CJE Benchmark Exam 1: Patient Care Fundamentals Practice
Exam 2026–2027 | Complete Study Guide | Verified Questions &
Answers
Prepare for the CJE Benchmark Exam 1: Patient Care Fundamentals with this comprehensive
practice test featuring verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide
covers essential topics including patient safety, infection prevention, vital signs, mobility and
positioning, communication techniques, documentation, basic nursing skills, ethical
considerations, and quality patient care principles. Designed to reinforce foundational healthcare
concepts and improve exam readiness, the material reflects the key competencies commonly
assessed on patient care fundamentals examinations. Ideal for nursing, allied health, and
healthcare students seeking a reliable resource to strengthen their knowledge and achieve success
on exam day.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to bathe a patient who is on bed rest. Which action is most
important to prevent heat loss during the bath?
A) Use cool water to refresh the patient
B) Cover the patient with a bath blanket, exposing only the area being washed
C) Complete the bath as quickly as possible
D) Leave the patient uncovered to dry thoroughly
Rationale: Covering the patient with a bath blanket and exposing only the area being
washed minimizes heat loss through convection and evaporation. Cool water (A) increases
heat loss. Speed (C) is not as effective as maintaining coverage. Leaving the patient
uncovered (D) promotes heat loss and discomfort.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse notes
that the drainage bag is lying on the floor. Which action should the nurse take
immediately?
A) Empty the drainage bag
B) Pick up the drainage bag and hang it below the level of the patient’s bladder
C) Raise the head of the bed
D) Notify the healthcare provider
,Rationale: The drainage bag must be kept below the level of the bladder to prevent
backflow of urine into the bladder, which can cause infection. The bag should never rest
on the floor. The priority is to correct the improper placement, then assess further if
needed.
Question 3
A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which action is most important
to prevent aspiration?
A) Use a toothbrush with firm bristles
B) Position the patient on their side (lateral position)
C) Apply petroleum jelly to the lips
D) Use a foam swab soaked in mouthwash
Rationale: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position allows fluids to drain out of the
mouth by gravity, reducing aspiration risk. Firm bristles (A) may cause gum trauma.
Petroleum jelly (C) is for lip care but does not prevent aspiration. Foam swabs (D) are
acceptable but do not replace proper positioning.
Question 4
A patient reports having difficulty voiding after surgery. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to promote urination?
A) Restrict fluids until the patient can void
B) Run water in the sink to provide auditory stimulation
C) Insert a urinary catheter immediately
D) Apply a cold compress to the lower abdomen
Rationale: Auditory stimulation (running water) can trigger the urge to void. Fluid
restriction (A) is counterproductive. Catheterization (C) increases infection risk and is not
first-line. Cold compress (D) may cause discomfort and is not effective.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient’s vital signs. The patient has a temperature of 38.9°C
(102.0°F). Which term accurately describes this finding?
A) Hypothermia
B) Pyrexia (fever)
C) Afebrile
D) Hyperthermia
Rationale: Pyrexia is an elevated body temperature above the normal range (typically
>38°C or 100.4°F). Hypothermia (A) is low temperature. Afebrile (C) means without fever.
Hyperthermia (D) is often used for heat-related illnesses but pyrexia is the standard term
for fever.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to an adult patient. Which position
is most appropriate for this procedure?
A) Supine with head elevated
B) Left lateral (Sims‘ position)
C) Prone
D) High-Fowler’s
Rationale: Left lateral (Sims’) position with the right knee flexed allows the enema solution
to flow by gravity into the sigmoid colon and is the most comfortable and effective
position for an enema. Supine (A) and prone (C) are not recommended. High-Fowler’s (D)
would not allow proper flow.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a patient about using a cane. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
, A) Hold the cane on the weak side
B) Move the cane forward at the same time as the weaker leg
C) Keep the cane 18 inches to the side of the body
D) Use the cane only when climbing stairs
Rationale: The cane is held on the strong side and moves with the weak leg (cane and
weak leg together, then strong leg). The cane should be kept close to the body. It should be
used for all ambulation, not only stairs.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to continuous
suction. Which finding requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Greenish drainage of 200 mL in 4 hours
B) Sudden onset of abdominal distention and absence of drainage
C) Mild nausea
D) Patient request to remove the tube
Rationale: Sudden abdominal distention with no drainage indicates possible tube
obstruction or displacement, which can lead to complications. Greenish drainage (A) is
normal gastric contents. Mild nausea (C) is common. Patient request (D) should be
assessed but is not an emergency.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient’s blood pressure. The patient just finished
walking down the hall. How long should the nurse wait before taking the measurement?
