COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
C (Aminoglycosides are added to the dialysate for subsequent exchanges.) - Answer-
Peritonitis is a common and dangerous complication of peritoneal dialysis. What is a
nursing action that helps these patients fight peritonitis?
A. Green's stain is used to identify the invading organism.
B. Drainage fluid is cultured to erradicate the organism.
C. Aminoglycosides are added to the dialysate for
subsequent exchanges.
D. Cephalosporins are given intravenously.
C (Guillain-Barré syndrome) - Answer-The nurse in the medical ICU is caring for a
patient who is in respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation. What diagnosis
could the patient have that could cause inadequate ventilation?
A. Insomnia
B. Multiple myloma
C. Guillain-Barré syndrome
D. Overdose of amphetamines
C (Plan to discuss the client's feelings about the effects of her hair loss.) - Answer-The
female client has experienced alopecia due to chemotherapy. She is distraught and
feels that no one will want to look at her. What will the best plan of the nurse include?
A. Plan to support the client, and tell her that her hair will
grow back in a few weeks.
B. Plan to have a cancer survivor visit the client and
discuss wearing a wig.
C. Plan to discuss the client's feelings about the effects of
her hair loss.
D. Plan to show the client photos of cancer survivors
whose hair grew back better.
A (The client will not experience bleeding.) - Answer-The nurse is managing care for a
client with a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) of the right calf. The client receives heparin
intravenously (IV). What is the priority outcome for this client?
A. The client will not experience bleeding.
B. The client will keep the right leg elevated on two pillows.
C. The client will comply with dietary restrictions.
D. The client will not disturb the intravenous infusion.
D (Cyanosis, decreased PaO2) - Answer-A patient with a fractured left femur is being
cared for by an orthopedic nurse. The nurse would know that what signs indicate
potential fat emboli?
A. Increased partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2),
,reduced sensation in left leg or foot
B. Left leg pain, dyspnea
C. Bradycardia, skin bruises
D. Cyanosis, decreased PaO2
A (targets normal cells) - Answer-A major disadvantage of chemotherapy is that it
A. targets normal cells
B. promotes cell kill
C. functions against disseminated disease
D. is systemic
A (Health care-associated infection (HAI)) - Answer-A patient in the ICU has a central
venous catheter in place. The patient has now become septic with no obvious cause or
source of infection. Antibiotic therapy does not help resolve the sepsis. What would the
nurse suspect that the patient has most likely developed?
A. Health care-associated infection (HAI)
B. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
C. Secondary bloodstream infection
D. Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)
B (The cell membrane of malignant cells also contains proteins called tumor-specific
antigens.) - Answer-The nursing instructor is discussing the difference between normal
cells and cancer cells with the prenursing class in pathophysiology. What would the
instructor cite as a characteristic of a cancer cell?
A. Malignant cells contain more fibronectin.
B. The cell membrane of malignant cells also contains
proteins called tumor-specific antigens.
C. Chromosomes are commonly found to be strong.
D. Nuclei of cancer cells are large and regularly shaped.
A (Teach the client to avoid extreme temperatures of food selections.) - Answer-The
client receives cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) as treatment for cancer, and is
experiencing oral irritation as an adverse effect. What does the best plan of the nurse
include as it relates to providing oral comfort?
A. Teach the client to avoid extreme temperatures of food
selections.
B. Teach the client to use a soft toothbrush for brushing the
teeth.
C. Teach good oral hygiene, including the use of an
antiseptic mouthwash.
D. Administer megestrol (Megace ES) to the client.
B (cyancobalamin) - Answer-Mr. Smith has been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.
The nurse plans for the most appropriate treatment which would include
A. niacin
B. cyancobalamin
, C. thiamine
D. riboflavin
A (Have a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test done
yearly.) - Answer-The nurse is providing an educational event at the local PTO on
prostate cancer. A 53-year-old male attendee asks about the prevention and detection
of prostate cancer. What information should the nurse provide to this patient that would
assist in the early identification of prostate cancer?
A. Have a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific
antigen (PSA) test done yearly.
B. Have a transrectal ultrasound every 5 years.
C. Perform monthly testicular self-examinations, especially
after age 50.
D. Have a complete blood count (CBC) yearly (including
blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine assessment).
C (An 87-year-old client who uses a cane for ambulation.) - Answer-The nurse works
with a physician who frequently prescribes benzodiazepines. The use of
benzodiazepines in which client would cause the nurse the most concern?
A. A 9-year-old child with panic attacks.
B. A 42-year-old businessman who travels internationally.
C. An 87-year-old client who uses a cane for ambulation.
D. A 32-year-old mother of two preschool children.
D (Discuss a referral for hospice care) - Answer-You are caring for a patient has just
been given a 6-month prognosis. The patient states that he would like to die at home.
The patient's care needs are unable to be met in a home environment. What might you
suggest as an alternative?
A. Discuss a referral for rehabilitation hospital
B. Panel the patient for a personal care home
C. Discuss a referral for acute care
D. Discuss a referral for hospice care
A (3 tabs.) - Answer-The order is for prednisone 0.15 mg/kg po daily
The label on the bottle reads 2.5 mg/tab, the patient weighs 110 lbs. Calculate the
number of tablets you would give.
A. 3 tabs.
B. 6 tabs.
C. 14 1/2 tabs
D. 18 tabs.
B (Vitamin A) - Answer-Which of the following vitamins can be toxic if consumed in large
amounts?
