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 an incident report used for?

  1. ARecording the patient's daily observations and fluid balance
  2. BRecording staff holiday requests
  3. CRecording an event that caused or could have caused harm
  4. DOrdering equipment for the ward
2.Easy

What is breakthrough pain?

  1. APain caused by breaking a bone
  2. BPain felt only during physiotherapy
  3. CPain that goes away after a good night's sleep
  4. DA flare of pain between regular doses of analgesia
3.Easy

Where is a buccal medicine placed?

  1. AInside the nostril
  2. BOn the back of the tongue
  3. CBetween the cheek and the gum
  4. DUnder the tongue, where it dissolves
4.Medium

Why should insulin injection sites be rotated?

  1. ATo prevent lumpy fatty swelling that affects absorption
  2. BTo stop the patient getting used to the needle
  3. CBecause each site can only be used once
  4. DTo make the insulin work more quickly with each injection
5.Medium

A patient can wash their face and arms but cannot reach their back and feet. What is the best approach?

  1. AAsk the patient to wait until a relative visits
  2. BWash the patient completely yourself to save time and effort
  3. CLeave the back and feet unwashed
  4. DLet the patient do what they can and help with the rest
6.Medium

Which patient goal is written in a SMART way?

  1. AThe patient will walk 20 metres with a frame by Friday
  2. BThe patient will feel better soon
  3. CThe patient will improve mobility
  4. DThe patient will try to eat more
7.Hard

Two days after surgery a patient has a temperature of 37.9 °C and reduced breath sounds at the lung bases. What is the most helpful nursing action, alongside reporting it?

  1. AKeep the patient lying flat in bed so they can rest and save energy
  2. BStop all pain relief so the patient stays alert
  3. CEncourage deep breathing, coughing and getting out of bed
  4. DRestrict all fluids to dry the secretions
8.Hard

A patient says they have no pain, but grimaces and holds their side whenever they move. What should the nurse do?

  1. AExplore the difference gently and assess the pain further
  2. BTell the patient they are not being honest
  3. CGive the strongest analgesic available straight away
  4. DRecord "no pain" and take no further action

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Recording an event that caused or could have caused harm
  2. 2. D · A flare of pain between regular doses of analgesia
  3. 3. C · Between the cheek and the gum
  4. 4. A · To prevent lumpy fatty swelling that affects absorption
  5. 5. D · Let the patient do what they can and help with the rest
  6. 6. A · The patient will walk 20 metres with a frame by Friday
  7. 7. C · Encourage deep breathing, coughing and getting out of bed
  8. 8. A · Explore the difference gently and assess the pain further

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