Nursing’s Role in Diagnostic Testing
Before a diagnostic test, which of the following nursing actions is most important?
A. Administer the patient’s daily medications
B. Obtain informed consent and verify orders
C. Position the patient for comfort
D. Ask the patient to sign discharge papers
B. Obtain informed consent and verify orders
Which of the following is a normal function of red blood cells?
A. Fighting infection
B. Clotting blood
C. Carrying oxygen to tissues
D. Regulating electrolytes
C. Carrying oxygen to tissues
What is the purpose of a urinalysis?
A. To assess lung function
B. To evaluate urine for abnormalities
C. To detect heart failure
D. To measure oxygenation
B. To evaluate urine for abnormalities
What is the primary purpose of an X-ray?
A. Evaluate brain activity
B. Assess bone structure and detect fractures
C. Visualize soft tissues only
D. Monitor kidney function
B. Assess bone structure and detect fractures
A patient with anemia is most likely to have which lab value abnormality?
A. Elevated hematocrit
B. Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit
C. Elevated platelet count
D. Increased neutrophils
B. Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit
A nurse is preparing a patient for a colonoscopy. Which action takes priority?
A. Teaching the patient about post-procedure diet
B. Ensuring the patient has completed bowel prep
C. Encouraging fluid intake before the procedure
D. Documenting the procedure
B. Ensuring the patient has completed bowel prep
A high neutrophil count in a CBC with differential typically indicates:
A. A viral infection
B. A bacterial infection
C. An allergic reaction
D. Liver dysfunction
B. A bacterial infection
Which finding in a urinalysis is abnormal and should be reported?
A. Pale yellow color
B. Clear appearance
C. Presence of protein and ketones
D. Specific gravity of 1.020
C. Presence of protein and ketones
Before an MRI, the nurse should ask the patient about:
A. Recent meals
B. History of metal implants
C. Family history of cancer
D. Sleep patterns
B. History of metal implants
A nurse reviews lab results and sees a “left shift” on the WBC differential. This indicates:
A. Viral infection
B. Allergic reaction
C. Bacterial infection
D. Kidney disease
C. Bacterial infection
A patient is scheduled for an MRI. Which nursing action is essential before the procedure?
A. Instruct the patient to void before the test
B. Remove all metal objects and assess for implants
C. Start an IV line for sedation
D. Place the patient in a gown with lead shielding
B. Remove all metal objects and assess for implants
Which lab test is used to assess kidney function?
A. Lipase
B. BUN and creatinine
C. Troponin
D. BNP
B. BUN and creatinine
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measures:
A. Lung capacity
B. The volume of blood filtered by the kidneys per minute
C. The amount of fluid retained in the intestines
D. Liver detoxification rate
B. The volume of blood filtered by the kidneys per minute
A patient is scheduled for a CT scan with contrast. What is the priority pre-procedure assessment?
A. History of hypertension
B. Allergy to iodine or shellfish
C. Level of consciousness
D. Last bowel movement
B. Allergy to iodine or shellfish
A patient’s urinalysis reveals glucose and ketones. This finding is most commonly associated with:
A. Renal failure
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Liver dysfunction
D. Heart failure
B. Diabetes mellitus
After a diagnostic test, the nurse notes the patient’s results are critically abnormal. What is the priority action?
A. Document the findings in the chart
B. Call the lab to repeat the test
C. Notify the health-care provider immediately
D. Inform the patient about the results
C. Notify the health-care provider immediately
A patient’s BNP level is elevated. What does this most likely indicate?
A. Acute kidney injury
B. Liver disease
C. Heart failure
D. Infection
C. Heart failure
A patient’s urine appears cloudy and has a foul odor. What does this likely indicate?
A. Dehydration
B. Liver failure
C. Urinary tract infection
D. High glucose levels
C. Urinary tract infection
Which pre-procedure instruction is most important before an abdominal ultrasound?
A. “Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.”
B. “Wear loose clothing to the appointment.”
C. “Take your medications as usual.”
D. “Avoid using lotion.”
A. “Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.”
Which nursing action is most appropriate for a patient with elevated cardiac enzymes (troponin)?
A. Document findings and monitor
B. Notify the provider immediately—possible MI
C. Give insulin as ordered
D. Schedule an outpatient stress test
B. Notify the provider immediately—possible MI
A nurse is caring for a patient after a procedure requiring contrast dye. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Complaints of warmth at the IV site
B. Mild nausea
C. Decreased urine output and rising creatinine
D. Headache
C. Decreased urine output and rising creatinine
A patient’s platelet count is 50,000/mm³. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Prepare for heparin administration
B. Encourage ambulation to prevent clots
C. Implement bleeding precautions
D. Administer iron supplements
C. Implement bleeding precautions
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s lab results: BUN 35 mg/dL, Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL, GFR 40 mL/min. What is the best interpretation?
A. Normal kidney function
B. Dehydration only
C. Possible renal impairment
D. Hyperthyroidism
C. Possible renal impairment
During an MRI, a patient reports warmth and tingling at the site of a previous surgical implant. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassure the patient this is normal
B. Stop the procedure and notify the MRI technician
C. Administer analgesics
D. Continue monitoring
B. Stop the procedure and notify the MRI technician
A nurse notes that a patient’s WBC count is 18,000/mm³ with elevated neutrophils and monocytes. The patient is febrile and tachycardic. Which nursing action is priority?
A. Administer antipyretics
B. Notify the provider and anticipate blood cultures
C. Document findings only
D. Start oral antibiotics
B. Notify the provider and anticipate blood cultures