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 RN exams exam guide or more RN 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
During which type of contraction is a hamstring injury most likely to occur?
A. Concentric muscle contraction
B. Eccentric muscle contraction
C. Isometric contractions
D. Isotonic contractions
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Eccentric muscle contraction
The correct answer is B: Eccentric muscle contraction. During eccentric contractions, the muscle lengthens while generating force, placing greater stress on the muscle fibers and making them more susceptible to injury. In the case of the hamstring, which is commonly injured during activities involving sudden deceleration or slowing down, such as running downhill or stopping abruptly, the eccentric contraction plays a significant role. Choice A (Concentric muscle contraction) involves muscle shortening and is less likely to cause injury in the hamstring. Choice C (Isometric contractions) involve static muscle contractions with no change in muscle length, making them less likely to lead to hamstring injury. Choice D (Isotonic contractions) refers to muscle contractions with a constant load, which may or may not lead to hamstring injury depending on the specific exercise and load applied.
Question 2
The rectal temperature, a core temperature, is considered to be one of the most accurate routes. In which cases would taking a rectal temperature be contraindicated?
A. A newborn who has hypothermia
B. A child who has pneumonia
C. An older adult who is post MI (heart attack)
D. A teenager who has leukemia
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — An older adult who is post MI (heart attack)
Rectal temperature measurement is contraindicated in specific cases due to risks. For a newborn with hypothermia , its avoided due to fragile rectal tissue and potential perforation risk. A child with pneumonia has no specific rectal contraindication unless diarrhea is present, which isnt mentioned. An older adult post-myocardial infarction is at risk because thermometer insertion can stimulate the vagus nerve, slowing the heart rate, which is dangerous post-MI. A teenager with leukemia may have neutropenia, making rectal measurement risky due to infection potential from low white blood cell counts. Choice C is highlighted as correct in the context, supported by the vagus nerve risk. Other contraindications like rectal surgery or low platelets also apply but align with Cs cardiac focus here. This reflects nursing judgment in prioritizing patient safety based on physiological risks.
Question 3
A 62-year-old construction worker presents with chronic cough and occasional shortness of breath for almost a year. He has smoked two packs a day for 45 years. On examination, his chest diameter seems enlarged. Breath sounds are decreased throughout all lobes. Rhonchi are heard over all lung fields.
A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Asthma
D. Pneumonia
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The correct answer is B: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Given the patient's history of smoking, chronic cough, shortness of breath, and decreased breath sounds, COPD is the most likely diagnosis. COPD is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction due to chronic inflammation and damage to the lungs, commonly caused by smoking. The enlarged chest diameter and decreased breath sounds suggest hyperinflation and air trapping, which are typical in COPD. Rhonchi can be heard due to airway inflammation and mucus production.
Incorrect choices:
A: Spontaneous pneumothorax - Unlikely as there is no sudden onset of chest pain or breathlessness.
C: Asthma - Less likely in this case as asthma typically presents with wheezing and may have a history of allergies.
D: Pneumonia - Less likely given the chronic nature of the symptoms and absence of fever or focal chest signs.
Question 4
The nurse and the student nurse are caring for two different patients on the medical-surgical unit. One patient is in airborne precautions, and one is in contact precautions. The nurse explains to the student different interventions for care. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
A. Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
B. Wash hands before entering and leaving both of the patients’ rooms.
C. Be consistent in nursing interventions since there is only one difference in the precautions.
D. Apply the knowledge the nurse has of the disease process to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
The correct answer is A: Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms. This is crucial in preventing the transmission of infections in patients under different precautions. Airborne precautions require proper disposal of contaminated supplies to prevent the spread of pathogens through the air. On the other hand, contact precautions necessitate proper disposal of supplies to prevent direct transmission through physical contact. Incorrect choices: B is incorrect because handwashing is essential but does not specifically address the differing needs of patients under different precautions. C is incorrect because consistency in nursing interventions may not be appropriate when different precautions are in place. D is incorrect as knowledge of the disease process is important but may not directly relate to preventing the spread of microorganisms through contaminated supplies.
Question 5
The nurse and the student nurse are caring for two different patients on the medical-surgical unit. One patient is in airborne precautions, and one is in contact precautions. The nurse explains to the student different interventions for care. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
A. Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
B. Wash hands before entering and leaving both of the patients’ rooms.
C. Be consistent in nursing interventions since there is only one difference in the precautions.
D. Apply the knowledge the nurse has of the disease process to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
The correct answer is A: Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms. This is crucial in preventing the transmission of infections in patients under different precautions. Airborne precautions require proper disposal of contaminated supplies to prevent the spread of pathogens through the air. On the other hand, contact precautions necessitate proper disposal of supplies to prevent direct transmission through physical contact. Incorrect choices: B is incorrect because handwashing is essential but does not specifically address the differing needs of patients under different precautions. C is incorrect because consistency in nursing interventions may not be appropriate when different precautions are in place. D is incorrect as knowledge of the disease process is important but may not directly relate to preventing the spread of microorganisms through contaminated supplies.
