Can You Answer These Questions From a Nursing Exam?

By: Todd Betzold
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Answer These Questions From a Nursing Exam?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Imagine working your butt off to get through nursing school. However, in order to successfully finish the program and get that RN or LPN degree, you need to pass the nursing exam. You aced everything up until this point, but then you have a major brain fart during the exam and you totally forget the legal document that tells whether the patient wants CPR or not. Maybe you forgot that an evisceration is the protrusion of an internal organ through a wound or a surgical incision.

Sure, you know what to do when in the moment, but you totally freaked out while taking the exam. It happens to many people, especially when put under all the stress of nursing school, and then you have the nursing exam staring you in the face. If you still have that exam in front of you, then no need to worry. We have the perfect test for you! There is no pressure involved with this one, as you simply try to get every answer correct.

Whether you have been a nurse for 20 years or you are hoping to pass the nursing exam soon, can you get all of these questions right? Take the quiz and show your knowledge!

How long after surgery are sutures and staples normally removed?
4 to 7 days if healing is considered adequate
7 to 10 days if healing is considered adequate
10 to 14 days if healing is considered adequate
14 to 20 days if healing is considered adequate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the wound is healing sufficiently, then sutures and staples can be removed within 7 to 10 days. This tends to reduce the amount of dressing supplies needed after removal. However, you may still need a light dressing.

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You should put avulsed teeth in what?
Cold water
Milk
Warm water
Saline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An avulsed tooth is when the patient experiences a traumatic loss of a tooth. Placing the tooth in milk will help when trying for reimplantation. Also, the tooth should be handled only at the crown and not at the root.

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If you have yellow or white spots on the oral mucosa that are impossible to scrape off without bleeding, which oral disorder do you have?
Candidiasis
Leukoplakia
Herpes simplex
Alphthous ulcers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you have oral candidiasis, you should not attempt to remove the spots. Herpes simplex consists of tingling and burning of the lips and mouth areas, as well as blisters and a sore throat. Alphthous ulcers are better known as canker sores and leukoplakia gives you thickened, white patches that form on the cheeks, tongue, lower lip or floor of the mouth.

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Used exclusively for infants and neonates from 32 weeks of gestation to six months of age, this is the pain assessment scale used:
FLACC pain scale
CRIES pain scale
Faces pain scale
PEPPS pain scale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The CRIES pain scale has five behavioral measurements, which include increased vital signs, the need for increased oxygen, the infant's crying, sleepiness and expression. The other pain scales are used to measure other things as the baby gets older.

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When does periwound maceration occur?
The use of negative-pressure to "air out" the wound
The skin around the wound dries out and hardens.
The skin around the wound softens and is damaged.
Using the type of wound to select a dressing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A periwound maceration is also classified as moisture-associated skin damage. This occurs when the skin softens and it damages the connective fibers.

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This is the hormone that produces a mother's milk.
Prolactin
Colostrum
Estrogen
Testosterone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prolactin is a hormone that is best known for helping females produce breast milk. The hormone has other functions though, as it helps regulate the immune system.

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You are working your shift. You suspect another LPN is verbally and physically abusing a patient. What do you do?
You are new and don't want to ruffle any feathers, so you just ignore it.
You aren't certain it is abuse, so you monitor the situation a little more before possibly reporting it.
Report your suspicions to the charge nurse.
Call the police or security department.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nurses are mandated by law to report all suspected neglect and abuse. Even if you are uncertain about it, report it and let the authorities investigate the allegations and come up with a conclusion.

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The treatment of viral conjunctivitis includes the use of what?
Antihistamine/decongestant drops
Cold compresses
Steroid eye drops
Antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It usually is caused by adenovirus. Patients are told to sanitize and/or wash their hands thoroughly after touching their eyes. The cold compress will provide symptomatic relief.

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What is the most important thing a nurse can do to prevent the spread of infection?
Using personal protective equipment
Washing their hands
Adhering to the principles of asepsis
Applying standard precautions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any healthcare professional can help prevent the spread of infection simply by washing their hands. All of the options given help prevent the spread of infection, but washing your hands is the most important way to do it.

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Of the following, which is a vector of infection?
A contaminated thermometer
An infectious fly
A contaminated ball
An infected person
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A vector is a living being that can transmit infections to humans, which includes flies, mice and mosquitoes. Fomites are inanimate items that can spread infection by contact, which includes a contaminated thermometer or ball. An infected human being is considered a host.

