Registered Nurse RN Assessment
Questions with Answers
1. You're caring for a patient who has experienced a compound open fracture to right arm. What
nursing intervention will you take with this type of fracture?
A. Cover the fracture with a sterile dressing.
B. Place the arm below the heart level.
C. Attempt bone reduction by manually readjusting the bone.
D. Place a tight compression bandage over the fracture.
Answer A.
2. An 85 year old patient has an accidental fall while going to the bathroom without assistance. It
appears the patient has sustained a bone fracture to the left leg. The leg's shape is deformed and
the patient is unable to move it. The patient is alert and oriented but in pain. What will you do FIRST
after confirming the patient is safe and stable?
A. Apply an ice pack covered with a towel to the site.
B. Immobilize the fracture with a splint.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Elevate the extremity above heart level.
Answer B.
3. Which statement by a patient, who just received a cast on the right arm for a fracture, requires you
to notify the physician immediately?
A. "It is really itchy inside my cast!"
B. "My pain is so severe that it hurts to stretch or elevate my arm."
,C. "I can feel my fingers and move them."
D. "I've been using ice packs to reduce swelling."
Answer B.
4. What is a late sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Paralysis
B. Pain
C. Paresthesia
D. Pulselessness
D. Pulselessness
5. Select all the signs and symptoms that will present in compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill less than 2 seconds
B. Pallor
C. Pain relief with medication
D. Feeling of tingling in the extremity
E. Affected extremity feels cooler to the touch than the unaffected extremity
The answers are B, D, and E.
6. Your patient is 2 hours post-op from a cast placement on the right leg. The patient has family in the
room. Which action by the significant other requires you to re-educate the patient and family about
cast care?
A. Gently moving the cast with the fingertips of the hands every 2 hours to help with drying.
B. Elevating the cast above heart level with pillows.
C. Checking the color and temperature of the right foot.
, D. Using a hair dryer on the cool setting to help with drying.
Answer A.
7. A patient sustained a fracture to the femur. The patient has suddenly become confused, restless,
and has a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. Based on the location of fracture and the
presenting symptoms, this patient may be experiencing what type of complication?
A. Compartment Syndrome
B. Osteomyelitis
C. Fat embolism
D. Hypovolemia
Answer C.
8. Which assessment finding found while assessing a patient with a fracture who has traction requires
immediate intervention?
A. The weights are freely hanging on the floor.
B. Pin sites are free from drainage.
C. Patient uses the overhead trapeze bar to move around in the bed.
D. Patient's extremities have a capillary refill of less than 2 seconds.
Answer A.
9. Which patient below is at MOST risk for developing a condition called autonomic dysreflexia?
A. A 24-year-old male patient with a traumatic brain injury.
B. A 15-year-old female patient with a spinal cord injury at C7.
C. A 35-year-old male patient with a spinal cord injury at L6.
D. A 42-year-old male patient recovering from a hemorrhagic stroke.
Answer B.
Questions with Answers
1. You're caring for a patient who has experienced a compound open fracture to right arm. What
nursing intervention will you take with this type of fracture?
A. Cover the fracture with a sterile dressing.
B. Place the arm below the heart level.
C. Attempt bone reduction by manually readjusting the bone.
D. Place a tight compression bandage over the fracture.
Answer A.
2. An 85 year old patient has an accidental fall while going to the bathroom without assistance. It
appears the patient has sustained a bone fracture to the left leg. The leg's shape is deformed and
the patient is unable to move it. The patient is alert and oriented but in pain. What will you do FIRST
after confirming the patient is safe and stable?
A. Apply an ice pack covered with a towel to the site.
B. Immobilize the fracture with a splint.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Elevate the extremity above heart level.
Answer B.
3. Which statement by a patient, who just received a cast on the right arm for a fracture, requires you
to notify the physician immediately?
A. "It is really itchy inside my cast!"
B. "My pain is so severe that it hurts to stretch or elevate my arm."
,C. "I can feel my fingers and move them."
D. "I've been using ice packs to reduce swelling."
Answer B.
4. What is a late sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Paralysis
B. Pain
C. Paresthesia
D. Pulselessness
D. Pulselessness
5. Select all the signs and symptoms that will present in compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill less than 2 seconds
B. Pallor
C. Pain relief with medication
D. Feeling of tingling in the extremity
E. Affected extremity feels cooler to the touch than the unaffected extremity
The answers are B, D, and E.
6. Your patient is 2 hours post-op from a cast placement on the right leg. The patient has family in the
room. Which action by the significant other requires you to re-educate the patient and family about
cast care?
A. Gently moving the cast with the fingertips of the hands every 2 hours to help with drying.
B. Elevating the cast above heart level with pillows.
C. Checking the color and temperature of the right foot.
, D. Using a hair dryer on the cool setting to help with drying.
Answer A.
7. A patient sustained a fracture to the femur. The patient has suddenly become confused, restless,
and has a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. Based on the location of fracture and the
presenting symptoms, this patient may be experiencing what type of complication?
A. Compartment Syndrome
B. Osteomyelitis
C. Fat embolism
D. Hypovolemia
Answer C.
8. Which assessment finding found while assessing a patient with a fracture who has traction requires
immediate intervention?
A. The weights are freely hanging on the floor.
B. Pin sites are free from drainage.
C. Patient uses the overhead trapeze bar to move around in the bed.
D. Patient's extremities have a capillary refill of less than 2 seconds.
Answer A.
9. Which patient below is at MOST risk for developing a condition called autonomic dysreflexia?
A. A 24-year-old male patient with a traumatic brain injury.
B. A 15-year-old female patient with a spinal cord injury at C7.
C. A 35-year-old male patient with a spinal cord injury at L6.
D. A 42-year-old male patient recovering from a hemorrhagic stroke.
Answer B.
