All International Nursing Practice MCQs

Question 1

In the UK, a patient has an unexpectedly low oxygen saturation, but is comfortable, speaking normally and has cold fingers. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient and repeat the reading correctly

Answer

Accept the reading and lower prescribed oxygen

Answer

Exclude oxygen saturation from the NEWS2 score

Answer

Record the reading later if symptoms develop

Question 2

In the UK, a patient has a NEWS2 score of 2 and a new unilateral facial droop with difficulty speaking. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Treat the neurological signs as an emergency

Answer

Continue routine observations because the score is low

Answer

Repeat NEWS2 in four hours before escalating

Answer

Ask the patient to rest and reassess after meals

Question 3

In the UK, a nurse counts a patient's respiratory rate for NEWS2 while the patient is talking intermittently. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Count the breaths over a complete minute

Answer

Estimate the rate from the patient's speech

Answer

Record the rate as normal if speech is clear

Answer

Ask the patient to breathe faster for measurement

Question 4

In the UK, a patient with suspected infection has a modest NEWS2 score but is becoming mottled, clammy and confused. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Escalate the clinical concern immediately

Answer

Wait until the NEWS2 score reaches five

Answer

Document the findings at the next observation round

Answer

Use the score alone to decide whether help is needed

Question 5

In the UK, a nurse cannot obtain a timely response after escalating a deteriorating patient to the usual medical contact. What is the best action?

Accepted Answer

Escalate to the next appropriate senior clinician

Answer

Leave a message and wait for the next ward round

Answer

Ask the patient's relative to contact the hospital

Answer

Close the concern because the call was attempted

Question 6

In the UK, a nurse starts an SBAR call about a patient on a busy ward. Which opening best supports safe communication?

Accepted Answer

I am calling about an identified patient in room four

Answer

The patient is unwell and needs someone soon

Answer

This is the ward nurse calling about bed six

Answer

The observations are abnormal but I have limited time

Question 7

In the UK, a patient has a documented treatment escalation plan stating that ward-based treatment is appropriate and transfer to intensive care is not. The NEWS2 score then rises to 7. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Follow the plan and urgently seek senior clinical review

Answer

Ignore the score because intensive care is excluded

Answer

Transfer the patient to intensive care without discussion

Answer

Wait for the next routine observation round

Question 8

In the UK, a nurse receives a verbal clinical instruction during an SBAR escalation. Which action best reduces the risk of misunderstanding?

Accepted Answer

Write it down and read it back for confirmation

Answer

Rely on memory because the instruction is brief

Answer

Ask another nurse to interpret it later

Answer

End the call once the clinician says goodbye

Question 9

In the UK, an adult patient has a prescribed oxygen target of 88% to 92%. The respiratory rate is 16/min, oxygen saturation is 90% while receiving oxygen, systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, temperature is 37.0°C and consciousness is normal. What NEWS2 score should be recorded?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

3

Question 10

In the UK, an adult patient's temperature is 39.5°C and all other NEWS2 observations are within the normal range. How many points does the temperature contribute?

Accepted Answer

2 points

Answer

0 points

Answer

1 point

Answer

3 points

Question 11

In the UK, a patient's pulse feels irregular when the nurse begins the NEWS2 observations. Which action gives the most reliable pulse measurement?

Accepted Answer

Count the pulse for a complete 60 seconds

Answer

Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four

Answer

Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two

Answer

Use the first automated reading only

Question 12

In the UK, an adult inpatient has a NEWS2 score of 4, with no individual observation scoring 3. What is the usual minimum frequency for repeating observations?

Accepted Answer

Every 4 to 6 hours

Answer

Every 12 hours

Answer

Every hour

Answer

Continuously until discharge

Question 13

In the UK, a patient is receiving oxygen with a target saturation range of 94% to 98%. The saturation rises to 99% while the patient is otherwise stable. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Titrate oxygen according to the prescription and target range

Answer

Increase the oxygen flow to maintain 99%

Answer

Leave the oxygen unchanged without checking the prescription

Answer

Remove the oxygen immediately and repeat observations later

Question 14

In the UK, a nurse calculates a NEWS2 score using observations taken before a patient received oxygen. The patient is now receiving oxygen. What is the best action?

Accepted Answer

Record the current oxygen therapy with a new observation set

Answer

Keep the original score because the observations are recent

Answer

Score oxygen therapy only if saturation is below 94%

Answer

Ignore oxygen therapy if the patient appears comfortable

Question 15

In the UK, a nurse reviews a NEWS2 chart and sees that the patient's score has risen from 1 to 4 since the previous observation set. The patient is currently stable but less comfortable than before. What is the best nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Review the trend, reassess the patient and escalate concern

Answer

Wait for a score of 5 before informing anyone

Answer

Record only the latest score because earlier scores are replaced

Answer

Stop routine observations because the patient remains conscious

Question 16

In the UK, after escalating a deteriorating patient using SBAR, which documentation best supports continuity of care?

Accepted Answer

The time, recipient, information given, advice and actions taken

Answer

Only the final NEWS2 score and the nurse's signature

Answer

A brief note stating that the doctor was informed

Answer

The patient's diagnosis without the communication details

Question 17

In the UK, a patient suddenly develops severe central chest pain, becomes pale and collapses. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Call for emergency assistance and begin an immediate assessment

Answer

Complete a full NEWS2 calculation before seeking help

Answer

Place the patient in a side room for further observation

Answer

Prepare an SBAR message before approaching the patient

Question 18

In the UK, a nurse gives an SBAR handover about a patient whose observations are worsening. Which statement most clearly communicates the immediate concern?

Accepted Answer

The respiratory rate has risen and the patient is becoming drowsy

Answer

The patient was admitted three days ago with pneumonia

Answer

The patient has a history of hypertension and diabetes

Answer

Please continue the usual observations on the ward

Question 19

In the UK, a patient's blood pressure is 86/54 mmHg. Which blood pressure value is used when calculating NEWS2?

Accepted Answer

The systolic pressure of 86 mmHg

Answer

The diastolic pressure of 54 mmHg

Answer

The mean arterial pressure from the monitor

Answer

The difference between both pressures

Question 20

In the UK, a doctor agrees during an SBAR call to review a deteriorating patient within 30 minutes. Before the review, the patient's breathing worsens and consciousness changes. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Escalate urgently using the local emergency pathway

Answer

Wait for the agreed review time

Answer

Repeat the observations at the usual interval

Answer

Document the change after the doctor arrives

All Free International Nursing Practice MCQs with Answers