PNC 520 Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
A 66 year old patent with pain associated with angina pectoris is given sublingual nitroglycerin.
The nurse knows this medication will:
A) Dull nerve endings in the myocardium
B) Inhibit pain sensors in the brain stem
C) Dilate blood vessels and increase circulation
D) Increase Respirations and cause drowsiness - Answers C) Dilate blood vessels and increase
circulation
A corticosteroid cream is prescribed by a health care provider for a child with atomic dermatitis
(eczema). The nurse reinforces instructions to the mother regarding how to apply the cream.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A) Avoid cleansing the area before applying the cream
B) Apply the cream over the entire body
C) Apply a thin layer of cream, and rub it into the area throughly
D) Apply a thick layer of cream to affected areas only - Answers D) Apply a THIN layer of cream,
and rub it into the area throughly
A family member of a client reports to the nurse that the client is difficult to wake up and is
confused. What should the nurse do first?
A) Complete a physical assessment
B) Notify the physician
C) Review the client's previous vital signs
D) Notify the charge nurse - Answers A) Complete a physical assessment
A client has limited visitors because of active Tuberculosis. The client states "I am better off
dead." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) Tell the client a social work referral has been made to discuss their feelings
B) Tell the client that they have so much to live for
C) Ask the client what makes them feel that way
D) Explaining to the client that the details of their illness so that they won't feel that way -
Answers C) Ask the client what makes them feel that way
,A client received 20 units of NPH-Insulin subcutaneously at 8:00am. The nurse should check the
client for a potential hypoglycaemic reaction at what time?
A) 10:00am
B) 11:00am
C) 11:00pm
D) 5:00pm - Answers D) 5:00pm
A client pulls out his right-side chest tube. What is the immediate action by the practical nurse?
A) Place an occlusive dressing over the puncture site
B) Position the client on his right side
C) Call for the on-site physician
D) Place a saline dressing over the exit site - Answers A) Place an occlusive dressing over the
puncture site
A client and their family complain to the charge nurse that they did not receive any updates on
the client's condition overnight and now the nurses have limited visitors because of a chest
infection. After the charge nurse listens to their concerns, what action(s) would demonstrate the
professional standard for 'Leadership'?
A) Develop solutions to address infection prevention and control on the unit.
B) Tell the family that all visitors need to be restricted to avoid the spreading of infection
C) Discuss the issue with the health care team to gather more information to develop a possible
resolution to the situation
D) Take advantage of this learning opportunity to teach the staff about communication -
Answers C) Discuss the issue with the health care team to gather more information to develop a
possible resolution to the situation
A 9 month old is admitted with a gastrointestinal infection. Which assessment finding requires
further follow up and intervention?
A) Heart rate of 130 /min
B) Sunken anterior fontanel
C) Moist mucous membranes
D) 6 wet diapers in the last 24 hours. - Answers B) Sunken anterior fontanel
,The nurse is caring for a female client who was recently admitted to the hospital for anorexia
nervosa. The nurse enters the client's room and notes that the client is doing vigorous push-ups.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A) Interrupt the client and offer to take her for a walk.
B) Allow the client to complete her exercise program.
C) Interrupt the client and weigh her immediately.
D) Tell the client that she is not allowed to exercise vigorously. - Answers A) Interrupt the client
and offer to take her for a walk.
A 52-year-old male was hospitalized for knee surgery. He was discharged on day 3 with a home
visiting nurse to perform daily wound care. The nurse gathers the following data: Temperature
37.7 (oral), pulse 74, resp rate 32. Client complains of dyspnea and cough. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Arrange for daily home care visits
B) Complete a physical assessment
C) Notify the Health care provider
D) Document the findings in the medical record - Answers B) Complete a physical assessment
A 36-year-old woman has been admitted to the hospital for knee surgery. Which of the following
information that was obtained by the nurse during the preoperative assessment should be
reported to the surgeon before surgery is performed?
