Nursing fundamentals worksheet with answers

Free printable Nursing fundamentals 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

In a conscious adult who can communicate, what is the most reliable measure of pain?

  1. AThe amount of analgesia already given
  2. BThe nurse's impression of the patient's face
  3. CThe heart rate
  4. DThe patient's own report
2.Easy

On a 0–10 numeric pain rating scale, what does 0 mean?

  1. ANo pain
  2. BThe worst pain imaginable
  3. CMild pain
  4. DPain that is well controlled with medication
3.Easy

Why might a patient be given thickened fluids?

  1. AThey have a stomach ulcer
  2. BThey have difficulty swallowing thin liquids safely
  3. CThey are allergic to water
  4. DThey need more calories than they can get from food
4.Medium

How should a liquid medicine be measured in a medicine cup?

  1. ABy pouring until it looks about right
  2. BBy filling the cup to the very top
  3. CAt eye level, reading the lowest point of the curved surface
  4. DFrom above, reading the highest point at the edge of the liquid
5.Medium

Using the AVPU scale, a patient who opens their eyes and groans only when the nurse squeezes their shoulder is scored as:

  1. AU
  2. BV
  3. CP
  4. DA
6.Medium

What is the most reliable way to check that a nasogastric tube is in the stomach before use?

  1. ATesting aspirate pH, with a chest X-ray if needed
  2. BAsking the patient whether it feels right
  3. CPlacing the end of the tube in water to look for bubbles
  4. DListening for a "whoosh" after injecting air
7.Hard

A runner collapses on a hot day with a temperature of 40.5 °C and confusion. Why will paracetamol (acetaminophen) not help much?

  1. AParacetamol makes the body produce more heat
  2. BThe heat comes from failed heat loss, not a raised set point
  3. CParacetamol only lowers temperature in children, not in adults
  4. DParacetamol needs a temperature below 37 °C to work
8.Hard

A colleague asks the nurse to countersign the controlled drug register for a dose the nurse did not see being prepared or given. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARefuse, as they can only sign for what they have witnessed
  2. BSign, but only if the colleague is senior
  3. CSign, as the colleague is trustworthy
  4. DSign it later, at the end of the shift, once the colleague explains

Answer key

  1. 1. D · The patient's own report
  2. 2. A · No pain
  3. 3. B · They have difficulty swallowing thin liquids safely
  4. 4. C · At eye level, reading the lowest point of the curved surface
  5. 5. C · P
  6. 6. A · Testing aspirate pH, with a chest X-ray if needed
  7. 7. B · The heat comes from failed heat loss, not a raised set point
  8. 8. A · Refuse, as they can only sign for what they have witnessed

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