You practice vitals, infection control, documentation, and the first nursing action when a patient is unstable. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the LPN exams exam guide or more LPN exams practice questions.
Five fundamentals questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the oncology nurse see first?
A. Client who is afebrile with a heart rate of 108 beats/min
B. Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes
C. Client who is neutropenic and in protective isolation
D. Client scheduled for radiation therapy today
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes
In oncology nursing, prioritizing care is critical due to the complexity of cancer patients' conditions. An older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes is the priority because this could signal sepsis or infection, especially since chemotherapy-induced neutropenia often masks typical signs like fever in the elderly. Mental confusion might be the only early clue, and delayed assessment could lead to rapid deterioration or death. A heart rate of 108 beats/min without fever suggests tachycardia, possibly from dehydration or anxiety, but it's less urgent without other red flags. A neutropenic client in isolation needs monitoring, but no acute change is noted. The client scheduled for radiation has a planned treatment, not an immediate crisis. Assessing the older client first allows the nurse to rule out or address a life-threatening issue, aligning with the principle of prioritizing unstable patients in acute care settings.
Question 2
The goal of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients is:
A. Maximum suppression of HIV replication
B. Eradication of HIV virus from the body
C. Determining a treatment regimen that is free of adverse effects
D. Suppression of CD4 T-cell count
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Maximum suppression of HIV replication
The primary goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is maximum suppression of HIV replication, reducing viral load to undetectable levels (<50 copies/mL) to halt disease progression, boost CD4 counts, and prevent transmission. Drugs like dolutegravir target viral enzymes (e.g., integrase), achieving this in over 90% of adherent patients within 6 months, per CDC data. Eradication is unattainable latent reservoirs in CD4 cells persist, requiring lifelong ART (INSIGHT START trial). Option C, 'adverse effect-free regimen,' is secondary while minimizing side effects (e.g., efavirenz neuropsychiatric issues) matters, efficacy trumps comfort; no regimen is side-effect-free. Suppressing CD4 counts is the opposite ART aims to restore immunity, not impair it. Evidence from trials like HPTN 052 shows undetectable viral loads cut transmission by 96%, underscoring suppression as the core objective, making A the precise, guideline-supported answer.
Question 3
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which technique indicates that more review is needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
B. Quickly lifting the striking finger after each stroke
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Percussing once over each area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Percussing once over each area is incorrect because percussion should involve multiple strikes to accurately assess underlying structures.
2. Percussion requires a series of light and rapid strikes to elicit different sounds based on tissue density.
3. By percussing only once, the nurse may miss subtle differences in sound pitch and quality, leading to inaccurate assessments.
4. Therefore, more review is needed to ensure the nurse understands the importance of multiple percussion strikes for proper assessment.
Summary of other choices:
B. Quickly lifting the striking finger after each stroke is a correct technique to enhance the accuracy of percussion.
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad, is important to produce clear sounds during percussion.
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm, is the correct technique to achieve controlled and precise percussion strikes.
Question 4
Guidelines for serving meal trays include
A. Serving the residents who need the most help with eating first
B. Doing as much as possible for residents to make mealtimes more efficient
C. Discouraging conversation during meals
D. Saying positive things about the food being served
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Saying positive things about the food being served
The correct answer is D because saying positive things about the food being served helps create a positive dining experience for the residents, leading to improved appetite and enjoyment of the meal. By providing positive feedback, it encourages residents to try new foods and promotes a healthy eating environment. This approach also respects individual preferences and promotes dignity.
A: Serving the residents who need the most help with eating first - While important for efficient meal service, it may not be the best approach for promoting a positive dining experience for all residents.
B: Doing as much as possible for residents to make mealtimes more efficient - Efficiency is crucial, but it shouldn't compromise the quality of the dining experience or individual preferences.
C: Discouraging conversation during meals - Conversation can enhance the dining experience, promote social interaction, and improve overall well-being.
