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

Which body temperature is within the normal range for an adult?

  1. A36.8 °C
  2. B34.6 °C
  3. C39.2 °C
  4. D38.4 °C
2.Easy

What does "PRN" mean on a prescription?

  1. AAs needed
  2. BBefore meals
  3. CImmediately
  4. DEvery morning
3.Easy

What is the main role of platelets?

  1. ACarrying carbon dioxide to the lungs
  2. BFighting bacterial infection
  3. CHelping the blood to clot
  4. DCarrying oxygen around the body
4.Medium

What is orthostatic (postural) hypotension?

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

Why should the same pain scale be used each time a patient's pain is assessed?

  1. ABecause using different pain scales on one patient is against the law
  2. BSo the patient learns the right answer to give
  3. CSo scores can be compared to see whether pain is improving
  4. DBecause only one scale is valid for adults
6.Medium

Why must oxygen be prescribed with a target saturation range?

  1. APrescriptions are needed only for oxygen used at home, not in hospital
  2. BIt is a drug, and too much or too little can harm the patient
  3. COxygen is only allowed for surgical patients
  4. DOxygen is expensive and must be counted
7.Hard

A patient's oxygen saturation target is 88–92%. Which condition most likely explains this lower target?

  1. AChronic obstructive pulmonary disease with risk of hypercapnia
  2. BCarbon monoxide poisoning
  3. CPneumonia in a previously healthy patient with no chronic lung disease
  4. DAsthma attack in a young adult
8.Hard

A patient rescued from a house fire has a pulse oximetry reading of 99% but is drowsy and has a headache. Why may the reading be falsely reassuring?

  1. ABurns make the skin conduct light better
  2. BCarbon monoxide bound to haemoglobin is read by the oximeter as oxygen
  3. CThe patient's heart rate is too fast for the device to give an accurate reading
  4. DSmoke makes the oximeter read too low

Answer key

  1. 1. A · 36.8 °C
  2. 2. A · As needed
  3. 3. C · Helping the blood to clot
  4. 4. B · A fall in blood pressure on standing up, often causing dizziness
  5. 5. C · So scores can be compared to see whether pain is improving
  6. 6. B · It is a drug, and too much or too little can harm the patient
  7. 7. A · Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with risk of hypercapnia
  8. 8. B · Carbon monoxide bound to haemoglobin is read by the oximeter as oxygen

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