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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which of these is a closed question?

  1. A"What worries you about going home?"
  2. B"How are you feeling today?"
  3. C"Do you have any pain now?"
  4. D"Can you tell me about your pain?"
2.Easy

What is an incentive spirometer used for?

  1. AMeasuring the oxygen level in the blood before and after surgery
  2. BGiving inhaled medicines to the lungs
  3. CEncouraging slow, deep breaths to keep the lungs expanded
  4. DRemoving mucus from the airway by suction
3.Easy

Why might a patient be given thickened fluids?

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

A patient's hearing aid keeps whistling. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AThe volume is turned right down
  2. BIt is not fitted properly in the ear
  3. CThe battery is completely flat
  4. DThe patient's hearing has improved
5.Medium

What is orthostatic (postural) hypotension?

  1. AA fall in blood pressure on standing up, often causing dizziness
  2. BHigh blood pressure when lying down
  3. CLow blood pressure only during sleep
  4. DA difference of more than 10 mmHg in blood pressure between the two arms
6.Medium

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

  1. AAt eye level, reading the lowest point of the curved surface
  2. BBy filling the cup to the very top
  3. CFrom above, reading the highest point at the edge of the liquid
  4. DBy pouring until it looks about right
7.Hard

A dying patient's breathing gets deeper and faster, then shallower, followed by a pause with no breathing, in a repeating cycle. What is this pattern called?

  1. ABiot's breathing
  2. BCheyne–Stokes breathing
  3. CParadoxical breathing
  4. DKussmaul breathing
8.Hard

For a patient at risk of pressure ulcers, why is the head of the bed usually kept at 30 degrees or less if their condition allows?

  1. ALower angles stop the patient from getting out of bed
  2. BLower angles increase blood flow to the heels
  3. CHigher angles make the patient slide down, causing shear over the sacrum
  4. DHigher angles always cause breathing problems in patients who are bedbound

Answer key

  1. 1. C · "Do you have any pain now?"
  2. 2. C · Encouraging slow, deep breaths to keep the lungs expanded
  3. 3. A · They have difficulty swallowing thin liquids safely
  4. 4. B · It is not fitted properly in the ear
  5. 5. A · A fall in blood pressure on standing up, often causing dizziness
  6. 6. A · At eye level, reading the lowest point of the curved surface
  7. 7. B · Cheyne–Stokes breathing
  8. 8. C · Higher angles make the patient slide down, causing shear over the sacrum

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.