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NSC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient whose condition has changed
significantly during the shift. The nurse documents the patient's assessment
findings, interventions performed, response to treatment, communication with
the healthcare provider, and changes in the plan of care. Which documentation
principle is most important for the nurse to follow?
A. Document only abnormal findings to reduce charting time
B. Record information at the end of the shift from memory
C. Document accurate, timely, objective information that reflects the care
provided
D. Document primarily the interventions rather than the patient's response
Answer: C
2. A newly admitted patient requires treatment from nursing, pharmacy, dietary
services, physical therapy, and social work. During the admission process, the
nurse enters the patient's history and current needs into the electronic health
record so that other members of the healthcare team can access the information.
What is the primary purpose of this interdisciplinary documentation?
A. To facilitate communication and coordinated care among healthcare
professionals
B. To allow nurses to avoid communicating directly with other disciplines
C. To replace the need for patient education
D. To create a record used only for billing purposes
Answer: A
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to an older adult who has
multiple prescriptions and several medication allergies documented in the
electronic health record. Before administering the medication, which action is
most appropriate?
A. Ask another patient whether the medication is familiar
B. Verify the medication order, patient identity, allergies, dose, route, and other
,2
applicable medication rights
C. Administer the medication because it was prescribed by the healthcare
provider
D. Ask the patient's family member to verify the medication
Answer: B
4. A patient is admitted to the hospital following a serious accident and repeatedly
states that they are frightened about the possibility of permanent disability. The
patient becomes tearful and says, "I don't know what my life is going to be like
now." Which nursing intervention best addresses the patient's psychosocial
needs?
A. Tell the patient to focus only on physical recovery
B. Change the subject whenever the patient becomes emotional
C. Encourage the patient to discuss concerns and provide appropriate emotional
support
D. Tell the patient that positive thinking will eliminate fear
Answer: C
5. A patient's family has been informed that the patient has died following an
unexpected deterioration. The family members are crying and appear
overwhelmed. Which nursing action is most appropriate when supporting the
bereaved family?
A. Encourage family members to leave quickly so staff can prepare the room
B. Avoid mentioning the deceased patient's name because doing so may increase
grief
C. Tell family members that they need to remain strong
D. Provide privacy, listen without judgment, acknowledge the loss, and allow time
for emotional expression
Answer: D
6. A nurse is preparing to document an assessment finding in the electronic health
record. The nurse remembers that the patient reported severe abdominal pain
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but cannot remember the exact pain rating given earlier. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Estimate the pain score based on the patient's facial expression
B. Document that the patient reported pain without assigning an uncertain
numerical rating
C. Ask another nurse to select a pain rating
D. Enter the highest possible pain rating because the patient appeared
uncomfortable
Answer: B
7. A patient refuses a prescribed treatment after the nurse provides information
about its purpose, benefits, and potential risks. The patient demonstrates
understanding and continues to refuse. Which ethical principle should the nurse
primarily recognize?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
8. A nurse receives a verbal medication order from a healthcare provider during
an emergency. Because the unit is busy and several medications have similar
names, the nurse repeats the medication name, dose, route, and frequency back
to the provider for confirmation. What is the primary purpose of this action?
A. To delay medication administration
B. To verify the accuracy of the verbal order and reduce medication errors
C. To transfer responsibility for the order to another nurse
D. To eliminate the need for documentation
Answer: B
9. A patient has limited health literacy and repeatedly nods when the nurse
provides discharge instructions. The nurse is uncertain whether the patient
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understands how to take the prescribed medication. Which approach is most
appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to explain the instructions in their own words
B. Repeat the instructions more quickly
C. Provide additional medical terminology
D. Ask the patient's roommate to explain the instructions
Answer: A
10. A nurse is caring for a patient who has difficulty communicating because of a
language barrier. The patient's adult child offers to interpret complex medical
information. Which action is most appropriate when discussing important
treatment decisions?
A. Use the family member for all communication
B. Avoid discussing the treatment until discharge
C. Use an appropriate qualified medical interpreter according to facility policy
D. Ask the patient to sign the consent without additional explanation
Answer: C
11. A nurse notices that a patient's electronic health record contains an incorrect
medication allergy. The nurse verifies that the patient does not have the listed
allergy and discovers that the information was entered incorrectly during
admission. What should the nurse do?
A. Ignore the error because another clinician entered it
B. Correct or report the error according to organizational policy and ensure
accurate information is available
C. Delete the entire allergy section
D. Ask the patient to correct the record personally
Answer: B
12. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm terrified about dying, but I don't want my family
to know how scared I am." The nurse sits quietly with the patient and allows the
NSC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient whose condition has changed
significantly during the shift. The nurse documents the patient's assessment
findings, interventions performed, response to treatment, communication with
the healthcare provider, and changes in the plan of care. Which documentation
principle is most important for the nurse to follow?
