I85PREP
⌘ K
Kaplan Nursing study materials
Kaplan Nursing study resources

Kaplan Nursing practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Kaplan Nursing understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Reading Comprehension

A patient education handout states: "Because metformin can cause gastrointestinal upset, take it with meals unless your provider instructs otherwise." According to the passage, what is the main reason the medication is taken with food?

  1. To improve the tablet's taste
  2. To prevent low blood sugar
  3. To increase the drug's absorption
  4. To reduce stomach discomfort Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage links gastrointestinal upset to the instruction to take the medication with meals, making symptom reduction the stated purpose. The other purposes are not mentioned in the sentence, so they cannot be inferred from it.

Question 2Reading Comprehension

Read this excerpt: "Hand hygiene remains the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infection. Alcohol-based rub is preferred for routine use, but soap and water are required when hands are visibly soiled." Which statement is best supported by the excerpt?

  1. Visibly soiled hands should first be wiped with a towel
  2. Hand hygiene prevents only surgical infections
  3. Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly dirty Correct answer.
  4. Alcohol rub is never appropriate in patient care

Explanation

The excerpt explicitly states that soap and water are required when hands are visibly soiled, which matches the correct choice. The other options either contradict the text or introduce steps the passage never describes.

Question 3Reading Comprehension

A nurse reads: "Patients receiving opioids should be assessed for sedation before and after each dose, because increasing sedation often precedes respiratory depression." What is the stated relationship between sedation and respiratory depression?

  1. Respiratory depression always occurs without sedation
  2. Sedation protects patients from respiratory depression
  3. Sedation and respiratory depression begin at the same moment
  4. Sedation tends to appear before breathing slows Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'precedes' signals that sedation commonly develops earlier than respiratory depression, which is why it is monitored. The passage does not claim the two always occur together or that sedation is protective.

Question 4Reading Comprehension

A discharge instruction reads: "Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after receiving this sedating medication." Which action best follows the instruction?

  1. Driving home slowly on side streets
  2. Taking the medication again before driving
  3. Arranging a ride home after the appointment Correct answer.
  4. Operating machinery after 12 hours

Explanation

The instruction prohibits driving for a full 24 hours, so arranging alternative transportation is the only listed action that complies. The other choices involve driving or machinery use within the restricted period.

Question 5Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: "Unlike warfarin, which requires routine INR monitoring, apixaban is given in fixed doses without routine coagulation testing." What contrast does the passage draw between the two drugs?

  1. Monitoring requirements differ between them Correct answer.
  2. Apixaban requires more frequent testing
  3. Warfarin is given without any monitoring
  4. Both drugs require identical lab testing

Explanation

The sentence contrasts warfarin's need for routine INR monitoring with apixaban's fixed dosing without routine testing. That contrast is specifically about monitoring, not about efficacy or cost.

Question 6Reading Comprehension

Read the sentence: "Although the patient reported feeling better, the nurse noted a rising temperature and documented it promptly." What does the sentence suggest about the patient's report?

  1. It was confirmed by the temperature reading
  2. It was the only data the nurse collected
  3. It did not match the objective findings Correct answer.
  4. It showed the infection had resolved

Explanation

The word 'Although' signals a contrast between the patient's subjective report and the objective finding of rising temperature. This indicates the report and the measurement did not agree.

Question 7Reading Comprehension

A policy states: "Verbal orders must be read back to the prescriber and documented within 24 hours." Which action fulfills the read-back requirement?

  1. Writing the order in the chart without repeating it
  2. Repeating the order aloud to the prescriber for confirmation Correct answer.
  3. Asking a colleague to sign the order later
  4. Documenting the order after 24 hours have passed

Explanation

A read-back means the nurse restates the order to the prescriber so any error is caught immediately. Documentation alone or delayed signing does not satisfy the verbal confirmation step.

Question 8Reading Comprehension

A passage about fall prevention states: "Hourly rounding allows staff to address the needs that most often prompt patients to get up unassisted, such as thirst, pain, and toileting." What is the main idea of the sentence?

