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

Where is the apical pulse best heard in an adult?

  1. AOver the lower end of the sternum in the midline
  2. BAt the fifth intercostal space in the left midclavicular line
  3. CAt the left side of the neck beside the windpipe
  4. DAt the second intercostal space just right of the sternum
2.Easy

Why is a tourniquet used when taking blood from a vein?

  1. AIt stops the patient feeling the needle
  2. BIt sterilises the skin over the vein
  3. CIt prevents bruising after the test
  4. DIt makes the veins fill and easier to find
3.Easy

Why might a patient be given thickened fluids?

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

Which of these is part of the UK "Sepsis Six"?

  1. AWaiting for a chest X-ray before antibiotics
  2. BRestricting IV fluids
  3. CGiving a sedative
  4. DMeasuring urine output
5.Medium

A patient's blood pressure is much higher than in all previous readings. What is the best first step?

  1. ARecheck it, making sure the technique and cuff size are correct
  2. BRecord it and give an extra dose of the blood pressure tablet
  3. CIgnore it, as it must be a machine error
  4. DTell the patient they are having a stroke
6.Medium

When measuring blood pressure manually, which sound marks the systolic pressure?

  1. AThe point at which all sounds disappear as the cuff deflates
  2. BThe sound heard before the cuff is inflated
  3. CThe first clear tapping sound as the cuff deflates
  4. DThe loudest sound heard
7.Hard

A patient with heart failure weighs 2 kg more than yesterday on the same scales. What does this most likely show?

  1. AAbout 2 litres of fluid has been retained
  2. BThe patient is becoming dehydrated
  3. CThe patient has gained 2 kg of body fat
  4. DThe scales must have been faulty
8.Hard

A patient on a ward suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What is the first action?

  1. ALie the patient on the side and observe
  2. BCall for help and start CPR
  3. CMeasure the blood pressure
  4. DCheck the blood glucose before anything else

Answer key

  1. 1. B · At the fifth intercostal space in the left midclavicular line
  2. 2. D · It makes the veins fill and easier to find
  3. 3. B · They have difficulty swallowing thin liquids safely
  4. 4. D · Measuring urine output
  5. 5. A · Recheck it, making sure the technique and cuff size are correct
  6. 6. C · The first clear tapping sound as the cuff deflates
  7. 7. A · About 2 litres of fluid has been retained
  8. 8. B · Call for help and start CPR

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