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.
Stems and choices stay public so you can still reason. Correct answers and full rationales unlock with the rest of the bank.
Question 6
Immediately after birth, the nurse is unable to suction the nares of a newborn. An attempt is made to pass a catheter through both nasal cavities with no success. What should the nurse do next?
A. Attempt to suction again with a bulb syringe.
B. Recognize that this situation requires immediate intervention.
C. Contact the physician to schedule an appointment for the infant at his or her next hospital visit.
D. N/A
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Recognize that this situation requires immediate intervention. If the nurse is unable to suction the nares and pass a catheter through, it suggests a potential blockage or obstruction in the nasal passages, which could lead to respiratory distress. Immediate intervention is crucial to ensure the newborn's airway is clear and breathing is not compromised. Contacting the physician or seeking further medical assistance promptly is necessary to address the issue.
Choice A is incorrect because simply attempting to suction again may not resolve the underlying obstruction, and delaying necessary intervention could be harmful. Choice C is incorrect as scheduling an appointment for the infant at a later time is not appropriate when immediate intervention is required. Choice D is not applicable as it does not provide any solution or guidance for the current situation.
The best position for a client for thoracentesis is:
A. Upright leaning sideward
B. Orthopneic
C. Prone
D. Supine
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Upright leaning sideward. This position allows for better access to the pleural space between the ribs, minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding structures. The upright position helps to expand the lung and diaphragm, making it easier to locate the fluid pocket for thoracentesis. Leaning sideways helps to ensure gravity assists in pooling the fluid away from the needle insertion site.
Choice B: Orthopneic is not the best position for thoracentesis as the patient is sitting upright and leaning forward, which may not be as effective in accessing the fluid pocket.
Choice C: Prone position is incorrect because the patient is lying face down, making it difficult to access the pleural space in the back.
Choice D: Supine position is also incorrect as the patient is lying flat on their back, making it challenging to access the pleural space effectively.
The nurse is assessing cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve). Which action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance.
B. Have the patient stick out their tongue.
C. Test the patient's ability to chew.
D. Evaluate the patient's sense of smell.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance. This is the most appropriate action for assessing cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve) because this nerve innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are responsible for shoulder shrugging and head rotation, respectively. By asking the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance, the nurse can assess the strength and function of the trapezius muscle, which is controlled by the spinal accessory nerve.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B: Having the patient stick out their tongue is used to assess cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve), not cranial nerve XI.
C: Testing the patient's ability to chew is used to assess cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve), not cranial nerve XI.
D: Evaluating the patient's sense of smell is used to assess cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve),
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of 89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
A. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
B. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
C. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
D. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching. Involving the caregiver in the teaching process increases the likelihood of proper understanding and adherence to the discharge instructions. The caregiver can provide additional support and reinforcement for the patient's education, especially in managing COPD symptoms at home. This collaborative approach promotes a more supportive environment for the patient post-discharge.
Choice A (Having the patient repeat instructions immediately after teaching) may not be as effective because the patient's understanding and retention of the information may still be limited. Choice B (Patient teaching just before discharge) may not allow enough time for the patient and caregiver to fully grasp and retain the information. Choice D is a duplicate of choice B and does not offer any additional benefit.
In performing a breast examination, the nurse knows that examining the upper outer quadrant of the breast is especially important. The reason for this is that the upper outer quadrant is:
A. The largest quadrant of the breast.
B. The location of most breast tumors.
C. Where most of the suspensory ligaments attach.
D. More prone to injury and calcifications than other locations in the breast.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: The location of most breast tumors. This is because statistically, the upper outer quadrant of the breast is where the majority of breast tumors are found. This area is more glandular and has more breast tissue, making it a common site for tumors to develop. It is important to focus on this area during a breast examination to detect any abnormalities early.
A: The largest quadrant of the breast - This is not the reason why examining the upper outer quadrant is important for detecting breast tumors.
C: Where most of the suspensory ligaments attach - While true, this is not the primary reason for focusing on the upper outer quadrant during a breast examination.
D: More prone to injury and calcifications than other locations in the breast - While calcifications can occur in this area, it is not the primary reason for its importance in detecting breast tumors.
A patient gets out of bed following hip surgery and falls and re-injures her hip. The nurse caring for her knows that it is her duty to make sure an incident report is filed. Which of the following statements accurately describes the correct procedure for filing an incident report?
