Clinical nursing worksheet with answers

Which sign suggests dehydration in an adult?

1. AMoist mouth, pale urine and normal pulse
2. BSwollen ankles, crackles in the lungs and a raised JVP
3. CWeight gain over two days
4. DDry mouth, dark concentrated urine and tachycardia

What is the main purpose of a surgical wound drain?

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

Which tool is used to assess a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers?

1. AThe Braden or Waterlow scale
2. BThe Apgar score
3. CThe Mini-Mental State Examination
4. DThe Glasgow Coma Scale

Why are older adults at higher risk of dehydration?

1. ATheir body water content increases with age
2. BTheir kidneys hold on to too much water
3. CThey always drink large amounts of tea
4. DTheir sense of thirst is often reduced

A patient has a fentanyl patch for chronic pain. Which advice is correct?

1. ACut the patch in half if the pain improves, to lower the dose
2. BKeep using the old patch with the new one
3. CAvoid heat sources such as hot water bottles over the patch
4. DApply the patch to broken skin for faster effect

Why are alternate sutures sometimes removed first when taking out stitches?

1. ATo make the procedure faster
2. BTo check the wound stays closed before removing the rest
3. CBecause the remaining sutures dissolve on their own within a day
4. DTo reduce the cost of dressings

A patient two days after abdominal surgery coughs and says something "gave way". The wound has opened and bowel is visible. What should the nurse do first?

1. AGently push the bowel back into the abdomen and tape the wound edges firmly closed
2. BApply dry gauze tightly and ask the patient to keep coughing
3. CSit the patient fully upright and offer a hot drink
4. DCover the wound with sterile, saline-moistened dressings and get urgent surgical help

A patient with type 1 diabetes is nil by mouth before surgery. Why must their insulin not simply be stopped?

1. AInsulin prevents wound infection on its own
2. BInsulin is needed for the anaesthetic to work
3. CWithout any insulin they can develop diabetic ketoacidosis
4. DStopping insulin causes immediate hypoglycaemia during the operation