RELIAS ED RN MASTER EXAM 300
Questions • Correct Answers & Clinical
Rationales
2026/2027 Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 — ESI Triage Fundamentals (Questions 1-45)
SECTION 2 — ESI Level 1: Life-Threatening Emergencies (Questions 46-85)
SECTION 3 — ESI Level 2: High-Risk Situations (Questions 86-130)
SECTION 4 — ESI Level 3: Multiple Resources Needed (Questions 131-170)
SECTION 5 — ESI Level 4 & 5: Lower Acuity (Questions 171-205)
SECTION 6 — Airway & Respiratory Emergencies (Questions 206-240)
SECTION 7 — Cardiovascular Emergencies (Questions 241-270)
SECTION 8 — Neurological & Special Populations (Questions 271-300)
SECTION 1 — ESI TRIAGE FUNDAMENTALS
, 1. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage system categorizes patients
into how many distinct levels based on urgency and resource needs?
A. Three levels
B. Four levels
C. Five levels
D. Six levels
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Five levels
RATIONALE: The ESI system uses five levels (1-5) to prioritize patients, with
Level 1 being the most urgent and Level 5 being the least urgent. This
system combines acuity and anticipated resource utilization.
2. A patient presents with a simple sprained ankle, no pain medication
needed, and requires only a brief examination. What ESI level is MOST
appropriate?
A. ESI 1
B. ESI 2
C. ESI 3
D. ESI 5
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D. ESI 5
,RATIONALE: ESI 5 patients require no resources beyond a basic examination
and are considered non-urgent. A simple sprained ankle with no need for
interventions falls into this category.
3. Which of the following is the PRIMARY determinant for assigning an ESI
Level 1 designation?
A. Need for multiple diagnostic tests
B. Severe pain rating of 10/10
C. Need for immediate life-saving intervention
D. Age over 65 years
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Need for immediate life-saving intervention
RATIONALE: ESI Level 1 is reserved for patients requiring immediate life-
saving interventions. Patients who are unstable or have conditions that
threaten life or limb receive this highest acuity level.
4. An ESI Level 2 patient is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. High-risk situation
B. Confused or lethargic
C. Severe pain or distress
D. Requires no resources
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Requires no resources
, RATIONALE: ESI Level 2 patients should not wait and are characterized by
high-risk situations, confusion/lethargy/disorientation, or severe
pain/distress. They typically require multiple resources and are considered
high acuity.
5. When determining ESI level, “resources” refer to:
A. Only medications administered
B. Only nursing assessment time
C. Therapeutic and diagnostic interventions beyond history and physical
exam
D. Only laboratory tests and imaging studies
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Therapeutic and diagnostic interventions beyond
history and physical exam
RATIONALE: Resources include any interventions, diagnostic tests,
procedures, or treatments beyond the basic history and physical
examination. This includes labs, imaging, medications, and specialty
consultations.
6. A patient who is alert, oriented, has stable vital signs, and requires
only a throat culture and over-the-counter medication would MOST
likely receive which ESI level?
A. ESI 2
B. ESI 3
Questions • Correct Answers & Clinical
Rationales
2026/2027 Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 — ESI Triage Fundamentals (Questions 1-45)
SECTION 2 — ESI Level 1: Life-Threatening Emergencies (Questions 46-85)
SECTION 3 — ESI Level 2: High-Risk Situations (Questions 86-130)
SECTION 4 — ESI Level 3: Multiple Resources Needed (Questions 131-170)
SECTION 5 — ESI Level 4 & 5: Lower Acuity (Questions 171-205)
SECTION 6 — Airway & Respiratory Emergencies (Questions 206-240)
SECTION 7 — Cardiovascular Emergencies (Questions 241-270)
SECTION 8 — Neurological & Special Populations (Questions 271-300)
SECTION 1 — ESI TRIAGE FUNDAMENTALS
, 1. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage system categorizes patients
into how many distinct levels based on urgency and resource needs?
A. Three levels
B. Four levels
C. Five levels
D. Six levels
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Five levels
RATIONALE: The ESI system uses five levels (1-5) to prioritize patients, with
Level 1 being the most urgent and Level 5 being the least urgent. This
system combines acuity and anticipated resource utilization.
2. A patient presents with a simple sprained ankle, no pain medication
needed, and requires only a brief examination. What ESI level is MOST
appropriate?
A. ESI 1
B. ESI 2
C. ESI 3
D. ESI 5
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D. ESI 5
,RATIONALE: ESI 5 patients require no resources beyond a basic examination
and are considered non-urgent. A simple sprained ankle with no need for
interventions falls into this category.
3. Which of the following is the PRIMARY determinant for assigning an ESI
Level 1 designation?
A. Need for multiple diagnostic tests
B. Severe pain rating of 10/10
C. Need for immediate life-saving intervention
D. Age over 65 years
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Need for immediate life-saving intervention
RATIONALE: ESI Level 1 is reserved for patients requiring immediate life-
saving interventions. Patients who are unstable or have conditions that
threaten life or limb receive this highest acuity level.
4. An ESI Level 2 patient is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. High-risk situation
B. Confused or lethargic
C. Severe pain or distress
D. Requires no resources
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Requires no resources
, RATIONALE: ESI Level 2 patients should not wait and are characterized by
high-risk situations, confusion/lethargy/disorientation, or severe
pain/distress. They typically require multiple resources and are considered
high acuity.
5. When determining ESI level, “resources” refer to:
A. Only medications administered
B. Only nursing assessment time
C. Therapeutic and diagnostic interventions beyond history and physical
exam
D. Only laboratory tests and imaging studies
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Therapeutic and diagnostic interventions beyond
history and physical exam
RATIONALE: Resources include any interventions, diagnostic tests,
procedures, or treatments beyond the basic history and physical
examination. This includes labs, imaging, medications, and specialty
consultations.
6. A patient who is alert, oriented, has stable vital signs, and requires
only a throat culture and over-the-counter medication would MOST
likely receive which ESI level?
A. ESI 2
B. ESI 3
