PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS

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PRIORITIZATION

1. A patient is admitted to the medical unit with possible Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism).
Which assessment finding supports this diagnosis?
a. Periorbital edema
b. Bradycardia
c. Exophthalmos
d. Hoarse voice

2. Which change in vital signs would you instruct a nursing assistant to report immediately
for a patient with hyperthyroidism?
a. Increased and rapid heart rate
b. Decrease systolic blood pressure
c. Increased respiratory rate
d. Decreased oral temperature

3. For the patient with hyperthyroidism, what intervention should you delegate to the
experienced certified nursing assistant?
a. Instruct the patient to report palpitations, dyspnea, vertigo, pr chest pain.
b. Check the apical pulse, blood pressure, and temperature every 4 hours.
c. Draw blood for thyroid-stimulating hormone, T3, and T4 levels.
d. Explain the side effects of propylthiouracil (PTU) to the patient.

4. As the shift begins, you are assigned these patients. Which patient should you assess
first?
a. A 38-year-old patient with Graves’ disease and a heart rate of 94/minute
b. A 63-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes and fingerstick glucose of 137 mg/dL
c. A 58-year-old patient with hypothyroidism and heart rate of 48/minute
d. A 49-year-old patient with Cushing’s disease and +1 dependent edema

5. A patient is hospitalized with adrenocortical insufficiency. Which nursing activity should

you delegate to the nursing assistant?
a. Remind patient to change positions slowly.
b. Check the patient for muscle weakness
c. Teach the patient how to collect 24-hour urine
d. Plan nursing interventions to promote fluid balance

6. You assess a patient with Cushing’s disease. For which finding will you notify the
physician immediately?
a. Purple striae present on abdomen and thighs
b. Weight gain of 1 pound since the previous day
c. +1 dependent edema in ankles and calves
d. Crackles bilaterally in lower lobes of lungs

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 7. The patient with pheochromocytoma had surgery to remove his adrenal glands. Which
nursing intervention should you delegate to the nursing assistant?
a. Add strategies to provide a calm and restful environment post-operatively to the care plan.
b. Warm the patient to avoid smoking and drinking caffeinated beverages
c. Monitor the patient’s skin and mucous membranes for signs of adequate hydration.
d. Monitor lying and standing blood pressure every 4 hours with cuff placed on same arm

8. For the patient with pheochromocytoma, what physical assessment technique should
you instruct the LPN/LVN to avoid?
________________________________________________________
9. The patient with adrenal insufficiency is to be discharged taking prednisone 10 mg orally
each day. What will you be sure to teach the patient?
a. Report excessive weigh gain or swelling to the physician.
b. Rapid changes of position may cause hypotension.
c. A diet with foods high in potassium may be beneficial.
d. Signs of hypoglycemia may occur while taking this drug.

10.You are caring for a patient who is post-hypophysectomy for hyperpituitarism. Which
post-operative finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Presence of glucose in nasal drainage
b. Nasal packing present in nares
c. Urine output of 40 – 50 mL per hour
d. Patient complaints of thirst
11.Which patient’s nursing care would be most appropriate for the charge nurse to assign to
the LPN, under the supervision of the RN team leader?
a. A 51-year-old patient with bilateral adrenalectomy just returned from the post-anesthesia care unit
b. An 83-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
c. A 38-year-old patient with myocardial infarction who is preparing for discharge
d. A 72-year-old patient admitted from long-term care with mental status changes

12.You are providing care for a patient who underwent thyroidectomy 2 days ago. Which
laboratory value requires close monitoring?
a. Calcium
b. Sodium
c. Potassium
d. White blood cells

13.You are preparing to review a teaching plan for a patient with type 2 diabetes. What will
you check to determine the patient’s level of compliance with his diabetic regimen?
a. Patient’s fasting glucose level
b. Patient’s oral glucose tolerance test results
c. Patient’s glycosylated hemoglobin assay
d. Patient’s fingerstick glucose check for 24 hours

14.The patient has newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Which task should you delegate to the
nursing assistant?
a. Arrange consult with the dietician for patient.
b. Verify patient’s insulin injection technique.
c. Teach patient to use glucometer for monitoring glucose at home.

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d. Remind patient to check glucose level prior to each meal.

15.A nursing diagnosis for the newly diagnosed diabetic patient is risk for Injury related to
sensory alterations. Which key points should you include in the teaching plan for this
patient? (Choose all that apply).
a. Clean and inspect your feet every day.
b. Be sure that your shoes fit properly.
c. Nylon socks are best to prevent friction between toes and shoes.
d. Report any non-healing skin breaks to your doctor.