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Which drug is thought to be associated with an increase in lipoprotein levels?
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Triamterene (Dyrenium)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide is a pill that is known to treat not only high blood pressure, but fluid retention also. This fluid retention can be caused by heart failure or liver disease.

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A long term care patient has chronic pain. They now need increasing dosages to control the pain. What is this patient affected with?
Drug tolerance
Drug addiction
Drug interactions
Drug side effects
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since these patients have been dealing with the chronic pain for a while now, they have developed a tolerance to the medication. That means they need higher dosages to keep the pain at a minimum.

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During pregnancy, what is the best way to relieve constipation?
Taking an over-the-counter laxative
Lay flat on your back while sleeping.
Eating more fruits and vegetables
Reduce your iron intake by half or even more.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With the right amount of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise, you may feel relief from constipation. While pregnant, you should avoid all over-the-counter medication. You do not want to lower iron intake during pregnancy, and laying on your back while sleeping could cause vena cava syndrome.

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You think your patient just has dandruff, but which skin disorder most closely resembles dandruff?
Scabies
Acne vulgaris
Dermatitis
Lice infestation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lice infestation seems to mimic and closely resemble dandruff. You may also see the patient itching, as well as small, red bumps on the scalp, shoulders and neck. Dermatitis has an itchy rash and swollen, reddened skin. Scabies seems to have mite burrow tracks, which show up as tiny blisters or bumps on the skin. Acne vulgaris shows up as blackheads and/or whiteheads.

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The metabolic rate is decreased as a result of which disease?
Cancer
Cardiac failure
Hypothyroidism
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a person has hypothyroidism, it causes a decrease in the metabolic demand. This means fewer calories are required. The other three options all cause an increase in metabolic demand, which means more calories are needed.

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A fire emergency is happening in your hospital. What is the first step in the fire emergency intervention?
Extinguish the fire.
Pull the fire alarm.
Rescue the patients in danger.
Contain the fire.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

if a fire occurs, the first step is to make sure the patients in danger of the fire are pulled to safety. Next you would pull the fire alarm and then contain the fire by closing doors. Finally, extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, if possible.

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What burn type would lead to the greatest degree of pain?
First-degree burn
Second-degree burn
Third-degree burn
Fourth-degree burn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First-degree burns do cause pain, but the pain level is much higher with a second-degree burn. As far as the third- and fourth-degree burns, the pain is not there because the burns have destroyed pain sensory nerves.

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Which of these patients has the greatest risk of getting cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis?
A 50-year-old male patient who is Asian.
A 50-year-old female patient who is Asian.
A 70-year-old male patient who has liver disease.
A 70-year-old female patient who has liver disease.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known risk factors for cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis are the female gender, liver disease and advancing age. That would mean the 70-year-old woman with liver disease would be the patient at highest risk.

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The nursing process has many phases. During which phase does data get collected and validated with the patient and/or family members by the nurse?
Assessment Phase
Evaluation Phase
Implementation Phase
Planning Phase
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of this data is collected by the nurse during the assessment phase. The actual care of the patient is the implementation phase. The evaluation phase includes the comparison of current data to expected outcomes to determine if the patient has achieved the pre-established goals. Priority setting and care planning are done in the planning phase.

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What is the normal amount of daily feedings for a newborn?
4 to 6
6 to 8
8 to 10
10 to 12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For a newborn, their stomach empties out about every 1.5 hours. With those numbers, you would need to be feeding your baby every two hours. In 24 hours, that would be about 10 to 12 times a day.

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One milliliter contains how many minims?
Between 10 to 11
12
Between 15 to 16
20
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For those unaware, a minim is 1⁄480 of a fluid ounce. This also equals out to be .0020833333333333 oz. For 1 milliliter, it equals .033814 ounces.

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When it comes to papilledema, which patient is at greater risk of getting it?
An adolescent with a closed head injury
A male patient with hyperthyroidism
A male patient with hypothyroidism
An elderly patient with cataracts and macular degeneration
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Closed head injuries lead to an increase in intracranial pressure. This leads to papilledema, including in adolescents.

