Page | 1
CHAPTER 72: EMERGENCY NURSING
(SUDDARTH) 2026 REAL QUESTIONS
WITH EXPERTLY VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Which patient should the nurse prioritize as needing emergent
treatment, assuming no other injuries are present except the ones
outlined below?
A) A patient with a blunt chest trauma with some difficulty
breathing
B) A patient with a sore neck who was immobilized in the field on
a backboard with a cervical collar
C) A patient with a possible fractured tibia with adequate pedal
pulses
D) A patient with an acute onset of confusion - correct answer -
Ans: A
Feedback: The patient with blunt chest trauma possibly has a
compromised airway. Establishment and maintenance of a patent
airway and adequate ventilation is prioritized over other health
problems, including skeletal injuries and changes in cognition.
2. The nurse observes that the family members of a patient who
was injured in an accident are blaming each other for the
circumstances leading up to the accident. The nurse appropriately
lets the family members express their feelings of responsibility,
while explaining that there was probably little they could do to
, Page | 2
prevent the injury. In what stage of crisis is this family? A) Anxiety
and denial B) Remorse and guilt C) Anger D) Grief - correct
answer -: B Feedback: Remorse and guilt are natural processes
of the stages of a crisis and should be facilitated for the family
members to process the crisis. The familys sense of blame and
responsibility are more suggestive of guilt than anger, grief, or
anxiety.
3. A patient is brought to the ED by ambulance with a gunshot
wound to the abdomen. The nurse knows that the most common
hollow organ injured in this type of injury is what?
A) Liver
B) Small bowel
C) Stomach
D) Large bowel - correct answer -ans: B Feedback: Penetrating
abdominal wounds have a high incidence of injury to hollow
organs, especially the small bowel. The liver is also injured
frequently, but it is a solid organ.
4. A patient has been brought to the ED with multiple trauma after
a motor vehicle accident. After immediate threats to life have
been addressed, the nurse and trauma team should take what
action?
A) Perform a rapid physical assessment.
B) Initiate health education.
, Page | 3
C) Perform diagnostic imaging.
D) Establish the circumstances of the accident. - correct answer -
ans: A Feedback: Once immediate threats to life have been
corrected, a rapid physical examination is done to identify injuries
and priorities of treatment. Health education is initiated later in the
care process and diagnostic imaging would take place after a
rapid physical assessment. It is not the care teams responsibility
to determine the circumstances of the accident.
5. The nursing educator is reviewing the signs and symptoms of
heat stroke with a group of nurses who provide care in a desert
region. The educator should describe what sign or symptom? A)
Hypertension with a wide pulse pressure B) Anhidrosis C)
Copious diuresis - 1351 D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations - correct
answer -: B Feedback: Heat stroke is manifested by anhidrosis
confusion, bizarre behavior, coma, elevated body temperature,
hot dry skin, tachypnea, hypotension, and tachycardia. This
health problem is not associated with anhidrosis or Cheyne-
Stokes respirations.
6. A patient is brought to the ED by ambulance after swallowing
highly acidic toilet bowl cleaner 2 hours earlier. The patient is alert
and oriented. What is the care teams most appropriate treatment?
A) Administering syrup of ipecac
B) Performing a gastric lavage
C) Giving milk to drink
CHAPTER 72: EMERGENCY NURSING
(SUDDARTH) 2026 REAL QUESTIONS
WITH EXPERTLY VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Which patient should the nurse prioritize as needing emergent
treatment, assuming no other injuries are present except the ones
outlined below?
A) A patient with a blunt chest trauma with some difficulty
breathing
B) A patient with a sore neck who was immobilized in the field on
a backboard with a cervical collar
C) A patient with a possible fractured tibia with adequate pedal
pulses
D) A patient with an acute onset of confusion - correct answer -
Ans: A
Feedback: The patient with blunt chest trauma possibly has a
compromised airway. Establishment and maintenance of a patent
airway and adequate ventilation is prioritized over other health
problems, including skeletal injuries and changes in cognition.
2. The nurse observes that the family members of a patient who
was injured in an accident are blaming each other for the
circumstances leading up to the accident. The nurse appropriately
lets the family members express their feelings of responsibility,
while explaining that there was probably little they could do to
, Page | 2
prevent the injury. In what stage of crisis is this family? A) Anxiety
and denial B) Remorse and guilt C) Anger D) Grief - correct
answer -: B Feedback: Remorse and guilt are natural processes
of the stages of a crisis and should be facilitated for the family
members to process the crisis. The familys sense of blame and
responsibility are more suggestive of guilt than anger, grief, or
anxiety.
3. A patient is brought to the ED by ambulance with a gunshot
wound to the abdomen. The nurse knows that the most common
hollow organ injured in this type of injury is what?
A) Liver
B) Small bowel
C) Stomach
D) Large bowel - correct answer -ans: B Feedback: Penetrating
abdominal wounds have a high incidence of injury to hollow
organs, especially the small bowel. The liver is also injured
frequently, but it is a solid organ.
4. A patient has been brought to the ED with multiple trauma after
a motor vehicle accident. After immediate threats to life have
been addressed, the nurse and trauma team should take what
action?
A) Perform a rapid physical assessment.
B) Initiate health education.
, Page | 3
C) Perform diagnostic imaging.
D) Establish the circumstances of the accident. - correct answer -
ans: A Feedback: Once immediate threats to life have been
corrected, a rapid physical examination is done to identify injuries
and priorities of treatment. Health education is initiated later in the
care process and diagnostic imaging would take place after a
rapid physical assessment. It is not the care teams responsibility
to determine the circumstances of the accident.
5. The nursing educator is reviewing the signs and symptoms of
heat stroke with a group of nurses who provide care in a desert
region. The educator should describe what sign or symptom? A)
Hypertension with a wide pulse pressure B) Anhidrosis C)
Copious diuresis - 1351 D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations - correct
answer -: B Feedback: Heat stroke is manifested by anhidrosis
confusion, bizarre behavior, coma, elevated body temperature,
hot dry skin, tachypnea, hypotension, and tachycardia. This
health problem is not associated with anhidrosis or Cheyne-
Stokes respirations.
6. A patient is brought to the ED by ambulance after swallowing
highly acidic toilet bowl cleaner 2 hours earlier. The patient is alert
and oriented. What is the care teams most appropriate treatment?
A) Administering syrup of ipecac
B) Performing a gastric lavage
C) Giving milk to drink
