Clinical nursing worksheet with answers

Free printable Clinical nursing worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

The term "bradycardia" in an adult means a heart rate:

  1. ABelow 60 beats per minute
  2. BThat is irregularly irregular
  3. CBetween 60 and 100 beats per minute
  4. DAbove 100 beats per minute
2.Easy

What is the main purpose of a surgical wound drain?

  1. ATo give antibiotics directly into the wound bed
  2. BTo keep the wound open permanently so that it can be cleaned
  3. CTo measure the patient's temperature
  4. DTo remove blood or fluid so it does not collect in the wound
3.Easy

Which sign is typical of right-sided heart failure?

  1. AA high fever with rigors
  2. BSwollen ankles and a raised jugular venous pressure
  3. CCrackles in both lungs and pink frothy sputum
  4. DPinpoint pupils, drowsiness and a slow breathing rate
4.Medium

A patient with pneumonia is breathless and coughing up thick sputum. Which nursing measure helps most with breathing?

  1. ARestricting all oral fluids
  2. BLying the patient flat so that they can rest and conserve energy
  3. CDiscouraging coughing to save energy
  4. DSitting the patient upright and supporting them to clear secretions
5.Medium

A patient with type 1 diabetes has blood glucose of 25 mmol/L, deep rapid breathing and ketones in the urine. What is the likely diagnosis?

  1. AHypoglycaemia
  2. BNormal glucose fluctuation
  3. CHyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state without ketones
  4. DDiabetic ketoacidosis
6.Medium

Which is a recognised risk factor for postoperative nausea and vomiting?

  1. ABeing a smoker
  2. BUse of opioids after surgery
  3. CA short operation under local anaesthetic
  4. DBeing male
7.Hard

A patient with known cirrhosis suddenly vomits large amounts of bright red blood and becomes tachycardic. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AA Mallory-Weiss tear from a small amount of vomiting
  2. BBleeding from ruptured oesophageal varices
  3. CSwallowed blood from a nosebleed
  4. DA lower GI bleed from diverticular disease
8.Hard

A patient has a full-thickness burn all the way round the forearm. Which complication must be watched for closely?

  1. ADelayed hair growth on the arm
  2. BExcessive bleeding from the burn surface needing an urgent blood transfusion
  3. CHypoglycaemia caused by the body using glucose to heal the burn
  4. DLoss of circulation to the hand as swelling builds under tight burned skin

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Below 60 beats per minute
  2. 2. D · To remove blood or fluid so it does not collect in the wound
  3. 3. B · Swollen ankles and a raised jugular venous pressure
  4. 4. D · Sitting the patient upright and supporting them to clear secretions
  5. 5. D · Diabetic ketoacidosis
  6. 6. B · Use of opioids after surgery
  7. 7. B · Bleeding from ruptured oesophageal varices
  8. 8. D · Loss of circulation to the hand as swelling builds under tight burned skin

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