Question 5
Which data would be of greatest concern to the nurse when completing the nursing assessment of a 68-year-old woman hospitalized due to Pneumonia?
A. Oriented to date, time and place.
B. Clear breath sounds.
C. Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds and buccal cyanosis.
D. Hemoglobin of 13 g/dl.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds and buccal cyanosis.
Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds and buccal cyanosis signal severe oxygenation issues, critical in a pneumonia patient. Delayed refill indicates poor peripheral perfusion, while buccal cyanosis (blue-tinged oral mucosa) suggests central hypoxemia both life-threatening if untreated. Pneumonia impairs gas exchange, and these findings suggest worsening respiratory failure, demanding urgent intervention like oxygen therapy or escalation. Orientation to time, place, and date is reassuring, showing intact cognition, not immediate danger. Clear breath sounds are positive, indicating no consolidation or fluid, though not definitive in pneumonia's patchy presentation. Hemoglobin of 13 g/dl is normal, ensuring adequate oxygen-carrying capacity. The perfusion and oxygenation deficits outweigh other data, prioritizing immediate action to stabilize this vulnerable 68-year-old, aligning with nursing's focus on acute physiological threats.
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Question 6
A nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital for surgery. Which of the following pieces of information must be obtained from the patient? Select all that apply.
A. address
B. date of birth
C. admitting physician
D. symptoms experienced
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: date of birth. It is essential to obtain the patient's date of birth for accurate identification and to ensure the correct patient receives the appropriate care. This information is crucial for confirming the patient's identity and preventing medical errors.
Explanation for Incorrect Choices:
A: Address - While obtaining the patient's address is important for communication and follow-up purposes, it is not a critical piece of information that must be obtained during the admission process.
C: Admitting physician - Knowing the admitting physician is important for coordination of care, but it is not crucial information that must be obtained directly from the patient.
D: Symptoms experienced - While knowing the symptoms experienced by the patient is important for medical history and assessment, it is not a piece of information that must be obtained directly from the patient during the admission process.
It is mandatory to have maternal signed consent before administering which newborn drug?
A. Erythromycin eye ointment
B. Phytonadione (Vitamin K1)
C. Hepatitis B vaccine series
D. Betamethasone injection
Correct answer:
Step 1: Maternal consent is required for Hepatitis B vaccine series as it involves administering a vaccine to the newborn, which may have potential risks.
Step 2: The Hepatitis B vaccine series is given as a preventive measure against Hepatitis B infection.
Step 3: Maternal consent ensures that the mother is informed about the benefits and risks of the vaccine for her newborn.
Step 4: Without maternal consent, healthcare providers cannot administer the Hepatitis B vaccine series to the newborn.
Summary: Choice A (Erythromycin eye ointment) is typically administered routinely without requiring maternal consent. Choice B (Phytonadione) is a vitamin supplement given to newborns to prevent bleeding disorders, usually without the need for maternal consent. Choice D (Betamethasone injection) is a medication given to pregnant women to help fetal lung development and does not require maternal consent for administration to the newborn.
Which of the following are examples of incidental disclosures of patient health information that are permitted? Select all that apply.
A. A nurse working in a physicians office puts out a sign-in sheet for incoming patients.
B. Two nurses are overheard talking about a patient through the door of an empty patient room.
C. A nurse places a patient chart in a holder on the examining room door with the name facing out.
D. A nurse leaves an x-ray on a light board in the hallway that leads to the examining rooms.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C. Placing a patient chart in a holder on the examining room door with the name facing out is an example of an incidental disclosure of patient health information that is permitted. This is because the information disclosed is minimal and necessary for the function of providing care. It does not overly expose sensitive information and is in line with standard practices in healthcare settings.
The other choices are incorrect:
A: Putting out a sign-in sheet for incoming patients may expose patient names to others in the waiting room, potentially violating patient privacy.
B: Overhearing nurses discussing a patient through a door breaches patient confidentiality as it exposes sensitive information to unauthorized individuals.
