Clinical nursing worksheet with answers

Which sign suggests phlebitis at an intravenous cannula site?

1. AThe patient is thirsty
2. BThe skin is pale and cold far from the site
3. CNormal skin with no pain
4. DRedness, pain and swelling along the vein

What is the Bristol Stool Chart used for?

1. AScoring the risk of pressure ulcers
2. BClassifying the form and consistency of stools
3. CMeasuring how much food a patient eats each day
4. DRecording the frequency of urination

Why is a platelet transfusion given?

1. ATo treat a high white cell count in a patient with infection or leukaemia
2. BTo provide extra protein
3. CTo prevent or treat bleeding in a patient with low or poorly working platelets
4. DTo raise the haemoglobin level in a patient with anaemia

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (England and Wales), which principle applies?

1. AA diagnosis of dementia means the person lacks capacity for all decisions
2. BEveryone over 75 is assumed to lack capacity
3. CA person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is shown that they lack it
4. DCapacity is decided by the next of kin, who must sign a form for every decision

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

1. ADiscouraging coughing to save energy
2. BRestricting all oral fluids
3. CLying the patient flat so that they can rest and conserve energy
4. DSitting the patient upright and supporting them to clear secretions

Which rule is essential for safe use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)?

1. AOnly the patient should press the button
2. BThe button should be pressed before each meal
3. CThe nurse should press it every hour
4. DRelatives should press it while the patient sleeps

Which action is correct when caring for a chest drain with an underwater seal?

1. ARemove the water from the bottle to prevent spills
2. BClamp the tube routinely during every transfer or bed move
3. CLift the bottle above the patient to empty it
4. DKeep the drainage bottle below the level of the chest

Which finding most strongly suggests a pulmonary embolism in a postoperative patient?

1. ASudden breathlessness and pleuritic chest pain with tachycardia
2. BGradual onset of cough with yellow sputum and mild fever over a week
3. CSlow heart rate with high blood pressure
4. DWheeze that improves with salbutamol