  1. Hourly rounding eliminates all falls in hospitals
  2. Pain is the only reason patients leave bed
  3. Toileting should be scheduled only at night
  4. Scheduled checks can reduce unassisted patient movement Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence explains that hourly rounding addresses common needs in order to reduce unassisted getting up. It does not claim that falls are eliminated or that any single need is the only cause.

Question 9Reading Comprehension

A nurse reads two notes. Note A: "Client ambulated 50 feet with a walker, no dizziness." Note B: "Client reports dizziness when standing; assist of two required." Which conclusion is best supported by comparing the notes?

  1. The client used a walker in both notes
  2. The client's tolerance for activity declined between the notes Correct answer.
  3. The client's dizziness was unrelated to movement
  4. The second note describes a routine, unchanged status

Explanation

Note A documents walking without dizziness, while Note B documents dizziness on standing and a need for more assistance, indicating reduced tolerance. The comparison shows a change rather than a stable routine.

Question 10Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and contribute to resistance when used unnecessarily. However, some patients expect a prescription and leave dissatisfied without one." What tension does the passage describe?

  1. Patient expectations can conflict with appropriate prescribing Correct answer.
  2. Resistance results only from correct antibiotic use
  3. Antibiotics are effective against most viruses
  4. Patients rarely ask about antibiotics

Explanation

The passage sets appropriate prescribing (avoiding unnecessary antibiotics) against patient expectations for a prescription. This is a conflict between clinical judgment and patient satisfaction.

Question 11Reading Comprehension

Read: "The wound measured 2 cm by 1 cm on admission. On day three it measured 3 cm by 2 cm, with increased redness at the edges." Which inference is most reasonable?

  1. The wound may be worsening rather than healing Correct answer.
  2. The redness indicates proper granulation
  3. The wound is healing as expected
  4. The measurements confirm infection has resolved

Explanation

An increase in wound dimensions along with spreading redness suggests deterioration rather than healing. The data do not support improvement or resolution of any infection.

Question 12Reading Comprehension

A patient asks why a new prescription was changed. The nurse replies: "Your provider switched you from a drug that needs frequent blood tests to one that does not, so you will need fewer lab visits." What reason did the nurse give for the change?

  1. Fewer monitoring appointments are required Correct answer.
  2. The old drug was ineffective
  3. The new drug has no side effects
  4. The new drug is more expensive

Explanation

The nurse's explanation centers on reduced need for blood tests and lab visits. Cost, effectiveness, and side-effect profiles are not mentioned in the reply.

Question 13Reading Comprehension

A passage reads: "Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of diagnosis, because a patient's infection status may be unknown." Which statement restates the reasoning?

  1. Diagnosis determines which precautions are used
  2. Precautions are needed only for diagnosed infections
  3. Universal precautions are used because infection status is often unclear Correct answer.
  4. Standard precautions apply only in surgical units

Explanation

The reasoning is that precautions are applied to everyone because infection status may be unknown. The correct option restates that universal approach and its rationale.

Question 14Reading Comprehension

Read this excerpt: "Documentation should be objective and specific. Instead of writing 'patient seems uncomfortable,' record observable data such as guarding, grimacing, or a reported pain score." Which note best follows the excerpt's guidance?

  1. Client feels terrible and looks unwell
  2. Client is uncomfortable, per nurse's impression
  3. Client grimacing, guarding abdomen, rates pain 7 of 10 Correct answer.
  4. Client appears to be in a bad mood today

Explanation

The excerpt calls for observable, specific data such as guarding, grimacing, and pain scores. Only the correct option provides those objective details rather than vague impressions.

Question 15Reading Comprehension

Two passages discuss handoff communication. Passage 1 says handoffs should be standardized to reduce omissions. Passage 2 says handoffs should allow time for questions from the receiving nurse. What do the passages share?

  1. Both recommend eliminating verbal handoffs
  2. Both aim to improve the accuracy of information transfer Correct answer.
  3. Both oppose standardized tools
  4. Both focus on reducing the length of shifts

Explanation

One passage addresses reducing omissions and the other addresses clarifying questions, and both serve accurate transfer of information. Neither passage calls for eliminating handoffs or opposes standardization.

