RELIAS EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RN A
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left
arm. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Schedule an echocardiogram
D. Start a low-sodium diet
Rationale: Administering oxygen increases myocardial
oxygen supply and is the immediate priority for suspected
ischemia.
2. Which triage category is appropriate for a patient
with severe respiratory distress in the ED?
,A. Level 3 – Urgent
B. Level 4 – Less urgent
C. Level 1 – Resuscitation
D. Level 5 – Non-urgent
Rationale: Severe respiratory distress is life-threatening;
immediate evaluation and treatment are required.
3. Which lab value best confirms myocardial infarction?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
Rationale: Troponin I is the most specific and sensitive
biomarker for cardiac muscle injury.
4. The nurse identifies ventricular fibrillation on the
monitor. What is the first action?
A. Start chest compressions
B. Administer epinephrine
,C. Defibrillate immediately
D. Check the patient’s pulse
Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm; defibrillation should
occur as soon as possible.
5. A patient with a head injury has a GCS of 7. What
does this indicate?
A. Mild injury
B. Moderate injury
C. Severe injury
D. Coma recovery
Rationale: A GCS ≤8 indicates severe brain injury
requiring airway and neurological support.
6. A nurse suspects hypovolemic shock. Which
assessment finding supports this?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension with tachycardia
C. Bounding pulses
D. Warm, flushed skin
, Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia
and hypotension as compensatory mechanisms fail.
7. A trauma patient has absent breath sounds on the
left side and tracheal deviation to the right. What is
suspected?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Atelectasis
Rationale: Tracheal deviation away from the affected
side and absent breath sounds suggest tension
pneumothorax.
8. In stroke management, the most important initial
diagnostic test is:
A. EEG
B. Non-contrast CT scan of the head
C. MRI
D. PET scan
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left
arm. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Schedule an echocardiogram
D. Start a low-sodium diet
Rationale: Administering oxygen increases myocardial
oxygen supply and is the immediate priority for suspected
ischemia.
2. Which triage category is appropriate for a patient
with severe respiratory distress in the ED?
,A. Level 3 – Urgent
B. Level 4 – Less urgent
C. Level 1 – Resuscitation
D. Level 5 – Non-urgent
Rationale: Severe respiratory distress is life-threatening;
immediate evaluation and treatment are required.
3. Which lab value best confirms myocardial infarction?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
Rationale: Troponin I is the most specific and sensitive
biomarker for cardiac muscle injury.
4. The nurse identifies ventricular fibrillation on the
monitor. What is the first action?
A. Start chest compressions
B. Administer epinephrine
,C. Defibrillate immediately
D. Check the patient’s pulse
Rationale: VF is a shockable rhythm; defibrillation should
occur as soon as possible.
5. A patient with a head injury has a GCS of 7. What
does this indicate?
A. Mild injury
B. Moderate injury
C. Severe injury
D. Coma recovery
Rationale: A GCS ≤8 indicates severe brain injury
requiring airway and neurological support.
6. A nurse suspects hypovolemic shock. Which
assessment finding supports this?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension with tachycardia
C. Bounding pulses
D. Warm, flushed skin
, Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia
and hypotension as compensatory mechanisms fail.
7. A trauma patient has absent breath sounds on the
left side and tracheal deviation to the right. What is
suspected?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Atelectasis
Rationale: Tracheal deviation away from the affected
side and absent breath sounds suggest tension
pneumothorax.
8. In stroke management, the most important initial
diagnostic test is:
A. EEG
B. Non-contrast CT scan of the head
C. MRI
D. PET scan