16.The diabetic patient has all of these assessment bindings. Which will you instruct the
LPN/LVN to report immediately?
a. Fingerstick glucose of 185 mg/dL
b. Numbness and tingling in both feet
c. Profuse perspiration
d. Bunion on left great toe

17.The plan of care for the diabetic patient includes all of the following interventions. Which
intervention could you delegate to the nursing assistant?
a. Check to make sure that the patient’s bath water is not too hot.
b. Discuss community resources for diabetic outpatient care.
c. Instruct the patient to perform daily foot inspections.
d. Check the patient’s technique for drawing insulin into a syringe.

18.You are precepting a nurse who has recently graduated and passes the NCLEX
examination. The new nurse has been on the unit for only 2 days. Which patient should
you assign to the new nurse?
a. A 68-year-old diabetic who is experiencing signs of hyperglycemia including rapid, deep breathing
and mental status changes
b. A 58-year-old diabetic with peripheral neuropathy and cellulitis of the left ankle.
c. A 49-year-old diabetic who has just returned from post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) after a below-
the-knee amputation (BKA)
d. A 72-year-old diabetic with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on an IV insulin drip

19.In the emergency department, during initial assessment of a new admission with
diabetes, you discover all of the following. Which information should you immediately
report to the physician?
a. Hammertoe of the left second metatarsophalangeal joint
b. Rapid respiratory rate with deep inspirations
c. Numbness and tingling bilaterally in the feet and hands
d. Decreased sensitivity and swelling of the abdomen

20.You are caring for a diabetic patient who is developing DKA. Which delegated task is
most appropriate?
a. Ask the unit clerk to page the physician to come to the unit.
b. Ask the LPN/LVN to administer IV insulin according to the sliding scale.
c. Ask the nursing assistant to check the patient’s level of consciousness.
d. Ask the nursing assistant to get the patient a cup of orange juice.

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 21.A diabetic patient presents with hot and dry skin, rapid and deep respirations, and a fruity
odor to his breath. As charge nurse, you observe the new graduate RN accomplishing all
these patient tasks. Which one requires that you intervene immediately?
a. The RN checks the patient’s fingerstick glucose.
b. The RN encourages the patient to drink orange juice.
c. The RN checks the patient’s order for sliding scale insulin.
d. The RN assess the patient’s vital signs every 15 minutes

22.You are preparing a 24-year-old patient with diabetes insipidus (DI) for discharge from the
hospital. Which statement indicates that the patient needs additional teaching?
a. “I will drink fluids equal to the amount of my urine output.”
b. “I will weigh myself every day using the same scale.”
c. “I will wear my medical alert bracelet at all times.”
d. “I will gradually wean myself off the vasopressin.”

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RATIONALE
ENDOCRINE PROBLEMS
1. ANSWER C – Exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eye) is characteristic of patients with
hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. Periorbital edema, bradycardia, and hoarse voice are
all characteristics of patients with hypothyroidism. Focus: Prioritization
2. ANSWER A – The cardiac problems associated with hyperthyroidism include tachycardia,
increased systolic blood pressure, and decreased diastolic blood pressure. Patients with
hyperthyroidism also may have increased body temperature related to increased metabolic rate.
Focus: Delegation/supervision
3. ANSWER B – Monitoring and recording vital signs are within the education scope of nursing
assistants. An experienced nursing assistant should have been taught how to monitor the apical
pulse. However, the nurse should observe the nursing assistant to be sure that she has
mastered this skill. Instructing and teaching patients, as well as performing venipuncture for
laboratory samples, are more suited to the educational scope of licensed nurses. In some
facilities, an experienced nursing assistant may perform venipuncture, but only after special
training. Focus: Delegation/supervision
4. ANSWER C – Although patients with hypothyroidism often have cardiac problems that include
bradycardia, a heart rate of 48/minute may have significant implications for cardiac output and
hemodynamic stability. Patients with Graves’ disease usually have a rapid heart rate, but
94/minute is within limits. The diabetic patient may need sliding scale insulin. This is important
but not urgent. Patients with Cushing’s disease frequently have dependent edema. Focus:
Prioritization
5. ANSWER A – Patients with hypofunction of the adrenal glands often have hypotension and
should be instructed to change positions slowly. Once a patient has been instructed, it is
appropriate for the nursing assistant to remind the patient of those instructions. Assessing,
teaching, and planning nursing care require more education and should be done by licensed
nurses. Focus: Delegation/supervision
6. ANSWER D – The presence of crackles in the patient’s lungs indicate excess fluid volume doe
to excess water and sodium reabsorption and may be a symptom of pulmonary edema, which
must be treated rapidly. Striae (stretch marks), weight gain, and dependent edema are common
findings in patients Cushing’s disease. These findings should be monitored, but are not urgent.
Focus: Prioritization
7. ANSWER D – Monitoring vital signs is within the educational scope of the nursing assistant. The
nurse should be sure to instruct the nursing assistant that blood pressure measurements are to
be done with the cuff on the same arm. Revising the care plan and instructing and assessing
patients are beyond the scope of nursing assistants and fall within the purview of licensed
nurses. Focus: Delegation/supervision
8. ANSWER: PALPATION OF THE ABDOMEN – Palpating the abdomen can cause sudden
release of catecholamines and severe hypertension. Focus: Delegation/supervision
9. ANSWER A – Rapid weight gain and edema are signs of excessive drug therapy, and the dose
of the drug needs to be adjusted. Hypertension, hyperkalemia, and hyperglycemia are common
in patients with adrenal hypofunction. Focus: Prioritization
10. ANSWER A – The presence of glucose in nasal drainage indicates that the fluid is CSF
(cerebrospinal fluid) and suggests a CSF leak. Packing is normally inserted in the nares after the
surgical incision is closed. Forty to 50 mL per hour is adequate urine output and patients may
experience thirst post-operatively. When patients are thirsty, nursing staff should encourage fluid
intake. Thirst may be a sign of hypokalemia. The nurse should assess the patient’s thirst and
check the patient’s potassium level. This is not as urgent as the CSF leak. Focus: Prioritization
11. ANSWER B – The 83-year-old patient has no complicating factors at the moment. Providing
care for stable and uncomplicated patients is within the LPN’s educational preparation and

