PN CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been
smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse expects to note which assessment
finding?1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)2. A narrowed chest
cavity3. Clubbed fingers 4. An increased risk of cardiac failure.
Answer: 3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECTClubbed fingers are a sign of a
long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
◍ The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated
for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of
epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note which assessment finding?1.
Melena2. Nausea3. Hernia4. Hyperthermia.
Answer: 1. Melena - CORRECTMelena is the finding that there are traces of
blood in the stool which presents as black, tarry feces. This is a common
manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is further down the
gastric anatomy.
◍ A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe
Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these statements by the patient
indicates a need for more teaching?1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3
per day to reduce acid secretion."2. "I'm going to make sure to remain
upright after meals and elevate my head when I sleep"3. "I won't be drinking
tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."4. "I'm going to start trying to
lose some weight.".
Answer: 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid
secretion."CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the
stomach and delay gastric emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6
small meals a day.
,◍ The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a
Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood
pressure is 95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports
epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?1. Start a large-bore IV
in the patient's arm2. Ask the patient for a stool sample3. Prepare to insert
an NG Tube4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered.
Answer: 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's armCORRECT - The nurse
should suspect that the patient is haemorrhaging and will need need a fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
◍ A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results:
Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and
potassium of 2.7 mEq/
L. Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician
immediately?1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl2. Platelet of 150,0003. INR of 2.54.
Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L.
Answer: 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/LCORRECT - A potassium imbalance for
a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can be life-threatening and can lead
to cardiac distress.
◍ While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI bleed, the nurse notes
that the patient's lower legs have become edematous and auscultates
crackles in the lungs. What should the nurse do first?1. Stop the saline
infusion immediately2. Notify Physician3. Elevate the patient's legs4.
Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings.
Answer: 1. Stop the saline infusion immediatelyCORRECT - the patient has
a fluid volume overload as a result of overly rapid fluid replacement. The
nurse should stop the infusion and notify the physician.
◍ The nurse is working in a support group for clients with HI
V. Which point is most important for the nurse to stress?1. They must
inform household members of their condition2. They must take their
medications exactly as prescribed3. They must abstain from substance use4.
They must avoid large crowds.
, Answer: 2. They must take their medications exactly as
prescribedCORRECT - Antiretrovirals must be taken exactly as prescribed
to prevent drug-resistant strains. Even missed doses can reduce the
effectiveness of future treatment.
◍ A nurse finds a 30-year-old woman experiencing anaphylaxis from a bee
sting. Emergency personnel have been called. The nurse notes the woman is
breathing but short of breath. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse do first?1. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation2. Check for a
pulse 3. Ask the woman if she carries an emergency medical kit4. Stay with
the woman until help comes.
Answer: 3. Ask the woman if she carries an emergency medical
kitCORRECT - Many patients who have a known history of anaphylaxis
carry epi-pens in their pockets or belongings. This is the best way to stop a
hypersensitivity reaction before it becomes life-threatening.
◍ A man is prescribed lithium to treat bipolar disorder. The nurse is most
concerned about lithium toxicity when he notices which of these assessment
findings?1. The patient states he had a manic episode a week ago2. The
patient states he has been having diarrhea every day3. The patient has a
rashy pruritis on his arms and legs4. The patient presents as severely
depressed5. The patient's lithium level is 1.3 mcg/L.
Answer: 2. The patient states he has been having diarrhea every dayCorrect -
Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk of
lithium toxicity.
◍ A 65 year old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most
concerned about which side effect of Flomax?1. Hypotension2.
Tachycardia3. Back Pain4. Difficulty Urinating.
Answer: 1. HypotensionCorrect - Hypotension can lead to dizziness and a
risk for injury to the patient.
◍ A man is receiving heparin subcutaneously. The patient has dementia and
lives at home with a part-time caretaker. The nurse is most concerned about
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been
smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse expects to note which assessment
finding?1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)2. A narrowed chest
cavity3. Clubbed fingers 4. An increased risk of cardiac failure.
Answer: 3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECTClubbed fingers are a sign of a
long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
◍ The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated
for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of
epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note which assessment finding?1.
Melena2. Nausea3. Hernia4. Hyperthermia.
Answer: 1. Melena - CORRECTMelena is the finding that there are traces of
blood in the stool which presents as black, tarry feces. This is a common
manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is further down the
gastric anatomy.
◍ A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe
Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these statements by the patient
indicates a need for more teaching?1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3
per day to reduce acid secretion."2. "I'm going to make sure to remain
upright after meals and elevate my head when I sleep"3. "I won't be drinking
tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."4. "I'm going to start trying to
lose some weight.".
Answer: 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid
secretion."CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the
stomach and delay gastric emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6
small meals a day.
,◍ The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a
Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood
pressure is 95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports
epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?1. Start a large-bore IV
in the patient's arm2. Ask the patient for a stool sample3. Prepare to insert
an NG Tube4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered.
Answer: 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's armCORRECT - The nurse
should suspect that the patient is haemorrhaging and will need need a fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
◍ A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results:
Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and
potassium of 2.7 mEq/
L. Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician
immediately?1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl2. Platelet of 150,0003. INR of 2.54.
Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L.
Answer: 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/LCORRECT - A potassium imbalance for
a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can be life-threatening and can lead
to cardiac distress.
◍ While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI bleed, the nurse notes
that the patient's lower legs have become edematous and auscultates
crackles in the lungs. What should the nurse do first?1. Stop the saline
infusion immediately2. Notify Physician3. Elevate the patient's legs4.
Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings.
Answer: 1. Stop the saline infusion immediatelyCORRECT - the patient has
a fluid volume overload as a result of overly rapid fluid replacement. The
nurse should stop the infusion and notify the physician.
◍ The nurse is working in a support group for clients with HI
V. Which point is most important for the nurse to stress?1. They must
inform household members of their condition2. They must take their
medications exactly as prescribed3. They must abstain from substance use4.
They must avoid large crowds.
, Answer: 2. They must take their medications exactly as
prescribedCORRECT - Antiretrovirals must be taken exactly as prescribed
to prevent drug-resistant strains. Even missed doses can reduce the
effectiveness of future treatment.
◍ A nurse finds a 30-year-old woman experiencing anaphylaxis from a bee
sting. Emergency personnel have been called. The nurse notes the woman is
breathing but short of breath. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse do first?1. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation2. Check for a
pulse 3. Ask the woman if she carries an emergency medical kit4. Stay with
the woman until help comes.
Answer: 3. Ask the woman if she carries an emergency medical
kitCORRECT - Many patients who have a known history of anaphylaxis
carry epi-pens in their pockets or belongings. This is the best way to stop a
hypersensitivity reaction before it becomes life-threatening.
◍ A man is prescribed lithium to treat bipolar disorder. The nurse is most
concerned about lithium toxicity when he notices which of these assessment
findings?1. The patient states he had a manic episode a week ago2. The
patient states he has been having diarrhea every day3. The patient has a
rashy pruritis on his arms and legs4. The patient presents as severely
depressed5. The patient's lithium level is 1.3 mcg/L.
Answer: 2. The patient states he has been having diarrhea every dayCorrect -
Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk of
lithium toxicity.
◍ A 65 year old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most
concerned about which side effect of Flomax?1. Hypotension2.
Tachycardia3. Back Pain4. Difficulty Urinating.
Answer: 1. HypotensionCorrect - Hypotension can lead to dizziness and a
risk for injury to the patient.
◍ A man is receiving heparin subcutaneously. The patient has dementia and
lives at home with a part-time caretaker. The nurse is most concerned about
