Question

A nurse is caring for a client in a wound center.

Answer 1

Correct Highlights :

Client rates pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 in their left knee
MildTemperature 38.6 °C (101.4° F)
Heart rate 104/min
Left knee wound is 3 cm by 2 cm with 1 cm depth.
purulent drainage noted.

Rationale :

Client rates pain as 8/10 with no relief from medication

🔴 Significant increase in pain (4 → 8/10) suggests worsening inflammation rather than normal healing.

🔴 Severe pain unrelieved by medication is a common sign of wound infection or tissue compromise.

🔴 Effective wound therapy should gradually decrease discomfort, not intensify it.

🔴 Increased pain may indicate pressure issues with the wound vac or bacterial invasion.

🔴 Persistent uncontrolled pain requires provider notification and reassessment of therapy.

Temperature 38.6°C (101.4°F)

🔴 Fever is a classic systemic sign of infection.

🔴 A rise from 37.1°C to 38.6°C indicates an acute inflammatory response.

🔴 Postoperative clients are at increased risk for surgical site infection (SSI).

🔴 Elevated temperature combined with wound changes suggests therapy failure.

🔴 Fever signals the body is mounting a systemic immune response.

Heart rate 104/min

🔴 Tachycardia can occur in response to pain, fever, or infection.

🔴 An increase from 94/min to 104/min reflects physiologic stress.

🔴 Infection may trigger early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

🔴 Elevated heart rate supports concern for worsening condition.

🔴 Persistent tachycardia requires further clinical evaluation.

Wound increased in size (2×2 cm → 3×2 cm)

🔴 Wounds receiving effective therapy should show gradual reduction in size.

🔴 Enlargement suggests delayed healing or deterioration.

🔴 Increased wound dimensions may indicate poor tissue perfusion or infection.

🔴 Negative pressure therapy aims to promote granulation and contraction.

🔴 Wound expansion is a sign the therapy is not achieving expected outcomes.

Mild purulent drainage noted

🔴 Purulent drainage (thick, cloudy, yellow/green exudate) is a hallmark of infection.

🔴 Previous documentation noted only serosanguineous drainage, which is normal in healing.

🔴 Change in drainage character signals bacterial contamination.

🔴 Infection impairs wound healing and reduces therapy effectiveness.

🔴 Purulence combined with fever confirms concern for surgical site infection.

Key Clinical Picture

🔴 Increased pain + fever + tachycardia + wound enlargement + purulent drainage = Infection and ineffective wound therapy

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Elevate the head of the bed to 45°.
Request a consult with a registered dietitian.
Provide a support pressure-redistribution surface.
Use a moisture barrier ointment after cleaning the client's skin.

Rationale :

Request a consult with a registered dietitian

🟢 The client is consuming only 25% of breakfast and 10% of lunch, indicating inadequate nutritional intake.

🟢 Poor nutrition impairs wound healing and skin integrity, especially in clients with diabetes.

🟢 Adequate protein and calorie intake are essential to prevent pressure injuries.

🟢 Diabetes further increases risk for delayed healing and tissue breakdown.

🟢 A dietitian can develop a plan to improve nutritional status and prevent complications.

Provide a support pressure-redistribution surface

🟢 The client has decreased mobility and sensation, increasing pressure injury risk.

🟢 Pressure-redistribution mattresses reduce prolonged tissue compression.

🟢 Immobility combined with incontinence significantly increases skin breakdown risk.

🟢 Specialty surfaces help improve circulation and tissue oxygenation.

🟢 This is an evidence-based intervention for high-risk clients.

Use a moisture barrier ointment after cleaning the client's skin

🟢 The client has urinary and fecal incontinence, which exposes skin to moisture and enzymes.

🟢 Prolonged moisture leads to maceration and breakdown of skin integrity.

🟢 Barrier ointments protect against irritation and dermatitis.

🟢 Frequent loose stools increase risk of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

🟢 Protecting skin reduces risk of secondary infection.

Elevate the head of the bed to 45°

🟢 Elevating the HOB supports safe swallowing and digestion during meals.

🟢 The client has decreased lower extremity mobility, increasing risk for complications of immobility.

🟢 Upright positioning helps reduce risk of aspiration and reflux, especially with limited intake.

🟢 Proper positioning improves comfort and pulmonary expansion.

🟢 This intervention supports overall physiologic stability.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers

Blank 1 Correct Option: oxygen saturation
Blank 2 Correct Option: Behavioral findings

Rationale :

Oxygen saturation

🔴 The client’s oxygen saturation dropped from 95% to 90%, indicating worsening oxygenation.

