Assessment
What are the four basic techniques of a physical assessment?
Inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
What are the three medication checks?
Answer: Check medication when removing it, preparing it, and before administering it.
What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
Answer: Hand hygiene.
What does charting "objective data" mean?
Answer: Recording measurable or observable facts.
What is self-reflection in nursing?
Answer: Evaluating your performance to improve future practice.
This vital sign is often considered the "fifth vital sign."
Pain
Name at least five of the Rights of Medication Administration.
Answer: Right patient, medication, dose, route, time, documentation (plus reason, response, education, etc.).
Which patient is at highest risk for falls?
Answer: Elderly patients, those with mobility issues, altered cognition, or taking sedating medications.
Give an example of subjective data.
Answer: "Patient states pain is 8/10."
Why is accepting feedback important?
Answer: It helps improve clinical skills and patient care.
What should a nurse assess before administering a PRN pain medication?
Answer: Pain level, location, characteristics, and previous interventions.
What should you do if a patient questions a medication you are about to give?
Answer: Stop and verify the medication before administration.
What should you do before assisting a patient to ambulate for the first time after surgery?
Answer: Assess for dizziness, weakness, and orthostatic changes.
What should never be included in documentation?
Answer: Opinions, assumptions, or judgmental language.
What should you do if you do not know how to perform a skill?
Answer: Ask for assistance and seek supervision.
When assessing respiratory status, what normal oxygen saturation range would you expect in most adults?
Answer: Approximately 95-100%.
Why should insulin doses be double-checked according to facility policy?
Answer: Insulin is a high-alert medication with a high risk for serious harm if administered incorrectly.
When should two patient identifiers be used?
Answer: Before medications, procedures, specimen collection, and treatments.
If you make an error in paper charting, how should it be corrected?
Answer: Single line through the error, initial, date/time according to policy.
What characteristic helps nurses recognize personal biases and improve patient interactions?
Answer: Self-awareness.
What assessment finding requires immediate reporting: BP 128/78, pulse 82, respirations 16, or oxygen saturation 86%?
Answer: Oxygen saturation 86%.
What should a nurse do if a medication error occurs?
Answer: Assess the patient, notify the provider/supervisor, follow facility policy, document appropriately, and complete an incident report.
A confused patient attempts to get out of bed repeatedly. What is the least restrictive intervention?
Answer: Reorientation, bed alarm, closer observation, and environmental modifications before restraints.
Why is timely documentation important?
Answer: It promotes patient safety, continuity of care, and legal protection.
After a difficult clinical day, what questions can guide reflection?
Answer: What went well? What could improve? What did I learn? What will I do differently next time?