Question 16Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: "A patient's literacy level may be low even when the patient speaks fluently. Therefore, written materials should use plain language and pictures." What assumption underlies the recommendation?

  1. Written materials are unnecessary for most patients
  2. Fluency in speech does not guarantee reading ability Correct answer.
  3. Patients with low literacy cannot understand speech
  4. Pictures should replace all spoken teaching

Explanation

The passage separates spoken fluency from reading ability, which is why plain language and pictures are advised. It does not dismiss spoken teaching or claim written materials are useless.

Question 17Reading Comprehension

Read: "The nurse should verify the five rights before administration. If any element is unclear, the medication should be withheld until the concern is resolved." A nurse finds the dose on the order is illegible. What does the passage direct the nurse to do?

  1. Estimate the dose from prior orders
  2. Ask another patient what dose they receive
  3. Withhold the drug until the dose is clarified Correct answer.
  4. Give the medication and document the concern

Explanation

Because the dose is unclear, the passage directs withholding the medication until the concern is resolved. Estimating or proceeding without clarification conflicts with the instruction.

Question 18Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Pain is a subjective experience; a patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator." A nurse observes a patient smiling while reporting severe pain. What does the passage suggest the nurse should do?

  1. Accept the reported pain as valid and act on it Correct answer.
  2. Dismiss the report because the patient is smiling
  3. Assume the patient is exaggerating the pain
  4. Wait for visible signs before treating pain

Explanation

The passage identifies self-report as the most reliable pain indicator, so the report should be accepted regardless of facial expression. Dismissing or waiting for visible signs contradicts that principle.

Question 19Reading Comprehension

Read: "Some facilities use two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, before every procedure. Using the room number alone is not acceptable because patients may be moved or transferred." Why is the room number considered inadequate?

  1. Room assignments can change, so the number may not identify the patient Correct answer.
  2. Two identifiers are required only before surgery
  3. Date of birth is never reliable
  4. Room numbers are difficult for staff to read

Explanation

The passage explains that patients may be moved or transferred, so a room number is a temporary location rather than a stable identifier. The other options misstate the passage's reasoning.

Question 20Reading Comprehension

A nurse reads a drug reference entry: "Contraindicated in pregnancy; use effective contraception during therapy and for 30 days after the final dose." Which patient teaching point follows directly from the entry?

  1. Contraception is needed during treatment and for a month afterward Correct answer.
  2. The drug can be stopped without any waiting period before conception
  3. Contraception is needed only before starting the drug
  4. The drug is safe to start during pregnancy

Explanation

The entry specifies contraception during therapy and for 30 days after the last dose, which corresponds to treatment plus about one month. The other options contradict the contraindication or the timing.

Question 21Reading Comprehension

A passage describes a study: "Patients who received the teaching session scored higher on a follow-up quiz than those who received a handout only. The authors caution that the groups were not randomly assigned." What limitation do the authors identify?

  1. The quiz was too easy for both groups
  2. Group assignment was not randomized Correct answer.
  3. The handout contained errors
  4. The teaching session was too short

Explanation

The authors explicitly caution that the groups were not randomly assigned, which limits causal conclusions. Quiz difficulty, session length, and handout errors are not mentioned.

Question 22Reading Comprehension

Read: "The protocol was revised after three near-miss events. The revision added a second nurse check at the point of dispensing rather than at the point of administration." What is the most likely purpose of moving the check earlier?

  1. To shorten the documentation requirements
  2. To reduce the number of nurses on the unit
  3. To catch errors before the medication reaches the patient Correct answer.
  4. To replace the need for any verification

Explanation

Moving a verification step earlier in the process allows errors to be detected before the drug reaches the patient, which is consistent with responding to near misses. It does not eliminate verification or reduce staffing.

Question 23Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Correlation between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes does not by itself prove that staffing causes the outcomes, because sicker units may require more staff." Which conclusion is consistent with the passage?

  1. Staffing has no effect on patient outcomes
  2. Correlation always proves causation
  3. Sicker patients never need more staff
  4. A third factor may explain the observed relationship Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage warns that an outside factor, such as patient acuity, could influence both staffing and outcomes. This means the relationship may be confounded rather than causal.

