BOARD EXAM QUESTION AND
ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
2025/2026
Define kussmaul's breathing - correct answer ✔Abnormally deep, laboured
breathing (very rapid, sighing respirations) - typically a sign of diabetic
ketoacidosis
Define cheyne-stokes breathing - correct answer ✔Irregular resps,
characterized by *alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation*.
Respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to
abnormal rate and depth. The pattern reverses, breathing slows and becomes
shallow, climaxing in apnea before respiration resumes
Usually happens when someone is about to die/comatose patients
Normal vital signs - correct answer ✔*O2*: 95-100% - generally normal
(<92% suggests hypoxemia)
*Resp rate*: 12-20 bpm
*BP*: 120/80 (ideal), 130/85 (normal)
*Heart rate*: 60-100
*Temp*: ~36-37.7 (38.0 indicates fever)
Define the following abbreviations:
AC
HS
PC
OD
,PR
QD - correct answer ✔AC - before meals
HS - at bedtime
PC - after meals
OD - once a day
PR - rectal
QD - everyday
What is the formula for drug calculations? - correct answer ✔D
-------------------- x V
H
Dose (over) what you have (times) the volume
Neuman's Systems Model - correct answer ✔Views the client as
multidimensional and illness as multicausal. Looking at a client holistically
through the 5 variables:
-Physiological
-Psychological
-Sociocultural
-Developmental
-Spiritual
3 levels of prevention - correct answer ✔*Primary prevention* - Aim to
reduce the possibility of the client's encounter with the stressor or to
strengthen the flexible line of defense *prevent it before it happens*
,*Secondary prevention* - Begins after the stressor has occurred. Functions to
ensure the appropriate treatment and decrease the negate impact of the
stressor on the system *you have something and you treat it*
*Tertiary prevention* - Maintain system stability *long haul maintenance*
Define transference vs. countertransference - correct answer
✔*Transference* - The unconscious tendency of a patient to assign to others
in the present environment feelings and attitudes associated with significant
persons in one's earlier life; especially, the patient's transfer to the therapist of
feelings and attitudes associated with a parent or similar person from
childhood. The feelings may be positive or negative (e.g. you remind them of
their mother)
*Countertransference* - Same concept but the other way around (e.g. the
client reminds you of your grandfather)
3 skin layers - correct answer ✔*Epidermis* - out layer, can tell you about
someones temperature and circulation, protective layer (from bacteria), water
insoluble
*Dermis* - blood vessels that feed the skin, vascular supply, subcutaneous
glands, connective tissue or collagen, elastic tissue
*Subcutaneous layer* - fat storage, insulation, protection (cushion)
Pressure ulcer - correct answer ✔It is any lesion (sore) caused by unrelieved
pressure (laying down/sitting for too long) and decreased blood supply that
results in damage to the underlying tissue
, Can be found on: shoulders, hips, back, gluteus, heels... anywhere there is
pressure
Risk factors include friction, immobility, poor nutrition, incontinence,
decreased sensorium or sensation, age, health
Assess - size, location, colour,exudate, temp, door, pain, swelling,
surrounding pain (Use the braden assessment tool - lower score means
higher risk)
Interventions to prevent the formation of ulcers - correct answer ✔-
Encourage patient to mobilize
-Turn Q2H
-Use warm, not hot water
-Good nutrition
-Adequate fluids (2500mL/day)
-Keep client clean and dry
-Lift, don't drag over sheets to avoid tears
-Pat areas dry
Define shear - correct answer ✔Force exerted parallel to the skin (e.g.
transferring a patient and pulling their skin across the bed)
Define hypotension vs. hypertension vs. orthostatic hypotension - correct
answer ✔*Hypotension* - systolic falls <90mm HG
*Hypertension* - >140/90mm HG (heart must continually pump against
greater peripheral vascular resistance)
ANSWERS ALREADY PASSED
2025/2026
Define kussmaul's breathing - correct answer ✔Abnormally deep, laboured
breathing (very rapid, sighing respirations) - typically a sign of diabetic
ketoacidosis
Define cheyne-stokes breathing - correct answer ✔Irregular resps,
characterized by *alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation*.
Respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to
abnormal rate and depth. The pattern reverses, breathing slows and becomes
shallow, climaxing in apnea before respiration resumes
Usually happens when someone is about to die/comatose patients
Normal vital signs - correct answer ✔*O2*: 95-100% - generally normal
(<92% suggests hypoxemia)
*Resp rate*: 12-20 bpm
*BP*: 120/80 (ideal), 130/85 (normal)
*Heart rate*: 60-100
*Temp*: ~36-37.7 (38.0 indicates fever)
Define the following abbreviations:
AC
HS
PC
OD
,PR
QD - correct answer ✔AC - before meals
HS - at bedtime
PC - after meals
OD - once a day
PR - rectal
QD - everyday
What is the formula for drug calculations? - correct answer ✔D
-------------------- x V
H
Dose (over) what you have (times) the volume
Neuman's Systems Model - correct answer ✔Views the client as
multidimensional and illness as multicausal. Looking at a client holistically
through the 5 variables:
-Physiological
-Psychological
-Sociocultural
-Developmental
-Spiritual
3 levels of prevention - correct answer ✔*Primary prevention* - Aim to
reduce the possibility of the client's encounter with the stressor or to
strengthen the flexible line of defense *prevent it before it happens*
,*Secondary prevention* - Begins after the stressor has occurred. Functions to
ensure the appropriate treatment and decrease the negate impact of the
stressor on the system *you have something and you treat it*
*Tertiary prevention* - Maintain system stability *long haul maintenance*
Define transference vs. countertransference - correct answer
✔*Transference* - The unconscious tendency of a patient to assign to others
in the present environment feelings and attitudes associated with significant
persons in one's earlier life; especially, the patient's transfer to the therapist of
feelings and attitudes associated with a parent or similar person from
childhood. The feelings may be positive or negative (e.g. you remind them of
their mother)
*Countertransference* - Same concept but the other way around (e.g. the
client reminds you of your grandfather)
3 skin layers - correct answer ✔*Epidermis* - out layer, can tell you about
someones temperature and circulation, protective layer (from bacteria), water
insoluble
*Dermis* - blood vessels that feed the skin, vascular supply, subcutaneous
glands, connective tissue or collagen, elastic tissue
*Subcutaneous layer* - fat storage, insulation, protection (cushion)
Pressure ulcer - correct answer ✔It is any lesion (sore) caused by unrelieved
pressure (laying down/sitting for too long) and decreased blood supply that
results in damage to the underlying tissue
, Can be found on: shoulders, hips, back, gluteus, heels... anywhere there is
pressure
Risk factors include friction, immobility, poor nutrition, incontinence,
decreased sensorium or sensation, age, health
Assess - size, location, colour,exudate, temp, door, pain, swelling,
surrounding pain (Use the braden assessment tool - lower score means
higher risk)
Interventions to prevent the formation of ulcers - correct answer ✔-
Encourage patient to mobilize
-Turn Q2H
-Use warm, not hot water
-Good nutrition
-Adequate fluids (2500mL/day)
-Keep client clean and dry
-Lift, don't drag over sheets to avoid tears
-Pat areas dry
Define shear - correct answer ✔Force exerted parallel to the skin (e.g.
transferring a patient and pulling their skin across the bed)
Define hypotension vs. hypertension vs. orthostatic hypotension - correct
answer ✔*Hypotension* - systolic falls <90mm HG
*Hypertension* - >140/90mm HG (heart must continually pump against
greater peripheral vascular resistance)
