NURSING FUNDAMENTALS COMPREHENSIVE
WEEKLY EXAM Q & A
1) A nurse is assessing a client who is prescribed valproic acid. Which of the following laboratory tests
should the nurse monitor?
a. Arterial blood gas
b. Serum potassium
c. Liver function
test
d. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Hepatotoxicity
ATI Pharmacology - complication hepatotoxicity → assess baseline liver function & monitor liver function
regularly
2) A nurse is providing a preoperative teaching about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to a client. Which of
the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. “Continuous PCA infusion is designed to allow fluctuating plasma medication levels.”
b. “The PCA will deliver a double dose of medication when you push the button twice.”
c. “You should push the button before physical activity to allow maximum pain control.”
d. “You can adjust the amount of pain medication you receive by pushing on the keypad.”
3) A nurse is preparing to catheterize a toddler for a urine culture. Which of the following is an appropriate
action for the nurse to take?
a. Discard the first 10 mL of urine.
b. Apply EMLA cream prior to the procedure.
c. Obtain a 12 French catheter.
d. Don sterile gloves prior to the procedure.
4) A nurse is reviewing the laboratory levels of a client who is having elective surgery. Which of the
following levels should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
b. BUN 16 mg/dL (Normal 10-20)
c. PT 12.2 seconds (Normal 11-14)
,NURSING FUNDAMENTALS COMPREHENSIVE
WEEKLY EXAM Q & A
d. Fasting blood glucose 103 mg/dL
5) A nurse is admitting a client who has schizophrenia. The client states, “I’m hearing voices.” Which of the
following responses is the priority for the nurse to state?
a. “How long have you been hearing the voices?”
b. “What are the voices telling you?”
, c. “Have you taken your medication today?”
d. “I realize the voices are real to you, but I don’t hear anything.”
6) A nursing planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hrs. postoperative following perforated
appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
a. Offer small amounts of clear liquids 6 hrs. following surgery (assess for gag reflex first)
b. Give cromolyn nebulizer solution every 6 hrs. (for asthma)
c. Apply a warm compress to the operative site every 4 hrs.
d. Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hrs.
Rationale Managing acute severe pain with short-term (24 to 48 hrs.)
around-the-clock administration of opioids is preferable to following a PRN schedule.
ATI PEDS 144 Maintain NPO. Administer IV fluids and antibiotics as prescribed. NO cromolyn
nebulizer stated on ATI.
7) A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should
the nurse plan to assess first?
a. A client who has sinus arrhythmia and is receiving cardiac monitoring
b. A client who has diabetes mellitus and a hemoglobin A1C of 6.8%
c. A client who has epidural analgesia and weakness in the lower extremities
d. A client who has a hip fracture and a new onset of tachypnea
Rationale Med Surg ATI PDF p457: s/s of fat embolism (dyspnea, increased RR, decreased O2,
headache, decreased LOC r/t low O2 levels, respiratory distress, tachycardia, confusion, chest pain), Hip
and pelvis fractures are common causes, can occur after injury usually within 12-48 hrs.
8) A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
a. Shave hairy areas of skin prior to application (apply to hairless, clean & dry areas to promote
absorption; avoid oily or broken skin)
b. Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client’s skin
c. Apply the patch within 1 hr. of removing it from the protective pouch (apply immediately)
d. Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue (fold patch in half with sticky sides pressed
together)
Rationale ATI Skills Module Medication Administration: Topical medications include lotions, creams,
ointments, patches, and paste. Because topical medications are absorbed by the skin, wear gloves when
applying them to protect yourself against accidental exposure
, Shaving may cause skin irritation and change the absorption of the drug.
WEEKLY EXAM Q & A
1) A nurse is assessing a client who is prescribed valproic acid. Which of the following laboratory tests
should the nurse monitor?
a. Arterial blood gas
b. Serum potassium
c. Liver function
test
d. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Hepatotoxicity
ATI Pharmacology - complication hepatotoxicity → assess baseline liver function & monitor liver function
regularly
2) A nurse is providing a preoperative teaching about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to a client. Which of
the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. “Continuous PCA infusion is designed to allow fluctuating plasma medication levels.”
b. “The PCA will deliver a double dose of medication when you push the button twice.”
c. “You should push the button before physical activity to allow maximum pain control.”
d. “You can adjust the amount of pain medication you receive by pushing on the keypad.”
3) A nurse is preparing to catheterize a toddler for a urine culture. Which of the following is an appropriate
action for the nurse to take?
a. Discard the first 10 mL of urine.
b. Apply EMLA cream prior to the procedure.
c. Obtain a 12 French catheter.
d. Don sterile gloves prior to the procedure.
4) A nurse is reviewing the laboratory levels of a client who is having elective surgery. Which of the
following levels should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
b. BUN 16 mg/dL (Normal 10-20)
c. PT 12.2 seconds (Normal 11-14)
,NURSING FUNDAMENTALS COMPREHENSIVE
WEEKLY EXAM Q & A
d. Fasting blood glucose 103 mg/dL
5) A nurse is admitting a client who has schizophrenia. The client states, “I’m hearing voices.” Which of the
following responses is the priority for the nurse to state?
a. “How long have you been hearing the voices?”
b. “What are the voices telling you?”
, c. “Have you taken your medication today?”
d. “I realize the voices are real to you, but I don’t hear anything.”
6) A nursing planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hrs. postoperative following perforated
appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
a. Offer small amounts of clear liquids 6 hrs. following surgery (assess for gag reflex first)
b. Give cromolyn nebulizer solution every 6 hrs. (for asthma)
c. Apply a warm compress to the operative site every 4 hrs.
d. Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hrs.
Rationale Managing acute severe pain with short-term (24 to 48 hrs.)
around-the-clock administration of opioids is preferable to following a PRN schedule.
ATI PEDS 144 Maintain NPO. Administer IV fluids and antibiotics as prescribed. NO cromolyn
nebulizer stated on ATI.
7) A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should
the nurse plan to assess first?
a. A client who has sinus arrhythmia and is receiving cardiac monitoring
b. A client who has diabetes mellitus and a hemoglobin A1C of 6.8%
c. A client who has epidural analgesia and weakness in the lower extremities
d. A client who has a hip fracture and a new onset of tachypnea
Rationale Med Surg ATI PDF p457: s/s of fat embolism (dyspnea, increased RR, decreased O2,
headache, decreased LOC r/t low O2 levels, respiratory distress, tachycardia, confusion, chest pain), Hip
and pelvis fractures are common causes, can occur after injury usually within 12-48 hrs.
8) A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
a. Shave hairy areas of skin prior to application (apply to hairless, clean & dry areas to promote
absorption; avoid oily or broken skin)
b. Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client’s skin
c. Apply the patch within 1 hr. of removing it from the protective pouch (apply immediately)
d. Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue (fold patch in half with sticky sides pressed
together)
Rationale ATI Skills Module Medication Administration: Topical medications include lotions, creams,
ointments, patches, and paste. Because topical medications are absorbed by the skin, wear gloves when
applying them to protect yourself against accidental exposure
, Shaving may cause skin irritation and change the absorption of the drug.