A. Document only abnormal findings to reduce charting time
B. Record information at the end of the shift from memory
C. Document accurate, timely, objective information that reflects the care
provided
D. Document primarily the interventions rather than the patient's response
Answer: C
2. A newly admitted patient requires treatment from nursing, pharmacy, dietary
services, physical therapy, and social work. During the admission process, the
nurse enters the patient's history and current needs into the electronic health
record so that other members of the healthcare team can access the information.
What is the primary purpose of this interdisciplinary documentation?
A. To facilitate communication and coordinated care among healthcare
professionals
B. To allow nurses to avoid communicating directly with other disciplines
C. To replace the need for patient education
D. To create a record used only for billing purposes
Answer: A
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to an older adult who has
multiple prescriptions and several medication allergies documented in the
electronic health record. Before administering the medication, which action is
most appropriate?
A. Ask another patient whether the medication is familiar
B. Verify the medication order, patient identity, allergies, dose, route, and other
,2
applicable medication rights
C. Administer the medication because it was prescribed by the healthcare
provider
D. Ask the patient's family member to verify the medication
Answer: B
4. A patient is admitted to the hospital following a serious accident and repeatedly
states that they are frightened about the possibility of permanent disability. The
patient becomes tearful and says, "I don't know what my life is going to be like
now." Which nursing intervention best addresses the patient's psychosocial
needs?
A. Tell the patient to focus only on physical recovery
B. Change the subject whenever the patient becomes emotional
C. Encourage the patient to discuss concerns and provide appropriate emotional
support
D. Tell the patient that positive thinking will eliminate fear
Answer: C
5. A patient's family has been informed that the patient has died following an
unexpected deterioration. The family members are crying and appear
overwhelmed. Which nursing action is most appropriate when supporting the
bereaved family?
A. Encourage family members to leave quickly so staff can prepare the room
B. Avoid mentioning the deceased patient's name because doing so may increase
grief
C. Tell family members that they need to remain strong
D. Provide privacy, listen without judgment, acknowledge the loss, and allow time
for emotional expression
Answer: D
6. A nurse is preparing to document an assessment finding in the electronic health
record. The nurse remembers that the patient reported severe abdominal pain
,3
but cannot remember the exact pain rating given earlier. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Estimate the pain score based on the patient's facial expression
B. Document that the patient reported pain without assigning an uncertain
numerical rating
C. Ask another nurse to select a pain rating
D. Enter the highest possible pain rating because the patient appeared
uncomfortable
Answer: B
7. A patient refuses a prescribed treatment after the nurse provides information
about its purpose, benefits, and potential risks. The patient demonstrates
understanding and continues to refuse. Which ethical principle should the nurse
primarily recognize?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: A
8. A nurse receives a verbal medication order from a healthcare provider during
an emergency. Because the unit is busy and several medications have similar
names, the nurse repeats the medication name, dose, route, and frequency back
to the provider for confirmation. What is the primary purpose of this action?
A. To delay medication administration
B. To verify the accuracy of the verbal order and reduce medication errors
C. To transfer responsibility for the order to another nurse
D. To eliminate the need for documentation
Answer: B
9. A patient has limited health literacy and repeatedly nods when the nurse
provides discharge instructions. The nurse is uncertain whether the patient
, 4
understands how to take the prescribed medication. Which approach is most
appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to explain the instructions in their own words
B. Repeat the instructions more quickly
C. Provide additional medical terminology
D. Ask the patient's roommate to explain the instructions
Answer: A
10. A nurse is caring for a patient who has difficulty communicating because of a
language barrier. The patient's adult child offers to interpret complex medical
information. Which action is most appropriate when discussing important
treatment decisions?
A. Use the family member for all communication
B. Avoid discussing the treatment until discharge
C. Use an appropriate qualified medical interpreter according to facility policy
D. Ask the patient to sign the consent without additional explanation
Answer: C
11. A nurse notices that a patient's electronic health record contains an incorrect
medication allergy. The nurse verifies that the patient does not have the listed
allergy and discovers that the information was entered incorrectly during
admission. What should the nurse do?
A. Ignore the error because another clinician entered it
B. Correct or report the error according to organizational policy and ensure
accurate information is available
C. Delete the entire allergy section
D. Ask the patient to correct the record personally
Answer: B
12. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm terrified about dying, but I don't want my family
to know how scared I am." The nurse sits quietly with the patient and allows the
