producing enough milk. What would be the best response by the practical nurse?
a) "This weight loss is normal in the first week. Continue breastfeeding at frequent
intervals."
b) "Although most newborns lose weight in the first week, you should probably
supplement him with formula for the next few days."
c) "This is not a significant weight loss, so don't be concerned."
d) "To prevent further weight loss, you can increase your milk supply by drinking
more liquids during the day."
4. a: Mrs. Wasson complains that her nipples are sore. What should the practical
nurse suggest for care of the breasts?
a) Air the nipples as much as possible
b) Use a lanolin-based cream after every feeding
c) Use plastic-lined breast pads
d) Begin nursing with the breast that is most painful
5. c: Mrs. Wasson plans to express breast milk for use when she has a babysitter.
She asks the practical nurse how she should instruct the babysitter to warm the
bottle. What should be the practical nurse's response?
a) Place the bottle in a pot of water and heat slowly on top of the stove
b) Place the bottle in a microwave oven and heat at a low temperature
c) Place the bottle in a bowl of lukewarm water
d) Warming is not necessary, as the bottle can be used directly from the refrigerator
1/6
, Mosby's Comprehensive Review for the Canadian PN Exam
6. d: When Edgar was diagnosed at age 4 with type 1 diabetes, he exhibited the
cardinal symptoms of the three "polys". What are these manifestations?
a) Polycythemia, polyuria, polymyositis
b) Polydipsia, polyelectrolyte, polyneuropathy
c) Polyopia, polyarthritis, polyphagia
d) Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria
7. c: The practical nurse reviews insulin action, dosage, and administration with
Edgar. What is the optimum insulin regimen for most children with diabetes?
a) Twice-daily injections of rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulins
b) Multiple daily injections of rapid- and long-acting insulins
c) Total dosage and percentage of regular- to intermediate-acting insulins deter-
mined individually
d) Ratio and dose determined by weight in kilograms
8. c: Edgar admits to the practical nurse he has been experimenting with alcohol and
binge drinking on the weekends. He states that his parents are "heavy drinkers" and
are not aware of his behaviour. What is the most critical issue concerning Edgar's
drinking of alcohol?
a) Alcohol causes a rise in blood sugar, leading to a sustained period of hyper-
glycemia
b) Binge drinking can lead to inappropriate and dangerous behaviour
c) Alcohol causes a drop in blood sugar that could lead to severe hypoglycemia
d) Because Edgar's parents are "heavy drinkers", he is more likely to develop a
dependency on alcohol
9. a: Edgar injects seven units of regular (Humulin R) insulin at 1600 hours. When
should the practical nurse caution him to be alert for a possible hypoglycemic
episode?
a) 1830 hours
b) 2030 hours
c) 2230 hours
d) 2400 hours
10. c: The practical nurse assesses that Edgar has been non-adherent to his dia-
betes management. What is the most appropriate nursing action to address Edgar's
non-adherence?
a) Ask Edgar's parents to supervise him more closely
b) Provide education to Edgar and his family about the potential dangers of poorly
controlled diabetes
c) In private, explore Edgar's feelings about diabetes and the treatment regimen
d) Suggest to Edgar that he join an adolescent diabetes support group
2/6
1. c: The practical nurse takes Sandu's vital signs. Which of the following would be
normal for a 1-week-old infant?
a) Heart rate 100 bpm, respirations 26 breaths per minute, blood pressure 44 mm
Hg systolic
b) Heart rate 165 bpm, respirations 65 breaths per minute, blood pressure 94 mm
Hg systolic
c) Heart rate 140 bpm, respirations 40 breaths per minute, blood pressure 70 mm
Hg systolic
d) Heart rate 130 bpm, respirations 32 breaths per minute, blood pressure 100 mm
Hg systolic
2. a: The practical nurse tests Sandu's Babinski reflex. What is the expected re-
sponse by Sandhu to the Babinski test?
a) Dorsiflexion of the big toe
b) Flexion and extension of the leg
c) Flexion of the fingers
d) Extension and adduction of extremies
3. a: The practical nurse obtains a weight of 3450g for Sandu. Mrs. Wasson is
concerned about the weight loss, telling the practical nurse that she is probably not
producing enough milk. What would be the best response by the practical nurse?
a) "This weight loss is normal in the first week. Continue breastfeeding at frequent
intervals."
b) "Although most newborns lose weight in the first week, you should probably
supplement him with formula for the next few days."
c) "This is not a significant weight loss, so don't be concerned."
d) "To prevent further weight loss, you can increase your milk supply by drinking
more liquids during the day."
4. a: Mrs. Wasson complains that her nipples are sore. What should the practical
nurse suggest for care of the breasts?
a) Air the nipples as much as possible
b) Use a lanolin-based cream after every feeding
c) Use plastic-lined breast pads
d) Begin nursing with the breast that is most painful
5. c: Mrs. Wasson plans to express breast milk for use when she has a babysitter.
She asks the practical nurse how she should instruct the babysitter to warm the
bottle. What should be the practical nurse's response?
a) Place the bottle in a pot of water and heat slowly on top of the stove
b) Place the bottle in a microwave oven and heat at a low temperature
c) Place the bottle in a bowl of lukewarm water
d) Warming is not necessary, as the bottle can be used directly from the refrigerator
1/6
, Mosby's Comprehensive Review for the Canadian PN Exam
6. d: When Edgar was diagnosed at age 4 with type 1 diabetes, he exhibited the
cardinal symptoms of the three "polys". What are these manifestations?
a) Polycythemia, polyuria, polymyositis
b) Polydipsia, polyelectrolyte, polyneuropathy
c) Polyopia, polyarthritis, polyphagia
d) Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria
7. c: The practical nurse reviews insulin action, dosage, and administration with
Edgar. What is the optimum insulin regimen for most children with diabetes?
a) Twice-daily injections of rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulins
b) Multiple daily injections of rapid- and long-acting insulins
c) Total dosage and percentage of regular- to intermediate-acting insulins deter-
mined individually
d) Ratio and dose determined by weight in kilograms
8. c: Edgar admits to the practical nurse he has been experimenting with alcohol and
binge drinking on the weekends. He states that his parents are "heavy drinkers" and
are not aware of his behaviour. What is the most critical issue concerning Edgar's
drinking of alcohol?
a) Alcohol causes a rise in blood sugar, leading to a sustained period of hyper-
glycemia
b) Binge drinking can lead to inappropriate and dangerous behaviour
c) Alcohol causes a drop in blood sugar that could lead to severe hypoglycemia
d) Because Edgar's parents are "heavy drinkers", he is more likely to develop a
dependency on alcohol
9. a: Edgar injects seven units of regular (Humulin R) insulin at 1600 hours. When
should the practical nurse caution him to be alert for a possible hypoglycemic
episode?
a) 1830 hours
b) 2030 hours
c) 2230 hours
d) 2400 hours
10. c: The practical nurse assesses that Edgar has been non-adherent to his dia-
betes management. What is the most appropriate nursing action to address Edgar's
non-adherence?
a) Ask Edgar's parents to supervise him more closely
b) Provide education to Edgar and his family about the potential dangers of poorly
controlled diabetes
c) In private, explore Edgar's feelings about diabetes and the treatment regimen
d) Suggest to Edgar that he join an adolescent diabetes support group
2/6
