TEST BANK for Fundamentals of Nursing 11TH
Edition, Questions, Answers, and Rationale.
1. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a new diuretic prescription. Which of the
following actions is most important for the nurse to take?
A) Monitor the patient’s potassium levels.
B) Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
C) Check the patient’s blood pressure regularly.
D) Restrict the patient’s sodium intake.
Answer: A) Monitor the patient’s potassium levels.
Rationale: Diuretics, especially loop diuretics like furosemide, can cause
electrolyte imbalances, including hypokalemia (low potassium). Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent complications such as arrhythmias.
2. Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient about how to manage hypertension. Which of the
following would be the best advice for the nurse to give to the patient?
A) "Limit your intake of high-fat foods."
B) "Exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health."
C) "Avoid taking any medications for high blood pressure."
D) "Reduce your salt intake to help lower blood pressure."
Answer: D) "Reduce your salt intake to help lower blood pressure."
Rationale: Reducing sodium intake is a key strategy for managing hypertension.
Excess sodium can increase blood pressure, so advising the patient to limit salt
intake is essential for controlling blood pressure.
,3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a total knee replacement.
What is the most important action the nurse should take when assessing the
surgical site?
A) Ensure the dressing is clean, dry, and intact.
B) Check the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
C) Assess the patient’s pain level.
D) Assess the patient’s ability to move the affected leg.
Answer: B) Check the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
Rationale: Infection is a common complication after surgery, and checking for
signs of infection at the surgical site is essential for early detection and appropriate
intervention. While pain assessment and movement assessment are important,
wound infection should be prioritized.
4. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving morphine for pain management.
What is the most important side effect to monitor for when administering this
medication?
A) Decreased appetite.
B) Drowsiness and sedation.
C) Increased heart rate.
D) Nausea and vomiting.
Answer: B) Drowsiness and sedation.
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause central nervous system
depression, resulting in drowsiness and sedation. Monitoring for these effects is
important to ensure patient safety and prevent respiratory depression or other
complications.
5. Question:
,A nurse is teaching a group of new mothers about breastfeeding. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Feed your baby every 2-3 hours, even if the baby is not hungry."
B) "You should stop breastfeeding once the baby reaches 6 months old."
C) "It is important to breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6
months."
D) "Supplemental formula is necessary for a balanced diet."
Answer: C) "It is important to breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6
months."
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive
breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life to provide optimal nutrition and
immunity for the infant. It is not necessary to introduce formula or solid foods
before that time unless medically indicated.
6. Question:
A nurse is preparing a patient for discharge after undergoing a cholecystectomy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge
teaching?
A) "You may eat a normal diet immediately after surgery."
B) "Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks after surgery."
C) "It is safe to take a hot bath as soon as you feel comfortable."
D) "You should refrain from all physical activity for at least 4 weeks."
Answer: B) "Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks after surgery."
Rationale: After a cholecystectomy, it is important to avoid activities that can put
strain on the surgical site, such as lifting heavy objects. Lifting can cause
discomfort and potentially disrupt the healing process. A return to normal diet and
activity should occur gradually based on the patient’s recovery progress.
, These questions and rationales are based on standard nursing principles that you
will encounter in textbooks like Fundamentals of Nursing. Let me know if you
need further explanation on any of the concepts or more practice questions!
7. Question:
A nurse is assessing a patient’s vital signs. The patient’s temperature is 101.2°F
(38.4°C), and the patient reports chills. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administer a dose of acetaminophen.
B) Provide a cool sponge bath.
C) Encourage the patient to drink fluids.
D) Cover the patient with extra blankets.
Answer: A) Administer a dose of acetaminophen.
Rationale: A fever often indicates an infection or inflammatory process.
Administering an antipyretic like acetaminophen can help reduce fever. While
encouraging fluid intake and providing comfort are important, managing the fever
is the priority to prevent complications, such as dehydration or further discomfort.
8. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The patient is using a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the patient’s teaching plan for using the MDI?
A) "You should shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
B) "Hold your breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication."
C) "You should exhale forcefully before inhaling the medication."
D) "The inhaler should be used only when you are feeling short of breath."
Answer: A) "You should shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
Rationale: Shaking the inhaler before use ensures that the medication is evenly
distributed and properly dispensed. The patient should exhale gently before
Edition, Questions, Answers, and Rationale.
1. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a new diuretic prescription. Which of the
following actions is most important for the nurse to take?
A) Monitor the patient’s potassium levels.
B) Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
C) Check the patient’s blood pressure regularly.
D) Restrict the patient’s sodium intake.
Answer: A) Monitor the patient’s potassium levels.
Rationale: Diuretics, especially loop diuretics like furosemide, can cause
electrolyte imbalances, including hypokalemia (low potassium). Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent complications such as arrhythmias.
2. Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient about how to manage hypertension. Which of the
following would be the best advice for the nurse to give to the patient?
A) "Limit your intake of high-fat foods."
B) "Exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health."
C) "Avoid taking any medications for high blood pressure."
D) "Reduce your salt intake to help lower blood pressure."
Answer: D) "Reduce your salt intake to help lower blood pressure."
Rationale: Reducing sodium intake is a key strategy for managing hypertension.
Excess sodium can increase blood pressure, so advising the patient to limit salt
intake is essential for controlling blood pressure.
,3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a total knee replacement.
What is the most important action the nurse should take when assessing the
surgical site?
A) Ensure the dressing is clean, dry, and intact.
B) Check the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
C) Assess the patient’s pain level.
D) Assess the patient’s ability to move the affected leg.
Answer: B) Check the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
Rationale: Infection is a common complication after surgery, and checking for
signs of infection at the surgical site is essential for early detection and appropriate
intervention. While pain assessment and movement assessment are important,
wound infection should be prioritized.
4. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving morphine for pain management.
What is the most important side effect to monitor for when administering this
medication?
A) Decreased appetite.
B) Drowsiness and sedation.
C) Increased heart rate.
D) Nausea and vomiting.
Answer: B) Drowsiness and sedation.
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause central nervous system
depression, resulting in drowsiness and sedation. Monitoring for these effects is
important to ensure patient safety and prevent respiratory depression or other
complications.
5. Question:
,A nurse is teaching a group of new mothers about breastfeeding. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Feed your baby every 2-3 hours, even if the baby is not hungry."
B) "You should stop breastfeeding once the baby reaches 6 months old."
C) "It is important to breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6
months."
D) "Supplemental formula is necessary for a balanced diet."
Answer: C) "It is important to breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6
months."
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive
breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life to provide optimal nutrition and
immunity for the infant. It is not necessary to introduce formula or solid foods
before that time unless medically indicated.
6. Question:
A nurse is preparing a patient for discharge after undergoing a cholecystectomy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge
teaching?
A) "You may eat a normal diet immediately after surgery."
B) "Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks after surgery."
C) "It is safe to take a hot bath as soon as you feel comfortable."
D) "You should refrain from all physical activity for at least 4 weeks."
Answer: B) "Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks after surgery."
Rationale: After a cholecystectomy, it is important to avoid activities that can put
strain on the surgical site, such as lifting heavy objects. Lifting can cause
discomfort and potentially disrupt the healing process. A return to normal diet and
activity should occur gradually based on the patient’s recovery progress.
, These questions and rationales are based on standard nursing principles that you
will encounter in textbooks like Fundamentals of Nursing. Let me know if you
need further explanation on any of the concepts or more practice questions!
7. Question:
A nurse is assessing a patient’s vital signs. The patient’s temperature is 101.2°F
(38.4°C), and the patient reports chills. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administer a dose of acetaminophen.
B) Provide a cool sponge bath.
C) Encourage the patient to drink fluids.
D) Cover the patient with extra blankets.
Answer: A) Administer a dose of acetaminophen.
Rationale: A fever often indicates an infection or inflammatory process.
Administering an antipyretic like acetaminophen can help reduce fever. While
encouraging fluid intake and providing comfort are important, managing the fever
is the priority to prevent complications, such as dehydration or further discomfort.
8. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The patient is using a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the patient’s teaching plan for using the MDI?
A) "You should shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
B) "Hold your breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication."
C) "You should exhale forcefully before inhaling the medication."
D) "The inhaler should be used only when you are feeling short of breath."
Answer: A) "You should shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
Rationale: Shaking the inhaler before use ensures that the medication is evenly
distributed and properly dispensed. The patient should exhale gently before
