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RN exams fundamentals practice questions, set 42

RN exams · fundamentals

RN exams fundamentals practice questions set 42

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

A nurse is preparing a bag of chemotherapy agent for one of the patients. The nurse accidentally pierces a hole through the bag while attempting to spike it. A moderate amount of chemotherapy spills onto the ground. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

  1. A. Cordon off the area and notify housekeeping/facilities of the spill.
  2. B. Call the pharmacy to have the chemotherapy redosed.
  3. C. Continue to prime chemotherapy tubing.
  4. D. Clean up the spill with wet paper towels.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Cordon off the area and notify housekeeping/facilities of the spill.

The correct answer is A: Cordon off the area and notify housekeeping/facilities of the spill. This is the first action the nurse should take to ensure the safety of everyone in the area. By cordoning off the area, the nurse prevents others from being exposed to the spilled chemotherapy, which can be harmful. Notifying housekeeping/facilities is crucial as they are trained to handle hazardous spills properly. Calling the pharmacy to redose the chemotherapy (B) is not the priority at this moment as safety measures should be taken first. Continuing to prime chemotherapy tubing (C) or cleaning up the spill with wet paper towels (D) can potentially expose the nurse to the hazardous substance and should not be done before ensuring proper safety measures are in place.

Question 2

The direction of blood flow through the heart is best described by which of these?

  1. A. Vena cava → right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → pulmonary artery → left atrium → left ventricle
  2. B. Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary vein → left atrium → left ventricle
  3. C. Aorta → right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → pulmonary vein → left atrium → left ventricle → vena cava
  4. D. Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary vein → lungs → pulmonary artery → left atrium → left ventricle
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary vein → left atrium → left ventricle

The correct answer is B because it accurately describes the path of blood flow through the heart. Blood enters the right atrium from the vena cava, then goes to the right ventricle, gets pumped to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, returns to the heart from the lungs via the pulmonary vein, enters the left atrium, and finally flows to the left ventricle for systemic circulation. The other choices have inaccuracies in the sequence of chambers and blood vessels through which the blood flows, making them incorrect. Choice A has the pulmonary artery leading to the left atrium, which is incorrect. Choice C has the aorta before entering the right atrium, which is also incorrect. Choice D has the pulmonary vein leading to the pulmonary artery, which is incorrect.

Question 3

The infection control nurse is reviewing data for the medical-surgical unit. The nurse notices an increase in postoperative infections from Aspergillus. Which type of health care–associated infection will the nurse report?

  1. A. Vector
  2. B. Exogenous
  3. C. Endogenous
  4. D. Suprainfection
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Exogenous

The correct answer is B: Exogenous. Aspergillus is a fungus commonly found in the environment, making it an exogenous source of infection. Postoperative infections caused by Aspergillus are considered healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) because the source is external to the patient. The infection is acquired from the environment during the surgical procedure. A: Vector refers to an organism that transmits infections from one host to another, which is not the case with Aspergillus infections. C: Endogenous infections arise from the patient's own flora, not from an external source like Aspergillus. D: Suprainfection occurs when a new infection arises on top of an existing infection, which is not directly related to Aspergillus postoperative infections.

Question 4

The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which goal is a priority for assessing the patient before surgery?

  1. A. Plan for care after the procedure.
  2. B. Establish a patient's baseline of normal function.
  3. C. Educate the patient and family about the procedure.
  4. D. Gather appropriate equipment for the patient's needs.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Establish a patient's baseline of normal function.

The correct answer is B: Establish a patient's baseline of normal function. Before surgery, assessing the patient's baseline helps identify any deviations from normal, enabling early detection of potential complications. It provides crucial information for planning perioperative care and interventions. Choice A (Plan for care after the procedure) is important but not the priority. Assessing the patient's baseline comes first to ensure a smooth surgical process. Choice C (Educate the patient and family about the procedure) is essential, but assessing the baseline takes precedence to ensure patient safety. Choice D (Gather appropriate equipment for the patient's needs) is necessary but is a task that usually follows the assessment of the patient's baseline.

Question 5

Alternate communication methods for a resident with an artificial airway include

  1. A. Playing charades
  2. B. Shouting at the resident
  3. C. Asking the resident's family what they think he wants
  4. D. Using communication boards
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Using communication boards

The correct answer is D: Using communication boards. This method is appropriate as it allows the resident to visually communicate by pointing to or indicating words or symbols on the board. It ensures clear and accurate communication, especially for individuals with artificial airways who may have difficulty speaking. A: Playing charades may not be effective for residents with artificial airways as it relies on physical gestures and may not always be clear or understood. B: Shouting at the resident is not appropriate and can be distressing for them. It does not consider the resident's comfort or dignity. C: Asking the resident's family what they think he wants may not always be reliable and may not accurately reflect the resident's own preferences and needs.

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Question 6

The nurse is caring for a client with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which should the nurse identify as a priority intervention for this client?

  1. A. Frequent ambulation
  2. B. Maintenance of skin integrity
  3. C. Preparation for radiograph procedures
  4. D. Restricting fluids
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

What does the anterior drawer test assess in the ankle?

  1. A. Integrity of calcaneofibular ligament
  2. B. Integrity of anterior talofibular ligament
  3. C. Integrity of posterior talofibular ligament
  4. D. Integrity of deltoid ligament
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Question 8

A 50-year-old body builder is upset by a letter of denial from his life insurance company. He is very lean but has gained 2 pounds over the past 6 months. You personally performed his health assessment and found no problems whatsoever. He says he is classified as "high risk" because of obesity. What should you do next?

  1. A. Explain that even small amounts of weight gain can classify you as obese.
  2. B. Place him on a high-protein, low-fat diet.
  3. C. Advise him to increase his aerobic exercise for calorie burning.
  4. D. Measure his waist.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 9

Which of the following is a sign of approaching death?

  1. A. Low blood pressure
  2. B. Sharper vision
  3. C. Warm
  4. D. dry skin
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Question 10

Which of the following assessment findings is most concerning in a patient with a head injury?

  1. A. Reactive pupils.
  2. B. Decreased level of consciousness.
  3. C. Mild headache.
  4. D. Nausea and vomiting.
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Question 11

Who is best equipped to help a nursing assistant communicate with a resident who speaks a different language than the nursing assistant does?

  1. A. A language arts teacher
  2. B. An interpreter
  3. C. A spiritual advisor
  4. D. The nursing assistant's close friend
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Question 12

A nurse prepares a patient with pleural effusion for thoracentesis. What is the appropriate position for the procedure?

  1. A. Supine with the head of the bed flat.
  2. B. Sitting upright and leaning over a bedside table.
  3. C. Prone with arms extended forward.
  4. D. Lying on the unaffected side.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 13

The nurse is monitoring a patient in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for postoperative fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which action will be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

  1. A. Encourage copious amounts of water.
  2. B. Start an additional intravenous (IV) line.
  3. C. Measure and record all intake and output.
  4. D. Weigh the patient and compare with preoperative weight.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 14

“Impaired skin integrity related to excess friction evidenced by redness.” The diagnostic focus in this nursing diagnosis is:

  1. A. Impaired
  2. B. Skin integrity
  3. C. Excess friction
  4. D. Redness
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

What does the anterior drawer test assess in the ankle?

  1. A. Integrity of calcaneofibular ligament
  2. B. Integrity of anterior talofibular ligament
  3. C. Integrity of posterior talofibular ligament
  4. D. Integrity of deltoid ligament
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

About these RN exams fundamentals questions

RN exams fundamentals practice questions, set 42 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.

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