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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1.Easy

Why are patients encouraged to get out of bed early after surgery?

  1. ATo shorten the sedating effect of the general anaesthetic
  2. BTo make the wound heal without stitches
  3. CTo reduce the risk of blood clots and chest infections
  4. DTo increase blood pressure permanently
2.Easy

What is the usual normal white cell count in adults?

  1. AAbout 4–11 × 109/L (4,000–11,000/mm3)
  2. BAbout 50–80 × 109/L (50,000–80,000/mm3)
  3. CAbout 0.1–0.5 × 109/L (100–500/mm3)
  4. DAbout 150–400 × 109/L (150,000–400,000/mm3)
3.Easy

Which of these is considered a high-alert (high-risk) medicine?

  1. ASimple linctus
  2. BInsulin
  3. CEmollient cream
  4. DLactulose
4.Medium

A new colostomy stoma appears dark purple to black on the second postoperative day. What does this indicate?

  1. APossible ischaemia of the stoma, which needs urgent review
  2. BA normal healthy stoma
  3. CConstipation
  4. DNormal postoperative bruising of the stoma that needs no action
5.Medium

A blood transfusion is about to start. What is the most important safety check?

  1. AWarming all blood in a microwave
  2. BPositive patient identification matched to the blood component at the bedside
  3. CChecking the patient's weight only
  4. DChecking the patient's dietary preferences
6.Medium

In suspected sepsis, what should ideally be collected before the first dose of antibiotics, as long as it does not delay treatment?

  1. ABlood cultures
  2. BA 24-hour urine collection
  3. CA fasting cholesterol level
  4. DA stool sample for occult blood
7.Hard

A patient with suspected appendicitis says the pain suddenly eased, but an hour later has pain all over the abdomen, a rigid abdomen and a fever. What is most likely?

  1. AThe patient has developed gastroenteritis
  2. BThe appendix has perforated, causing peritonitis
  3. CThe appendicitis has resolved without treatment
  4. DThe analgesia has started working
8.Hard

Three days after bowel surgery, a patient has a distended abdomen, vomiting and absent bowel sounds, without colicky pain. What is most likely?

  1. AA urinary tract infection
  2. BAcute cholecystitis
  3. CParalytic ileus
  4. DNormal recovery after surgery

Answer key

  1. 1. C · To reduce the risk of blood clots and chest infections
  2. 2. A · About 4–11 × 109/L (4,000–11,000/mm3)
  3. 3. B · Insulin
  4. 4. A · Possible ischaemia of the stoma, which needs urgent review
  5. 5. B · Positive patient identification matched to the blood component at the bedside
  6. 6. A · Blood cultures
  7. 7. B · The appendix has perforated, causing peritonitis
  8. 8. C · Paralytic ileus

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