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 scope of practice, with the care always being provided under the supervision and direction of the
RN. The RN should assess the newly post-operative patient and the new admission. The patient
who is preparing for discharge after MI may need some complex teaching. Focus:
Delegation/supervision, assignment
12. ANSWER A – The parathyroid glands are located on the back of the thyroid gland. The
parathyroids are important in maintaining calcium and phosphorus balance. The nurse should be
attentive to all patient laboratory values, but calcium and phosphorus are important to monitor
after thyroidectomy. Focus: Prioritization
13. ANSWER C – The higher the blood glucose level is over time, the more elevated the
glycosylated hemoglobin becomes. Glycosylated hemoglobin is a good indicator of average
blood glucose level over the previous 120 days. Fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance
tests are important diagnostic tests. Fingerstick blood glucose monitoring provides information
that allows for adjustment of patients’ therapeutic regimen. Focus: Prioritization
14. ANSWER D – The nursing assistant’s role includes reminding patients about interventions that
are already part of the plan of care. Arranging for a diet consult is appropriate to delegate to the
unit clerk. Teaching and assessing require additional education and should be completed by
licensed nurses. Focus: Delegation/supervision, assignment
15. ANSWER A, B & E – Sensory alterations are the major cause of foot complications in diabetic
patients, and patients should be taught to examine their feet on a daily basis. Properly fitted
shoes protect the patient from foot complications. Broken skin increases the risk of infection.
Cotton socks are recommended to absorb moisture. Patients, family, or health care providers
may trim toenails. Focus: Prioritization
16. ANSWER C – Profuse perspiration is a symptom of hypoglycemia, a complication of diabetes
that needs urgent treatment. A glucose level of 185 will need coverage with sliding-scale insulin,
but this is not urgent. Numbness, tingling, and bunions are related to the chronic nature of
diabetes and are not urgent. Focus: Prioritization
17. ANSWER A – Checking the bath water temperature is part of assisting with activities of daily
living and is within the educational scope of the nursing assistant. Discussion of community
resources and teaching and assessing require a higher level of education and are appropriate to
the scope of practice of licensed nurses. Focus: Delegation
18. ANSWER B – The new nurse is still orienting to the unit. Appropriate patient assignments at this
time include those who are stable and not complex. Focus: Assignment
19. ANSWER B – Rapid, deep respirations (Kussmaul) are symptomatic of DKA. Hammertoe, as
well as numbness and tingling, are chronic complications associated with diabetes. Decreased
sensitivity and swelling (lipohypertrophy) occur at a site of repeated insulin injections, and
treatment involves teaching the patient to rotate injection sites. Focus: Prioritization
20. ANSWER A – The nurse should not leave the patient. The scope of the unit clerk’s job includes
calling and paging physicians. LPN/LVNs generally do not administer IV push medication. IV
fluid administration is not within the scope of nursing assistants. Patients with DKA already have
a high glucose level and do not need orange juice. Focus: Delegation/supervision
21. ANSWER B – The signs and symptoms the patient is exhibiting are consistent with
hyperglycemia. The RN should not give the patient additional glucose. All of the other
interventions are appropriate for this patient. The RN should also notify the physician at this
time. Focus: Prioritization
22. ANSWER D – The patient with permanent DI requires life-long vasopressin therapy. All of the
other statements are appropriate to the home care of this patient. Focus: Prioritization