A) Knowledge of the possibility of an early, unplanned pregnancy
B) Lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control
C) Concern that she will be physically limited in caring for her children for a period
postoperatively
D) History of a postoperative infection following a prior cholecystectomy - Answers B)
Knowledge of the possibility of an early, unplanned pregnancy
A 36-year-old woman has undergone a total hip replacement. The postoperative orders include
enoxaparin (Lovenox) daily. The nurse is aware that the rationale for this treatment is to:
A) Prevent constipation
B) Provide better pain control
C) Maintain normal body temperature
, D) Produce an anticoagulant effect - Answers D) Produce an anticoagulant effect
A 76-year-old client has a diagnosis of osteoporosis and arthritis of her knees and hips. The
nurse should encourage which of the following exercise programs?
A) Bicycling and bowling
B) Weight training and square dancing
C) Walking and water aerobics
D) Aerobic dancing and swimming - Answers C) Walking and water aerobics
A nurse from another department arrives on the unit and begins talking about the recent
admission of a particular client. This nurse sits down at the nursing station and logs on to the
computer. The nurse notes that she is looking over the various clients' records on the unit. What
would be the appropriate reaction for the nurse to take?
A) Approach the nurse immediately and inform her that she is violating patient confidentiality.
B) Approach the nurse and ask her why she is looking at client records on the unit.
C) Immediately notify the charge nurse of the situation.
D) Look over the records with her and answer any questions she may have. - Answers B)
Approach the nurse and ask her why she is looking at client records on the unit.
A client is receiving closed catheter irrigation. During the shift, 950 mL of normal saline irrigant
is instilled, and a total of 1725 mL is found in the drainage bag. The nurse calculates the client's
urinary output to be which of the following amounts?
A) 775 mL
B) 950 mL
C) 1725 mL
D) 2675 mL - Answers A) 775 mL
The client with severe chronic bronchitis tells you that eating is difficult because he is very short
of breath. What is your best response?
A) "Avoid eating when you are short of breath so that you can use your energy for breathing."
B) "Have your wife feed you solid foods, particularly avoiding those that cause you to have gas."
C) "Try using your bronchodilator inhaler about 30 minutes before you plan to have a meal."
D) "When you find eating solid food too difficult, just drink milk and milkshakes for the protein
A 66 year old patent with pain associated with angina pectoris is given sublingual nitroglycerin.
The nurse knows this medication will:
A) Dull nerve endings in the myocardium
B) Inhibit pain sensors in the brain stem
C) Dilate blood vessels and increase circulation
D) Increase Respirations and cause drowsiness - Answers C) Dilate blood vessels and increase
circulation
A corticosteroid cream is prescribed by a health care provider for a child with atomic dermatitis
(eczema). The nurse reinforces instructions to the mother regarding how to apply the cream.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A) Avoid cleansing the area before applying the cream
B) Apply the cream over the entire body
C) Apply a thin layer of cream, and rub it into the area throughly
D) Apply a thick layer of cream to affected areas only - Answers D) Apply a THIN layer of cream,
and rub it into the area throughly
A family member of a client reports to the nurse that the client is difficult to wake up and is
confused. What should the nurse do first?
A) Complete a physical assessment
B) Notify the physician
C) Review the client's previous vital signs
D) Notify the charge nurse - Answers A) Complete a physical assessment
A client has limited visitors because of active Tuberculosis. The client states "I am better off
dead." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) Tell the client a social work referral has been made to discuss their feelings
B) Tell the client that they have so much to live for
C) Ask the client what makes them feel that way
D) Explaining to the client that the details of their illness so that they won't feel that way -
Answers C) Ask the client what makes them feel that way
,A client received 20 units of NPH-Insulin subcutaneously at 8:00am. The nurse should check the
client for a potential hypoglycaemic reaction at what time?
A) 10:00am
B) 11:00am
C) 11:00pm
D) 5:00pm - Answers D) 5:00pm
A client pulls out his right-side chest tube. What is the immediate action by the practical nurse?
A) Place an occlusive dressing over the puncture site
B) Position the client on his right side
C) Call for the on-site physician
D) Place a saline dressing over the exit site - Answers A) Place an occlusive dressing over the
puncture site
A client and their family complain to the charge nurse that they did not receive any updates on
the client's condition overnight and now the nurses have limited visitors because of a chest
infection. After the charge nurse listens to their concerns, what action(s) would demonstrate the
professional standard for 'Leadership'?