Question 24Reading Comprehension

Read: "Although the new form reduced charting time, nurses reported that the fields did not capture the reason a PRN medication was given. The committee recommended revision rather than withdrawal." Why did the committee choose revision over withdrawal?

  1. The form saved time but needed content improvements Correct answer.
  2. Nurses refused to use any electronic forms
  3. Charting time had increased sharply
  4. The form was unsafe in every respect

Explanation

The form's benefit was reduced charting time, while its flaw was missing clinical content, so revision preserves the benefit while fixing the gap. The passage does not support withdrawal or a claim that the form was entirely unsafe.

Question 25Reading Comprehension

A passage presents two views: one argues that patients should receive all test results immediately through a portal; the other argues that abnormal results should be discussed first with a clinician. Which statement best captures the disagreement?

  1. Whether patients should ever see their test results
  2. Whether clinicians should order fewer tests
  3. Whether portals are technically reliable
  4. Whether immediate access outweighs the need for guided interpretation Correct answer.

Explanation

The two views differ on timing and support: immediate access versus clinician discussion of abnormal results. Both sides accept patient access in some form, so the debate is about how results are delivered.

Question 26Reading Comprehension

A nursing note reads: "Client refused the 0800 dose of metformin and stated, 'I already took my sugar pill at home.' Provider notified; order clarified to hold the dose." Which statement best describes the main idea of this note?

  1. The nurse documented a medication error that requires an incident report.
  2. The provider discontinued metformin because of the client's refusal.
  3. The client misunderstood the medication regimen, and the nurse resolved the discrepancy before giving the drug. Correct answer.
  4. The client was noncompliant with the prescribed medication schedule.

Explanation

The main idea is the central point the note conveys: a knowledge gap about the medication was identified and resolved through clarification rather than by simply forcing the dose. Supporting details (refusal, statement, notification, clarification) all serve that point. The note never states an error occurred or that the drug was discontinued.

Question 27Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "Before drawing blood, the nurse should confirm the client's identity using two identifiers, cleanse the site with an antiseptic and allow it to dry completely, and label the tubes at the bedside. Labels applied away from the bedside are a leading cause of specimen misidentification." According to the passage, why should tubes be labeled at the bedside?

  1. To shorten the total time needed for the blood draw.
  2. To reduce the risk of misidentifying which client the specimen belongs to. Correct answer.
  3. To keep the labels from smearing while the tubes are transported.
  4. To allow the antiseptic more time to dry before puncture.

Explanation

The passage directly links bedside labeling to preventing specimen misidentification, stating that labels applied elsewhere are a leading cause of that problem. The other choices introduce purposes the passage never mentions.

Question 28Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The nurse explained the dressing change step by step, showed the client the supplies, and paused to answer questions before beginning. The client nodded and said, 'Okay,' but kept her arms crossed and looked at the floor." Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

  1. The client's crossed arms indicate that she is cold and needs a blanket.
  2. The client may not have understood or agreed, because her body language conflicted with her words. Correct answer.
  3. The nurse should have postponed the dressing change until a family member arrived.
  4. The client understood the explanation because she answered 'Okay.'

Explanation

The passage deliberately contrasts verbal agreement with closed, avoidant body language, which supports an inference of possible misunderstanding or discomfort. Only conclusions drawn from stated details are defensible; the passage gives no basis for the other choices.

Question 29Reading Comprehension

Read the sentence: "The nurse administered the analgesic, then reassessed the client's pain level an hour later and documented the result." What is the meaning of the word "analgesic" as used here?

  1. A test that checks blood sugar
  2. A device that measures blood pressure
  3. A dressing applied to a wound
  4. A medication that relieves pain Correct answer.

Explanation

Context clues in the sentence-administration followed by reassessment of pain level-show that analgesic refers to a pain-relieving medication. The other options do not fit the surrounding words about pain reassessment.

Question 30Reading Comprehension

A policy excerpt reads: "If a transfusion reaction is suspected, stop the transfusion immediately, maintain intravenous access with normal saline, and notify the provider and blood bank. Do not restart the transfusion." Which action is consistent with this policy?

