SAMPLE NURSING EXAMS
3. Which of the following responses by
Steven, an athletic 20-year-old college
student, suffered a fractured shoulder
and sprained wrist in a fall at a ski
resort.
1. In developing Steven's care plan
following surgery, which of the
following typical problems would you
anticipate?
A. He will undergo an alteration in
self-concept.
B. He will experience anxiety as a
result of flashbacks about the skiing
accident.
C. He will have impaired mobility
caused by immobilization of upper
extremity.
D. There will be abnormal tissue
perfusion caused by swelling.
Jean Thomas is a 25-year-old
secretary admitted to the emergency
room with diaphoresis,
hyperventilation, palpitations, and
trembling. Jean tells the nurse that
she has been "very upset and
nervous" over a poor employment
evaluation. A tentative diagnosis of
acute anxiety episode is made.
2. Which of the following acid-base
imbalances would likely occur as a
result of Jean's hyperventilation?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Mrs. Durham is recovering from a
colon resection for removal of a
malignant mass in the large bowel.
Following breakfast one morning, she
told the nurse, "I'm tired of waiting, I
want my bath now. You're never here
when I need you."
the nurse is most appropriate?
A. What do you mean, I'm never here?
I spent all three hours with you
yesterday, Mrs. Durham.
B. I'm sorry you've been waiting Mrs.
Durham. Let's get you comfortable
now and I'll be back in twenty minutes
to give you a bath.
C. I'm doing my best, Mrs. Durham.
You know I have three other patients
to take care of today, besides you.
D. I must see Mrs. Jones right now,
Mrs. Durham. She's really sick today.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Brian, aged 4 years, is sitting in the
pediatric day room with Michael,
another patient. He suddenly realizes
that he has wet his pants and runs to
the nurse, crying.
4.The most appropriate initial
response by the nurse is:
A. Why, Brian, what happened? Why
did you wet your pants?
B. You know better than this, Brian;
next time you'll get a good spanking.
C. Let's take off those wet pants,
Brian, and put on something dry so
you'll be more comfortable.
D. Wait until I tell Michael what you
did. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
Margaret O'Hara, a 30-year-old known
diabetic, is brought to the emergency
department by ambulance. The
paramedic team reports symptoms of
apparent hyperglycemia. Stat blood
glucose is 640.
5. The nurse is aware that excess
serum glucose acts to draw fluids
osmotically with resultant polyuria. In
addition to increased urinary output,
the nurse should expect to observe
which of the following sets of
symptoms in Margaret?
A. Polydipsia, diaphoresis, bradycardia
B. Thirst, dry mucous membranes, hot
dry skin
C. Hypotension, bounding pulse,
headache
D. Nervousness, rapid respirations,
diarrhea
Molly Flannery is a 67-year-old female
with chronic congestive heart failure
and hypertension. She is being
evaluated for complaints of muscular
weakness and general fatigue.
6. Molly's serum electrolyte studies
reveal a K+ level of 2.9. Which of the
following medications taken by the
patient at home contributed most to
her hypokalemic state?
A. Digoxin, .125 mg, PO, daily
B. Lasix, 80 mg, PO, daily
C. Aldomet, 250 mg, PO, tid
D. Aspirin, 10 grains, bid
Mr. Robert Bacchus is a 63-year-old
retired business executive who comes
to the emergency room with
complaints of dyspnea, shortness of
breath, and chest pain radiating to the
left arm.
7. The nurse caring for Mr. Bacchus
should implement which of the
following actions FIRST?
A. Administer prescribed pain
medication
B.. Apply oxygen per nasal cannula as
ordered
C. Assess vital signs
D. Apply electrocardiogram electrodes
to the patient's chest
Loberta Jackson, a 21-year-old college
student, is admitted to a medical unit
with diagnosis of uncontrolled
diabetes, acute hypoglycemic
reaction.
