CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
The nurse is administering heparin via the subcutaneous route. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
a. Prepare the medication using a 25-gauge, ½ inch needle
b. After injecting the needle, aspirate and observe for blood
c. After removing the needle, massage the area gently
d. Administer the medication in the client's "love handles" - Answer Prepare the
medication using a 25-gauge, ½ inch needle
Knowledge: The nurse should NOT aspirate for blood when administering heparin
because this can damage surrounding tissue and cause bruising. The nurse should
not massage after injecting heparin because this may cause bruising or bleeding.
Heparin is administered in the abdomen at least 2 inches from umbilicus-best
practice.
The nurse is administering morning medications on a medical floor. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
a. Regular insulin sliding scale to an elderly client diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
mellitus
b. Methylprednisolone, a glucocorticoid, to a client diagnosed with lupus
erythematosus
c. Morphine, a narcotic analgesic, to a client diagnosed with AIDS
d. Lasix, a diuretic, to a client with hypertension - Answer a. Regular insulin sliding
scale to an elderly client diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus
b. Methylprednisolone, a glucocorticoid, to a client diagnosed with lupus
erythematosus (can be administered within the 30-minute acceptable time frame)
c. Morphine, a narcotic analgesic, to a client diagnosed with AIDS -pain medication
is a priority, but it can be administered after the sliding scale
d. Lasix, a diuretic, to a client with hypertension- can be administered within the 30-
minute acceptable time frame
Regular insulin is administered prior to meals; therefore, this medication should be
administered. Critical Thinking
Which data would indicate that the antibiotic therapy has been successful for a client
diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia?
a. The client's hematocrit is within normal range
b. The client is expectorating thick green sputum
c. The client's lung sounds are clear to ausculatation
d. The client has complaints of pleuritic chest pain. - Answer a. The client's
hematocrit is within normal range- does not indicate client response
b. The client is expectorating thick green sputum- symptom of pneumonia
c. The client's lung sounds are clear to ausculatation
d. The client has complaints of pleuritic chest pain.— symptom of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia includes crackles and wheezes, rhonchi in the lung
fields. Clear lungs indicate an improvement in the pneumonia and that the
medication is effective. Application
,CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
The nurse is administering Humalog at 0730 to a client diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Ensure the client eats at least 90% of the lunch tray
b. Do not administer unless the breakfast tray is in the client's room
c. Check the client's blood glucose level 1 hour after receiving the insulin
d. Have 50% dextrose in water at the bedside for emergency use. - Answer a.
Ensure the client eats at least 90% of the lunch tray—insulin will not be working 4-5
hours after being administered
b. Do not administer unless the breakfast tray is in the client's room
c. Check the client's blood glucose level 1 hour after receiving the insulin—glucose
level should be checked prior to administering
d. Have 50% dextrose in water at the bedside for emergency use.—this is
administered when a client is unconscious secondary to hypoglycemia, and should
not be kept at the bedside. Orange juice or some form of simple glucose can be kept
at the bedside.
Application: The insulin peaks in 15-20 minutes after being administered; therefore,
the meal should be at the bedside prior to administering this medication
The client has a severe anaphylactic reaction to insect bites. What priority discharge
intervention should the nurse discuss with the client?
a. Wear an insect repellent on exposed skin
b. Keep prescribed antihistamines on their person
c. Keep an EpiPen in the refrigerator at all times
d. Wear a MedicAlert identification bracelet - Answer a. Wear an insect repellent on
exposed skin —appropriate intervention, but if the client has an insect bite, the
repellent will not prevent anaphylaxis, therefore, not priority intervention
b. Keep prescribed antihistamines on their person —used with anaphylaxis, but it
takes at least 30 minutes to work, therefore not a priority medication
c. Keep an EpiPen in the refrigerator at all times —keeping medication in the
refrigerator does not allow it to be available to the client at all times.
d. Wear a MedicAlert identification bracelet
Application: Bracelet indicates the client is at risk for an anaphylactic reaction;
therefore, this is the priority intervention.
