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 delirium?

  1. AA sudden, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness
  2. BA normal part of ageing
  3. CA slowly progressive loss of memory and thinking over several years
  4. DA lifelong learning disability
2.Easy

What are black, sticky, tar-like stools called?

  1. AConstipation
  2. BMelaena
  3. CHaematuria
  4. DSteatorrhoea
3.Easy

Which advice is part of good sleep hygiene?

  1. AHave a large meal just before bed
  2. BUse a phone or tablet in bed until falling asleep
  3. CTake long naps late in the day
  4. DAvoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening
4.Medium

How should the ear be positioned when taking a tympanic temperature in an adult?

  1. APush the outer ear forward against the cheek
  2. BLeave the ear alone and insert the probe deeply
  3. CGently pull the outer ear up and back
  4. DGently pull the outer ear down and back
5.Medium

A patient has just finished a glass of iced water. How should this affect taking an oral temperature?

  1. AUse the reading but only if the patient says they feel warm
  2. BTake it straight away, as cold drinks do not affect the mouth
  3. CWait about 15–30 minutes, as the reading may be falsely low
  4. DAdd half a degree to the reading to correct for the drink
6.Medium

When giving several medicines through a feeding tube, what is correct?

  1. AGive them without flushing to save time
  2. BGive each medicine separately and flush with water between them
  3. CCrush every tablet, including modified-release ones
  4. DMix them all together in the feed so they are given at the same time
7.Hard

A competent adult who is a Jehovah's Witness refuses a blood transfusion that the team believes is needed. Which two ethical principles are in conflict?

  1. AVeracity and non-maleficence
  2. BJustice and veracity
  3. CAutonomy and beneficence
  4. DFidelity and justice
8.Hard

A patient with severe anaemia has an SpO₂ of 98%. Why can this reading be misleading?

  1. APatients with anaemia always have a low true saturation
  2. BAnaemia makes the oximeter read about 10% higher than the true saturation
  3. CAnaemia damages the light sensor of the oximeter
  4. DThe red cells present are saturated, but the blood carries little oxygen

Answer key

  1. 1. A · A sudden, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness
  2. 2. B · Melaena
  3. 3. D · Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening
  4. 4. C · Gently pull the outer ear up and back
  5. 5. C · Wait about 15–30 minutes, as the reading may be falsely low
  6. 6. B · Give each medicine separately and flush with water between them
  7. 7. C · Autonomy and beneficence
  8. 8. D · The red cells present are saturated, but the blood carries little oxygen

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