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 of these is an example of tertiary prevention?

  1. AVaccinating healthcare workers against hepatitis B
  2. BA campaign to reduce smoking in teenagers
  3. CCardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack
  4. DMeasuring blood pressure at a health check
2.Easy

What is the normal respiratory rate for a resting adult?

  1. A30 to 40 breaths per minute
  2. B6 to 10 breaths per minute
  3. C12 to 20 breaths per minute
  4. D20 to 30 breaths per minute
3.Easy

Where is the radial pulse felt?

  1. AOn the wrist, on the thumb side
  2. BOn the neck, beside the windpipe
  3. CIn the groin
  4. DOn the top of the foot
4.Medium

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (England and Wales), what is the starting assumption about an adult's capacity?

  1. AThe adult has capacity unless it is shown that they lack it
  2. BOlder adults are assumed to lack capacity
  3. CCapacity is assumed only if a relative agrees
  4. DThe adult lacks capacity until a doctor has formally confirmed otherwise
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. AStop feeding and report for a swallowing assessment
  2. BLie the patient flat to rest
  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

A patient with advanced dementia cannot describe their pain. How should pain be assessed?

  1. ABy assuming there is no pain as long as the patient does not complain or call for help
  2. BWith an observational pain tool that scores behaviour such as facial expression
  3. CBy using the 0–10 numeric rating scale only
  4. DBy asking a visitor to guess the pain score
7.Hard

A nurse develops vomiting and diarrhoea during a norovirus outbreak. When can they usually return to work (UK guidance)?

  1. AAs soon as the vomiting stops
  2. B48 hours after the symptoms have stopped
  3. CAfter a full week, whatever the symptoms
  4. DThe next shift, if they feel well enough
8.Hard

Why should only the patient press the button of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump?

  1. AThe pump only works with the patient's fingerprint
  2. BA drowsy patient stops pressing, which helps prevent overdose
  3. CVisitors might damage the pump or change its settings if they touch it
  4. DNurses are not allowed to give opioids

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack
  2. 2. C · 12 to 20 breaths per minute
  3. 3. A · On the wrist, on the thumb side
  4. 4. A · The adult has capacity unless it is shown that they lack it
  5. 5. A · Stop feeding and report for a swallowing assessment
  6. 6. B · With an observational pain tool that scores behaviour such as facial expression
  7. 7. B · 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped
  8. 8. B · A drowsy patient stops pressing, which helps prevent overdose

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