LPN Licensed Practical Nurse 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is ordered to receive IV potassium chloride 40 mEq in 100 mL NS over 1 hour. What is the safest administration method?
- IV bolus push over 5 minutes
- Via infusion pump through a peripheral IV (Correct answer)
- Mixed into a 50 mL bag and given rapidly
- Administered undiluted via central line
Correct answer: Via infusion pump through a peripheral IV
IV potassium must always be administered slowly via an infusion pump because rapid infusion can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 2: Which assessment finding indicates that a patient with a urinary catheter may have a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
- Urine output of 60 mL/hr
- Clear, pale yellow urine
- Cloudy, foul-smelling urine with fever (Correct answer)
- Specific gravity of 1.015
Correct answer: Cloudy, foul-smelling urine with fever
Cloudy, foul-smelling urine accompanied by fever and possibly flank pain or confusion are hallmark signs of a CAUTI.
Question 3: An LPN is educating a patient about warfarin therapy. Which food should the patient be instructed to consume consistently rather than avoid entirely?
- Grapefruit juice
- Leafy green vegetables (Correct answer)
- Alcohol
- Cranberry juice
Correct answer: Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables high in vitamin K can affect warfarin's effectiveness; patients should eat consistent amounts rather than eliminate them to maintain stable INR levels.
Question 4: A patient with a hip fracture repair is being positioned in bed. Which position is contraindicated?
- Supine with pillow under calf
- Semi-Fowler's at 30 degrees
- Side-lying with affected hip adducted past midline (Correct answer)
- Legs elevated with abductor pillow
Correct answer: Side-lying with affected hip adducted past midline
Adduction of the affected hip past the midline risks prosthetic hip dislocation and is strictly contraindicated after hip replacement or repair.
Question 5: The LPN notes that a patient's nasogastric (NG) tube feeding bag has been hanging for 9 hours. What action is required?
- Continue the infusion as the bag still has formula
- Change the bag and tubing per facility policy (typically every 4-8 hours) (Correct answer)
- Add more formula to the existing bag
- Cap the tube and hold feedings for 2 hours
Correct answer: Change the bag and tubing per facility policy (typically every 4-8 hours)
Enteral feeding bags and tubing should be changed every 4-8 hours (per facility policy) to prevent bacterial growth and aspiration risk.
Question 6: Which action by the LPN best demonstrates proper hand hygiene technique according to CDC guidelines?
- Using alcohol-based hand rub for 5 seconds
- Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Rinsing hands under warm water without soap
- Wiping hands on a paper towel without washing
Correct answer: Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile.
Question 7: A patient is in Buck's traction for a femur fracture. The LPN notices the weights are resting on the floor. What is the correct action?
- Leave the weights on the floor to reduce pain
- Remove the weights and reapply later
- Elevate the foot of the bed to restore countertraction (Correct answer)
- Notify the surgeon and document only
Correct answer: Elevate the foot of the bed to restore countertraction
The foot of the bed must be elevated so the patient's body weight provides countertraction, allowing the traction weights to hang freely.
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse 3
A patient is ordered to receive IV potassium chloride 40 mEq in 100 mL NS over 1 hour.
What is the safest administration method?