The client's mother contacts the clinic regarding medication administration stating,
"My daughter cannot swallow this capsule. It's too large." Investigation reveals that
the medication is a capsule marked SR. The nurse should instruct the mother to:
a. Open the capsule and mix the medication with apple sauce
b. Crush the medication and administer it with a glass of liquid
c. Call the pharmacist and request a change to a different medication
d. Stop the medication and inform the physician - Answer d. Stop the medication and
inform the physician
,CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
Application: SR means sustained released. These medications cannot be altered. In
answers A and B, crushing or opening the capsule is not allowed. The best response
would be to inform the prescriber (the doctor) immediately
The client calls the nursing station and requests pain medication. When the nurse
enters the room with the narcotic medication, the nurse finds the client laughing and
talking with visitors. Which action should the nurse administer first?
a. Administer the client's prescribed pain medication
b. Assess the client's perception of pain on a 1-10 scale
c. Wait until the visitors leave to administer any medication
d. Check the MAR to see if there is a nonnarcotic medication ordered - Answer a.
Administer the client's prescribed pain medication —should not administer pain
medication until after assessing the client's pain
b. Assess the client's perception of pain on a 1-10 scale
c. Wait until the visitors leave to administer any medication —should assess client
whether the client has visitors or not
d. Check the MAR to see if there is a nonnarcotic medication ordered —nurse should
assess the client's pain first
Application: first action is to always assess the client in pain to determine if client is
having a complication that requires medical intervention rather than PRN medication.
The client in hypovolemic shock is receiving normal saline by rapid intravenous
infusion. Which assessment data would warrant immediate intervention by the
nurse?
a. The client's blood pressure is 89/48
b. The client's pulse oximeter reading is 95%
c. The client's lung sounds are clear bilaterally
d. The client's urine output is 120 mL in 3 hours - Answer a. The client's blood
pressure is 89/48
b. The client's pulse oximeter reading is 95% --normal finding
c. The client's lung sounds are clear bilaterally—normal finding
d. The client's urine output is 120 mL in 3 hours—normal finding
Application: low blood pressure reading for a client in hypovolemic shock. A B/P less
than 90/60 warrants intervention by the nurse and indicates that fluid resuscitation is
not effective.
Which intervention should the nurse implement when administering a medication via
the intradermal route?
a. Insert the needle with the bevel up at 15-degree angle in the skin
b. Prepare the medication in a 3-mL syringe using a 23-gauge 1-inch needle
c. Bunch the skin between the thumb and index finger of the nondominant hand
d. Quickly inject the medication as to not form a wheal or bleb - Answer a. Insert the
needle with the bevel up at 15-degree angle in the skin
, CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
b. Prepare the medication in a 3-mL syringe using a 23-gauge 1-inch needle —
wrong syringe (need tuberculin syringe), wrong gauge, and wrong needle
c. Bunch the skin between the thumb and index finger of the nondominant hand---
skin should be spread taut, not bunched
d. Quickly inject the medication as to not form a wheal or bleb—medication should
be injected slowly to form a wheal or bleb
Knowledge: A is the correct way to administer intradermal medication
The charge nurse is observing the primary nurse administering otic drops to a 2-
year-old child by pulling down and back on the auricle. Which action should the
charge nurse take?
a. Stop the primary nurse and ask the nurse to step out of the room
b. Demonstrate inserting the otic drops by pulling up and back on the auricle
c. Take no action because this is the correct way to administer the ear drops
d. Allow the nurse to administer the otic drops and then discuss the technique with
the nurse - Answer a. Stop the primary nurse and ask the nurse to step out of the
room
b. Demonstrate inserting the otic drops by pulling up and back on the auricle—
correct way for adults
c. Take no action because this is the correct way to administer the ear drops
d. Allow the nurse to administer the otic drops and then discuss the technique with
the nurse
Knowledge: This is the correct way to administer eardrops to a child younger than 3.
This is done because of the short Eustachian tube of a child. The charge nurse need
take no action
The nurse prepared 2 mg of morphine for a client who is complaining of pain. When
the nurse enters the room the client tells the nurse, "I don't want to take a shot. I
would like to have a pain pill." Which action should the nurse take?
a. Explain that the medication must be administered because it has been drawn up
b. Ask another nurse to watch the medication being wasted into the sink
c. Place the syringe in the sharps container in the client's room—
d. Notify the pharmacy that a narcotic was not administered to the client - Answer a.
Explain that the medication must be administered because it has been drawn up —
client has the right to refuse medication; therefore; the nurse cannot force the client
to take the med.
b. Ask another nurse to watch the medication being wasted into the sink
c. Place the syringe in the sharps container in the client's room—legally the nurse
must have someone witness the narcotic being wasted
d. Notify the pharmacy that a narcotic was not administered to the client—does not
need to be notified
Application: Correct procedure as per CNO medication standards of practice
Correct Answers.
