LPN Midterm: Fundamentals and A&P I (Weeks 4-5) 2026/2027
UPDATED
1. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and uses a cuff that is too
narrow for the patient’s arm circumference. What result should the nurse
expect?
A. A falsely low reading
B. Inability to detect the diastolic pressure
C. An accurate reading as long as the bladder is centered
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow typically results in a
falsely high reading because the cuff must be inflated to a higher pressure to compress the
artery.
2. Which of the following is considered a subjective finding during a physical
assessment?
A. Patient reporting a ‘throbbing’ headache
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Presence of a 2cm lesion on the right arm
D. Oxygen saturation of 94% on room air
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data are information from the patient’s point of view (symptoms),
such as pain or feelings, which cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
,3. Which layer of the skin is primarily responsible for providing structural
strength and contains collagen and elastic fibers?
A. Epidermis
B. Stratum corneum
C. Hypodermis
D. Dermis
Answer: D
Rationale: The dermis is the ‘true skin’ containing connective tissue, collagen, elastic
fibers, nerves, and blood vessels, providing strength and elasticity.
4. A patient has been diagnosed with a Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) infection.
Which infection control measure is mandatory for the nurse?
A. Wearing an N95 respirator
B. Performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based rub only
C. Washing hands with soap and water after patient contact
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative air pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required for C-diff because alcohol-based sanitizers are
ineffective against the spores produced by the bacteria.
5. During muscle contraction, which ion is released from the sarcoplasmic
reticulum to bind with troponin?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium ions bind to troponin, which then shifts tropomyosin away from the
actin binding sites, allowing muscle contraction to occur.
, 6. Which type of bone cell is responsible for the resorption or breakdown of
bone tissue?
A. Osteoblast
B. Osteoclast
C. Osteocyte
D. Osteoprogenitor cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Osteoclasts are large cells that dissolve the bone matrix to release minerals into
the blood, a process called resorption.
7. The nurse is documenting in a patient’s electronic health record. Which entry
is the most objective?
A. Patient seems very angry today
B. Patient ate a good amount of lunch
C. Patient is complaining too much about the noise
D. Laceration on left thumb is 3 cm long with well-approximated edges
Answer: D
Rationale: Objective documentation uses measurable, observable facts rather than
interpretations or vague descriptions like ‘angry’ or ‘good’.
8. What is the primary function of the epidermis?
A. Fat storage and insulation
B. Anchoring the skin to underlying muscle
C. Providing a waterproof barrier and protecting against pathogens
D. Producing red blood cells
Answer: C
Rationale: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that serves as a protective
shield against the environment and prevents water loss.
UPDATED
1. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and uses a cuff that is too
narrow for the patient’s arm circumference. What result should the nurse
expect?
A. A falsely low reading
B. Inability to detect the diastolic pressure
C. An accurate reading as long as the bladder is centered
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or narrow typically results in a
falsely high reading because the cuff must be inflated to a higher pressure to compress the
artery.
2. Which of the following is considered a subjective finding during a physical
assessment?
A. Patient reporting a ‘throbbing’ headache
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Presence of a 2cm lesion on the right arm
D. Oxygen saturation of 94% on room air
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data are information from the patient’s point of view (symptoms),
such as pain or feelings, which cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
,3. Which layer of the skin is primarily responsible for providing structural
strength and contains collagen and elastic fibers?
A. Epidermis
B. Stratum corneum
C. Hypodermis
D. Dermis
Answer: D
Rationale: The dermis is the ‘true skin’ containing connective tissue, collagen, elastic
fibers, nerves, and blood vessels, providing strength and elasticity.
4. A patient has been diagnosed with a Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) infection.
Which infection control measure is mandatory for the nurse?
A. Wearing an N95 respirator
B. Performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based rub only
C. Washing hands with soap and water after patient contact
D. Placing the patient in a room with negative air pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required for C-diff because alcohol-based sanitizers are
ineffective against the spores produced by the bacteria.
5. During muscle contraction, which ion is released from the sarcoplasmic
reticulum to bind with troponin?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium ions bind to troponin, which then shifts tropomyosin away from the
actin binding sites, allowing muscle contraction to occur.
, 6. Which type of bone cell is responsible for the resorption or breakdown of
bone tissue?
A. Osteoblast
B. Osteoclast
C. Osteocyte
D. Osteoprogenitor cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Osteoclasts are large cells that dissolve the bone matrix to release minerals into
the blood, a process called resorption.
7. The nurse is documenting in a patient’s electronic health record. Which entry
is the most objective?
A. Patient seems very angry today
B. Patient ate a good amount of lunch
C. Patient is complaining too much about the noise
D. Laceration on left thumb is 3 cm long with well-approximated edges
Answer: D
Rationale: Objective documentation uses measurable, observable facts rather than
interpretations or vague descriptions like ‘angry’ or ‘good’.
8. What is the primary function of the epidermis?
A. Fat storage and insulation
B. Anchoring the skin to underlying muscle
C. Providing a waterproof barrier and protecting against pathogens
D. Producing red blood cells
Answer: C
Rationale: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that serves as a protective
shield against the environment and prevents water loss.
