Basic Nursing Skills Actual Exam Questions with
100% Correct Answers
To be sure that a client's weight is measured accurately, the client should be weighed -
ANSWER at the same time of day
Obtaining the client's weight is an important part of assessment. Weight should be
measured at the same time every day. Morning is the best time. Ideally, to get the most
accurate or dry weight, use the same scale each time and weigh the client after the first
void and before breakfast.
While eating dinner, a client starts to choke and turn blue. The nurse aide SHOULD -
ANSWER call for assistance and perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)
Abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is the best response to choking. Calling for
assistance as you prepare to do abdominal thrusts will alert others to the emergency.
You can try a quick back slap, but if the food is not immediately dislodged, quickly start
abdominal thrusts. To perform abdominal thrusts, stand behind the client and use your
hands to exert upward pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm.
Insulin, a hormone, regulates - ANSWER the amount of sugar in the blood
Diabetes is a disease that results when the pancreas does not make enough insulin to
decrease or control the amount of sugar in the blood. Clients with diabetes must check
their blood sugar levels every day. To stay healthy, they require medication, which can
include insulin injections.
To lift an object using good body mechanics, the nurse aide SHOULD - ANSWER bend the
knees and keep the back straight
,When lifting, you should maintain proper spinal position. The risk of injury to the lower
back increases if you use the back muscles, bend at the waist, twist, or try to lift a load
that is too heavy. Common injuries associated with lifting are strains, sprains, and
herniated discs. For heavy loads, always find another person to help.
When transferring a client, MOST of the client's weight should be supported by the
nurse aide's - ANSWER legs
When transferring a client, position yourself to support the client by using your legs.
Keep your back straight and locked; do not turn or twist. If you bend, do so at the hips,
not the waist. Before beginning the transfer, assess how much the client is able to do. If
you have any doubts, always ask for assistance from a co-worker.
Clean bed linen placed in a client's room but NOT used should be - ANSWER put in the
dirty linen container
Once linen has been in a client's room, it is no longer considered clean. Each client's
room may have pathogens or sources of possible infection that can be spread by objects
from that room. Opened supplies or items with sterile packaging that has been opened
should also be discarded, even if they have not been used.
To convert four ounces of liquid to milliliters (ml), the nurse aide should multiply 4 by -
ANSWER 30 ml
When converting milliliters (ml) to ounces (oz), remember that one ounce is
approximately 30 ml. Although one ounce is slightly less, the amounts are considered
equal by doctors and pharmacists.
What is the term for a device used to take the place of a missing body part? - ANSWER
Prosthesis
,A prosthesis is a device that replaces a part of the body that is missing from birth or due
to surgery or accidents. It helps restore function for the client and can also improve a
client's appearance. A prosthesis can be made for eyes, teeth, arms, legs, joints, or
breasts.
When operating a manual bed, the nurse aide should remember to - ANSWER fold the
cranks under the bed
When working a manual bed, first lock the bed by pressing down the levers on the
wheels at the head and foot of the bed. At the end of the bed there are three cranks
which control the bed height, as well as raising and lowering the head and feet. Cranks
are turned clockwise (left to right) to raise each section, and counterclockwise to lower
it. After positioning the client, always fold the cranks under the bed to prevent others
from tripping or falling.
A client is to be assisted out of bed to sit in a wheelchair. How can this procedure be
made safe? - ANSWER Place the bed in the lowest position
Client safety during transfer begins with the bed in the lowest position. This allows the
client to easily reach the floor when standing and pivoting to sit in the wheelchair. The
brakes of the wheelchair should be locked and the footrests completely out of the way.
If the nurse aide discovers fire in a client's room, the FIRST thing to do is - ANSWER
remove the client
The nurse aide should be familiar with all fire safety policies and protocols. If a fire alarm
sounds, all staff must respond to keep clients safe. Remember "R.A.C.E." to quickly act.
R = Rescue/Remove all people who can not take care of themselves. A = Alarm, if it has
not already been done. Pulling the alarm can be done at the same time as rescue. C =
Confine/Contain the fire or smoke by closing doors to prevent or slow the spread.
, Smoke is especially dangerous for everyone. E = Extinguish the fire if possible, using a
handheld fire extinguisher. Only try to extinguish small fires and only as long as you can
remain safe and have an escape route.
What type of fire can be put out with water? - ANSWER paper
Fire extinguishers are classified by the materials they can snuff out. Think "ABC." Class A
fire extinguishers are used for paper, wood, textiles, and some plastics. Class B
extinguishers are used for flammable liquids such as oil or gasoline. Class C extinguishers
are for electrical fires. All fire extinguishers have labels on them to identify which type of
fire they can be used on. Never use water on an electrical fire because of the risk of
electric shock.
The nurse aide sees a client spill water on the floor in the hall. Another client is walking
down the hall. The nurse aide SHOULD - ANSWER clean up the spill
Falls can lead to serious injury and complications, especially among elderly or very ill
clients. Every staff member should be constantly alert for potential hazards such as spills
and immediately take care of the situation. Never ignore a potential cause of a fall. If the
spill is caused by blood or body fluid, follow the protocol for decontamination and wear
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- ANSWER taking cigarettes and matches away from all clients and visitors
While smoking by clients and visitors may not be appropriate, the nurse aide may not
take away their cigarettes or matches. However, the nurse aide can certainly report
these actions to the charge nurse. The nurse aide should also be familiar with policies
regarding smoking or smoking areas, to inform smokers if there are designated places.
All staff must be aware of fire extinguisher locations and what to do in the event of a
fire. Notifying the nurse or maintenance department of any damaged electrical wiring or
sockets, as well as faulty electrical equipment can prevent a fire.