The nurse is administering heparin via the subcutaneous route. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
a. Prepare the medication using a 25-gauge, ½ inch needle
b. After injecting the needle, aspirate and observe for blood
c. After removing the needle, massage the area gently
d. Administer the medication in the client's "love handles" - Answer Prepare the
medication using a 25-gauge, ½ inch needle
Knowledge: The nurse should NOT aspirate for blood when administering heparin
because this can damage surrounding tissue and cause bruising. The nurse should
not massage after injecting heparin because this may cause bruising or bleeding.
Heparin is administered in the abdomen at least 2 inches from umbilicus-best
practice.
The nurse is administering morning medications on a medical floor. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
a. Regular insulin sliding scale to an elderly client diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
mellitus
b. Methylprednisolone, a glucocorticoid, to a client diagnosed with lupus
erythematosus
c. Morphine, a narcotic analgesic, to a client diagnosed with AIDS
d. Lasix, a diuretic, to a client with hypertension - Answer a. Regular insulin sliding
scale to an elderly client diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus
b. Methylprednisolone, a glucocorticoid, to a client diagnosed with lupus
erythematosus (can be administered within the 30-minute acceptable time frame)
c. Morphine, a narcotic analgesic, to a client diagnosed with AIDS -pain medication
is a priority, but it can be administered after the sliding scale
d. Lasix, a diuretic, to a client with hypertension- can be administered within the 30-
minute acceptable time frame
Regular insulin is administered prior to meals; therefore, this medication should be
administered. Critical Thinking
Which data would indicate that the antibiotic therapy has been successful for a client
diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia?
a. The client's hematocrit is within normal range
b. The client is expectorating thick green sputum
c. The client's lung sounds are clear to ausculatation
d. The client has complaints of pleuritic chest pain. - Answer a. The client's
hematocrit is within normal range- does not indicate client response
b. The client is expectorating thick green sputum- symptom of pneumonia
c. The client's lung sounds are clear to ausculatation
d. The client has complaints of pleuritic chest pain.— symptom of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia includes crackles and wheezes, rhonchi in the lung
fields. Clear lungs indicate an improvement in the pneumonia and that the
medication is effective. Application
,CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
The nurse is administering Humalog at 0730 to a client diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Ensure the client eats at least 90% of the lunch tray
b. Do not administer unless the breakfast tray is in the client's room
c. Check the client's blood glucose level 1 hour after receiving the insulin
d. Have 50% dextrose in water at the bedside for emergency use. - Answer a.
Ensure the client eats at least 90% of the lunch tray—insulin will not be working 4-5
hours after being administered
b. Do not administer unless the breakfast tray is in the client's room
c. Check the client's blood glucose level 1 hour after receiving the insulin—glucose
level should be checked prior to administering
d. Have 50% dextrose in water at the bedside for emergency use.—this is
administered when a client is unconscious secondary to hypoglycemia, and should
not be kept at the bedside. Orange juice or some form of simple glucose can be kept
at the bedside.
Application: The insulin peaks in 15-20 minutes after being administered; therefore,
the meal should be at the bedside prior to administering this medication
The client has a severe anaphylactic reaction to insect bites. What priority discharge
intervention should the nurse discuss with the client?
a. Wear an insect repellent on exposed skin
b. Keep prescribed antihistamines on their person
c. Keep an EpiPen in the refrigerator at all times
d. Wear a MedicAlert identification bracelet - Answer a. Wear an insect repellent on
exposed skin —appropriate intervention, but if the client has an insect bite, the
repellent will not prevent anaphylaxis, therefore, not priority intervention
b. Keep prescribed antihistamines on their person —used with anaphylaxis, but it
takes at least 30 minutes to work, therefore not a priority medication
c. Keep an EpiPen in the refrigerator at all times —keeping medication in the
refrigerator does not allow it to be available to the client at all times.
d. Wear a MedicAlert identification bracelet
Application: Bracelet indicates the client is at risk for an anaphylactic reaction;
therefore, this is the priority intervention.
