All Free Fundamentals of Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Fundamentals of Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
500 questions · page 20 of 25
- A. Check the patient's blood glucose level
- B. Assess respiratory rate and level of consciousness
- C. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
- D. Place the patient in a supine position
Explanation: Drowsiness with slow, shallow breathing may indicate hypoventilation and carbon dioxide retention.
Correct answer: Assess respiratory rate and level of consciousness382. During airway suctioning, how long should each suction attempt generally last in an adult patient?
- A. No longer than 10 to 15 seconds
- B. Approximately 30 to 45 seconds
- C. Until all secretions are removed
- D. For at least 60 seconds each time
Explanation: An adult suction attempt should usually be limited to about 10 to 15 seconds to reduce hypoxaemia, mucosal injury and cardiac…
Correct answer: No longer than 10 to 15 seconds- A. Allow the patient to rest and reoxygenate
- B. Place the catheter back into the airway immediately
- C. Keep suction applied while the patient coughs
- D. Ask the patient to hold the breath for one minute
Explanation: Rest periods allow the patient to recover oxygenation and reduce fatigue before another attempt.
Correct answer: Allow the patient to rest and reoxygenate- A. Keep the air-entrainment ports uncovered
- B. Cover the side ports with sterile gauze
- C. Attach a reservoir bag to the mask
- D. Change the prescribed adapter to increase flow
Explanation: The Venturi mask entrains room air through its side ports to deliver the selected oxygen concentration.
Correct answer: Keep the air-entrainment ports uncovered- A. Use a jaw-thrust manoeuvre
- B. Tilt the head and lift the chin
- C. Flex the neck toward the chest
- D. Turn the patient prone immediately
Explanation: The jaw-thrust manoeuvre opens the airway while minimising movement of the cervical spine.
Correct answer: Use a jaw-thrust manoeuvre- A. Remove it and use a water-based product if needed
- B. Leave it in place because it prevents oxygen dryness
- C. Cover it with a dry gauze dressing
- D. Apply additional petroleum jelly to protect the skin
Explanation: Petroleum-based products can support combustion in an oxygen-rich environment.
Correct answer: Remove it and use a water-based product if needed- A. I will keep oxygen away from flames and smoking
- B. I can use an electric heating pad beside the oxygen
- C. I may adjust the oxygen flow whenever I feel breathless
- D. I should store oxygen cylinders lying loose on the floor
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, so flames, smoking and other ignition sources must be avoided.
Correct answer: I will keep oxygen away from flames and smoking- A. Administer prescribed analgesia before breathing exercises
- B. Restrict oral fluids until the breathing improves
- C. Keep the patient flat to reduce abdominal movement
- D. Discourage coughing to protect the incision
Explanation: Adequate pain relief helps the patient breathe deeply, cough and mobilise secretions.
Correct answer: Administer prescribed analgesia before breathing exercises- A. Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency
- B. Offer oral fluids to loosen the obstruction
- C. Place a speaking valve over the tracheostomy
- D. Remove the oxygen source from the bedside
Explanation: Absent airflow with respiratory distress suggests a potentially blocked or displaced tracheostomy and is an airway emergency.
Correct answer: Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency- A. Take a deep breath, then cough strongly twice
- B. Take rapid shallow breaths and avoid coughing
- C. Cough continuously until the chest feels empty
- D. Swallow secretions after each shallow breath
Explanation: A deep breath followed by one or two controlled coughs increases airflow behind secretions and helps move them toward the upper airway.
Correct answer: Take a deep breath, then cough strongly twice- A. Oropharyngeal airway
- B. Nasopharyngeal airway
- C. Tracheostomy tube
- D. Non-rebreather mask
Explanation: An oropharyngeal airway helps prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx in an unconscious patient without a gag reflex.
Correct answer: Oropharyngeal airway- A. Left side-lying position
- B. Right side-lying position
- C. Supine position
- D. Trendelenburg position
Explanation: The healthy lung is placed down because gravity directs more blood flow to that lung, improving ventilation and perfusion matching.
Correct answer: Right side-lying position- A. Increase the oxygen flow immediately
- B. Warm the hand and repeat the reading
- C. Document severe hypoxaemia
- D. Apply a non-rebreather mask
Explanation: Cold peripheral tissue can reduce pulse oximeter accuracy and produce a falsely low reading.
Correct answer: Warm the hand and repeat the reading- A. Nasal cannula
- B. Simple face mask
- C. Non-rebreather mask
- D. Tracheostomy collar
Explanation: A nasal cannula leaves the mouth uncovered, so the patient can communicate and take oral fluids more easily.
Correct answer: Nasal cannula- A. Sterile water supplied for medical use
- B. Tap water from the ward sink
- C. Normal saline from an opened bottle
- D. Boiled water kept at the bedside
Explanation: Sterile water helps humidify oxygen while reducing the risk of introducing microorganisms into the system.
Correct answer: Sterile water supplied for medical use- A. Lay the cylinder loosely beside the patient
- B. Secure the cylinder upright in its holder
- C. Place the cylinder under the patient's bed
- D. Carry the cylinder by its regulator
Explanation: The cylinder should be secured upright so it cannot fall, become damaged or injure someone.
Correct answer: Secure the cylinder upright in its holder397. During tracheostomy care, which finding shows that the tracheostomy ties are secured appropriately?
- A. The ties allow two fingers beneath them
- B. The ties allow four fingers beneath them
- C. The ties press tightly into the neck
- D. The ties are loose enough to slide freely
Explanation: Two fingers should fit between the ties and the neck, providing security without excessive pressure.
Correct answer: The ties allow two fingers beneath them- A. Continue suctioning until secretions clear
- B. Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side
- C. Instil normal saline through the tracheostomy
- D. Increase the suction pressure and continue
Explanation: Suctioning must stop immediately when gagging and vomiting occur to reduce trauma and aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side- A. It is suitable for an alert patient with a gag reflex
- B. It helps prevent tongue obstruction in an unconscious patient
- C. It is inserted through the nose to reach the trachea
- D. It provides a fixed concentration of inspired oxygen
Explanation: An oropharyngeal airway maintains patency by preventing the tongue from occluding the pharynx in an unconscious patient without a gag…
Correct answer: It helps prevent tongue obstruction in an unconscious patient- A. Continue suctioning to remove remaining secretions
- B. Stop suctioning and provide oxygenation
- C. Increase suction pressure to shorten the procedure
- D. Place the patient flat and leave the catheter in place
Explanation: Bradycardia and pallor may result from hypoxia or vagal stimulation during suctioning.
Correct answer: Stop suctioning and provide oxygenation