🔴 Postoperative clients are at risk for hypoxia, atelectasis, or pulmonary embolism, especially after abdominal surgery.

🔴 Increased respiratory rate (16 → 24/min) further supports respiratory compromise.

🔴 Hypoxia can quickly progress and is a priority under ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).

🔴 A drop in SpO₂ is an early and critical sign requiring immediate intervention.

Behavioral findings

🔴 The client states, “I feel like something is wrong,” which is a significant early warning sign.

🔴 Agitation and restlessness can indicate early hypoxia or internal bleeding.

🔴 Postoperative blood loss was 1200 mL, and Hgb is low (8.3 g/dL), increasing concern for compromised oxygen delivery.

🔴 Behavioral changes often precede more obvious clinical deterioration.

🔴 Trusting subtle behavioral cues is essential in early detection of instability.

🔴Pain is moderate (5/10) and expected postoperatively.

🔴 WBC count is only slightly elevated and not the immediate priority.

🔴 Bowel findings are expected (hypoactive after abdominal surgery).

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Place the client on contact precautions.
Request a prescription for an antiemetic medication.
Clarify the prescription for amoxicillin with the provider.

Rationale :

Place the client on contact precautions

🔴 On Day 3, the client reports abdominal cramping and three loose stools, which raises concern for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), especially after recent antibiotic use.

🔴 The client recently had pneumonia and is currently receiving antibiotics, increasing CDI risk.

🔴 C. difficile requires contact precautions, including gown and gloves.

🔴 Standard precautions alone are insufficient for spore-forming organisms.

🔴 Early isolation prevents transmission within the healthcare setting.

Request a prescription for an antiemetic medication

🔴 The client continues to report persistent nausea and poor oral intake.

🔴 Ongoing nausea increases risk for dehydration and poor medication tolerance.

🔴 Improving symptom control supports hydration, nutrition, and recovery.

🔴 Symptom management is part of comprehensive infection care.

🔴 An antiemetic would promote better overall clinical stability.

Clarify the prescription for amoxicillin with the provider

🔴 The client has a documented penicillin allergy, and amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic.

🔴 Administering amoxicillin could cause an allergic reaction, potentially severe (anaphylaxis).

🔴 Medication reconciliation and allergy verification are essential safety measures.

🔴 The prescription should be clarified before administration.

🔴 Preventing medication-related harm is a priority nursing responsibility.

🔴 Ensure the client wears a surgical mask when outside of their room

🔴 C. difficile requires contact precautions, not droplet precautions.

Hold the dose of levothyroxine

🔴No evidence suggests thyroid medication should be withheld.

🔴Recommend increasing the dose of metoprolol

🔴Blood pressure and pulse are stable; no indication for dosage increase.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Tie the linens' bag securely at the top.

Rationale :

💠 Infection control containment: Securely tying the linen bag prevents leakage of contaminated materials and reduces the spread of microorganisms outside the client’s room.

💠 Contact precautions principle: Contact precautions require minimizing transmission through contaminated objects, and properly sealing linens supports this goal.

💠 Prevention of environmental contamination: An open or loosely closed bag can allow pathogens to contaminate hallways, equipment, or other clients.

💠 Standard linen handling protocol: Soiled linens should be placed directly into designated bags at the point of use and closed before transport.

💠 Reduction of cross-transmission risk: Properly sealed linen bags protect healthcare workers and environmental services staff from exposure during handling and transport.

Rinse the linens prior to removing them from the client's room

💠 Rinsing soiled linens can aerosolize microorganisms and increase the risk of spreading pathogens in the environment.

💠 Infection control guidelines recommend not shaking or rinsing contaminated linens inside the client’s room.

Double-bag the linens

💠 Double-bagging is not routinely required unless the outer surface of the first bag becomes contaminated or saturated.

💠 Unnecessary double-bagging does not enhance infection control and may waste resources.

Wear sterile gloves when handling the linens

💠 Sterile gloves are not required for handling soiled linens; clean gloves are sufficient under contact precautions.

💠 Sterile gloves are reserved for procedures requiring aseptic technique, not routine linen removal.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

"I avoid going out because I sometimes have problems with incontinence."

Rationale :

💠 Disturbed self-perception: Avoiding social activities due to incontinence reflects negative feelings about bodily function changes, which is consistent with impaired body image.