  1. Stopping the blood product while keeping the IV line open with saline Correct answer.
  2. Restarting the transfusion once the client's temperature returns to normal
  3. Waiting for the provider to arrive before stopping the blood product
  4. Slowing the transfusion rate and continuing to monitor the client

Explanation

The policy's first two steps are to stop the product and keep access with normal saline, so that action matches the text exactly. Continuing, restarting, or delaying the stop all contradict explicit instructions in the excerpt.

Question 31Reading Comprehension

Two notes describe the same client. Note 1: "Client states pain is 8 out of 10 and is unable to bear weight on the right leg." Note 2: "Client resting comfortably, no complaints of pain." Which statement best evaluates these notes?

  1. Note 1 is more reliable because it contains a numerical pain score.
  2. Note 2 is more reliable because it was written later in the shift.
  3. The notes conflict about the client's pain, so the nurse should clarify before acting on either. Correct answer.
  4. The notes are consistent because both describe the client at rest.

Explanation

When two records give contradictory information about the same assessment, the reader must recognize the conflict and seek clarification rather than choosing one arbitrarily. Recency or the presence of a number does not automatically make a note accurate.

Question 32Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "Because older adults often have reduced thirst sensation, they may not drink enough even when their bodies need fluid. Nurses should therefore offer fluids at scheduled intervals rather than waiting for clients to request them." What is the stated reason for offering fluids on a schedule?

  1. Scheduled fluids reduce the number of times clients use the bathroom.
  2. Older adults may not feel thirsty even when fluid is needed. Correct answer.
  3. Older adults absorb fluids more slowly than younger clients.
  4. Older adults prefer to drink only at set times of day.

Explanation

The passage uses the word "because" to introduce its reason: diminished thirst sensation can mask the need for fluid. The recommendation for scheduled offering follows from that cause.

Question 33Reading Comprehension

A nurse reads: "The new policy requires a two-nurse verification of high-alert medications. Staff reported that the process added time but caught three dosing errors in the first month." Which statement best summarizes the passage?

  1. The verification process is too time-consuming to justify its use.
  2. Staff have refused to follow the new verification policy.
  3. The verification process costs staff time but has detected potentially harmful errors. Correct answer.
  4. High-alert medications should be eliminated from the formulary.

Explanation

A good summary captures both stated sides: the added time and the errors caught. The passage presents a trade-off rather than a verdict that the policy should be abandoned.

Question 34Reading Comprehension

Read the sentence: "The nurse's documentation was concise but complete, recording the wound's location, size, drainage, and odor." What does "concise" mean in this sentence?

  1. Handwritten and illegible
  2. Lengthy and detailed
  3. Brief and to the point Correct answer.
  4. Vague and incomplete

Explanation

The word is contrasted with "complete" and illustrated by a short list of specific descriptors, which shows concise means brief while still covering essentials. The sentence does not suggest vagueness, excessive length, or poor handwriting.

Question 35Reading Comprehension

A client education handout states: "Take this medication with food. Avoid alcohol while taking it. Report yellowing of the skin or eyes to your provider right away." Which client statement shows correct understanding of the handout?

  1. "Yellowing skin is expected and does not need to be reported."
  2. "I will take it on an empty stomach and only call if I feel nauseated."
  3. "I will take it with meals, skip alcohol, and call if my skin looks yellow." Correct answer.
  4. "I can drink alcohol as long as I take the pill with a large meal."

Explanation

The statement that matches all three instructions-take with food, avoid alcohol, and report jaundice-demonstrates accurate comprehension. The other statements each contradict at least one explicit instruction.

Question 36Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Despite this, studies show compliance among healthcare workers averages below 50 percent. Barriers include high workload, skin irritation, and poorly placed dispensers." Which statement is a fact stated in the passage rather than an opinion?

  1. Workload is an unacceptable excuse for skipping hand hygiene.
  2. Dispensers should be placed in every hallway.
  3. Hand hygiene is more important than any other nursing skill.
  4. Compliance with hand hygiene among healthcare workers averages below 50 percent in studies. Correct answer.

Explanation

A stated fact is information the passage presents as data from studies, which can be verified. The other choices are value judgments or recommendations that the passage does not assert as findings.

