Medical Tests CEN Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Medical Tests CEN Online Questions & Answers

• Question 151:

  You are caring for a patient who is diaphoretic and disoriented and has a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The patient complains of anxiety and disorientation and is unable to sit still. What do you suspect is causing the patient's symptoms?

  A. Withdrawal from alcohol or depressants
  B. Flu
  C. Withdrawal from antipsychotic drugs
  D. Abruptly discontinuing lithium
  A. Withdrawal from alcohol or depressants

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  The patient's symptoms are most likely caused by withdrawal from alcohol or depressants. The patient would not complain of disorientation with the flu. There are usually no withdrawal affects from antipsychotic drugs. These are not the symptoms associated with lithium withdrawal.

• Question 152:

  When caring for a hearing impaired patient what approach will facilitate communication?

  A. Speak frequently.
  B. Speak loudly.
  C. Speak directly into the impaired ear.
  D. Speak in a normal tone.
  D. Speak in a normal tone.

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  The nurse should speak in a normal tone of voice when addressing the patient. The nurse should talk directly to the patient while facing them. If the patient still does not understand then the nurse should move closer to the better ear to facilitate communication.

• Question 153:

  An elderly patient comes into the emergency department to rule out stroke. On admission, vital signs are pulse 90, blood pressure 150/100 and respirations 20. Upon reassessment 30 minutes later, vital signs are pulse 78, blood pressure 170/90 and respirations 24 and irregular. What should be the nurse's first priority?

  A. Have the patient describe how they are feeling.
  B. Check the patient's Dilantin level.
  C. Decrease fluids.
  D. Encourage the patient to drink.
  C. Decrease fluids.

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  The nurse should decrease the fluids based on this assessment. The patient is showing signs of hypervolemia and increased intracranial pressure. The other three options are inappropriate for a patient who is be monitored for a stroke.

• Question 154:

  Which of the following assessments would make the nurse suspect that a child has strabismus?

  A. Tilts head to see
  B. Turns head to see
  C. Does not respond when spoken to
  D. Has difficulty hearing
  A. Tilts head to see

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  A child with strabismus will tilt head to see. Strabismus is when the extraocular muscles have a lack of coordination so the eyes do not align. The patient may complain of frequent headaches and squint to see and may need to go to surgery to realign the weak muscles if nonsurgical interventions do not work.

• Question 155:

  You are caring for a patient in the withdrawal process. What medication do you expect the physician to order to make the withdrawal process easier?

  A. Tetrahydrocannabinol
  B. Naltrexone hydrochloride
  C. Benzodiazepine
  D. Amphetamines
  C. Benzodiazepine

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  The physician would order benzodiazepines for the patient going through the withdrawal process. The patient going through withdrawal can be anxious and agitated. Withdrawal can also lead to elevated blood pressure, heart rate and even death in some cases if not treated. Giving benzodiazepines to the patient decreases the risk of this happening.

• Question 156:

  Which of the following would not encourage effective communication between a dying patient and his family?

  A. Discussing feelings openly
  B. Making decisions for the family and patient
  C. Assisting family and patient in performing spiritual practices
  D. Acceptance when family and patient express anger
  B. Making decisions for the family and patient

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  Making decisions for the family and patient would not encourage them to have effective communication. It is important to encourage the patient and the family to express their feeling and anger if they need to. Spiritual practices are also a very important part of a patient and family's dying process.

• Question 157:

  The older patient that you have been assigned to is having difficulty distinguishing between hot and cold temperatures. Alteration of what gland activity would lead to this problem?

  A. Parotid
  B. Thymus
  C. Pineal
  D. Sweat
  D. Sweat

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  Alterations in the sweat gland would lead to the patient having trouble distinguishing between hot and cold temperatures. The skin is important in protection, sensory reception homeostasis and temperature regulation. The parotid glands are important in the drainage of saliva. Melatonin biosynthesis occurs in the pineal gland, and immunological roles throughout the body are affected by the thymus gland.

• Question 158:

  You as the nurse are working on the unit. You enter the medication room and find another nurse taking intravenous medication and administering it to him- or herself. What should your next action be?

  A. Call the police.
  B. Call security.
  C. Lock the nurse in the medication room.
  D. Call the nursing supervisor.
  D. Call the nursing supervisor.

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  You should call the nursing supervisor and report the nurse for taking medications from the unit. The nurse practice act requires that all impaired nurses be reported. The nursing supervisor should then report to the board of nursing who will develop a plan for treatment and supervision for the nurse.

• Question 159:

  Which of the following would be prescribed for a patient with frostbite on the toes?

  A. Continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in warm water until flushing returns
  B. Continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes
  C. Continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in warm water once flushing returns
  D. Continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in cold water for 45 minutes
  A. Continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in warm water until flushing returns

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  The nurse should prepare for orders for continuous, rapid rewarming of the toes in warm water until flushing returns. Slow rewarming of the affected area can lead to increased cellular damage, so it is avoided. Rewarming can lead to pain, so analgesics should be prescribed.

• Question 160:

  The most appropriate place to check the pulse on a 1-month-old infant is:

  A. Brachial
  B. Carotid
  C. Popliteal
  D. Radial
  A. Brachial

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  Brachial pulse is the appropriate pulse for a 1 month old infant. It is difficult to check the carotid pulse on an infant due to the short, fat neck. Popliteal and radial pulses are also difficult to palpate.