D: Leaving an x-ray on a light board in the hallway exposes patient health information to individuals who may not have a legitimate need to access it, leading to a breach of privacy.
A 16-year-old girl has returned home following hospitalization for treatment of anorexia nervosa. The parents tell the family nurse performing a home visit that their child has always done everything to please them and they cannot understand her current stubbornness about eating. The nurse analyzes the family situation and determines it is characteristic of which relationship style?
A. Differentiation
B. Disengagement
C. Enmeshment
D. Scapegoating
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Enmeshment. Enmeshment is a relationship style where boundaries between family members are blurred, leading to a lack of individual autonomy. In this scenario, the parents' inability to understand their daughter's behavior despite her hospitalization for anorexia nervosa suggests a lack of recognition of her autonomy and individual needs. The parents' expectation for her to always please them reflects enmeshment, as they may prioritize their own desires over her well-being.
Choice A: Differentiation refers to the ability to maintain a sense of self within a relationship, which is not evident in the parents' behavior.
Choice B: Disengagement involves emotional distance between family members, which is not the case here as the parents are actively involved in their daughter's life.
Choice D: Scapegoating involves unfairly blaming one family member for issues, which is not apparent in the scenario.
You are transporting a 20-year-old pregnant female from a local hospital to a medical facility that specializes in high-risk pregnancies when you note the patient is experiencing unexplained hypotension and bradycardia. The patient has a patent IV and is being administered magnesium that was initiated by hospital staff. On the cardiac monitor, the patient presents with a lengthening PR interval and signs of an impending high-degree nodal block. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate in this case?
A. Increase the magnesium sulfate infusion rate, and administer a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus to support the patient's blood pressure
B. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately, and administer the appropriate dose of calcium chloride to correct the adverse effects of magnesium toxicity
C. Continue the infusion, but administer potassium chloride to counteract the adverse effects of the magnesium chloride administration
D. Reduce the infusion by half, and administer dextrose 50% to counteract the adverse cardiac effects caused by the magnesium chloride infusion
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately, and administer the appropriate dose of calcium chloride to correct the adverse effects of magnesium toxicity.
Rationale:
1. Magnesium toxicity can lead to hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac conduction abnormalities.
2. Stopping the magnesium infusion is crucial to prevent further adverse effects.
3. Calcium chloride is the antidote for magnesium toxicity as it competes with magnesium for binding sites on cardiac cells, restoring normal cardiac function.
4. Administering a normal saline bolus (choice A) would not address the underlying cause of magnesium toxicity.
5. Administering potassium chloride (choice C) is not appropriate as it can exacerbate the cardiac effects of magnesium toxicity.
6. Reducing the magnesium infusion and administering dextrose 50% (choice D) would not address the magnesium toxicity and may not reverse the cardiac effects.
An individual experiences sexual dysfunction and blames it on a partner by calling the person unattractive and unromantic. Which defense mechanism is evident?
A. Rationalization
B. Compensation
C. Introjection
D. Regression
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Rationalization. In this scenario, the individual is justifying their own sexual dysfunction by attributing it to their partner's perceived shortcomings. Rationalization involves creating logical or socially acceptable reasons to justify one's behavior or feelings. In this case, the person is avoiding taking responsibility for their own issues by shifting the blame onto their partner.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Compensation - This defense mechanism involves making up for a real or perceived deficiency in one area by excelling in another. It does not apply to the situation described.
C: Introjection - This involves internalizing external qualities or beliefs of others. It is not demonstrated in the scenario.
D: Regression - This defense mechanism involves reverting to an earlier stage of development in response to stress. It is not applicable to the situation where blame is being shifted onto the partner.
Which of the following symptoms did the patient most likely experience upon recovery from sedation?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Increased respiratory rate
C. Anterograde amnesia
D. Limb muscle spasms
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Anterograde amnesia. Upon recovery from sedation, the patient most likely experienced anterograde amnesia, which is the inability to form new memories after sedation. This occurs due to the effects of sedative medications on the brain's ability to encode and store new information temporarily. This symptom is commonly associated with sedative medications and is a typical outcome of sedation procedures.