Question 37Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The nurse manager compared two units. Unit A had a nurse-to-client ratio of 1 to 4; Unit B had a ratio of 1 to 7. Unit A reported fewer medication errors during the same quarter." Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Unit B's nurses are less careful than Unit A's nurses.
  2. Lower staffing ratios cause medication errors to decrease.
  3. Unit A had fewer medication errors and a lower client load per nurse than Unit B. Correct answer.
  4. Medication errors are unrelated to how many clients a nurse manages.

Explanation

The passage reports an association between two measured facts-error counts and ratios-so only a descriptive comparison is supported. It does not establish causation or make claims about individual nurses' care.

Question 38Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "Clients with limited English proficiency may nod and smile during teaching even when they do not understand. Using a trained medical interpreter, rather than a family member, reduces the risk of errors in interpretation." What does the passage recommend?

  1. Avoiding teaching clients with limited English proficiency
  2. Teaching only when a family member is present
  3. Relying on nodding to confirm understanding
  4. Using a trained medical interpreter instead of a relative Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage explicitly recommends trained medical interpreters and explains why family members are a risk. Nodding is presented as a misleading cue, not a confirmation method.

Question 39Reading Comprehension

A note reads: "Client's daughter states, 'He has been more confused since last night.' Client oriented to person only; does not recall being admitted." Which statement best describes how the note is organized?

  1. It presents only the nurse's opinion about the client's condition.
  2. It lists the client's medications and their administration times.
  3. It pairs a family member's report with the nurse's own assessment findings. Correct answer.
  4. It describes the discharge plan developed with the family.

Explanation

The note contains two distinct elements: a quoted report from the daughter and objective orientation findings from the nurse. Recognizing this structure helps the reader separate subjective report from assessment data.

Question 40Reading Comprehension

Read the sentence: "The nurse's report was terse, giving only the client's name, diagnosis, and current vital signs." What does "terse" most nearly mean?

  1. Brief to the point of being abrupt Correct answer.
  2. Warm and conversational
  3. Detailed and thorough
  4. Confused and disorganized

Explanation

The phrase "giving only" signals that terse means short and lacking elaboration, often to the point of abruptness. The sentence does not suggest warmth, confusion, or thoroughness.

Question 41Reading Comprehension

A policy states: "Verbal orders are permitted only in emergencies. The receiving nurse must read the order back to the prescriber, document it, and have the prescriber countersign within the time frame set by facility policy." Which step does the policy require of the receiving nurse?

  1. Waiting until the end of the shift to document the order
  2. Reading the order back to the prescriber Correct answer.
  3. Countersigning the order on the prescriber's behalf
  4. Accepting verbal orders for any non-urgent request

Explanation

The read-back is an explicit duty assigned to the receiving nurse in the excerpt. Countersignature belongs to the prescriber, and the policy restricts verbal orders to emergencies.

Question 42Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "A client's pain score dropped from 8 to 3 after the intervention, but the client remained unable to take a deep breath without grimacing. The nurse documented the reduced score and also requested a follow-up assessment." Why did the nurse request follow-up despite the improved score?

  1. The pain score did not change after the intervention.
  2. The nurse doubted that the client was telling the truth.
  3. The client still showed signs of pain during breathing. Correct answer.
  4. The client refused to report a pain score.

Explanation

The passage notes persistent grimacing with deep breathing, which signals that the improved number did not fully capture the client's status. That observation, not doubt about honesty or an unchanged score, prompted the request.

Question 43Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Isolation precautions are based on how a pathogen spreads. Contact precautions are used for organisms spread by direct or indirect contact, such as by touching contaminated surfaces." According to the passage, what determines which isolation precautions are used?

  1. The number of visitors the client receives
  2. The type of room available on the unit
  3. The route by which the pathogen spreads Correct answer.
  4. The client's age and immune status

Explanation

The passage states that precautions are based on transmission route and then illustrates this with contact spread. Age, visitors, and room availability are not given as determining factors.

Question 44Reading Comprehension

A passage reads: "Charting by exception records only findings that fall outside defined normal limits. Supporters say it saves time; critics argue that it can make a client's record look unchanged when no assessment was actually performed." Which statement best captures the critics' concern?

