All Free International Nursing Practice MCQs with Answers

Every International Nursing Practice question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

350 questions · page 3 of 18

  • A. Assess the airway and place the patient on cardiac monitoring
  • B. Encourage the patient to walk to reduce muscle stiffness
  • C. Give oral calcium without checking the prescription
  • D. Document the symptoms and reassess after the next meal

Explanation: These findings suggest acute hypocalcaemia, which can progress to laryngospasm and cardiac dysrhythmias.

Correct answer: Assess the airway and place the patient on cardiac monitoring
  • A. Keep the patient nil by mouth and request urgent medical review
  • B. Offer a meal to determine whether the pain is related to hunger
  • C. Apply a warm pack and reassess the abdomen in one hour
  • D. Administer an oral laxative to relieve possible constipation

Explanation: Severe pain, rigidity, and tachycardia after an invasive procedure may indicate perforation and peritonitis.

Correct answer: Keep the patient nil by mouth and request urgent medical review
  • A. Stop the epidural infusion and assess the patient urgently
  • B. Ask the patient to stand so the weakness can be measured
  • C. Give an additional analgesic and reassess the strength later
  • D. Place the patient in a chair to prevent prolonged bed rest

Explanation: Rapidly increasing motor and sensory block may indicate excessive neuraxial spread or another neurological complication.

Correct answer: Stop the epidural infusion and assess the patient urgently
Moderate
  • A. Assess airway and breathing while calling for urgent clinical support
  • B. Remove the oxygen because drowsiness may indicate carbon dioxide retention
  • C. Ask the patient to rest and repeat the oxygen saturation in 30 minutes
  • D. Give a sedative to reduce anxiety and slow the respiratory rate

Explanation: New drowsiness with severe hypoxaemia and abnormal breathing indicates possible acute respiratory failure.

Correct answer: Assess airway and breathing while calling for urgent clinical support
  • A. Assess the patient promptly and notify the surgical team
  • B. Apply a warm compress directly over the stoma
  • C. Insert a cotton swab into the stoma to check its depth
  • D. Wait until the next scheduled dressing change to reassess it

Explanation: A dusky, cool stoma with absent output may indicate impaired blood supply or obstruction.

Correct answer: Assess the patient promptly and notify the surgical team
Very hard
  • A. Place the patient in a private room and initiate droplet precautions
  • B. Give oral fluids and reduce the lighting in the room
  • C. Obtain routine blood cultures before taking precautions
  • D. Encourage walking to assess the patient's balance

Explanation: The findings suggest possible meningitis, so preventing respiratory transmission is an immediate priority while urgent assessment and…

Correct answer: Place the patient in a private room and initiate droplet precautions
Moderate
  • A. Check the patient's capillary glucose and assess the patient
  • B. Document the error after completing the medication round
  • C. Give a carbohydrate snack without checking the glucose
  • D. Wait for symptoms before informing the prescriber

Explanation: The nurse first assesses the patient's current condition and checks the glucose level because rapid-acting insulin can cause sudden…

Correct answer: Check the patient's capillary glucose and assess the patient
Moderate
  • A. Inspect the tubing for kinks and check the suction connection
  • B. Flush the tube forcefully with a large volume of water
  • C. Increase the suction pressure without checking the equipment
  • D. Remove the tube immediately and offer oral fluids

Explanation: The nurse first checks whether a simple equipment problem is preventing drainage, such as kinked tubing or a disconnected suction source.

Correct answer: Inspect the tubing for kinks and check the suction connection
  • A. Notify the provider or vascular team urgently
  • B. Elevate the leg above the level of the heart
  • C. Apply a heated pad to improve blood flow
  • D. Encourage walking to stimulate circulation

Explanation: Sudden pain, pallor, coolness, and an absent pulse indicate possible acute limb ischaemia, which requires immediate escalation.

Correct answer: Notify the provider or vascular team urgently
  • A. Notify the ophthalmologist urgently and keep the patient at rest
  • B. Reassure the patient that blurred vision is expected after surgery
  • C. Apply an eye pad and arrange routine follow-up the next day
  • D. Encourage oral fluids and reassess the symptoms after one hour

Explanation: Severe eye pain, nausea, and coloured halos may indicate a sight-threatening rise in intraocular pressure or another acute complication.

