Relias Ed Rn Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales

RELIAS ED RN EXAM 2026/2027 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS &
DETAILED RATIONALES
RELIAS ED RN EXAM 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS &
DETAILED RATIONALES



DOCUMENT OVERVIEW

• This comprehensive practice question bank contains questions designed to
prepare you for the RELIAS RN certification exam, covering all major nursing
domains and clinical scenarios you'll encounter in professional practice.

• Study this material by working through each question, reading the rationale even
for correct answers to deepen understanding, and revisiting questions you find
challenging to build mastery and confidence.




SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT CARE



QUESTION 1: A patient is admitted to the unit with a blood pressure reading
of 160/95 mmHg. The nurse recognizes this as which stage of hypertension?

A) Normal blood pressure

B) Elevated blood pressure

C) Stage 1 hypertension

D) Stage 2 hypertension

E) Hypertensive crisis

CORRECT ANSWER: D - Stage 2 hypertension

RATIONALE: According to current blood pressure guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension
is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher OR a diastolic pressure of
90 mmHg or higher. The patient's reading of 160/95 falls into this category. Normal

,is less than 120/80, Elevated is 120-129 and less than 80, Stage 1 is 130-139 or 80-
89, and Hypertensive Crisis is higher than 180/120. Accurate classification is
essential for appropriate clinical intervention.



QUESTION 2: When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should wash hands
for a minimum of how many seconds with soap and water?

A) 10 seconds

B) 15 seconds

C) 20 seconds

D) 30 seconds

E) 45 seconds

CORRECT ANSWER: C - 20 seconds

RATIONALE: The CDC and WHO recommend washing hands with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove pathogens and reduce infection
transmission. This timing allows adequate friction and contact time for removal of
microorganisms. Hand sanitizer should be used for 20 seconds as well. This is a
critical infection prevention measure in all healthcare settings.



QUESTION 3: A patient with a history of falls is being transferred from bed to
chair. Which action best ensures patient safety during this transfer?

A) Tell the patient to move quickly to the chair

B) Use a gait belt and have assistance from one other person

C) Place the chair close to the bed without locking wheels

D) Transfer the patient alone while calling for help

E) Have the patient use only the call bell for assistance

CORRECT ANSWER: B - Use a gait belt and have assistance from one other
person

,RATIONALE: A gait belt provides a secure hold point and significantly reduces fall
risk during transfers. Having assistance from at least one additional person allows
for better control and immediate support if the patient becomes unsteady. This is
especially important for high-risk patients. Locking wheelchair brakes, ensuring
adequate space, and performing the transfer with adequate personnel are all
critical safety measures to prevent falls and injuries.



QUESTION 4: Which of the following vital signs should be assessed FIRST when
a patient reports feeling faint?

A) Respiratory rate

B) Temperature

C) Blood pressure and heart rate

D) Oxygen saturation

E) Pain level

CORRECT ANSWER: C - Blood pressure and heart rate

RATIONALE: When a patient reports feeling faint or lightheaded, the priority
assessment is to measure blood pressure and heart rate, as these are the most
relevant to orthostatic hypotension or dysrhythmias which commonly cause
syncope. Hypotension or tachycardia can explain the symptom. While other vital
signs are important, BP and HR provide the most critical information for this
specific symptom and help determine if immediate intervention is needed.



QUESTION 5: A nurse is assessing a patient's skin turgor. Which technique is
most appropriate for this assessment?

A) Palpate skin temperature across the entire body

B) Pinch skin on the forearm and observe how quickly it returns to normal

C) Inspect for color changes and discoloration

D) Assess for the presence of edema by pressing on dependent areas

, E) Observe for any visible veins or blood vessels

CORRECT ANSWER: B - Pinch skin on the forearm and observe how quickly it
returns to normal

RATIONALE: Skin turgor assessment is performed by gently pinching the skin
(typically on the forearm or back of the hand) and observing how quickly it returns
to its original position. Good turgor means the skin returns immediately, while poor
turgor (tenting) suggests dehydration or aging. This simple, non-invasive
assessment provides valuable information about hydration status and skin
elasticity. The forearm is preferred in younger patients; the back of the hand is
better in elderly patients.



QUESTION 6: A patient is on strict intake and output monitoring. The nurse
documents that the patient consumed 8 oz of orange juice, 6 oz of coffee, and
ate a bowl of ice cream. How many milliliters should the nurse record as fluid
intake?

A) 240 mL

B) 360 mL

C) 420 mL

D) 480 mL

E) 720 mL

CORRECT ANSWER: C - 420 mL

RATIONALE: To convert ounces to milliliters, use the conversion factor of 30 mL = 1
oz. Orange juice: 8 oz × 30 = 240 mL; Coffee: 6 oz × 30 = 180 mL. Ice cream is
counted as fluid intake at 50% of its volume due to its semi-solid nature. If the bowl
contained 4 oz, that would be approximately 60 mL (4 × 30 × 0.5). Total: 240 + 180 =
420 mL. Accurate intake and output recording is critical for assessing hydration
status and kidney function.