Recognising Deterioration, NEWS2 and SBAR MCQs

Question 1

In the UK, an adult inpatient has a NEWS2 score of 2, with no single observation scoring 3. According to the standard NEWS2 frequency, how often should observations usually be recorded?

Accepted Answer

Every 4 to 6 hours

Answer

Every 30 minutes

Answer

Every 1 to 2 hours

Answer

Every 12 hours

Question 2

In the UK, an adult patient is breathing room air and has an oxygen saturation of 93%. Which NEWS2 oxygen saturation score should be recorded using Scale 1?

Accepted Answer

2 points

Answer

0 points

Answer

1 point

Answer

3 points

Question 3

In the UK, a nurse is preparing the Background part of an SBAR call for a patient whose observations are worsening. Which information is most relevant?

Accepted Answer

The patient's diagnosis and recent treatment

Answer

The nurse's concern about the patient

Answer

The action the nurse wants the clinician to take

Answer

The patient's current respiratory rate and pulse

Question 4

In the UK, an adult patient's NEWS2 score is 5, with no single parameter scoring 3. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Arrange an urgent clinical review and increase monitoring

Answer

Continue routine observations every 12 hours

Answer

Wait until the next ward round before reporting it

Answer

Record the score without contacting another clinician

Question 5

In the UK, a patient's respiratory rate is irregular. Which method gives the most reliable respiratory rate for NEWS2?

Accepted Answer

Count each breath for a full minute

Answer

Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by four

Answer

Estimate the rate from the patient's appearance

Answer

Use the pulse oximeter respiratory display

Question 6

In the UK, a nurse records a NEWS2 observation set after a patient receives oxygen. Which documentation best supports interpretation of the score?

Accepted Answer

The oxygen device and prescribed flow rate

Answer

The saturation value only

Answer

The patient's room number and bed position

Answer

The time of the next planned ward round

Question 7

In the UK, a patient has repeated NEWS2 scores of 2, 3 and 4 over six hours. What is the best nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Recognise the trend and escalate the clinical concern

Answer

Record only the latest score

Answer

Average the scores before reporting them

Answer

Stop observations because no score reaches 5

Question 8

In the UK, a nurse gives an SBAR handover about a deteriorating patient. Which statement is most appropriate for the Assessment section?

Accepted Answer

The patient is now more breathless and may be developing respiratory failure

Answer

The patient was admitted with pneumonia yesterday

Answer

Please review the patient immediately and prescribe treatment

Answer

The patient is called Ahmed and is in bed four

Question 9

In the UK, a pregnant patient develops tachycardia and breathlessness. Which observation system should the nurse use to assess deterioration?

Accepted Answer

Use the maternity early warning system used locally

Answer

Use NEWS2 because it applies to every adult

Answer

Use the patient's previous NEWS2 score only

Answer

Wait for the obstetrician before recording observations

Question 10

In the UK, a child is admitted to an adult medical ward and appears increasingly drowsy. Which approach is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Use the paediatric early warning system

Answer

Calculate NEWS2 using the adult thresholds

Answer

Record temperature only until reviewed

Answer

Apply the adult oxygen scale without alteration

Question 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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

Free Recognising Deterioration, NEWS2 and SBAR MCQs with Answers