Nursing fundamentals worksheet with answers

What does the abbreviation "NPO" (or "nil by mouth") mean?

1. ANothing to eat or drink
2. BNormal diet as tolerated
3. COnly clear fluids
4. DMedicines only by injection

What should you do with a used needle after an injection?

1. ALeave it on the tray and dispose of it once the procedure is over
2. BRecap it carefully with both hands
3. CPut it straight into a sharps container without recapping
4. DPut it in the general waste bin

What is the main role of platelets?

1. AFighting bacterial infection
2. BCarrying oxygen around the body
3. CCarrying carbon dioxide to the lungs
4. DHelping the blood to clot

A conscious patient with diabetes has low blood glucose and can swallow safely. What is the first step?

1. AGive the next dose of insulin
2. BGive nothing until the doctor arrives
3. CGive a large meal straight away and recheck the glucose the next morning
4. DGive a fast-acting carbohydrate by mouth and recheck the glucose

A bedbound patient who has not opened their bowels for a week now has liquid stool leaking constantly. What should the nurse suspect?

1. ANormal bowel function returning
2. BFaecal impaction with overflow
3. CA side effect of drinking too much water
4. DAn infection that needs antidiarrhoeal drugs at once

A patient starts regular morphine. What is usually prescribed alongside it to prevent a common side effect?

1. AAn antibiotic
2. BAn antihistamine
3. CA diuretic
4. DA laxative

Lying and standing blood pressure are measured. Which result meets the usual definition of orthostatic hypotension?

1. AA fall in systolic pressure of 5 mmHg or more after 10 minutes of standing still
2. BA fall in systolic pressure of 20 mmHg or more within 3 minutes of standing
3. CA rise in heart rate of 5 beats per minute on standing
4. DA rise in systolic pressure of 20 mmHg on standing

A patient has been taught breathing exercises before surgery. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

1. A"I'll hold a pillow over the wound when I cough."
2. B"I'll ask for pain relief if pain stops me breathing deeply."
3. C"I'll avoid coughing so I don't hurt my stitches."
4. D"I'll take some slow deep breaths every hour."