A: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of sedation but are more likely to occur during or shortly after sedation, rather than upon recovery.
B: Increased respiratory rate may occur during sedation due to the effects of sedative medications on the respiratory system, but it is not a typical symptom upon recovery.
D: Limb muscle spasms are not typically associated with recovery from sedation and are more likely to be a sign of a different medical condition or side effect of a different medication.
The nurse is caring for a patient suspected of having ARDS. What is the most likely diagnostic test ordered in the early stages of this disease to differentiate the patients symptoms from those of a cardiac etiology?
A. Carboxyhemoglobin level
B. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
C. C-reactive protein (CRP) level
D. Complete blood count
Correct answer:
In early ARDS, distinguishing respiratory failure from cardiac causes like congestive heart failure (CHF) is crucial, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are the most likely test ordered. Elevated BNP, secreted by the heart under strain, indicates cardiac etiology (e.g., pulmonary edema from CHF), whereas normal or low BNP supports ARDS, a non-cardiogenic lung injury with alveolar flooding. Carboxyhemoglobin measures carbon monoxide poisoning, relevant to inhalation injury but not routine for ARDS differentiation. CRP reflects inflammation, common in both ARDS and infection, but lacks specificity for cardiac versus pulmonary origin. A complete blood count provides general health data (e.g., infection) but doesn't pinpoint etiology. BNP, often paired with echocardiography, guides the nurse and team to tailor treatment ventilation for ARDS versus diuretics for CHF ensuring accurate early management of this critical condition.
A patient is receiving thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of pulmonary emboli. What is the best way for the nurse to assess the patients oxygenation status at the bedside?
A. Obtain serial ABG samples
B. Monitor pulse oximetry readings
C. Test pulmonary function
D. Monitor incentive spirometry volumes
Correct answer:
Monitoring pulse oximetry is the best bedside method to assess oxygenation status during thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism (PE), providing real-time, noninvasive measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2). It reflects how effectively oxygen reaches the blood despite PE-induced ventilation-perfusion mismatch, guiding adjustments in oxygen therapy (e.g., aiming for SpO2 >90%). Serial arterial blood gases (ABGs) are precise but invasive, time-consuming, and not practical for continuous bedside use. Pulmonary function tests assess airway obstruction or restriction, not acute oxygenation, and are irrelevant here. Incentive spirometry measures inspiratory effort, aiding atelectasis prevention, not oxygenation. Pulse oximetry's immediacy and simplicity enable the nurse to detect hypoxemia promptly, ensuring timely intervention (e.g., increasing FiO2) as thrombolytics dissolve the clot, critical in this dynamic, high-risk scenario.
A parent has brought a 6-year-old child into the clinic. The parent is concerned that the child does not seem to skip as well as the other children in the child's class. In planning assessments and care for this child, the nurse would be best served by choosing which theory as a foundation for decision making?
A. General systems theory
B. Nursing theory
C. Adaptation theory
D. Developmental theory
Correct answer:
For a 6-year-old with potential motor skill concerns, developmental theory provides the best framework, focusing on predictable growth stages across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. Rooted in works like Piaget's or Erikson's, it assesses whether the child's skipping ability aligns with age-expected milestones, guiding the nurse to evaluate coordination, strength, or neurological issues. General systems theory examines part-whole interactions, like family impact, but lacks stage-specific focus. Nursing theory broadly directs care outcomes, not developmental norms. Adaptation theory addresses environmental adjustments, less relevant here. Developmental theory's emphasis on maturation enables the nurse to compare the child's skills to peers, plan targeted assessments (e.g., motor tests), and tailor interventions like physical therapy referrals ensuring care addresses the parent's concern within a child's growth context.
LPN exams fundamentals practice questions, set 33 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.