Medical Tests CEN Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Medical Tests CEN Online Questions & Answers

• Question 11:

  You are working on the postpartum unit today. Which task would you assign to a beginning nursing student?

  A. Ambulate a patient.
  B. Complete an admission assessment.
  C. Notify the physician of adverse labs.
  D. Verify a unit of blood.
  A. Ambulate a patient.

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  The only activity the nursing student can complete is to walk the patient. All other tasks must be completed by an RN. The RN is responsible for any tasks the nursing student completes and should only delegate unlicensed skills to the student.

• Question 12:

  What causes neurological deficiencies associated with long-term alcohol abuse?

  A. Nervous system damage by the alcohol
  B. Alcohol's interference with folate delivery
  C. Impaired metabolism
  D. Poor general nutrition
  A. Nervous system damage by the alcohol

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  The patient with long-term alcohol abuse would be at a higher risk for nervous system damage from the alcohol. The alcohol remains in the system for long periods and damages the nervous system. This can lead to changes in level of consciousness and demented patients who require complete care.

• Question 13:

  You are caring for a patient in respiratory acidosis. Which of the following results confirms this diagnosis?

  A. pH 7.50, PCO2 52 mm Hg
  B. pH 7.35, PCO2 40 mm Hg
  C. pH 7.25, PCO2 50 mm Hg
  D. pH 5.50, PCO2 30 mm Hg
  C. pH 7.25, PCO2 50 mm Hg

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  The patient with a pH 7.25 and PCO2 50 mm Hg is in respiratory acidosis. A normal pH would be 7.35 to 7.45, and a normal PCO2 is 35 to 45 mm Hg. When looking at the labs, if the patient is in respiratory acidosis the pH will be down, and PCO2 will be elevated.

• Question 14:

  You are caring for a suicidal patient with a plan. You have developed a plan of care. What would the outcome of your plan of care be?

  A. Coping and problem solving skills
  B. Less anxiety and agitation
  C. Develops a relationship with staff and peers
  D. Denies suicidal ideations and identifies options to deal with stressors
  D. Denies suicidal ideations and identifies options to deal with stressors

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  The patient will be able to deny suicidal ideations and identify options for dealing with stressors at the completion of care. The patient has developed a plan for his suicidal ideations and this should be directed as the priority for care. The patient will need to learn to identify other options for dealing with his stress rather than suicide.

• Question 15:

  You are assessing a patient with acute exacerbation of COPD. What would you expect to find on this assessment?

  A. Increased oxygen saturation
  B. Hypocapnia
  C. A hyperinflated chest on x-ray film
  D. A widened diaphragm on chest x-ray film
  C. A hyperinflated chest on x-ray film

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  The patient with COPD in exacerbation would have a hyperinflated chest on x-ray film. Other signs and symptoms would include hypoxemia, hypercapnia, dyspnea and use of accessory muscles. The diaphragm would be flattened with this patient.

• Question 16:

  You are working in the emergency department and find out that a tornado has hit the local area. Numerous casualties are being sent to the emergency department. What action should you take at this time?

  A. Prepare the triage room.
  B. Obtain additional supplies.
  C. Activate the agency disaster plan.
  D. Call in additional staff.
  C. Activate the agency disaster plan.

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  The nurse should activate the agency disaster plan. All the other options may be part of the disaster plan, but the first priority of the nurse should be to activate the disaster plan. This will cover all the necessary steps that the will need to take.

• Question 17:

  You are caring for a patient who will be transitioning to outpatient care. What statement by the patient would lead you to believe the patient is at risk for relapse?

  A. The patient has been dreaming about gambling and compulsive sex.
  B. The patient is unhappy.
  C. The patient is hungry and tired
  D. The patient has been keeping thoughts of using a secret
  D. The patient has been keeping thoughts of using a secret

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  The patient who is keeping thoughts of using a secret is at most risk for relapsing. This is an indication that the patient is manipulating things. This is a using behavior and can trigger using. The other three options are all natural feelings.

• Question 18:

  You are caring for a patient in cardiogenic shock who has a multilumen pulmonary artery catheter in place. What cardiac output (CO) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) would you see if the patient were unstable?

  A. CO 5 L/min, PCWP low
  B. CO 4 L/min, PCWP high
  C. CO 3 L/min, PCWP high
  D. CO 2 L/min, PCWP low
  C. CO 3 L/min, PCWP high

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  A CO 3 L/min and PCWP that is high would indicate that the patient in cardiogenic shock is unstable. Normal cardiac output is 4 to 8 L/min. The heart fails to pump, which leads to the cardiac output falling and PCWP rising.

• Question 19:

  You are caring for a patient who came into the emergency department in a severe state of anxiety following a care accident. What would be appropriate nursing intervention for the patient?

  A. Remain with the patient.
  B. Put the patient in a quiet room.
  C. Teach the patient to deep breathe.
  D. Encourage the patient to talk about their feelings.
  A. Remain with the patient.

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  Remain with the patient to prevent the patient from becoming overwhelmed and feeling abandoned. The primary focus of the nurse would be to put the patient at ease. It would not be possible to teach the patient to deep breathe or get them to talk until the anxiety has decreased. It would be okay to place the patient in a quiet room as long as you remain with them.

• Question 20:

  Your patient is scheduled to go for cataract surgery. What nursing diagnosis should you include in the patients plan of care?

  A. Self care deficit
  B. Imbalanced nutrition
  C. Disturbed sensory perception
  D. Anxiety
  C. Disturbed sensory perception

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  Disturbed sensory perception should be included in this patient's plan of care. The patient's vision would be disturbed related to lens extraction and replacement. The other nursing diagnoses may be appropriate for this patient, but are not relevant to cataract surgery.