Correct answer: Notify the ophthalmologist urgently and keep the patient at rest
  • A. Assess a client who reports new chest pressure
  • B. Measure urine output for a stable client with a catheter
  • C. Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer
  • D. Evaluate pain relief after an opioid is given

Explanation: Measuring and recording urine output for a stable client is within the usual role of unlicensed assistive personnel.

Correct answer: Measure urine output for a stable client with a catheter
  • A. A client admitted 30 minutes ago with severe abdominal pain
  • B. A client who needs an initial assessment after a fall
  • C. A stable client receiving routine oral medications
  • D. A client with new confusion and a falling blood pressure

Explanation: A licensed practical nurse can care for a stable client with predictable needs, including routine medications within the applicable scope.

Correct answer: A stable client receiving routine oral medications
Moderate
  • A. Determine whether the client's bowel sounds are normal
  • B. Assist the client to walk to the bathroom
  • C. Teach the client how to splint the incision
  • D. Decide whether the client is ready for discharge

Explanation: After the registered nurse assesses the client and determines that ambulation is safe, unlicensed assistive personnel may assist with…

Correct answer: Assist the client to walk to the bathroom
  • A. Ask the assistant to document the reading and continue rounds
  • B. Ask the assistant to repeat the measurement while the nurse observes
  • C. Tell the assistant to encourage the client to drink more fluids
  • D. Wait until the next scheduled vital-sign check to compare readings

Explanation: The nurse should validate an unexpected finding promptly, while also assessing the client for possible deterioration.

Correct answer: Ask the assistant to repeat the measurement while the nurse observes
  • A. Helping a stable client with bathing
  • B. Recording the amount of a client's meal
  • C. Obtaining a routine temperature
  • D. Assessing a newly admitted client's skin condition

Explanation: The initial assessment of a newly admitted client's skin requires nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to unlicensed assistive…

Correct answer: Assessing a newly admitted client's skin condition
  • A. Obtaining the client's weight before breakfast
  • B. Assisting the client to walk in the hallway
  • C. Teaching the client how to self-administer insulin
  • D. Recording the client's food and fluid intake

Explanation: Initial teaching about self-administering insulin requires assessment, individualized education, and evaluation by the registered nurse.

Correct answer: Teaching the client how to self-administer insulin
Moderate
  • A. Remain responsible for assessing the client and evaluating the response
  • B. Ask the licensed practical nurse to change the medication if needed
  • C. Transfer complete responsibility for the client's care
  • D. Tell the licensed practical nurse to delegate the medication to an aide

Explanation: The registered nurse remains accountable for overall assessment, care planning, supervision, and evaluation after delegation.

Correct answer: Remain responsible for assessing the client and evaluating the response
Moderate
  • A. A client with a healing pressure injury needing a routine dressing change
  • B. A client receiving scheduled oral medications for stable hypertension
  • C. A client needing reinforcement of previously taught catheter care
  • D. A client with sudden shortness of breath and an oxygen saturation decrease

Explanation: Sudden shortness of breath and declining oxygen saturation indicate an acute change that requires immediate registered nurse assessment…

Correct answer: A client with sudden shortness of breath and an oxygen saturation decrease
Moderate
  • A. Ask the assistant to return the client to bed and report later
  • B. Assess the client's condition and obtain vital signs promptly
  • C. Document the event after completing all scheduled medications
  • D. Tell the assistant to continue ambulation more slowly

Explanation: Dizziness during ambulation may signal orthostatic hypotension or another acute problem, so the registered nurse must assess the client…

Correct answer: Assess the client's condition and obtain vital signs promptly
  • A. Take care of the client and tell me if anything seems wrong
  • B. Measure the urine output for eight hours and report it if it is below the ordered limit
  • C. Use your usual judgment about whether the client needs assistance
  • D. Check the client regularly and report any concerns when convenient

Explanation: Effective delegation gives a specific task, time frame, expected result, and reporting instruction.

Correct answer: Measure the urine output for eight hours and report it if it is below the ordered limit