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 30 minutes
Exam 2026–2027 | Complete Study Guide | Verified Questions &
Answers
Prepare for the CJE Benchmark Exam 1: Patient Care Fundamentals with this comprehensive
practice test featuring verified questions, answers, and detailed explanations. This study guide
covers essential topics including patient safety, infection prevention, vital signs, mobility and
positioning, communication techniques, documentation, basic nursing skills, ethical
considerations, and quality patient care principles. Designed to reinforce foundational healthcare
concepts and improve exam readiness, the material reflects the key competencies commonly
assessed on patient care fundamentals examinations. Ideal for nursing, allied health, and
healthcare students seeking a reliable resource to strengthen their knowledge and achieve success
on exam day.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to bathe a patient who is on bed rest. Which action is most
important to prevent heat loss during the bath?
A) Use cool water to refresh the patient
B) Cover the patient with a bath blanket, exposing only the area being washed
C) Complete the bath as quickly as possible
D) Leave the patient uncovered to dry thoroughly
Rationale: Covering the patient with a bath blanket and exposing only the area being
washed minimizes heat loss through convection and evaporation. Cool water (A) increases
heat loss. Speed (C) is not as effective as maintaining coverage. Leaving the patient
uncovered (D) promotes heat loss and discomfort.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse notes
that the drainage bag is lying on the floor. Which action should the nurse take
immediately?
A) Empty the drainage bag
B) Pick up the drainage bag and hang it below the level of the patient’s bladder
C) Raise the head of the bed
D) Notify the healthcare provider
,Rationale: The drainage bag must be kept below the level of the bladder to prevent
backflow of urine into the bladder, which can cause infection. The bag should never rest
on the floor. The priority is to correct the improper placement, then assess further if
needed.
Question 3
A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which action is most important
to prevent aspiration?
A) Use a toothbrush with firm bristles
B) Position the patient on their side (lateral position)
C) Apply petroleum jelly to the lips
D) Use a foam swab soaked in mouthwash
Rationale: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position allows fluids to drain out of the
mouth by gravity, reducing aspiration risk. Firm bristles (A) may cause gum trauma.
Petroleum jelly (C) is for lip care but does not prevent aspiration. Foam swabs (D) are
acceptable but do not replace proper positioning.
Question 4
A patient reports having difficulty voiding after surgery. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to promote urination?
A) Restrict fluids until the patient can void
B) Run water in the sink to provide auditory stimulation
C) Insert a urinary catheter immediately
D) Apply a cold compress to the lower abdomen
Rationale: Auditory stimulation (running water) can trigger the urge to void. Fluid
restriction (A) is counterproductive. Catheterization (C) increases infection risk and is not
first-line. Cold compress (D) may cause discomfort and is not effective.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient’s vital signs. The patient has a temperature of 38.9°C
(102.0°F). Which term accurately describes this finding?
A) Hypothermia
B) Pyrexia (fever)
C) Afebrile
D) Hyperthermia
Rationale: Pyrexia is an elevated body temperature above the normal range (typically
>38°C or 100.4°F). Hypothermia (A) is low temperature. Afebrile (C) means without fever.
Hyperthermia (D) is often used for heat-related illnesses but pyrexia is the standard term
for fever.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to an adult patient. Which position
is most appropriate for this procedure?
A) Supine with head elevated
B) Left lateral (Sims‘ position)
C) Prone
D) High-Fowler’s
Rationale: Left lateral (Sims’) position with the right knee flexed allows the enema solution
to flow by gravity into the sigmoid colon and is the most comfortable and effective
position for an enema. Supine (A) and prone (C) are not recommended. High-Fowler’s (D)
would not allow proper flow.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a patient about using a cane. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
, A) Hold the cane on the weak side
B) Move the cane forward at the same time as the weaker leg
C) Keep the cane 18 inches to the side of the body
D) Use the cane only when climbing stairs
Rationale: The cane is held on the strong side and moves with the weak leg (cane and
weak leg together, then strong leg). The cane should be kept close to the body. It should be
used for all ambulation, not only stairs.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to continuous
suction. Which finding requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Greenish drainage of 200 mL in 4 hours
B) Sudden onset of abdominal distention and absence of drainage
C) Mild nausea
D) Patient request to remove the tube
Rationale: Sudden abdominal distention with no drainage indicates possible tube
obstruction or displacement, which can lead to complications. Greenish drainage (A) is
normal gastric contents. Mild nausea (C) is common. Patient request (D) should be
assessed but is not an emergency.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to measure a patient’s blood pressure. The patient just finished
walking down the hall. How long should the nurse wait before taking the measurement?
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 30 minutes