💠 Social withdrawal: Choosing isolation because of embarrassment demonstrates altered self-concept and decreased confidence related to aging changes.

💠 Emotional response to aging: Incontinence can affect dignity and self-esteem, and avoidance behaviors indicate difficulty accepting this physical change.

💠 Impact on quality of life: When body changes interfere with normal social interaction, it suggests psychological distress rather than healthy adaptation.

💠 Maladaptive coping pattern: Avoidance is not an adaptive response; it reflects distress about bodily changes instead of acceptance.

"These lines in my face reveal a part of my character."

💠 This statement reflects acceptance of aging and a positive interpretation of physical changes.

💠 It demonstrates healthy self-esteem and appropriate adaptation to normal age-related changes.

"My hearing has improved since I got my hearing aids."

💠 This indicates effective management of a sensory deficit and a positive adjustment to aging.

💠 The client demonstrates proactive behavior and satisfaction with corrective measures.

"My wrinkled hands show how hard I've worked all my life."

💠 This reflects pride and meaning attached to physical aging signs.

💠 It shows healthy body image and positive self-concept.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Use a standardized approach to giving the handoff report.

Rationale :

💠 Promotes continuity of care: A standardized format such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) ensures that critical information is communicated clearly and consistently between nurses.

💠 Reduces communication errors: Structured reporting decreases the risk of omitted or inaccurate information, which is a major cause of sentinel events.

💠 Enhances patient safety: Standardized handoff tools support accurate transfer of clinical data such as vital signs, recent changes, medications, and pending tests.

💠 Improves accountability: A uniform process ensures both nurses have the opportunity to clarify and confirm understanding of the client’s condition.

💠 Supports evidence-based practice: National patient safety organizations recommend standardized handoff communication to improve outcomes and care coordination.

Encourage the oncoming shift nurse to contact the provider with any questions

💠 This shifts responsibility rather than ensuring complete and accurate communication during the handoff.

💠 The reporting nurse is responsible for providing comprehensive information before transferring care.

Record a verbal report on a recorder for the oncoming nurse to listen to

💠 Recorded reports prevent immediate clarification or interactive communication.

💠 Effective handoff requires real-time dialogue to ask and answer questions.

Provide the handoff report at the nurses' station

💠 Reporting at the nurses’ station may compromise client confidentiality if others can overhear protected health information.

💠 Best practice often includes bedside reporting when appropriate to enhance safety and client involvement.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Use a standardized approach to giving the handoff report.

Rationale :

💠 Structured communication improves safety: Using a tool such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) ensures all critical client information is transferred in an organized and systematic manner.

💠 Prevents omission of key data: A standardized format reduces the risk of forgetting essential details such as allergies, abnormal findings, pending labs, or recent changes in condition.

💠 Supports continuity of care: Consistent communication allows the oncoming nurse to clearly understand the client’s current status, priorities, and plan of care.

💠 Enhances accountability and clarification: Standardized reporting promotes interactive discussion, allowing both nurses to verify information and ask relevant questions.

💠 Aligns with patient safety guidelines: National safety organizations recommend structured handoff communication to decrease errors and improve clinical outcomes.

Encourage the oncoming shift nurse to contact the provider with any questions

💠 This places responsibility on the receiving nurse instead of ensuring a complete and accurate transfer of information during the handoff.

💠 The nurse giving report is accountable for clearly communicating essential client data before transfer of care.

Record a verbal report on a recorder for the oncoming nurse to listen to

💠 Recorded reports eliminate real-time interaction, which is necessary for clarification and verification of information.

💠 Effective handoffs require two-way communication to ensure understanding.

Provide the handoff report at the nurses' station

💠 Giving report at the nurses’ station may risk breach of confidentiality if protected health information is overheard.

💠 Best practice encourages secure and structured reporting, often including bedside reporting when appropriate.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Telephone number

Rationale :

💠 Approved unique identifier: A telephone number is considered a valid secondary identifier because it is specific to the individual client and helps distinguish them from others.

💠 Prevents medical errors: Proper client identification reduces the risk of performing procedures, administering medications, or documenting findings on the wrong client.

💠 Follows safety standards: National patient safety guidelines require the use of at least two client identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth or phone number) before providing care.

💠 Supports accurate documentation: Verifying identifiers ensures assessment findings are recorded in the correct health record.

💠 Enhances patient safety culture: Consistent use of unique identifiers reinforces safe clinical practice and reduces adverse events.