A. The physician in charge should fill out the report.
B. The names of the staff involved should not be included.
C. The reports are used for disciplinary action against the staff.
D. The report should contain all the variables related to the incident.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D because incident reports should contain all the variables related to the incident for accurate documentation and analysis. Step 1: Documenting all details ensures transparency and provides a complete picture. Step 2: Including variables like date, time, location, individuals involved, and details of the incident helps in understanding the cause and implementing preventive measures. Step 3: Omitting critical information may hinder the investigation and resolution process. Therefore, choice D is correct. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect as incident reports are typically filled out by the person directly involved in the incident. Choice B is incorrect because including names of staff involved is crucial for accountability and follow-up. Choice C is incorrect as incident reports are meant for improving processes, not for punitive measures.
A patient gets out of bed following hip surgery and falls and re-injures her hip. The nurse caring for her knows that it is her duty to make sure an incident report is filed. Which of the following statements accurately describes the correct procedure for filing an incident report?
A. The physician in charge should fill out the report.
B. The names of the staff involved should not be included.
C. The reports are used for disciplinary action against the staff.
D. The report should contain all the variables related to the incident.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D because incident reports should contain all the variables related to the incident for accurate documentation and analysis. Step 1: Documenting all details ensures transparency and provides a complete picture. Step 2: Including variables like date, time, location, individuals involved, and details of the incident helps in understanding the cause and implementing preventive measures. Step 3: Omitting critical information may hinder the investigation and resolution process. Therefore, choice D is correct. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect as incident reports are typically filled out by the person directly involved in the incident. Choice B is incorrect because including names of staff involved is crucial for accountability and follow-up. Choice C is incorrect as incident reports are meant for improving processes, not for punitive measures.
A 62-year-old woman has been followed by you for 3 years and has had recent onset of hypertension. She is still not at goal despite three antihypertensive medicines, and you strongly doubt nonadherence. Her father died of a heart attack at age 58. Today her pressure is 168/94 and pressure on the other arm is similar. What would you do next?
A. Add a fourth medicine
B. Refer to nephrology
C. Get a CT scan
D. Listen closely to her abdomen
Correct answer:
At this point, it is important to consider secondary causes for this woman's hypertension because of its severity, rapidity of progression, and lack of response to therapy. While you will most likely add a fourth medicine, it is important to carefully examine the abdomen for the presence of renal artery bruits. These are usually heard best in the upper quadrants. It may be necessary to have the patient hold her breath, to have a very quiet room, and to listen with the diaphragm for a very soft, high-pitched sound with systole. It may also help to simultaneously feel the patient's pulse (a bruit with both a systolic and diastolic component is very specific for a significant blockage, while a lone systolic bruit may not be abnormal). Obtaining a CT scan is not likely to be useful, and you may save the delay, expense, and inconvenience of a nephrology referral if you can hear a bruit.
A 62-year-old woman has been followed by you for 3 years and has had recent onset of hypertension. She is still not at goal despite three antihypertensive medicines, and you strongly doubt nonadherence. Her father died of a heart attack at age 58. Today her pressure is 168/94 and pressure on the other arm is similar. What would you do next?
A. Add a fourth medicine
B. Refer to nephrology
C. Get a CT scan
D. Listen closely to her abdomen
Correct answer:
At this point, it is important to consider secondary causes for this woman's hypertension because of its severity, rapidity of progression, and lack of response to therapy. While you will most likely add a fourth medicine, it is important to carefully examine the abdomen for the presence of renal artery bruits. These are usually heard best in the upper quadrants. It may be necessary to have the patient hold her breath, to have a very quiet room, and to listen with the diaphragm for a very soft, high-pitched sound with systole. It may also help to simultaneously feel the patient's pulse (a bruit with both a systolic and diastolic component is very specific for a significant blockage, while a lone systolic bruit may not be abnormal). Obtaining a CT scan is not likely to be useful, and you may save the delay, expense, and inconvenience of a nephrology referral if you can hear a bruit.
The rectal temperature, a core temperature, is considered to be one of the most accurate routes. In which cases would taking a rectal temperature be contraindicated?
A. A newborn who has hypothermia
B. A child who has pneumonia
C. An older adult who is post MI (heart attack)
D. A teenager who has leukemia
Correct answer:
Rectal temperature measurement is contraindicated in specific cases due to risks. For a newborn with hypothermia , its avoided due to fragile rectal tissue and potential perforation risk. A child with pneumonia has no specific rectal contraindication unless diarrhea is present, which isnt mentioned. An older adult post-myocardial infarction is at risk because thermometer insertion can stimulate the vagus nerve, slowing the heart rate, which is dangerous post-MI. A teenager with leukemia may have neutropenia, making rectal measurement risky due to infection potential from low white blood cell counts. Choice C is highlighted as correct in the context, supported by the vagus nerve risk. Other contraindications like rectal surgery or low platelets also apply but align with Cs cardiac focus here. This reflects nursing judgment in prioritizing patient safety based on physiological risks.
RN exams fundamentals practice questions, set 30 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the RN exams exam guide.
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.
