Critical Thinking Exam Questions and
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and shortness of breath. What is the
immediate nursing action?
✔✔Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
A client with a known allergy to penicillin is prescribed amoxicillin. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Hold the medication and contact the provider
A postoperative client refuses to use the incentive spirometer. What is the nurse’s best response?
✔✔Explain the importance of deep breathing to prevent pneumonia
A nurse finds an unresponsive client on the floor. What is the first action?
✔✔Check for responsiveness and breathing
The nurse receives a medication that is a different dose than prescribed. What should the nurse
do?
1
,✔✔Verify the order with the provider before administering
A patient reports new onset of chest pain while ambulating. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Stop the activity and assess vital signs
A client is crying and says, “I feel hopeless.” What is the most appropriate nursing action?
✔✔Stay with the client and explore their feelings
The nurse observes a colleague failing to wash hands between patients. What is the appropriate
response?
✔✔Remind the colleague about infection control and report if necessary
A client is having a seizure in bed. What is the nurse’s priority?
✔✔Protect the client's head and maintain airway safety
The nurse sees smoke coming from a utility room on the unit. What is the first action?
✔✔Remove patients from immediate danger
2
, A provider gives a verbal order for a high-alert medication. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Read back the order for confirmation
A confused patient is attempting to get out of bed without assistance. What is the best nursing
action?
✔✔Stay with the patient and ensure safety by using call bell and side rails
A client scheduled for surgery asks questions about the procedure. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Refer the client to the surgeon for clarification
A patient with diabetes is NPO and scheduled for a procedure. What should the nurse clarify?
✔✔Whether to hold or give scheduled insulin
A medication error occurred but the client shows no adverse reaction. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Report the error and complete an incident report
A patient refuses medication after understanding the risks. What is the nurse’s next action?
✔✔Document the refusal and notify the provider
3
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and shortness of breath. What is the
immediate nursing action?
✔✔Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
A client with a known allergy to penicillin is prescribed amoxicillin. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Hold the medication and contact the provider
A postoperative client refuses to use the incentive spirometer. What is the nurse’s best response?
✔✔Explain the importance of deep breathing to prevent pneumonia
A nurse finds an unresponsive client on the floor. What is the first action?
✔✔Check for responsiveness and breathing
The nurse receives a medication that is a different dose than prescribed. What should the nurse
do?
1
,✔✔Verify the order with the provider before administering
A patient reports new onset of chest pain while ambulating. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Stop the activity and assess vital signs
A client is crying and says, “I feel hopeless.” What is the most appropriate nursing action?
✔✔Stay with the client and explore their feelings
The nurse observes a colleague failing to wash hands between patients. What is the appropriate
response?
✔✔Remind the colleague about infection control and report if necessary
A client is having a seizure in bed. What is the nurse’s priority?
✔✔Protect the client's head and maintain airway safety
The nurse sees smoke coming from a utility room on the unit. What is the first action?
✔✔Remove patients from immediate danger
2
, A provider gives a verbal order for a high-alert medication. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Read back the order for confirmation
A confused patient is attempting to get out of bed without assistance. What is the best nursing
action?
✔✔Stay with the patient and ensure safety by using call bell and side rails
A client scheduled for surgery asks questions about the procedure. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Refer the client to the surgeon for clarification
A patient with diabetes is NPO and scheduled for a procedure. What should the nurse clarify?
✔✔Whether to hold or give scheduled insulin
A medication error occurred but the client shows no adverse reaction. What should the nurse do?
✔✔Report the error and complete an incident report
A patient refuses medication after understanding the risks. What is the nurse’s next action?
✔✔Document the refusal and notify the provider
3
