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 does an automated external defibrillator (AED) do?

  1. AGives chest compressions automatically
  2. BAnalyses the heart rhythm and delivers a shock if one is needed
  3. CGives oxygen through a mask and measures how much the patient breathes
  4. DMeasures the patient's blood pressure every minute
2.Easy

According to WHO guidance, how long should a full alcohol hand rub take?

  1. AAbout 5 minutes
  2. BAbout 5 seconds
  3. CAbout 20–30 seconds
  4. DAbout 2 minutes
3.Easy

What is extravasation?

  1. ALeakage of plain saline from the cannula into the tissue around the vein
  2. BA cannula that has slipped deeper into the vein
  3. CLeakage of an irritant (vesicant) drug into the tissue around the vein
  4. DBleeding from the site after the cannula is removed
4.Medium

How can nurses help patients sleep better on a hospital ward at night?

  1. AGive every patient a sleeping tablet
  2. BDo routine tasks such as bed changes at midnight while it is quiet
  3. CKeep the main lights on so staff can see clearly
  4. DGroup care and observations so patients are disturbed less often
5.Medium

A patient's radial pulse is irregular. How should you count it?

  1. AFor 15 seconds and multiply by four
  2. BFor 10 seconds and multiply by six
  3. COnly on the automatic blood pressure machine
  4. DFor a full 60 seconds, ideally at the apex of the heart
6.Medium

In the PQRST pain assessment, what does "Q" ask about?

  1. AThe quantity of analgesia the patient has already taken today
  2. BThe quality of the pain, such as sharp, dull or burning
  3. CWhether the pain is quieter at night
  4. DHow quickly the pain started
7.Hard

A patient with a new colostomy has been taught stoma care. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A"I'll measure the stoma again as it shrinks over the next weeks."
  2. B"I'll cut the opening much bigger than my stoma so it doesn't rub."
  3. C"I'll dry the skin well before putting on a new bag."
  4. D"I'll check the skin around my stoma when I change the bag."
8.Hard

A nurse notices that the power cable of an infusion pump is frayed. What is the correct action?

  1. AUse it only for patients who are not seriously ill
  2. BUnplug it and put it back in the equipment store
  3. CTake it out of use, label it as faulty and report it
  4. DWrap tape around the cable and keep using it

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Analyses the heart rhythm and delivers a shock if one is needed
  2. 2. C · About 20–30 seconds
  3. 3. C · Leakage of an irritant (vesicant) drug into the tissue around the vein
  4. 4. D · Group care and observations so patients are disturbed less often
  5. 5. D · For a full 60 seconds, ideally at the apex of the heart
  6. 6. B · The quality of the pain, such as sharp, dull or burning
  7. 7. B · "I'll cut the opening much bigger than my stoma so it doesn't rub."
  8. 8. C · Take it out of use, label it as faulty and report it

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