8. Loberta explains to the admitting
nurse that she had been feeling "sick
to my stomach, like I was coming
down with the flu" for the past 48
hours. She has continued to take her
usual daily dosage of insulin. Noting
that Loberta has been admitted with a
blood-glucose value of 46, which of
the following assessment questions
would provide the most valuable
information about Loberta's status?
A.. "Have you been under a great deal
of stress lately, Loberta?"
B. "Were you having difficulty sleeping
after this illness started?"
C. "Have you eaten anything in the
past 48 hours?"
D. "Did you take any medications for
this illness other than your insulin?"
Jerry is a 32-year-old white male. He
has been married for 10 months, and
he and his wife, Sue, are expecting
their first child in 6 months. Prior to
marrying Sue, Jerry was sexually
active and nonmonogamous. He has
been sexually active since the age of
18. Recently Jerry has complained of
persistent dry cough, night sweats,
and a temperature over 100?F.
Although
Jerry is concerned about his weight
and watches his diet, he has lost 15
pounds without even trying. Upon
assessing Jerry, he admits to having
had sexual intercourse with
prostitutes, both male and female,
during the last 10 years.
9. Jerry's symptoms of elevated
temperature, chills, and dry cough are
probably related to which
undiagnosed condition?
A. Alteration in tissue perfusion
B. An infection, etiology unknown
C. Indigestion from too frequent
traveling
D. Lack of knowledge related to
frequent travel
Mrs. Brown's husband was admitted to
the emergency room in delirium
tremens (DTs). This admission is his
third visit in 2 weeks. While waiting to
see her husband, Mrs. Brown said to
the nurse, "What in the world can I do
to help Joe get over this drinking
problem?"
10. The best initial response for the
nurse is:
A. Don't feel guilty, Mrs. Brown; I know
this must be difficult for you.
B. Let's go into the lounge so we can
talk more about your concern, Mrs.
Brown.
C. You need to convince Joe to seek
professional help, Mrs. Brown.
D. How long has your husband been
drinking, Mrs. Brown?
Amy Stevens is a 17-year-old student
admitted for evaluation of lower
abdominal pain. She tells the nurse, "I
wish my friends would come to visit
me. I don't like being here alone."
11. Which of the following would be
the most appropriate response of the
nurse?
A. "You sound very lonely. Shall I stay
with your for awhile?"
B. "I'm sure your friends will come to
see you soon."
C. "It's a little too early for visiting
hours. You'll have to wait until this
afternoon."
D. "It's hard to be alone. Would you
like me to stay with you?"
Patty Daniels is a 25-year-old white
female, pregnant with her first child.
She is being seen in the obstetrical
clinic for her first prenatal visit.
12. Patty tells the nurse, "I drank a
glass of wine at a party before I found
out that I was pregnant. I'm worried
that I might have hurt the baby."
Based on an understanding of alcohol
use in pregnancy, which of the
following responses is the most
appropriate?
A. "We don't really know how much
alcohol is too much during pregnancy.
Don't drink anymore and try not to
worry about it."
B. "As long as your drinking is
moderate, I wouldn't worry about it.
There were plenty of healthy babies
born to drinking mothers before they
ever discovered fetal alcohol
syndrome."
C. "An occasional drink shouldn't hurt
the baby. Research has shown that
the risk to the fetus increases as the
amount and frequency of alcohol
consumption increases."
D. "I can understand why you're so
upset, but an occasional drink
shouldn't hurt the baby."
Kelly Jones, aged 3 years, is brought
to the emergency room by her mother
following an accidental ingestion of
acetaminophen. When questioned,
Mrs. Jones states that she believes
that Kelly ingested approximately 20
tablets. She further states that she
believes that the ingestion occurred
within the last hour.
13. Immediately upon arrival in the
emergency room the nurse should:
A. Assess vital signs
B. Administer O2
C. Start IV fluids
D. Perform an arterial puncture for
blood gases