Stethoscopes & Smarts: The Nursing IQ Test
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Question 1
Which Vitamin Is Essential for Blood Clotting?
Question 1
What Is the Most Abundant Plasma Protein?
Question 1
Which Pulse Site Is Commonly Used During CPR on an Adult?
Question 1
What Does PRN Mean on a Medication Order?
Question 1
Which Type of Precaution Is Required for Tuberculosis?
Question 1
What Is the Normal Range for Adult Respiratory Rate?
Question 1
What Is the Universal Sign of Choking?
Question 1
What Is the Primary Function of Red Blood Cells?
Question 1
What Is the Correct Needle Angle for Intramuscular Injection?
Question 1
What Is Tachycardia Defined as?
Question 1
What Is the Best Site for an Infant’s Temperature?
Question 1
What Does SBAR Stand for in Nursing Communication?
Question 1
What Electrolyte Imbalance Causes Peaked T-Waves?
Question 1
Which Cranial Nerve Controls Facial Expressions?
Question 1
What Isolation Precaution Is Required for C. Diff?
Question 1
Which Organ Produces Insulin?
Question 1
What Is the Antidote for Heparin Overdose?
Question 1
What Does “stat” Mean in a Medication Order?
Question 1
Which Site Is Preferred for Insulin Injections?
Question 1
What Is the Normal PH Range of Human Blood?
Question 1
What Is the Priority Nursing Action for a Patient With Shortness of Breath?
Question 1
What Is the Most Accurate Method for Identifying a Patient?
Question 1
Which Lab Value Indicates Infection?
Question 1
What Type of Medication Is Furosemide?
Question 1
Which Sign Is Associated With Hypocalcemia?
Question 1
What Does Auscultation Involve?
Question 1
What Is the Antidote for Acetaminophen Overdose?
Question 1
What Does “void” Mean in Nursing Terms?
Question 1
Which Term Refers to Difficulty Swallowing?
Question 1
Which Side Should a Nurse Stand on When Helping a Stroke Patient Walk?
Question 1
What Is the Best Indicator of Kidney Function?
Question 1
What Is a Nosocomial Infection?
Question 1
What Does “orthopnea” Mean?
Question 1
Which Artery Is Palpated to Assess Circulation in the Foot?
Question 1
What Is the Term for a Blood Pressure That Drops Upon Standing?
Question 1
What Color Is Associated With Oxygen Tanks?
Question 1
What Does ADL Stand for?
Question 1
What’s the Term for Surgical Removal of the Gallbladder?
Question 1
Which Position Helps Prevent Aspiration in Unconscious Patients?
Question 1
Which PPE Is Essential for Contact Precautions?
Question 1
Which Lab Test Monitors Warfarin Therapy?
Question 1
What Does “cyanosis” Refer to?
Question 1
What Is a Priority Assessment for a Post-Op Patient?
Question 1
Which Organ Is Most Affected by Cirrhosis?
Question 1
What Is the Normal Range for Adult Heart Rate?
Question 1
What’s the Common Route for Nitroglycerin Administration in Angina?
Question 1
What Is a Common Symptom of Hypoglycemia?
Question 1
What Kind of Precaution Is Used for Influenza Patients?
Question 1
What Is the Glasgow Coma Scale Used for?
Question 1
What’s the Maximum Volume for a Single IM Injection in the Deltoid?
Question 1
What Does “tachypnea” Mean in Clinical Assessment?
Question 1
What Injection Method Is Used for TB Screening?
Question 1
What’s the Primary Goal of Hospice Care?
Question 1
Which Nutrient Is Essential for Wound Healing?
Question 1
What Is the Most Accurate Route for Core Body Temperature?
Question 1
Which Type of Insulin Has the Fastest Onset?
Question 1
What’s the Correct Method to Verify Placement of an NG Tube?
Question 1
What Is an Early Sign of Hypoxia?
Question 1
Which Electrolyte Imbalance Causes Muscle Cramping and Tetany?
Question 1
What Is the Purpose of Incentive Spirometry?
Question 1
What Does “NPO” Mean in a Physician’s Order?
Question 1
Which Infection Control Method Kills All Microorganisms, Including Spores?
Question 1
Which Patient Is at Highest Risk for Pressure Ulcers?
Question 1
What Does a Positive Babinski Reflex Indicate in Adults?