100% Correct Answers
To be sure that a client's weight is measured accurately, the client should be weighed -
ANSWER at the same time of day
Obtaining the client's weight is an important part of assessment. Weight should be
measured at the same time every day. Morning is the best time. Ideally, to get the most
accurate or dry weight, use the same scale each time and weigh the client after the first
void and before breakfast.
While eating dinner, a client starts to choke and turn blue. The nurse aide SHOULD -
ANSWER call for assistance and perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)
Abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) is the best response to choking. Calling for
assistance as you prepare to do abdominal thrusts will alert others to the emergency.
You can try a quick back slap, but if the food is not immediately dislodged, quickly start
abdominal thrusts. To perform abdominal thrusts, stand behind the client and use your
hands to exert upward pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm.
Insulin, a hormone, regulates - ANSWER the amount of sugar in the blood
Diabetes is a disease that results when the pancreas does not make enough insulin to
decrease or control the amount of sugar in the blood. Clients with diabetes must check
their blood sugar levels every day. To stay healthy, they require medication, which can
include insulin injections.
To lift an object using good body mechanics, the nurse aide SHOULD - ANSWER bend the
knees and keep the back straight
,When lifting, you should maintain proper spinal position. The risk of injury to the lower
back increases if you use the back muscles, bend at the waist, twist, or try to lift a load
that is too heavy. Common injuries associated with lifting are strains, sprains, and
herniated discs. For heavy loads, always find another person to help.
When transferring a client, MOST of the client's weight should be supported by the
nurse aide's - ANSWER legs
When transferring a client, position yourself to support the client by using your legs.
Keep your back straight and locked; do not turn or twist. If you bend, do so at the hips,
not the waist. Before beginning the transfer, assess how much the client is able to do. If
you have any doubts, always ask for assistance from a co-worker.
Clean bed linen placed in a client's room but NOT used should be - ANSWER put in the
dirty linen container
Once linen has been in a client's room, it is no longer considered clean. Each client's
room may have pathogens or sources of possible infection that can be spread by objects
from that room. Opened supplies or items with sterile packaging that has been opened
should also be discarded, even if they have not been used.
To convert four ounces of liquid to milliliters (ml), the nurse aide should multiply 4 by -
ANSWER 30 ml
When converting milliliters (ml) to ounces (oz), remember that one ounce is
approximately 30 ml. Although one ounce is slightly less, the amounts are considered
equal by doctors and pharmacists.
What is the term for a device used to take the place of a missing body part? - ANSWER
Prosthesis
,A prosthesis is a device that replaces a part of the body that is missing from birth or due
to surgery or accidents. It helps restore function for the client and can also improve a
client's appearance. A prosthesis can be made for eyes, teeth, arms, legs, joints, or
breasts.
When operating a manual bed, the nurse aide should remember to - ANSWER fold the
cranks under the bed
When working a manual bed, first lock the bed by pressing down the levers on the
wheels at the head and foot of the bed. At the end of the bed there are three cranks
which control the bed height, as well as raising and lowering the head and feet. Cranks
are turned clockwise (left to right) to raise each section, and counterclockwise to lower
it. After positioning the client, always fold the cranks under the bed to prevent others
from tripping or falling.
A client is to be assisted out of bed to sit in a wheelchair. How can this procedure be
made safe? - ANSWER Place the bed in the lowest position
Client safety during transfer begins with the bed in the lowest position. This allows the
client to easily reach the floor when standing and pivoting to sit in the wheelchair. The
brakes of the wheelchair should be locked and the footrests completely out of the way.
If the nurse aide discovers fire in a client's room, the FIRST thing to do is - ANSWER
remove the client
The nurse aide should be familiar with all fire safety policies and protocols. If a fire alarm
sounds, all staff must respond to keep clients safe. Remember "R.A.C.E." to quickly act.
R = Rescue/Remove all people who can not take care of themselves. A = Alarm, if it has
not already been done. Pulling the alarm can be done at the same time as rescue. C =
Confine/Contain the fire or smoke by closing doors to prevent or slow the spread.
, Smoke is especially dangerous for everyone. E = Extinguish the fire if possible, using a
handheld fire extinguisher. Only try to extinguish small fires and only as long as you can
remain safe and have an escape route.
What type of fire can be put out with water? - ANSWER paper
Fire extinguishers are classified by the materials they can snuff out. Think "ABC." Class A
fire extinguishers are used for paper, wood, textiles, and some plastics. Class B
extinguishers are used for flammable liquids such as oil or gasoline. Class C extinguishers
are for electrical fires. All fire extinguishers have labels on them to identify which type of
fire they can be used on. Never use water on an electrical fire because of the risk of
electric shock.
The nurse aide sees a client spill water on the floor in the hall. Another client is walking
down the hall. The nurse aide SHOULD - ANSWER clean up the spill
Falls can lead to serious injury and complications, especially among elderly or very ill
clients. Every staff member should be constantly alert for potential hazards such as spills
and immediately take care of the situation. Never ignore a potential cause of a fall. If the
spill is caused by blood or body fluid, follow the protocol for decontamination and wear
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- ANSWER taking cigarettes and matches away from all clients and visitors
While smoking by clients and visitors may not be appropriate, the nurse aide may not
take away their cigarettes or matches. However, the nurse aide can certainly report
these actions to the charge nurse. The nurse aide should also be familiar with policies
regarding smoking or smoking areas, to inform smokers if there are designated places.
All staff must be aware of fire extinguisher locations and what to do in the event of a
fire. Notifying the nurse or maintenance department of any damaged electrical wiring or
sockets, as well as faulty electrical equipment can prevent a fire.
