North Palm College Fundamental Study Guide

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Sample questions from North Palm College Fundamental Study Guide

This material has 24 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A postoperative patient becomes difficult to awaken 30 minutes after an IV opioid. Respirations are 8/min and shallow. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.C. Ask assistive personnel to walk the patient.
   • B.A. Record the response and reassess in 30 minutes.
   • C.D. Give the next prescribed analgesic to prevent breakthrough pain.
   • D.B. Stay with the patient, summon immediate assistance, and support airway and ventilation.

   Rationale: B is correct because impaired ventilation is an immediate threat requiring bedside assessment, help, and respiratory support. A delays necessary treatment. C is unsafe for a sedated, unstable patient and does not address ventilation. D could worsen respiratory depression.

2. 2.Which task is most appropriate for the RN to delegate to trained unlicensed assistive personnel?

   • A.C. Measure and record intake and output for a stable patient using specific reporting instructions.
   • B.A. Evaluate whether a new diuretic improved heart failure.
   • C.D. Assess a patient reporting sudden chest pain.
   • D.B. Teach a patient how to manage a new urinary catheter.

   Rationale: C is a routine data-collection task that can be delegated with clear directions and follow-up. A requires evaluation and clinical judgment. B involves initial nursing teaching. D requires immediate licensed nursing assessment of a potentially unstable patient.

3. 3.A patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which placement and staff protection are appropriate?

   • A.B. A shared room and gloves only.
   • B.D. A standard private room with contact precautions alone.
   • C.A. An airborne infection isolation room and a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator.
   • D.C. A positive-pressure protective environment and a medical mask only.

   Rationale: A provides appropriate airborne isolation and respiratory protection. B fails to prevent airborne exposure. C describes a protective environment intended for selected vulnerable patients and does not provide appropriate TB source containment. D lacks the necessary airborne controls.

4. 4.A conscious adult with diabetes has a glucose of 58 mg/dL and can swallow safely. Which action is appropriate under a standard hypoglycemia protocol?

   • A.B. Wait until the next meal to avoid overtreatment.
   • B.D. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes.
   • C.C. Give a high-fat snack and recheck glucose in two hours.
   • D.A. Administer the scheduled rapid-acting insulin immediately.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.The laboratory reports potassium 6.5 mEq/L. The patient is awake and denies symptoms. What is the nurse's best response?

   • A.D. Document the result as expected because the patient is asymptomatic.
   • B.B. Promptly escalate the result, assess cardiac status, and prepare for urgent prescribed management.
   • C.A. Wait for muscle weakness before notifying the clinician.
   • D.C. Encourage potassium-rich foods.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.