Medical Tests CEN Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

Medical Tests CEN Online Questions & Answers

• Question 31:

  You are caring for a patient who has been bitten by dog. What medication do you suspect the physician will order for this patient?

  A. Tetanus vaccine
  B. Rabies vaccine
  C. Antibiotics
  D. Antivenom
  A. Tetanus vaccine

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  The physician will most likely order for the patient to have a tetanus vaccine. A rabies vaccine would only be given if the dog was suspected of having rabies. Antibiotics would be administered if the wound became infected, and antivenom is given for poisonous snakes and insects.

• Question 32:

  Your patient has arrived in the emergency department with a chemical eye injury. Your first action should be to:

  A. Perform a visual acuity test
  B. Use sterile saline to irrigate the eye
  C. Place antibiotic ointment in the eye
  D. Place a patch over the eye
  B. Use sterile saline to irrigate the eye

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  The first reaction by the nurse should be to irrigate the eye with normal saline. This should be done for at least 10 minutes to remove any chemicals from the eye. Following irrigation of the eye the patient should have visual acuity tests to determine the extent of damage to the eye.

• Question 33:

  The correct hand placement for chest compressions is the:

  A. Lower third of sternum
  B. Upper half of the sternum
  C. Upper third of the sternum
  D. Lower half of the sternum
  D. Lower half of the sternum

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  The correct hand placement for chest compressions is the lower half of the sternum. To determine the proper placement the nurse would want to locate the notch where the rib margin meets the sternum. Place the middle finger on the notch and index finger next to it. Next place the heel of the opposite hand on the lower half of the sternum close to the index finger. Place the first hand on top of the hand on the sternum and begin chest compressions.

• Question 34:

  You are caring for a child with epiglottitis. On assessment of the child what would indicate to you that the child is experiencing airway obstruction?

  A. The child is leaning backwards and supporting himself with his hands and arms.
  B. The child has a low-grade fever and complains of a sore throat.
  C. The child is leaning forward with the chin thrust out.
  D. The child exhibits nasal flaring and bradycardia.
  C. The child is leaning forward with the chin thrust out.

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  If a child is leaning forward with the chin thrust out, this is an indication that the airway may be obstructed. Other indications might include nasal flaring, tachycardia, high fever and sore throat. To prevent spasm of the epiglottitis and airway obstruction, no attempt should be made to visualize the pharynx.

• Question 35:

  What would the nurse do to prevent a woman who had a cesarean birth from having early postpartum hemorrhage?

  A. IV fluids at 125 mL/hr
  B. Assess uterus every 15 minutes
  C. Abdominal dressing for drainage
  D. Monitor urinary output
  B. Assess uterus every 15 minutes

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  The nurse would want to assess the uterus every 15 minutes to prevent early postpartum hemorrhage. Early detection of a boggy uterus will allow for interventions to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Other choices are not appropriate in preventing postpartum hemorrhage.

• Question 36:

  Which of the laboratory results would indicate that a patient's theophylline level is therapeutic?

  A. 5 mcg/ml
  B. 15 mcg/ml
  C. 25 mcg/ml
  D. 30 mcg/ml
  B. 15 mcg/ml

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  A therapeutic theophylline level is 15 mcg/ml. The normal range is 10 to 20 mcg/ml. Anything greater than 20 is considered toxic, meaning that the patient will start having side effects. Anything less than 10 indicates that the patient needs additional medication.

• Question 37:

  You enter a patient's room and find the patient not breathing, no pulse, and unresponsive. You have called for help. What is the next step?

  A. Bag mask ventilations
  B. Chest compressions
  C. Oxygen
  D. Open airway
  B. Chest compressions

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  New standards in CPR emphasize chest compressions over airway, so the next step after calling for help is to check the pulse and begin chest compressions. Chest compressions should be given immediately (30 for an adult patient), and then followed by opening the airway and beginning respirations. Ventilation is only initiated when the airway is open or patent, as oxygen is not needed until the patient is breathing.

• Question 38:

  Which of the following would the nurse do when performing an otoscopic exam on a patient?

  A. Pull the pinna up and back.
  B. Pull the earlobe down and back.
  C. Use the smallest speculum available.
  D. Tilt the patients head forward and down.
  A. Pull the pinna up and back.

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  The nurse would pull the pinna up and back before inserting the speculum, holding the head slightly away and holding the otoscope upside down like a large pen. The other three options are incorrect.

• Question 39:

  Which clinical manifestation would a patient with a pulmonary embolus display?

  A. Decreased respirations
  B. Bradypnea
  C. Dyspnea
  D. Bradycardia
  C. Dyspnea

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  The clinical manifestation that the nurse would most likely see with a pulmonary embolus is dyspnea. Other clinical manifestations that the nurse might see include tachypnea, tachycardia and chest pain. This is a medical emergency, and the physician should be notified immediately if pulmonary embolus is suspected.

• Question 40:

  You are encouraging your postoperative patient to cough and take deep breaths. The patient questions why it is so important to do this. Your response would include the understanding that retaining pulmonary secretions can lead to:

  A. Fluid imbalance
  B. Carbon dioxide retention
  C. Pulmonary edema
  D. Pneumonia
  D. Pneumonia

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  Coughing and deep breath exercises help prevent pneumonia in the postoperative patient. Pneumonia is inflammation of lung tissue that causes productive cough, dyspnea and crackles. Postoperative complications related to pneumonia can be prevented if the patient is encouraged to cough and breathe deeply.