Clinical nursing worksheet with answers

If a blood pressure cuff is too small for the patient's arm, the reading will tend to be:

1. AImpossible to obtain
2. BFalsely high
3. CFalsely low
4. DAccurate

What should be done with a used needle after an injection?

1. APlace it on the bed until the end of the round
2. BPut it in the clinical waste bag
3. CRecap it carefully using both hands, then put it in the bin
4. DPut it straight into a sharps container without recapping

A patient's care plan says "nil by mouth". What does this mean?

1. ANo food or drink by mouth unless specific exceptions are prescribed
2. BFood is allowed, but drinks must be stopped until the next day
3. COnly clear fluids such as water and black tea are allowed
4. DThe patient may eat if they feel hungry

A patient who injects drugs has a fever, a new heart murmur and small dark lines under the nails. What is the likely diagnosis?

1. ARheumatic fever
2. BPericarditis
3. CInfective endocarditis
4. DMyocardial infarction

Why are patients asked to fast before a general anaesthetic?

1. ATo reduce the risk of aspirating stomach contents
2. BTo prevent postoperative constipation and abdominal bloating
3. CTo make the surgery shorter
4. DTo lower the blood glucose before surgery

What should a nurse do during a generalised tonic-clonic seizure?

1. AGive the patient a drink of water
2. BProtect the head, time the seizure and do not put anything in the mouth
3. CHold the limbs firmly to stop the jerking and prevent injury
4. DPut a tongue depressor between the teeth so that the tongue is not bitten

A patient with new fast atrial fibrillation has chest pain, a blood pressure of 75/40 mmHg and is confused. What does this indicate?

1. AHaemodynamic instability needing urgent treatment, possibly electrical cardioversion
2. BA stable rhythm that can safely be reviewed at the next routine ward round
3. CA normal response to atrial fibrillation needing no action
4. DAnxiety about the new diagnosis that will settle with reassurance and rest alone

A patient with several days of vomiting and diarrhoea has low blood pressure, low urine output and a rising creatinine. Which description fits best?

1. APre-renal acute kidney injury from poor perfusion, treated by restoring fluid volume
2. BChronic kidney disease, treated with long-term dialysis three times a week
3. CPost-renal acute kidney injury from obstruction, treated with a catheter
4. DIntrinsic kidney injury from glomerulonephritis, treated with high-dose steroids