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

What is wound dehiscence?

  1. AA raised, thick scar after healing
  2. BPartial or complete separation of the wound edges
  3. CBleeding into the tissue underneath the closed wound
  4. DA wound that heals faster than expected
2.Easy

Which of these is an example of secondary prevention?

  1. AGiving a flu vaccine to an older adult
  2. BCervical screening to detect early changes
  3. CTeaching children to wash their hands
  4. DPhysiotherapy after a hip replacement
3.Easy

When is the recovery position used?

  1. AFor a patient in cardiac arrest
  2. BFor an unconscious patient who is breathing normally
  3. CFor a patient with a suspected broken leg only
  4. DFor a conscious patient with chest pain
4.Medium

Where should a urinary catheter drainage bag be kept?

  1. ABelow the level of the bladder, off the floor
  2. BOn the patient's abdomen
  3. CAbove the level of the bladder
  4. DOn the floor next to the bed
5.Medium

While being helped to eat, a patient with dysphagia coughs and their voice sounds wet and gurgly. What should the nurse do?

  1. ALie the patient flat to rest
  2. BStop feeding and report for a swallowing assessment
  3. CGive a drink of water to wash the food down
  4. DFeed more quickly so the meal is finished before they tire
6.Medium

How should a nurse help a patient with severe visual impairment on admission?

  1. AGuide the patient by pushing them gently from behind as they walk
  2. BSpeak more loudly than usual
  3. CMove the patient's belongings around to keep the area tidy
  4. DIntroduce themselves, describe the room and keep items in place
7.Hard

A patient with COPD and a known risk of hypercapnia is acutely breathless with an SpO₂ of 82%. What is correct?

  1. AGive the highest oxygen flow possible and aim for 100%
  2. BWithhold oxygen completely, because oxygen is dangerous in COPD
  3. CGive controlled oxygen, e.g. via a Venturi mask, aiming for 88–92%
  4. DWait for an arterial blood gas result before giving any oxygen at all
8.Hard

A patient's NEWS2 score suddenly rises from 1 to 7. What is the appropriate response?

  1. AUrgent or emergency response with immediate senior clinical review
  2. BRecheck the observations tomorrow morning
  3. CContinue four-hourly observations
  4. DDocument it, repeat the observations and inform the doctor at the next ward round

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Partial or complete separation of the wound edges
  2. 2. B · Cervical screening to detect early changes
  3. 3. B · For an unconscious patient who is breathing normally
  4. 4. A · Below the level of the bladder, off the floor
  5. 5. B · Stop feeding and report for a swallowing assessment
  6. 6. D · Introduce themselves, describe the room and keep items in place
  7. 7. C · Give controlled oxygen, e.g. via a Venturi mask, aiming for 88–92%
  8. 8. A · Urgent or emergency response with immediate senior clinical review

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