Which of the following is an example of evidence-based practice in nursing?
A. Using personal experience to determine patient care
B. Implementing clinical practices based on research and patient outcomes
C. Following hospital policies without considering new research
D. Administering medications based on a patient's request
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice relies on research to guide patient care decisions, improving outcomes.
Which tool is used to analyze the root cause of patient safety incidents?
A. Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
B. Patient satisfaction survey
C. Incident report
D. Root cause analysis (RCA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: RCA is a systematic method used to identify the underlying cause of an adverse event.
Which of the following is a primary infection control measure?
A. Administering antibiotics for bacterial infections
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Wearing gloves only when handling body fluids
D. Limiting patient education about infection risks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent infection transmission.
Which element is essential in a person-centered care plan?
A. Following the same treatment plan for all patients
B. Incorporating the patient’s preferences and values
C. Ignoring input from interdisciplinary teams
D. Relying only on the nurse’s judgment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered care respects individual patient preferences and needs.
Question 21
A nurse notices a colleague preparing to administer the wrong medication to a patient. What is the best action?
A. Ignore the situation and allow the colleague to proceed
B. Report the error only if harm occurs
C. Politely intervene and verify the correct medication
D. Wait until the error happens before taking action
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses must advocate for patient safety by preventing medication errors before they occur.
The Joint Commission plays which role in healthcare quality and safety?
A. Provides direct patient care
B. Sets guidelines and standards for healthcare organizations
C. Manufactures medical equipment
D. Develops individualized patient care plans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Joint Commission establishes quality and safety standards for healthcare institutions.
Which indicator is tracked by the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI)?
A. Staff payroll records
B. Nurse satisfaction with cafeteria options
C. Patient falls and pressure injuries
D. Hospital construction plans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NDNQI tracks nursing-sensitive indicators such as falls, infections, and pressure injuries.
Which nursing intervention reduces medication errors? (Select all that apply.)
A. Using barcode medication administration (BCMA)
B. Following the "five rights" of medication administration
C. Asking another nurse to administer medications without verification
D. Educating patients about their medications
E. Skipping double-checks for high-risk drugs
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Medication safety involves using technology, verifying patient rights, and educating patients.
A nurse is coordinating care for a patient with multiple chronic conditions. Which actions demonstrate effective care coordination? (Select all that apply.)
A. Consulting physical therapy for mobility concerns
B. Ignoring dietary restrictions
C. Educating the patient about self-management
D. Failing to communicate with the healthcare team
E. Referring the patient to a case manager
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Care coordination involves interdisciplinary collaboration and patient education.
How can a nurse advocate for patient safety? (Select all that apply.)
A. Speak up about unsafe practices
B. Participate in quality improvement initiatives
C. Educate patients about their healthcare
D. Avoid reporting errors to avoid confrontation
E. Encourage transparency in communication
Correct Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Nurses advocate for patient safety through communication, education, and proactive involvement.
Which interprofessional collaboration strategy improves patient safety? (Select all that apply.)
A. Open communication among healthcare teams
B. Documenting patient care in real-time
C. Ignoring feedback from other team members
D. Using standardized protocols for patient handoffs
E. Delegating all patient care to assistive personnel
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Effective teamwork, documentation, and standardized protocols enhance patient safety.
Question 8
What is the purpose of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)? (Select all that apply.)
A. Predict potential system failures before they occur
B. Investigate errors after they have happened
C. Identify steps in a process that could cause harm
D. Improve patient safety by reducing risks
E. Determine the best way to discipline employees after an error
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale: FMEA is a proactive approach that identifies and mitigates risks before harm occurs.
Which is the best intervention to prevent patient falls?
A. Keep bed alarms activated for high-risk patients.
B. Leave the bed in the highest position.
C. Place all belongings out of the patient’s reach.
D. Encourage patients to ambulate without assistance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bed alarms help alert staff when high-risk patients attempt to get up unsafely.
Question 18
A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with multiple chronic conditions. What is the best approach to ensure safe, person-centered care?
A. Follow a standardized care plan without modifications
B. Consider the patient’s individual needs, values, and preferences
C. Avoid patient input in decision-making to prevent confusion
D. Focus only on medical treatment, ignoring lifestyle factors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered care incorporates the patient’s values and preferences into their care plan.
A nurse notices that a patient’s vital signs are unstable, but the healthcare provider dismisses the concern. What should the nurse do next?
A. Document the concern and do nothing
B. Wait for the provider to assess the patient later
C. Escalate the concern using the chain of command
D. Assume the provider knows best and ignore the issue
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses must escalate concerns when patient safety is at risk, following the chain of command.
Health informatics and technology improve quality and safety by:
A. Preventing medication errors with electronic prescribing
B. Allowing unauthorized personnel to access patient records
C. Eliminating the need for verbal communication
D. Replacing nurses' clinical judgment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Electronic health records and prescribing reduce medication errors and improve patient tracking.
Question 9
Which assessment method provides insight into a patient's perception of care quality?
A. Medication reconciliation
B. Patient satisfaction survey
C. Blood pressure measurement
D. Urinalysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient satisfaction surveys measure patients’ perspectives on the quality and safety of their care.
Which action improves effective communication in nursing care?
A. Using standardized handoff reports
B. Relying on verbal orders only
C. Avoiding written documentation
D. Skipping team huddles to save time
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standardized communication tools reduce miscommunication and improve patient safety.
Which nursing action demonstrates effective coordination of care across disciplines? (Select all that apply.)
A. Consulting with physical therapy for a post-stroke patient
B. Refusing to collaborate with other healthcare providers
C. Communicating medication concerns with the pharmacist
D. Ignoring a dietitian’s recommendations for a diabetic patient
E. Arranging a case manager for discharge planning
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Coordinating care involves interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Which action supports health equity in nursing care?
A. Providing the same care plan for all patients regardless of needs
B. Addressing social determinants of health in patient education
C. Ignoring language barriers during patient communication
D. Limiting access to care for underserved populations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Health equity means addressing social determinants that impact patient outcomes.
Risk management in healthcare includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Identifying hazards before they cause harm
B. Ignoring small errors unless they cause harm
C. Conducting root cause analysis after incidents
D. Implementing policies to prevent patient harm
E. Discouraging staff from reporting safety concerns
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale: Risk management aims to identify, analyze, and prevent potential safety issues.
Which of the following statements about incident reports is true?
A. They are used for disciplinary action against staff.
B. They help identify trends in patient safety issues.
C. They are filed only if serious harm occurs.
D. They should be placed in the patient's medical record.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incident reports are used to track trends and improve patient safety, not for punishment.
What is the nurse’s role in pain management? (Select all that apply.)
A. Assess pain using a validated scale
B. Assume patients are exaggerating their pain
C. Provide pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
D. Monitor for medication side effects
E. Delay pain management until the next shift
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale: Nurses assess, manage, and monitor pain to improve patient comfort and safety.
A patient with heart failure is experiencing increased shortness of breath and swelling. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage the patient to monitor symptoms at home
B. Adjust the patient’s care plan to include more exercise
C. Notify the healthcare provider and monitor for worsening symptoms
D. Tell the patient this is normal and not to worry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Changes in heart failure symptoms require prompt assessment and intervention to prevent complications.
A nurse participates in a policy development meeting at their hospital. How does this action promote quality and safety? (Select all that apply.)
A. Advocating for evidence-based practices
B. Ensuring policies align with patient safety goals
C. Ignoring staff concerns about safety procedures
D. Preventing the implementation of new protocols
E. Identifying areas for quality improvement
Correct Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: Nurses play a vital role in shaping policies that enhance patient safety and care quality.