,Patient Questions and Answers Study Guide
create the 100 questions and answers well structured and well used right tick to mark correct
answer Priority Patient Virtual Clinical Assignment | Final Exam Study Guide 2026/2027 –
Complete & Correct Solutions
Here is a well-structured set of 100 priority-focused patient questions and answers, formatted
with a right tick (✓) to mark the correct answer. This is designed to align with a Virtual
Clinical/Final Exam Study Guide for 2026/2027.
Priority Patient Virtual Clinical Assignment – Final Exam Study Guide
Domain: Safe and Effective Care Environment – Management of Care (Prioritization)
Section 1: Initial Assessment & Triage (Questions 1-20)
1. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
a) A 65-year-old with osteoarthritis requesting pain medication.
b) A 50-year-old with type 2 diabetes and a blood glucose of 210 mg/dL.
c) A 72-year-old post-op who is drowsy with a respiratory rate of 8/min. ✓
d) A 40-year-old with a new colostomy needing discharge teaching.
2. The nurse hears a client shout, "Help! I can't breathe!" Which action is the priority?
a) Notify the rapid response team.
b) Assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation. ✓
c) Check the oxygen saturation.
d) Review the patient's medical history.
3. A patient presents with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is the
nurse's immediate action?
a) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin as ordered.
b) Obtain a 12-lead ECG. ✓
c) Start an IV line.
d) Provide emotional reassurance.
4. Which finding requires immediate intervention for a post-operative patient?
a) Incisional pain rated 6/10.
b) Urine output of 20 mL over the past 2 hours. ✓
c) Mild serous drainage on the dressing.
d) Patient stating they feel anxious.
,5. A patient with heart failure has crackles bilaterally, dyspnea, and +3 pitting edema. The
nurse should first:
a) Weigh the patient.
b) Administer IV furosemide as ordered. ✓
c) Place the patient in a low Fowler's position.
d) Restrict fluid intake.
6. A patient with a suspected stroke arrives in the ED. What is the priority nursing action?
a) Perform a complete neurological assessment.
b) Obtain vital signs.
c) Determine the exact time of symptom onset. ✓
d) Prepare the patient for a CT scan.
7. When triaging in the ED, which patient is assigned the highest acuity (Emergent)?
a) A child with an earache for 2 days.
b) An adult with a fever of 101°F and cough.
c) An infant with a fever of 104°F who is lethargic. ✓
d) A teenager with a sprained ankle.
8. A patient's cardiac monitor shows ventricular fibrillation. The nurse's first action is to:
a) Begin CPR.
b) Defibrillate the patient. ✓
c) Administer epinephrine.
d) Check for a pulse.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a tracheostomy who appears restless and is pulling at
the tube. What should the nurse do first?
a) Administer a sedative.
b) Apply soft wrist restraints.
c) Suction the tracheostomy tube. ✓
d) Call the respiratory therapist.
10. A patient with a head injury has clear fluid draining from the nose. The priority is to:
a) Test the fluid for glucose.
b) Apply a sterile dressing loosely.
c) Notify the physician immediately. ✓
d) Position the patient supine.
11. Which vital sign change is the most urgent to report?
a) Blood pressure increase from 120/80 to 138/88.
, b) Heart rate decrease from 72 to 66 bpm.
c) Oxygen saturation drop from 98% to 91% on room air. ✓
d) Respiratory rate increase from 16 to 20/min.
12. A patient on a heparin drip has a sudden onset of bleeding from an old IV site. Priority
action is to:
a) Apply direct pressure to the site.
b) Stop the heparin infusion. ✓
c) Notify the physician.
d) Check the latest aPTT result.
13. After a fall, a patient complains of hip pain and shortening of the affected leg. The nurse
should first:
a) Help the patient stand and walk to assess function.
b) Log-roll the patient and keep the leg immobilized. ✓
c) Apply a heat pack to the hip area.
d) Administer an analgesic.
14. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has Kussmaul respirations. The nurse
recognizes this as:
a) A compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. ✓
b) A sign of respiratory failure.
c) An indication for immediate oxygen.
d) A side effect of insulin therapy.
15. The priority goal in managing a patient with septic shock is to:
a) Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour. ✓
b) Maintain accurate intake and output.
c) Provide detailed patient education.
d) Ensure the patient is NPO.
16. Which patient is at highest risk for suicide and requires constant observation?
a) A patient who states, "Life is meaningless."
b) A patient with a detailed, feasible plan and the means to carry it out. ✓
c) A patient who is tearful and sad.
d) A patient with a history of a suicide attempt 5 years ago.
17. A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low back pain. The
nurse's first action is to:
a) Slow the infusion rate and monitor.