The client's mother contacts the clinic regarding medication administration stating,
"My daughter cannot swallow this capsule. It's too large." Investigation reveals that
the medication is a capsule marked SR. The nurse should instruct the mother to:
a. Open the capsule and mix the medication with apple sauce
b. Crush the medication and administer it with a glass of liquid
c. Call the pharmacist and request a change to a different medication
d. Stop the medication and inform the physician - Answer d. Stop the medication and
inform the physician
,CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
Application: SR means sustained released. These medications cannot be altered. In
answers A and B, crushing or opening the capsule is not allowed. The best response
would be to inform the prescriber (the doctor) immediately
The client calls the nursing station and requests pain medication. When the nurse
enters the room with the narcotic medication, the nurse finds the client laughing and
talking with visitors. Which action should the nurse administer first?
a. Administer the client's prescribed pain medication
b. Assess the client's perception of pain on a 1-10 scale
c. Wait until the visitors leave to administer any medication
d. Check the MAR to see if there is a nonnarcotic medication ordered - Answer a.
Administer the client's prescribed pain medication —should not administer pain
medication until after assessing the client's pain
b. Assess the client's perception of pain on a 1-10 scale
c. Wait until the visitors leave to administer any medication —should assess client
whether the client has visitors or not
d. Check the MAR to see if there is a nonnarcotic medication ordered —nurse should
assess the client's pain first
Application: first action is to always assess the client in pain to determine if client is
having a complication that requires medical intervention rather than PRN medication.
The client in hypovolemic shock is receiving normal saline by rapid intravenous
infusion. Which assessment data would warrant immediate intervention by the
nurse?
a. The client's blood pressure is 89/48
b. The client's pulse oximeter reading is 95%
c. The client's lung sounds are clear bilaterally
d. The client's urine output is 120 mL in 3 hours - Answer a. The client's blood
pressure is 89/48
b. The client's pulse oximeter reading is 95% --normal finding
c. The client's lung sounds are clear bilaterally—normal finding
d. The client's urine output is 120 mL in 3 hours—normal finding
Application: low blood pressure reading for a client in hypovolemic shock. A B/P less
than 90/60 warrants intervention by the nurse and indicates that fluid resuscitation is
not effective.
Which intervention should the nurse implement when administering a medication via
the intradermal route?
a. Insert the needle with the bevel up at 15-degree angle in the skin
b. Prepare the medication in a 3-mL syringe using a 23-gauge 1-inch needle
c. Bunch the skin between the thumb and index finger of the nondominant hand
d. Quickly inject the medication as to not form a wheal or bleb - Answer a. Insert the
needle with the bevel up at 15-degree angle in the skin
, CPNRE Practice Questions With 100%
Correct Answers.
b. Prepare the medication in a 3-mL syringe using a 23-gauge 1-inch needle —
wrong syringe (need tuberculin syringe), wrong gauge, and wrong needle
c. Bunch the skin between the thumb and index finger of the nondominant hand---
skin should be spread taut, not bunched
d. Quickly inject the medication as to not form a wheal or bleb—medication should
be injected slowly to form a wheal or bleb
Knowledge: A is the correct way to administer intradermal medication
The charge nurse is observing the primary nurse administering otic drops to a 2-
year-old child by pulling down and back on the auricle. Which action should the
charge nurse take?
a. Stop the primary nurse and ask the nurse to step out of the room
b. Demonstrate inserting the otic drops by pulling up and back on the auricle
c. Take no action because this is the correct way to administer the ear drops
d. Allow the nurse to administer the otic drops and then discuss the technique with
the nurse - Answer a. Stop the primary nurse and ask the nurse to step out of the
room
b. Demonstrate inserting the otic drops by pulling up and back on the auricle—
correct way for adults
c. Take no action because this is the correct way to administer the ear drops
d. Allow the nurse to administer the otic drops and then discuss the technique with
the nurse
Knowledge: This is the correct way to administer eardrops to a child younger than 3.
This is done because of the short Eustachian tube of a child. The charge nurse need
take no action
The nurse prepared 2 mg of morphine for a client who is complaining of pain. When
the nurse enters the room the client tells the nurse, "I don't want to take a shot. I
would like to have a pain pill." Which action should the nurse take?
a. Explain that the medication must be administered because it has been drawn up
b. Ask another nurse to watch the medication being wasted into the sink
c. Place the syringe in the sharps container in the client's room—
d. Notify the pharmacy that a narcotic was not administered to the client - Answer a.
Explain that the medication must be administered because it has been drawn up —
client has the right to refuse medication; therefore; the nurse cannot force the client
to take the med.
b. Ask another nurse to watch the medication being wasted into the sink
c. Place the syringe in the sharps container in the client's room—legally the nurse
must have someone witness the narcotic being wasted
d. Notify the pharmacy that a narcotic was not administered to the client—does not
need to be notified
Application: Correct procedure as per CNO medication standards of practice
