ANSWERS/NEWEST UPDATE 2026!!!
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client prior to administering a new prescription for
an antidepressant. Which of the following herbal supplements, if listed in the client's history,
requires the nurse to intervene?
A) Ginkgo biloba
B) Echinacea
C) St. John's wort
D) Ginger
E) Garlic
Correct Answer: C) St. John's wort
Rationale: St. John's wort is known to interact with many medications, particularly
antidepressants (SSRIs), potentially leading to serotonin syndrome. The nurse must
instruct the client to refrain from taking this supplement while on certain pharmacological
therapies.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing an in-service about the characteristics of acute pain. Which of the following
information should the nurse include?
A) It lasts longer than 6 months.
B) it is always accompanied by depression.
C) It is part of the body's attempt to protect itself.
D) It does not trigger a sympathetic nervous system response.
E) It is rarely associated with a specific injury.
Correct Answer: C) It is part of the body's attempt to protect itself.
Rationale: Acute pain is physiological and serves as a warning signal. It triggers the "fight
or flight" response to alert the body to actual or potential tissue damage, facilitating a
protective response.
Question 3
Which of the following notations is the most appropriate way for a nurse to document objective
data in a client’s medical record?
A) "Client seems happy today."
B) "Client was uncooperative during the bath."
C) "Client reports no pain while ambulating in the hallway."
D) "Client is likely ready for discharge."
E) "Client had a good night's sleep."
Correct Answer: C) Client reports no pain while ambulating in the hallway.
Rationale: Documentation should be factual, consistent, and objective. Reporting exactly
what the client states regarding their status (even if it is a lack of symptoms) provides clear
evidence of the client's progress or condition.
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Question 4
A charge nurse is teaching a group of new nurses about the National Patient Safety Goals
(NPSGs). Which of the following is a specific objective of these goals?
A) Ensure all private rooms are carpeted.
B) Decrease error related to invasive procedures.
C) Increase the speed of discharge processing.
D) Mandate that all clients receive daily vitamins.
E) Reduce the number of nurses on a shift to save costs.
Correct Answer: B) Decrease error related to invasive procedures.
Rationale: One of the core NPSGs is to prevent "wrong-site, wrong-procedure, wrong-
person" surgery. Standardized procedures, such as a "time-out" before invasive
procedures, are mandated to meet this safety objective.
Question 5
A client with a history of depressive disorder states, "It feels pointless to get up in the morning."
Which of the following is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A) "Why do you feel that way?"
B) "You shouldn't say that; you have so much to live for."
C) "It sounds as if life seems meaningless to you now."
D) "I will call the doctor to increase your medication."
E) "Many people feel like that when it’s raining outside."
Correct Answer: C) "It sounds as if life seems meaningless to you now."
Rationale: This is a reflective statement that uses the therapeutic technique of
paraphrasing/restating. it validates the client's feelings without judgment and encourages
further expression of their emotional state.
Question 6
A nurse is measuring 4 mL of a liquid oral medication from a multi-dose bottle. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take to ensure safe administration?
A) Pour the excess medication back into the bottle if too much is poured.
B) Use a teaspoon from the cafeteria to measure the dose.
C) Label the medication after measuring the dosage.
D) Keep the bottle cap face-down on the counter.
E) Measure the medication at the level of the highest point of the fluid.
Correct Answer: C) Labeled the medication after measuring the dosage.
Rationale: When preparing medications away from the bedside or from a multi-dose
container, the nurse must label the syringe or cup to prevent medication errors. The nurse
should also measure at the meniscus and never return unused medication to the original
bottle.
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Question 7
A nurse is teaching parents about recognizing substance use disorder in adolescents. Which of
the following behaviors is a possible warning sign?
A) Participating in organized sports
B) Wearing dark glasses indoors
C) Asking for an increase in their allowance
D) Sleeping 8 hours a night
E) Improving grades in school
Correct Answer: B) Wearing dark glasses indoors
Rationale: Adolescents may wear sunglasses indoors to hide dilated or constricted pupils, or
bloodshot eyes, which are common physical manifestations of various types of drug use.
Question 8
A community health nurse is explaining why older adults are at a higher risk for constipation.
Which age-related change should the nurse include?
A) Increased intestinal motility
B) Excessive fiber intake
C) Delayed gastric emptying
D) Increased sense of thirst
E) Overactive abdominal muscles
Correct Answer: C) Delayed gastric emptying.
Rationale: As people age, the digestive system slows down. Delayed gastric emptying and
decreased peristalsis lead to slower movement of waste through the colon, increasing the
risk for constipation.
Question 9
When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the primary responsibility of
the nurse?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery.
B) Describing alternative treatments available.
C) Verify that the client voluntarily gave consent for the procedure.
D) Performing the surgery if the doctor is late.
E) Guaranteeing a successful outcome.
Correct Answer: C) Verify that the client voluntarily gave consent for the procedure
Rationale: The provider is responsible for explaining the procedure. The nurse's role is to
witness the signature and verify that the client is competent, informed, and providing
consent without coercion.
Question 10
A nurse is providing a handoff report. Which of the following information is the highest priority
to include?
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A) The client’s favorite type of juice.
B) The client is scheduled for a chest x-ray on the next shift.
C) The client’s roommate is very quiet.
D) The brand of the client's television at home.
E) The weather outside during the day shift.
Correct Answer: B) The client is scheduled for a chest x-ray on the next shift.
Rationale: Handoff reports must include "high-stakes" information, such as pending
diagnostic tests, changes in condition, or upcoming treatments, to ensure continuity of care
and safety.
Question 11
Which action by the nurse is a direct example of compliance with the Patient Self-Determination
Act (PSDA)?
A) Forcing a client to take a medication they refused.
B) Keeping a client's diagnosis secret from them.
C) Informing clients they can decline any treatment the provider prescribes.
D) Deciding for the client which nursing home they will go to.
E) Refusing to provide a client with their own medical records.
Correct Answer: C) Informing clients they can decline any treatment the provider
prescribes.
Rationale: The PSDA requires healthcare facilities to inform patients of their right to make
decisions regarding their care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical
treatment.
Question 12
When planning a class on preventing needle-stick injuries, which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
A) Always recap needles using two hands.
B) Recap needles using the one-handed "scoop" method if a sharps container is not immediate.
C) Dispose of needles in the regular trash can.
D) Bend needles before disposal to ensure they aren't reused.
E) Carry used needles in your pocket until you find a bin.
Correct Answer: B) Recap needles using the one-handed it's good method.
Rationale: Standard precautions dictate that needles should ideally never be recapped.
However, if recapping is absolutely necessary, the one-handed "scoop" technique is the
only safe method to prevent accidental puncture.
Question 13
A client has a rash on their hands with well-defined margins in the erythematous area after
gardening. The nurse should identify this as a manifestation of:
A) Systemic Lupus