Question 1
What Is the Term for Difficulty Speaking or Impaired Language Ability?
Question 1
What PPE Is Required for Caring for a COVID-19 Patient?
Question 1
What Is the Priority Intervention During a Seizure?
Question 1
What Is the Preferred IM Injection Site for Infants Under 1 Year?
Question 1
Which Lab Value Is Elevated in Pancreatitis?
Question 1
Which Sign Indicates Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Question 1
What Is the Term for Slow Heart Rate?
Question 1
What Is the Primary Risk of Administering Potassium IV Too Quickly?
Question 1
What Does “informed Consent” Mean in Nursing?
Question 1
Which Condition Is Characterized by Chronic Airway Inflammation and Bronchospasms?
Question 1
What Does “edema” Refer to?
Question 1
Which Electrolyte Abnormality Is Most Dangerous to Cardiac Rhythm?
Question 1
What Is the Normal Range for Blood Glucose (fasting)?
Question 1
What Type of Transmission-Based Precautions Require a Negative Pressure Room?
Question 1
What Is the Initial Action When a Medication Error Is Discovered?
Question 1
Which Structure Is Assessed When Checking Pupillary Response?
Question 1
What Is “hematuria”?
Question 1
What Position Helps Patients Breathe More Easily With COPD?
Question 1
What Organ Does Hepatitis Primarily Affect?
Question 1
What Is a Code Blue?
Question 1
Which Term Refers to Surgical Removal of the Uterus?
Question 1
What Does PPE Stand for?
Question 1
What Is a Normal Adult Body Temperature in Celsius?
Question 1
What Does a Pulse Oximeter Measure?
Question 1
What Is the First Step in Donning PPE?
Question 1
What Nursing Action Helps Prevent Postoperative Pneumonia?
1
Vitamin A
2
Vitamin C
3
Vitamin D
4
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is critical in the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver and is a common practice for nurses.
1
Globulin
2
Fibrinogen
3
Hemoglobin
4
Albumin
Albumin helps maintain oncotic pressure and transports various substances like hormones, drugs, and ions in the bloodstream.
1
Carotid
2
Radial
3
Femoral
4
Brachial
The carotid artery is preferred during adult CPR because it's centrally located and has a strong pulse.
1
Before sleep
2
Every hour
3
After meals
4
As needed
PRN stands for “pro re nata” and refers to administering medication only when necessary or as needed.
1
Airborne
2
Contact
3
Droplet
4
Standard
Airborne precautions protect against pathogens like tuberculosis that are transmitted through small airborne particles.
1
12–20 breaths per minute
2
16–24 breaths per minute
3
10–30 breaths per minute
4
8–14 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute at rest.
1
Coughing
2
Grabbing the chest
3
Pointing to the mouth
4
Hands clutching the throat
Hands clutched at the throat is the internationally recognized signal indicating airway obstruction or choking.
1
Transport oxygen
2
Fight infection
3
Regulate temperature
4
Clot blood
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body and remove carbon dioxide via hemoglobin.
1
30 degrees
2
45 degrees
3
15 degrees
4
90 degrees
Intramuscular injections require a 90-degree angle to ensure medication is deposited into muscle tissue.
1
Heart murmur
2
Heart rate under 60 bpm
3
Heart rate over 100 bpm
4
Irregular heart rhythm
Tachycardia refers to a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute in an adult at rest.
1
Oral
2
Forehead
3
Rectal
4
Axillary
Rectal temperatures are most accurate for infants and preferred in clinical practice for core body readings.
1
Standards, Benefits, Accuracy, Risks
2
Symptoms, Behavior, Action, Results
3
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
4
Safety, Balance, Alert, Response
SBAR is a structured tool used for clear and concise communication in healthcare settings.
1
Hyponatremia
2
Hyperkalemia
3
Hypokalemia
4
Hypocalcemia
High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) affect cardiac conduction and often result in peaked T-waves on ECG.
1
Vagus (X)
2
Trigeminal (V)
3
Facial (VII)
4
Oculomotor (III)
The facial nerve (VII) innervates muscles responsible for facial expressions and some taste functions.
1
Reverse
2
Contact
3
Airborne
4
Droplet
Clostridioides difficile requires contact precautions, including gloves and gowns, to prevent fecal-oral transmission.
1
Gallbladder
2
Kidneys
3
Pancreas
4
Liver
The pancreas secretes insulin from its beta cells in the islets of Langerhans to regulate blood sugar.