Provider's name

💠 The provider’s name does not uniquely identify the client, as multiple clients can share the same provider.

💠 Using this information alone increases the risk of misidentification.

Room number

💠 Room numbers can change and are not considered reliable identifiers.

💠 Clients may be transferred, making room number an unsafe method of identification.

Diagnosis

💠 Multiple clients can share the same diagnosis, so it is not unique.

💠 Diagnosis does not meet safety requirements for client identification.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

"Cut the opening of the pouch 1/g of an inch larger than the stoma."
"Place a piece of gauze over the stoma while changing the pouch."
"Empty the ostomy pouch when it becomes one-third full of contents."

Rationale :

🔵 The pouch opening should be approximately 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) larger than the stoma to prevent constriction while protecting the surrounding skin.

🔵 Cutting the barrier too small can cause ischemia and tissue damage, while too large an opening exposes peristomal skin to effluent irritation.

🔵 Proper fit prevents skin breakdown and leakage, which are common complications in new ostomies.

🔵 The stoma size may change during the first 6–8 weeks after surgery, so measurement is important before cutting the wafer.

"Place a piece of gauze over the stoma while changing the pouch."

🔵 The stoma does not have a sphincter, so stool or mucus may drain unexpectedly during pouch changes.

🔵 Placing gauze gently over the stoma helps absorb drainage and protect clothing and skin during the procedure.

🔵 This practice promotes hygiene and decreases contamination of the surrounding area.

🔵 It also improves client confidence and comfort during ostomy care.

"Empty the ostomy pouch when it becomes one-third full of contents."

🔵 The pouch should be emptied when it is one-third to one-half full to prevent excessive weight pulling on the skin barrier.

🔵 Overfilling increases the risk of leakage and skin irritation.

🔵 Regular emptying helps maintain secure adhesion of the appliance.

🔵 This practice reduces odor and improves client comfort and mobility.

"Use povidone-iodine to clean around the stoma."

🔵 Routine stoma care requires only mild soap and water, not antiseptics.

🔵 Harsh solutions such as povidone-iodine can irritate and dry the peristomal skin.

"Expect the stoma to turn a purple-blue color as it heals."

🔵 A healthy stoma should appear moist and beefy red due to its rich blood supply.

🔵 A purple or blue color indicates possible ischemia or compromised circulation, requiring immediate evaluation.

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RN Fundamentals 2023 Feb 2026

No.

1 :
A nurse is caring for a client in a wound center.

Correct Highlights :

2 :
A nurse is caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit.

Answer Options

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client on a medical surgical unit.

Correct Answers

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary tract infection.

Answer Options

5 :
A nurse is planning care for a client who has contact precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take when
removing soiled linens from the client's room?

6 :
A nurse is discussing expected changes associated with aging with an older adult client. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse that the client has an impaired body image?

7 :
A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

8 :
A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

9 :
A nurse enters a client's room to perform a focused assessment. Which of the following client information should the nurse use to properly identify the client?

10 :
A nurse is completing discharge teaching about ostomy care with a client who has a new stoma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

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RN Fundamentals 2023 Feb 2026

No.

1 : A nurse is caring for a client in a wound center.

Correct Highlights :

2 : A nurse is caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit.

Answer Options

3 : A nurse is caring for a client on a medical surgical unit.

Correct Answers

4 : A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary tract infection.

Answer Options

5 : A nurse is planning care for a client who has contact precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take whenremoving soiled linens from the client's room?

6 : A nurse is discussing expected changes associated with aging with an older adult client. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse that the client has an impaired body image?

7 : A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

8 : A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

9 : A nurse enters a client's room to perform a focused assessment. Which of the following client information should the nurse use to properly identify the client?

10 : A nurse is completing discharge teaching about ostomy care with a client who has a new stoma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

1 :
A nurse is caring for a client in a wound center.

2 :
A nurse is caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit.

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client on a medical surgical unit.

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary tract infection.

5 :
A nurse is planning care for a client who has contact precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take when
removing soiled linens from the client's room?

6 :
A nurse is discussing expected changes associated with aging with an older adult client. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse that the client has an impaired body image?

7 :
A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

8 :
A nurse is providing a handoff report to the oncoming shift nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure continuity of client care?

9 :
A nurse enters a client's room to perform a focused assessment. Which of the following client information should the nurse use to properly identify the client?

10 :
A nurse is completing discharge teaching about ostomy care with a client who has a new stoma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)