RELIAS EMERGENCY NURSING
ASSESSMENT EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the first priority when assessing a patient
in the emergency department?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Perform a head-to-toe assessment
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Take vital signs
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are the
immediate priorities in emergency assessment to identify life-
threatening conditions.
2. A patient presents with sudden chest pain radiating to the left arm
and jaw. What is the most important initial assessment?
A. Assess for allergic reactions
B. Obtain an ECG and monitor vital signs
C. Start IV fluids
D. Administer pain medication
Rationale: Sudden chest pain with radiation may indicate myocardial
infarction. ECG and vital sign monitoring are essential first steps.
,3. When performing a rapid trauma assessment, which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Bruising on the extremities
B. Minor lacerations on the arms
C. Tracheal deviation and absent breath sounds
D. Small hematoma on the scalp
Rationale: Tracheal deviation and absent breath sounds indicate
tension pneumothorax, which is life-threatening and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A patient is found unresponsive with shallow respirations. What is
the priority action?
A. Obtain a full history
B. Initiate bag-mask ventilation and call for help
C. Take vital signs
D. Start a peripheral IV
Rationale: Airway management and oxygenation are critical in
unresponsive patients to prevent hypoxia.
5. In the emergency department, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is
primarily used to assess:
A. Pain levels
B. Level of consciousness
C. Vital signs
D. Neurological reflexes
Rationale: GCS evaluates eye, verbal, and motor responses to
determine neurological status.
6. A patient presents with anaphylaxis. The first-line treatment is:
,A. Oral antihistamines
B. Corticosteroids
C. Intramuscular epinephrine
D. IV fluids only
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis to
rapidly reverse airway and circulatory compromise.
7. When assessing a patient with suspected stroke, what is a priority
nursing action?
A. Check blood glucose and perform a neurological exam
B. Administer analgesics
C. Activate stroke protocol and obtain a CT scan
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Rapid identification and imaging are critical for timely
thrombolytic therapy.
8. Which vital sign change is most concerning in a trauma patient?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
C. Blood pressure 80/40 mmHg and tachycardia
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Rationale: Hypotension with tachycardia indicates possible shock
requiring immediate intervention.
9. What is the priority assessment in a patient with a penetrating
abdominal injury?
A. Obtain allergy history
B. Assess for internal bleeding and vital signs
C. Start antibiotics
, D. Apply a sterile dressing only
Rationale: Internal bleeding is life-threatening, and rapid assessment
of vitals guides resuscitation.
10. A patient presents with severe shortness of breath and wheezing.
Which action is most urgent?
A. Obtain full medical history
B. Administer oxygen and prepare for bronchodilator therapy
C. Take routine vitals
D. Order a chest X-ray
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are priorities in acute respiratory
distress.
11. During triage, a patient with hypotension, tachycardia, and altered
mental status should be classified as:
A. Non-urgent
B. Urgent
C. Emergent
D. Minor
Rationale: These signs indicate life-threatening conditions requiring
immediate attention.
12. What is the most accurate method to assess perfusion in an
emergency patient?
A. Skin color observation
B. Heart rate
C. Capillary refill, pulse quality, and blood pressure
D. Temperature
ASSESSMENT EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the first priority when assessing a patient
in the emergency department?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Perform a head-to-toe assessment
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Take vital signs
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are the
immediate priorities in emergency assessment to identify life-
threatening conditions.
2. A patient presents with sudden chest pain radiating to the left arm
and jaw. What is the most important initial assessment?
A. Assess for allergic reactions
B. Obtain an ECG and monitor vital signs
C. Start IV fluids
D. Administer pain medication
Rationale: Sudden chest pain with radiation may indicate myocardial
infarction. ECG and vital sign monitoring are essential first steps.
,3. When performing a rapid trauma assessment, which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Bruising on the extremities
B. Minor lacerations on the arms
C. Tracheal deviation and absent breath sounds
D. Small hematoma on the scalp
Rationale: Tracheal deviation and absent breath sounds indicate
tension pneumothorax, which is life-threatening and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A patient is found unresponsive with shallow respirations. What is
the priority action?
A. Obtain a full history
B. Initiate bag-mask ventilation and call for help
C. Take vital signs
D. Start a peripheral IV
Rationale: Airway management and oxygenation are critical in
unresponsive patients to prevent hypoxia.
5. In the emergency department, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is
primarily used to assess:
A. Pain levels
B. Level of consciousness
C. Vital signs
D. Neurological reflexes
Rationale: GCS evaluates eye, verbal, and motor responses to
determine neurological status.
6. A patient presents with anaphylaxis. The first-line treatment is:
,A. Oral antihistamines
B. Corticosteroids
C. Intramuscular epinephrine
D. IV fluids only
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis to
rapidly reverse airway and circulatory compromise.
7. When assessing a patient with suspected stroke, what is a priority
nursing action?
A. Check blood glucose and perform a neurological exam
B. Administer analgesics
C. Activate stroke protocol and obtain a CT scan
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Rapid identification and imaging are critical for timely
thrombolytic therapy.
8. Which vital sign change is most concerning in a trauma patient?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
C. Blood pressure 80/40 mmHg and tachycardia
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Rationale: Hypotension with tachycardia indicates possible shock
requiring immediate intervention.
9. What is the priority assessment in a patient with a penetrating
abdominal injury?
A. Obtain allergy history
B. Assess for internal bleeding and vital signs
C. Start antibiotics
, D. Apply a sterile dressing only
Rationale: Internal bleeding is life-threatening, and rapid assessment
of vitals guides resuscitation.
10. A patient presents with severe shortness of breath and wheezing.
Which action is most urgent?
A. Obtain full medical history
B. Administer oxygen and prepare for bronchodilator therapy
C. Take routine vitals
D. Order a chest X-ray
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are priorities in acute respiratory
distress.
11. During triage, a patient with hypotension, tachycardia, and altered
mental status should be classified as:
A. Non-urgent
B. Urgent
C. Emergent
D. Minor
Rationale: These signs indicate life-threatening conditions requiring
immediate attention.
12. What is the most accurate method to assess perfusion in an
emergency patient?
A. Skin color observation
B. Heart rate
C. Capillary refill, pulse quality, and blood pressure
D. Temperature