A) Develop solutions to address infection prevention and control on the unit.
B) Tell the family that all visitors need to be restricted to avoid the spreading of infection
C) Discuss the issue with the health care team to gather more information to develop a possible
resolution to the situation
D) Take advantage of this learning opportunity to teach the staff about communication -
Answers C) Discuss the issue with the health care team to gather more information to develop a
possible resolution to the situation
A 9 month old is admitted with a gastrointestinal infection. Which assessment finding requires
further follow up and intervention?
A) Heart rate of 130 /min
B) Sunken anterior fontanel
C) Moist mucous membranes
D) 6 wet diapers in the last 24 hours. - Answers B) Sunken anterior fontanel
,The nurse is caring for a female client who was recently admitted to the hospital for anorexia
nervosa. The nurse enters the client's room and notes that the client is doing vigorous push-ups.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A) Interrupt the client and offer to take her for a walk.
B) Allow the client to complete her exercise program.
C) Interrupt the client and weigh her immediately.
D) Tell the client that she is not allowed to exercise vigorously. - Answers A) Interrupt the client
and offer to take her for a walk.
A 52-year-old male was hospitalized for knee surgery. He was discharged on day 3 with a home
visiting nurse to perform daily wound care. The nurse gathers the following data: Temperature
37.7 (oral), pulse 74, resp rate 32. Client complains of dyspnea and cough. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Arrange for daily home care visits
B) Complete a physical assessment
C) Notify the Health care provider
D) Document the findings in the medical record - Answers B) Complete a physical assessment
A 36-year-old woman has been admitted to the hospital for knee surgery. Which of the following
information that was obtained by the nurse during the preoperative assessment should be
reported to the surgeon before surgery is performed?
A) Knowledge of the possibility of an early, unplanned pregnancy
B) Lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control
C) Concern that she will be physically limited in caring for her children for a period
postoperatively
D) History of a postoperative infection following a prior cholecystectomy - Answers B)
Knowledge of the possibility of an early, unplanned pregnancy
A 36-year-old woman has undergone a total hip replacement. The postoperative orders include
enoxaparin (Lovenox) daily. The nurse is aware that the rationale for this treatment is to:
A) Prevent constipation
B) Provide better pain control
C) Maintain normal body temperature
, D) Produce an anticoagulant effect - Answers D) Produce an anticoagulant effect
A 76-year-old client has a diagnosis of osteoporosis and arthritis of her knees and hips. The
nurse should encourage which of the following exercise programs?
A) Bicycling and bowling
B) Weight training and square dancing
C) Walking and water aerobics
D) Aerobic dancing and swimming - Answers C) Walking and water aerobics
A nurse from another department arrives on the unit and begins talking about the recent
admission of a particular client. This nurse sits down at the nursing station and logs on to the
computer. The nurse notes that she is looking over the various clients' records on the unit. What
would be the appropriate reaction for the nurse to take?
A) Approach the nurse immediately and inform her that she is violating patient confidentiality.
B) Approach the nurse and ask her why she is looking at client records on the unit.
C) Immediately notify the charge nurse of the situation.
D) Look over the records with her and answer any questions she may have. - Answers B)
Approach the nurse and ask her why she is looking at client records on the unit.
A client is receiving closed catheter irrigation. During the shift, 950 mL of normal saline irrigant
is instilled, and a total of 1725 mL is found in the drainage bag. The nurse calculates the client's
urinary output to be which of the following amounts?
A) 775 mL
B) 950 mL
C) 1725 mL
D) 2675 mL - Answers A) 775 mL
The client with severe chronic bronchitis tells you that eating is difficult because he is very short
of breath. What is your best response?
A) "Avoid eating when you are short of breath so that you can use your energy for breathing."
B) "Have your wife feed you solid foods, particularly avoiding those that cause you to have gas."
C) "Try using your bronchodilator inhaler about 30 minutes before you plan to have a meal."
D) "When you find eating solid food too difficult, just drink milk and milkshakes for the protein