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The fetal heart starts pumping its own blood during which week?
3rd week
4th week
5th week
6th week
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During week 3, the heart starts pumping blood on its own. This blood type is different than the mother's. We see the development of legs, eyes and hands during week 5. You start detecting brain waves during week 6.

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For sedentary older men, active adult women and children, the recommended daily caloric intake should be what?
1,600 calories
2,000 calories
2,400 calories
2,800 calories
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is a 2,000-calorie goal for sedentary older men, active adult women and children. For sedentary adolescents, they require 2,400 calories. For sedentary women and children, they require 1,600 calories and active adolescents need the most at 2,800 calories daily.

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Which type of cancer has the lowest survival rate?
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Gallbladder cancer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate. This is because pancreatic cancer is not symptomatic, so it is often found after the point where surgery could remove it. Once diagnosed, it moves rapidly through the body.

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What would you recommend to a patient who has difficulty swallowing and chokes frequently?
Tilting the head back when swallowing
Take a drink of water after each bite.
Tucking in the chin when swallowing
Eat only a liquid diet.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The patient is going to want to tuck the chin instead of tilting the head back, which is dangerous. You should thicken the thin fluids and liquids prior to drinking them to prevent choking.

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What is the normal sodium level in the body?
3 to 5 milliequivalents
3 to 5 microequivalents
135 to 145 milliequivalents
135 to 145 microequivalents
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sodium level in a body is determined by the kidneys and normally shows the amount of water in the blood. If you have a high amount of water in the blood, then your sodium level will be lower. If you have a low amount of water in your blood, then your sodium level is going to be higher.

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Which of these answers is the correct sequential order for the stages of infection?
The incubation, prodromal, illness and convalescence stages
The inflammation, infection and immunity stages
The prodromal, incubation, illness and convalescence stages
The prodromal, primary, secondary and tertiary stages
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The correct stages of infection are the incubation, prodromal, illness and convalescence stages. Some commonly used terms in infection control are inflammation, infection and immunity, but they are not stages of infection. For primary, secondary and tertiary, they are levels of prevention, but not stages of infection.

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A patient comes into the emergency room with multiple traumas. Which of these conditions and injuries would be the most serious?
Hematuria
Decreased bowel sounds
A deviated trachea
Gross deformity of a lower extremity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of all these conditions, the deviated trachea is a life-threatening condition. This is a symptom of tension pneumothorax and should have the greatest priority for this patient.

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This electrolyte is essential for enzyme and neurochemical activities.
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to enzyme and neurochemical activities, magnesium is essential. Magnesium also helps with cardiac and skeletal muscle excitability.

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Risk factors are placed into broad classifications. Alcohol, caffeine and drugs are high risk factors for what classification?
Environmental
Psychosocial
Biophysical
Social demographic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Risk factors for psychosocial include life style choices a person makes. This would include the use or abuse of alcohol, caffeine and illicit drugs.

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Which of these breath sounds would be considered normal and not adventitious?
Fine rales
Wheezes
Vesicular breath sounds
Rhonchi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to normal breath sounds, those are called vesicular breath sounds. The other options (rales, rhonchi and wheezes) are all considered to be abnormal, adventitious breath sounds.

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Of the following, which is a hazard of immobility?
Venous vasoconstriction
Increased vital capacity
A positive nitrogen balance
Loss of bone calcium
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since the patient is not having any movement of their body, this causes them to lose calcium in their bones. This immobility can also cause muscular atrophy, decreased respiratory movement and even urinary tract infections.

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A patient is diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome. They ask you what causes it and you tell them this:
It often occurs among patients who are getting radiation therapy.
It is a type of irritable bowel syndrome.
It is a disorder of the adrenal gland.
It often occurs among patients who are going through chemotherapy.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cushing's syndrome is the result of chronic hypersecretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Crohn's disease is a type of irritable bowel syndrome, not Cushing's syndrome. Also, there is no relationship between radiation and chemotherapy with Cushing's syndrome.

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After having imaging done, the doctor tells a patient they have a Mallory-Weiss tear. They ask you what this is and you tell them what?
It is an esophageal tear.
It is a kind of diverticulitis.
It is a lacrimal gland disorder.
It is a tear that results from a peptic ulcer.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a linear tear of the esophageal mucosa. The most common risk factors of this tear are alcohol use and abuse.

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