Emergency Nursing Newest 2026/2027 Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded A+
Question 1
A triage nurse has four patients waiting. Which patient should be seen first?
A. 27-year-old with suicidal ideation but stable vital signs
B. 62-year-old with crushing chest pain, diaphoresis, BP 86/50, HR 110
C. 18-year-old ankle sprain, able to bear weight
D. 45-year-old requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient with hypotension and chest pain (possible acute coronary
syndrome with shock) has the most immediate physiologic threat and must be
seen first (ABCs, circulation) . Suicidal ideation requires timely assessment but is
not immediately physiologic. Sprain and medication refill are lower priority.
Question 2
During a mass casualty incident using a simple triage system, which patient would
be tagged green (minor)?
,A. An unresponsive patient with no respirations after airway repositioning
B. A conscious patient with a clean open fracture of the forearm, able to walk
C. A patient with altered mental status and unstable vital signs
D. A patient with penetrating chest wound and absent breath sounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Green" (minor) is for ambulatory/walking wounded with non-life-
threatening injuries. A conscious, walking patient with an isolated extremity
fracture fits this category. Options A and D are immediate/life-threatening (red),
and C is high priority (red). Mass casualty triage focuses on greatest good for the
greatest number .
Question 3
A 45-year-old male arrives after a motor vehicle collision. He is conscious but has
labored respirations (RR 30), decreased breath sounds on the left, hypotension
(BP 86/52), HR 128, and distended neck veins. Which triage category is most
appropriate?
A. Minor/Green
B. Delayed/Yellow
C. Emergent/Red (Immediate)
,D. Expectant/Black
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Distended neck veins, hypotension, tachycardia, and unilateral
decreased breath sounds suggest possible tension pneumothorax or major
intrathoracic injury—a life-threatening condition requiring immediate
intervention. Triage prioritizes those with unstable airway/breathing/circulation
to "Immediate/Red" .
Question 4
A 58-year-old male arrives to the ED after a motor-vehicle collision. Vital signs: HR
124, BP 86/52, RR 28, SpO₂ 92% on room air. He has active external bleeding from
the left thigh, which is soaking the dressing. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Apply direct pressure to the bleeding site
B. Give 1 L normal saline bolus via large-bore IV
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Obtain a focused history
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Immediate external hemorrhage that is life-threatening must be
controlled first—uncontrolled bleeding is an immediate threat to circulation.
Direct pressure to stop hemorrhage is the priority. Oxygen and fluids are
important but cannot stop exsanguination. Focused history is secondary .
Question 5
Which patient should the nurse assess first in the emergency department waiting
room?
A. Adult with sudden onset facial drooping and slurred speech
B. Child with fever of 101°F (38.3°C)
C. Stable ankle fracture
D. Client requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A patient with sudden onset facial drooping and slurred speech
requires rapid assessment for possible stroke. Time-sensitive interventions such
as thrombolytic therapy depend on rapid recognition and evaluation .
Question 6
Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded A+
Question 1
A triage nurse has four patients waiting. Which patient should be seen first?
A. 27-year-old with suicidal ideation but stable vital signs
B. 62-year-old with crushing chest pain, diaphoresis, BP 86/50, HR 110
C. 18-year-old ankle sprain, able to bear weight
D. 45-year-old requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient with hypotension and chest pain (possible acute coronary
syndrome with shock) has the most immediate physiologic threat and must be
seen first (ABCs, circulation) . Suicidal ideation requires timely assessment but is
not immediately physiologic. Sprain and medication refill are lower priority.
Question 2
During a mass casualty incident using a simple triage system, which patient would
be tagged green (minor)?
,A. An unresponsive patient with no respirations after airway repositioning
B. A conscious patient with a clean open fracture of the forearm, able to walk
C. A patient with altered mental status and unstable vital signs
D. A patient with penetrating chest wound and absent breath sounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Green" (minor) is for ambulatory/walking wounded with non-life-
threatening injuries. A conscious, walking patient with an isolated extremity
fracture fits this category. Options A and D are immediate/life-threatening (red),
and C is high priority (red). Mass casualty triage focuses on greatest good for the
greatest number .
Question 3
A 45-year-old male arrives after a motor vehicle collision. He is conscious but has
labored respirations (RR 30), decreased breath sounds on the left, hypotension
(BP 86/52), HR 128, and distended neck veins. Which triage category is most
appropriate?
A. Minor/Green
B. Delayed/Yellow
C. Emergent/Red (Immediate)
,D. Expectant/Black
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Distended neck veins, hypotension, tachycardia, and unilateral
decreased breath sounds suggest possible tension pneumothorax or major
intrathoracic injury—a life-threatening condition requiring immediate
intervention. Triage prioritizes those with unstable airway/breathing/circulation
to "Immediate/Red" .
Question 4
A 58-year-old male arrives to the ED after a motor-vehicle collision. Vital signs: HR
124, BP 86/52, RR 28, SpO₂ 92% on room air. He has active external bleeding from
the left thigh, which is soaking the dressing. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Apply direct pressure to the bleeding site
B. Give 1 L normal saline bolus via large-bore IV
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Obtain a focused history
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Immediate external hemorrhage that is life-threatening must be
controlled first—uncontrolled bleeding is an immediate threat to circulation.
Direct pressure to stop hemorrhage is the priority. Oxygen and fluids are
important but cannot stop exsanguination. Focused history is secondary .
Question 5
Which patient should the nurse assess first in the emergency department waiting
room?
A. Adult with sudden onset facial drooping and slurred speech
B. Child with fever of 101°F (38.3°C)
C. Stable ankle fracture
D. Client requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A patient with sudden onset facial drooping and slurred speech
requires rapid assessment for possible stroke. Time-sensitive interventions such
as thrombolytic therapy depend on rapid recognition and evaluation .
Question 6
