CHAPTER 1 - CARING FOR MEDICAL-
SURGICAL PATIENTS EXAM
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
PASSED 100%
Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of the state nurse practice act
(NPA)?
a. To test and license LPN/LVNs
b. To define the scope of LPN/LVN practice.
c. To improve the quality of care provided by the LPN/LVN.
d. To limit the LPN/LVN employment placement.
ANS: B - To define the scope of LPN/LVN practice.
While improving quality of care provided by the LPN/LVN may be a result of the NPA, the
primary purpose of the NPA of each state defines the scope of nursing practice in that state.
The charge nurse asks the new vocational nurse to start an intravenous infusion, a skill that the
vocational nurse has not been taught during her educational program. How should the
vocational nurse respond?
a. Ask a more experienced nurse to demonstrate the procedure.
b. Look up the procedure in the procedure manual.
c. Attempt to perform the procedure with supervision.
d. Inform the charge nurse of her lack of training in this procedure.
ANS: D - Inform the charge nurse of her lack of training in this procedure.
The charge nurse should be informed of the lack of training to perform the procedure, and the
, vocational nurse should seek further training to gain proficiency. Although the other options
might be helpful, they are not safe.
Which patient statement indicates a need for further discharge teaching that the vocational
nurse should address?
a. "I have no idea of how this drug will affect me."
b. "Do you know if my physician is coming back today?"
c. "Will my insurance pay for my stay?"
d. "Am I going to have to go to a nursing home?"
ANS: A - "I have no idea of how this drug will affect me."
Lack of knowledge at discharge about medication effects and side effects is a concern that
should be addressed by the vocational nurse. The other concerns in the options are the
responsibility of other departments to which the nurse might refer the patient.
According to most state NPAs, the vocational nurse acting as charge nurse in a long-term care
facility acts in which capacity?
a. Working under direct supervision of an RN on the unit
b. Working with the RN in the building
c. Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
d. Working as an independent vocational nurse
ANS: C - Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
The vocational nurse in the capacity of the charge nurse in a long-term care facility acts with the
general supervision of an RN available on site or by phone.
The nurse is educating a patient that is a member of a health maintenance organization (HMO).
Which information should the nurse include?
a. Seek the opinion of an alternate health care provider.
SURGICAL PATIENTS EXAM
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
PASSED 100%
Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of the state nurse practice act
(NPA)?
a. To test and license LPN/LVNs
b. To define the scope of LPN/LVN practice.
c. To improve the quality of care provided by the LPN/LVN.
d. To limit the LPN/LVN employment placement.
ANS: B - To define the scope of LPN/LVN practice.
While improving quality of care provided by the LPN/LVN may be a result of the NPA, the
primary purpose of the NPA of each state defines the scope of nursing practice in that state.
The charge nurse asks the new vocational nurse to start an intravenous infusion, a skill that the
vocational nurse has not been taught during her educational program. How should the
vocational nurse respond?
a. Ask a more experienced nurse to demonstrate the procedure.
b. Look up the procedure in the procedure manual.
c. Attempt to perform the procedure with supervision.
d. Inform the charge nurse of her lack of training in this procedure.
ANS: D - Inform the charge nurse of her lack of training in this procedure.
The charge nurse should be informed of the lack of training to perform the procedure, and the
, vocational nurse should seek further training to gain proficiency. Although the other options
might be helpful, they are not safe.
Which patient statement indicates a need for further discharge teaching that the vocational
nurse should address?
a. "I have no idea of how this drug will affect me."
b. "Do you know if my physician is coming back today?"
c. "Will my insurance pay for my stay?"
d. "Am I going to have to go to a nursing home?"
ANS: A - "I have no idea of how this drug will affect me."
Lack of knowledge at discharge about medication effects and side effects is a concern that
should be addressed by the vocational nurse. The other concerns in the options are the
responsibility of other departments to which the nurse might refer the patient.
According to most state NPAs, the vocational nurse acting as charge nurse in a long-term care
facility acts in which capacity?
a. Working under direct supervision of an RN on the unit
b. Working with the RN in the building
c. Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
d. Working as an independent vocational nurse
ANS: C - Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
The vocational nurse in the capacity of the charge nurse in a long-term care facility acts with the
general supervision of an RN available on site or by phone.
The nurse is educating a patient that is a member of a health maintenance organization (HMO).
Which information should the nurse include?
a. Seek the opinion of an alternate health care provider.