1
Protamine sulfate
2
Atropine
3
Vitamin K
4
Naloxone
Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin and is used during overdose or excessive bleeding.
1
At bedtime
2
Twice daily
3
Once a day
4
Immediately
“Stat” is derived from Latin “statim,” meaning immediately, and is used for urgent interventions.
1
Abdomen
2
Thigh
3
Deltoid
4
Gluteus
The abdomen allows consistent insulin absorption and is the preferred site for subcutaneous insulin injections.
1
6.8–7.0
2
7.5–7.8
3
6.2–6.8
4
7.35–7.45
Blood pH must remain tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45 to maintain homeostasis and enzyme function.
1
Notify dietary
2
Administer pain meds
3
Raise the head of the bed
4
Offer fluids
Raising the head promotes lung expansion and is the first step when addressing breathing difficulties.
1
Use room number
2
Check wristband and ask name/DOB
3
Check clothing
4
Ask family for ID
Using two patient identifiers ensures proper treatment and reduces medication and procedural errors.
1
Low platelet count
2
Elevated white blood cell count
3
High hematocrit
4
Low hemoglobin
An increased white blood cell count typically suggests the body is fighting infection or inflammation.
1
Loop diuretic
2
Anticoagulant
3
Beta blocker
4
ACE inhibitor
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used to treat fluid overload in conditions like heart failure.
1
Murphy’s sign
2
Kernig’s sign
3
Chvostek’s sign
4
Babinski reflex
Chvostek’s sign is facial muscle twitching in response to tapping and indicates calcium deficiency.
1
Touching the abdomen
2
Observing skin color
3
Listening with a stethoscope
4
Asking the patient questions
Auscultation is a fundamental nursing skill used to assess heart, lung, and bowel sounds.
1
Acetylcysteine
2
Epinephrine
3
Flumazenil
4
Atropine
Acetylcysteine prevents liver damage from acetaminophen toxicity when given within a critical time frame.
1
Vomit
2
Cough
3
Urinate
4
Defecate
“Void” refers to the passage of urine and is commonly charted in intake/output records.
1
Dysphasia
2
Bradykinesia
3
Dysphagia
4
Apnea
Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing and poses risks for aspiration pneumonia.
1
Affected side
2
Unaffected side
3
Behind the patient
4
In front of patient
Standing on the weak side improves support and prevents falls during ambulation.
1
Calcium level
2
Creatinine level
3
Blood glucose
4
Liver enzymes
Serum creatinine reflects renal filtration and is a reliable indicator of kidney health.
1
Hospital-acquired infection
2
Childhood illness
3
Infection from food poisoning
4
Fungal skin condition
Nosocomial infections are those acquired during a hospital stay, often preventable through hand hygiene and sterilization.
1
Rapid breathing
2
Difficulty breathing while lying flat
3
Painful breathing
4
Breathing stops during sleep
Orthopnea is common in heart failure and requires elevation of the upper body to ease breathing.
1
Radial
2
Carotid
3
Femoral
4
Dorsalis pedis
The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot and checks lower extremity blood flow.
1
Essential hypertension
2
Pulse deficit
3
Orthostatic hypotension
4
Hypertensive crisis
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when standing, causing dizziness or fainting.
1
Blue
2
Yellow
3
Green
4
Red
Oxygen tanks are color-coded green in North America for quick visual identification.
1
Average Daily Loss
2
Assisted Discharge List
3
Ambulatory Discharge Limit
4
Activities of Daily Living
ADLs include tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, which nurses often help patients maintain or regain.
1
Cholecystectomy
2
Nephrectomy
3
Appendectomy
4
Gastrectomy
Cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder and is commonly performed due to gallstones or inflammation.
1
Trendelenburg
2
Prone
3
Lateral
4
Supine
The lateral or side-lying position helps keep the airway open and reduces the risk of aspiration.
1
Mask and goggles
2
Gloves and gown
3
Surgical cap
4
N95 respirator
Contact precautions require gloves and a gown to prevent spread through direct or indirect patient contact.
1
aPTT
2
BUN
3
INR
4
Hemoglobin
The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to assess blood clotting in patients on warfarin.
1
Yellowing of the eyes
2
Rapid heart rate
3
Swollen lymph nodes
4
Bluish skin discoloration
Cyanosis is a bluish tint in skin or lips due to poor oxygenation or impaired circulation.
