NZ STATE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What does Ambulatory mean? - ANS Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
What does inpatient surgical care mean? - ANS Admitted to hospital (min 24 hours)
Surgery classifications? - ANS Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? - ANS Return to normal physical function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) - ANS Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
What does atelectasis mean? - ANS Collapse or closure of lung resulting in reduced or absent
gas exchange
List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? - ANS Fluid balance input and output
1 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
What is meningitis? - ANS A serious disease in which there is inflammation of the meninges
Signs and symptoms of meningitis? - ANS Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
Main cause of meningitis? - ANS Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Viral: Enterovirus
Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) - ANS Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
What is the purpose of the nursing council? - ANS To protect the health and safety of
members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and competent.
Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) - ANS Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? - ANS Do not give
until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
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,Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) - ANS Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? - ANS Place a
pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
What is airway obstruction caused by? - ANS Tongue
Laryngospasm
Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
Treatment for airway obstruction? - ANS Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
Manifestations of atelectasis? - ANS Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
3 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis, anxiety
What is a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Occurs from a deep vein thrombosis, clot forms,
travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Pre op weight loss
Compression stockings
Early animation
Hydration
Meds
What causes a deep vein thrombosis? - ANS Occurs in leg veins due to inactivity, body
positioning, and pressure
Risk factors for DVTs? - ANS Elderly
Poor nutrition
Surgery over three hours
Limited mobility
Long haul flights
Diabetes
What is wound dehiscence? - ANS Disruption of previously joined wound edges due to an
infection, too tight sutures, or injury to wound
4 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ANSWERS
What does Ambulatory mean? - ANS Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
What does inpatient surgical care mean? - ANS Admitted to hospital (min 24 hours)
Surgery classifications? - ANS Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? - ANS Return to normal physical function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) - ANS Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
What does atelectasis mean? - ANS Collapse or closure of lung resulting in reduced or absent
gas exchange
List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? - ANS Fluid balance input and output
1 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
What is meningitis? - ANS A serious disease in which there is inflammation of the meninges
Signs and symptoms of meningitis? - ANS Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
Main cause of meningitis? - ANS Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Viral: Enterovirus
Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) - ANS Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
What is the purpose of the nursing council? - ANS To protect the health and safety of
members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and competent.
Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) - ANS Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? - ANS Do not give
until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
2 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) - ANS Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? - ANS Place a
pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
What is airway obstruction caused by? - ANS Tongue
Laryngospasm
Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
Treatment for airway obstruction? - ANS Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
Manifestations of atelectasis? - ANS Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
3 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis, anxiety
What is a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Occurs from a deep vein thrombosis, clot forms,
travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? - ANS Pre op weight loss
Compression stockings
Early animation
Hydration
Meds
What causes a deep vein thrombosis? - ANS Occurs in leg veins due to inactivity, body
positioning, and pressure
Risk factors for DVTs? - ANS Elderly
Poor nutrition
Surgery over three hours
Limited mobility
Long haul flights
Diabetes
What is wound dehiscence? - ANS Disruption of previously joined wound edges due to an
infection, too tight sutures, or injury to wound
4 Copyright ©2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
