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

Fairly easy
  • 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 consciousness
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Very hard
  • 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
Hard
  • 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 holder
Very hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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