1
Airway patency
2
Sleep quality
3
Appetite
4
Skin dryness
Airway, breathing, and circulation are always top priorities in post-operative nursing assessment.
1
Liver
2
Heart
3
Kidneys
4
Pancreas
Cirrhosis is the scarring of liver tissue due to chronic disease, often from alcohol or hepatitis.
1
110–140 bpm
2
100–130 bpm
3
60–100 bpm
4
30–50 bpm
The normal adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute at rest.
1
Rectal
2
Intramuscular
3
Sublingual
4
Intradermal
Nitroglycerin is given under the tongue to treat chest pain because it absorbs rapidly into circulation.
1
Frequent urination
2
Sweating and shakiness
3
Dry mouth
4
Flushed skin
Low blood sugar causes tremors, confusion, hunger, and sweating — a medical emergency if untreated.
1
Airborne
2
Droplet
3
Contact
4
Reverse isolation
Droplet precautions prevent transmission through coughing and sneezing, requiring surgical masks and proper room signage.
1
Evaluating infection
2
Assessing consciousness
3
Diagnosing pneumonia
4
Calculating BMI
The GCS evaluates eye, verbal, and motor responses to determine neurologic status in trauma or ICU settings.
1
5 mL
2
1 mL
3
2 mL
4
3 mL
The deltoid muscle typically accommodates up to 1 mL to prevent tissue damage or poor absorption.
1
Shallow breathing
2
Slow heart rate
3
Irregular heartbeat
4
Abnormally rapid breathing
Tachypnea refers to a respiratory rate higher than normal and is often an early sign of respiratory distress.
1
Intradermal
2
Sublingual
3
Subcutaneous
4
Intramuscular
The intradermal route is used in tuberculosis screening because it delivers the antigen just beneath the skin surface.
1
Aggressive treatment
2
Comfort and quality of life
3
Rehabilitation
4
Diagnostic testing
Hospice care focuses on managing symptoms and providing comfort to terminal patients, rather than curing disease.
1
Calcium
2
Protein
3
Vitamin D
4
Iron
Protein supports tissue repair and immune response, making it critical for proper wound healing and recovery.
1
Rectal
2
Tympanic
3
Oral
4
Axillary
Rectal temperatures most closely reflect core body temperature, especially in critically ill or pediatric patients.
1
Long-acting
2
Intermediate-acting
3
Short-acting
4
Rapid-acting
Rapid-acting insulin starts working within 15 minutes and is taken just before meals to manage postprandial glucose spikes.
1
Pull the tube slightly
2
Aspirate stomach contents
3
Inject air and listen
4
Ask the patient
Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH helps confirm proper tube placement in the stomach.
1
Vomiting
2
Bradycardia
3
Facial flushing
4
Restlessness
Restlessness and confusion are early signs of inadequate oxygenation before other symptoms like cyanosis appear.
1
Hyperkalemia
2
Hypoglycemia
3
Hypernatremia
4
Hypocalcemia
Low calcium levels increase neuromuscular excitability, leading to cramping, tetany, and sometimes seizures.
1
Reduce fever
2
Check oxygen levels
3
Prevent lung collapse
4
Control blood pressure
Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing to expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis post-surgery or during illness.
1
Nothing by mouth
2
No pain observed
3
No physical output
4
Nursing priority only
NPO stands for “nil per os,” instructing that the patient should not consume food or drink orally.
1
Sterilization
2
Cleaning
3
Antisepsis
4
Disinfection
Sterilization destroys all microorganisms and spores, ensuring surgical instruments are completely free of pathogens.
1
Post-op child
2
Teenager with sprain
3
Immobile elderly patient
4
Pregnant woman
Lack of mobility and aging skin make elderly, immobile patients more vulnerable to pressure ulcers.
1
Liver disease
2
Muscle fatigue
3
Neurologic dysfunction
4
Normal response
A positive Babinski sign in adults suggests central nervous system damage or upper motor neuron lesions.
1
Dysarthria
2
Aphasia
3
Apraxia
4
Dysphonia
Aphasia refers to a language disorder affecting the ability to speak, understand, read, or write.
1
Hairnet and boot covers
2
Double gloves and face shield
3
N95 respirator, gown, gloves, eye protection
4
Surgical mask only
Full airborne and contact precautions, including N95 masks and goggles, are required when caring for COVID-19 patients.