A. Niacin
B. Vitamin A
C. Folic acid
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
C (Aminoglycosides are added to the dialysate for subsequent exchanges.) - Answer-
Peritonitis is a common and dangerous complication of peritoneal dialysis. What is a
nursing action that helps these patients fight peritonitis?
A. Green's stain is used to identify the invading organism.
B. Drainage fluid is cultured to erradicate the organism.
C. Aminoglycosides are added to the dialysate for
subsequent exchanges.
D. Cephalosporins are given intravenously.
C (Guillain-Barré syndrome) - Answer-The nurse in the medical ICU is caring for a
patient who is in respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation. What diagnosis
could the patient have that could cause inadequate ventilation?
A. Insomnia
B. Multiple myloma
C. Guillain-Barré syndrome
D. Overdose of amphetamines
C (Plan to discuss the client's feelings about the effects of her hair loss.) - Answer-The
female client has experienced alopecia due to chemotherapy. She is distraught and
feels that no one will want to look at her. What will the best plan of the nurse include?
A. Plan to support the client, and tell her that her hair will
grow back in a few weeks.
B. Plan to have a cancer survivor visit the client and
discuss wearing a wig.
C. Plan to discuss the client's feelings about the effects of
her hair loss.
D. Plan to show the client photos of cancer survivors
whose hair grew back better.
A (The client will not experience bleeding.) - Answer-The nurse is managing care for a
client with a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) of the right calf. The client receives heparin
intravenously (IV). What is the priority outcome for this client?
A. The client will not experience bleeding.
B. The client will keep the right leg elevated on two pillows.
C. The client will comply with dietary restrictions.
D. The client will not disturb the intravenous infusion.
D (Cyanosis, decreased PaO2) - Answer-A patient with a fractured left femur is being
cared for by an orthopedic nurse. The nurse would know that what signs indicate
potential fat emboli?
A. Increased partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2),
,reduced sensation in left leg or foot
B. Left leg pain, dyspnea
C. Bradycardia, skin bruises
D. Cyanosis, decreased PaO2
A (targets normal cells) - Answer-A major disadvantage of chemotherapy is that it
A. targets normal cells
B. promotes cell kill
C. functions against disseminated disease
D. is systemic
A (Health care-associated infection (HAI)) - Answer-A patient in the ICU has a central
venous catheter in place. The patient has now become septic with no obvious cause or
source of infection. Antibiotic therapy does not help resolve the sepsis. What would the
nurse suspect that the patient has most likely developed?
A. Health care-associated infection (HAI)
B. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
C. Secondary bloodstream infection
D. Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)
B (The cell membrane of malignant cells also contains proteins called tumor-specific
antigens.) - Answer-The nursing instructor is discussing the difference between normal
cells and cancer cells with the prenursing class in pathophysiology. What would the
instructor cite as a characteristic of a cancer cell?
A. Malignant cells contain more fibronectin.
B. The cell membrane of malignant cells also contains
proteins called tumor-specific antigens.
C. Chromosomes are commonly found to be strong.
D. Nuclei of cancer cells are large and regularly shaped.
A (Teach the client to avoid extreme temperatures of food selections.) - Answer-The
client receives cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) as treatment for cancer, and is
experiencing oral irritation as an adverse effect. What does the best plan of the nurse
include as it relates to providing oral comfort?
A. Teach the client to avoid extreme temperatures of food
selections.
B. Teach the client to use a soft toothbrush for brushing the
teeth.
C. Teach good oral hygiene, including the use of an
antiseptic mouthwash.
D. Administer megestrol (Megace ES) to the client.
B (cyancobalamin) - Answer-Mr. Smith has been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.
The nurse plans for the most appropriate treatment which would include
A. niacin
B. cyancobalamin
, C. thiamine
D. riboflavin
A (Have a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test done
yearly.) - Answer-The nurse is providing an educational event at the local PTO on
prostate cancer. A 53-year-old male attendee asks about the prevention and detection
of prostate cancer. What information should the nurse provide to this patient that would
assist in the early identification of prostate cancer?
A. Have a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific
antigen (PSA) test done yearly.
B. Have a transrectal ultrasound every 5 years.
C. Perform monthly testicular self-examinations, especially
after age 50.
D. Have a complete blood count (CBC) yearly (including
blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine assessment).
C (An 87-year-old client who uses a cane for ambulation.) - Answer-The nurse works
with a physician who frequently prescribes benzodiazepines. The use of
benzodiazepines in which client would cause the nurse the most concern?
A. A 9-year-old child with panic attacks.
B. A 42-year-old businessman who travels internationally.
C. An 87-year-old client who uses a cane for ambulation.
D. A 32-year-old mother of two preschool children.
D (Discuss a referral for hospice care) - Answer-You are caring for a patient has just
been given a 6-month prognosis. The patient states that he would like to die at home.
The patient's care needs are unable to be met in a home environment. What might you
suggest as an alternative?
A. Discuss a referral for rehabilitation hospital
B. Panel the patient for a personal care home
C. Discuss a referral for acute care
D. Discuss a referral for hospice care
A (3 tabs.) - Answer-The order is for prednisone 0.15 mg/kg po daily
The label on the bottle reads 2.5 mg/tab, the patient weighs 110 lbs. Calculate the
number of tablets you would give.
A. 3 tabs.
B. 6 tabs.
C. 14 1/2 tabs
D. 18 tabs.
B (Vitamin A) - Answer-Which of the following vitamins can be toxic if consumed in large
amounts?
A. Niacin
B. Vitamin A
C. Folic acid