  1. Charting by exception takes too long to complete.
  2. A record may imply an assessment occurred when it did not. Correct answer.
  3. Normal findings are recorded in excessive detail.
  4. Supporters of the method have not tested it.

Explanation

The critics' concern, as stated, is that absence of documentation can be misread as a completed normal assessment rather than a missing one. The other choices either reverse the time argument or introduce claims not in the passage.

Question 45Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "The nurse noticed that the client's call light was frequently out of reach. Rather than simply answering each call, the nurse moved the light within reach and taught the client how to use it. Calls decreased over the next two days." What is the main point of the passage?

  1. Addressing the underlying cause of a problem can be more effective than repeatedly managing its result. Correct answer.
  2. Call lights should be removed from client rooms to reduce noise.
  3. Clients should not use call lights unless there is an emergency.
  4. Teaching clients is less useful than answering their requests directly.

Explanation

The passage contrasts repeated response with fixing the cause, and the decrease in calls supports the main point about prevention. It does not advocate removing call lights or restricting their use.

Question 46Reading Comprehension

A reference entry states: "This drug is metabolized by the liver. In clients with hepatic impairment, the dose should be reduced and liver function monitored." A client with cirrhosis is prescribed the drug. Which action follows from the entry?

  1. Withhold all medications until the liver recovers.
  2. Increase the dose to compensate for reduced metabolism.
  3. Anticipate a reduced dose and monitoring of liver function. Correct answer.
  4. Administer the standard dose because cirrhosis affects only the kidneys.

Explanation

The entry ties hepatic impairment to a lower dose and liver monitoring, so that is the action supported by the text. Increasing the dose or ignoring the impairment contradicts the stated guidance.

Question 47Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "The unit's fall rate fell after bed alarms were installed. However, the same month brought a new flooring product, additional staff on nights, and a revised fall-risk assessment. The manager cautioned against crediting the alarms alone." Why did the manager caution against that conclusion?

  1. Bed alarms have been proven ineffective in every setting.
  2. The fall rate did not actually decrease during that month.
  3. Several changes occurred at once, so the alarm's effect cannot be isolated. Correct answer.
  4. The revised assessment was the only change that mattered.

Explanation

The passage lists multiple simultaneous changes, which makes it impossible to attribute the drop to any single one. The manager's caution reflects that limitation rather than a claim that alarms never work.

Question 48Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "The nurse asked, 'Can you tell me how you will take this medicine at home?' The client explained the schedule correctly but added that she sometimes forgets her evening dose. The nurse then suggested a phone alarm." What teaching technique did the nurse use?

  1. Asking the client to sign a form confirming teaching
  2. Demonstrating the technique without client response
  3. Giving the client a written handout without discussion
  4. Asking the client to restate the plan in her own words Correct answer.

Explanation

The nurse's question invited the client to explain the plan herself, which is a teach-back approach and also revealed a specific gap. No handout, signature, or demonstration is described.

Question 49Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Documentation written hours after an event is more likely to contain errors of recall. Nurses should record assessments and interventions as soon as practical after completing them." What is the reason given for timely documentation?

  1. Timely records are required for billing purposes only.
  2. Delayed recording is more likely to contain recall errors. Correct answer.
  3. Recording early allows the nurse to leave the unit sooner.
  4. Late entries are automatically removed from the record.

Explanation

The passage gives a specific reason: memory becomes less reliable with delay, so errors of recall increase. The other choices introduce billing, deletion, or scheduling claims that the passage never makes.

Question 50Reading Comprehension

Read the passage: "Some clients prefer to receive test results through an online portal before discussing them with a clinician. Others want the clinician to explain results first. A policy that releases all results immediately may satisfy the first group while increasing anxiety in the second." Which statement best describes the passage's position?

  1. Immediate release of results is harmful to all clients.
  2. A single release policy affects different clients in different ways. Correct answer.
  3. Clients should never receive results through a portal.
  4. Clinicians should stop discussing results with clients.

Explanation

The passage presents two client preferences and notes that one policy can benefit one group and distress another, which is a balanced statement about differing effects. It does not endorse an absolute ban or claim universal harm.