1
Protect the airway and prevent injury
2
Hold the patient down
3
Offer fluids
4
Insert oral airway
Protecting the head and ensuring a clear airway are the nurse’s top priorities during a seizure.
1
Biceps
2
Vastus lateralis
3
Deltoid
4
Gluteus maximus
The vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh is best for infants due to its size and safety.
1
BUN
2
CRP
3
Troponin
4
Amylase
Serum amylase levels increase significantly during acute pancreatitis and help confirm the diagnosis.
1
Sudden diarrhea
2
Abdominal bloating
3
Unilateral leg swelling and pain
4
Facial pallor
DVT commonly presents with swelling, warmth, and pain in one leg due to a blood clot.
1
Bradycardia
2
Tachycardia
3
Palpitation
4
Arrhythmia
Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60 bpm and can occur naturally or with medication.
1
Fever
2
Kidney failure
3
Cardiac arrest
4
Hypertension
Rapid IV potassium can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and must be administered slowly and diluted.
1
Patient understands procedure risks and agrees
2
Legal waiver form only
3
Doctor signs off treatment
4
Nurse agrees to perform task
Informed consent ensures the patient is fully aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives before any procedure.
1
Tuberculosis
2
Pneumonia
3
Asthma
4
Pulmonary embolism
Asthma causes airway hyperreactivity, swelling, and obstruction, often triggered by allergens or irritants.
1
Low oxygen in tissues
2
Fever with chills
3
Swelling from fluid accumulation
4
Red, itchy rash
Edema is soft tissue swelling caused by fluid retention, often seen in heart or kidney failure.
1
Hyperkalemia
2
Hypermagnesemia
3
Hypocalcemia
4
Hyponatremia
Excess potassium disrupts cardiac electrical conduction and can cause lethal arrhythmias or heart block.
1
50–70 mg/dL
2
70–99 mg/dL
3
150–180 mg/dL
4
100–140 mg/dL
Normal fasting blood glucose should be under 100 mg/dL to indicate healthy metabolic function.
1
Droplet
2
Contact
3
Standard
4
Airborne
Aerobic isolation, used for diseases like tuberculosis or measles, requires a special negative pressure room setup.
1
Ignore if patient is okay
2
Report it immediately
3
Document it next shift
4
Tell another nurse later
Nurses must promptly report and document any medication error to ensure patient safety and transparency.
1
Thalamus
2
Temporal lobe
3
Pupil/cranial nerve III
4
Inner ear
The oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) controls pupil size and reaction to light.
1
Blood in stool
2
Rapid heartbeat
3
High blood pressure
4
Blood in urine
Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine and may indicate infection, stones, or trauma.
1
Supine
2
Lithotomy
3
Prone
4
High Fowler’s
The upright High Fowler’s position expands the chest and makes breathing easier for COPD patients
1
Liver
2
Kidneys
3
Pancreas
4
Lungs
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses, alcohol, or toxic drugs.
1
Severe allergic reaction
2
Infection outbreak
3
Fire alert
4
Cardiac/respiratory arrest
Code blue signifies a medical emergency requiring immediate resuscitation for cardiac or respiratory arrest.
1
Hysterectomy
2
Oophorectomy
3
Mastectomy
4
Appendectomy
Hysterectomy is the complete or partial removal of the uterus, often due to cancer or fibroids.
1
Personal Protective Equipment
2
Professional Practice Exam
3
Post Procedure Evaluation
4
Patient Position Evaluation
PPE refers to gloves, masks, gowns, and other equipment used to protect healthcare workers from exposure.
1
35.0–35.5°C
2
36.5–37.5°C
3
38.5–39.5°C
4
37.8–38.9°C
Normal core body temperature in adults falls within the range of 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius.
1
Lung sounds
2
Oxygen saturation
3
Blood sugar
4
Cholesterol level
A pulse oximeter measures the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen in peripheral blood.
1
Apply gown
2
Put on gloves
3
Hand hygiene
4
Wear mask
Performing hand hygiene first prevents contamination and ensures proper PPE use.
1
Keeping patient in bed
2
Increasing pain meds
3
Encouraging deep breathing and coughing
4
Restricting fluids
incentive spirometry, coughing, and deep breathing promote lung expansion and clear secretions postoperatively.
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