LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-PN 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The LPN is preparing to administer a liquid medication through a nasogastric tube. Which action should be performed first?
- Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
- Verify tube placement before administration (Correct answer)
- Warm the medication to body temperature
- Clamp the tube for 30 minutes after administration
Correct answer: Verify tube placement before administration
Verifying correct NG tube placement is always the priority before introducing any substance to prevent aspiration.
Question 2: A patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes asks the LPN when the best time to exercise is. What is the most appropriate response?
- Exercise first thing in the morning before eating
- Exercise 1-2 hours after meals when blood glucose is elevated (Correct answer)
- Avoid exercise until blood glucose is consistently controlled
- Exercise only in the evening to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia
Correct answer: Exercise 1-2 hours after meals when blood glucose is elevated
Exercising 1-2 hours after meals helps utilize the post-meal glucose rise and improves glycemic control.
Question 3: Which sign or symptom in a postoperative patient should the LPN report to the RN as a potential sign of internal bleeding?
- Temperature of 99.2°F
- Blood pressure drop from 128/80 to 98/60 with heart rate increase to 115 (Correct answer)
- Mild incisional pain rated 4/10
- Urine output of 45 mL/hr
Correct answer: Blood pressure drop from 128/80 to 98/60 with heart rate increase to 115
Hypotension combined with tachycardia is a classic sign of hypovolemic shock from internal hemorrhage.
Question 4: When caring for a patient who is deaf, which communication strategy should the LPN implement first?
- Speak loudly and slowly facing the patient
- Arrange for a sign language interpreter for all care interactions
- Use written notes and verify patient comprehension (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member to interpret
Correct answer: Use written notes and verify patient comprehension
Written communication confirms the patient's understanding and ensures accurate information exchange when an interpreter is unavailable.
Question 5: A patient's colostomy bag is one-third to one-half full. The LPN should take which action?
- Leave it until the next scheduled change
- Empty the bag to prevent leakage and skin breakdown (Correct answer)
- Replace the entire appliance immediately
- Apply additional tape around the wafer edges
Correct answer: Empty the bag to prevent leakage and skin breakdown
Colostomy bags should be emptied when one-third to one-half full to prevent the weight from breaking the seal and causing leakage.
Question 6: Which clinical finding indicates that a patient with heart failure is responding positively to diuretic therapy?
- Increase in blood pressure to 150/90 mmHg
- Weight loss of 2 pounds since yesterday (Correct answer)
- Decrease in urine specific gravity to 1.005
- Increase in serum sodium to 148 mEq/L
Correct answer: Weight loss of 2 pounds since yesterday
Daily weight loss reflects fluid removal, which is the primary goal of diuretic therapy in heart failure.
Question 7: A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, back pain, and dark urine 20 minutes into the infusion. The LPN should first:
- Slow the transfusion to keep the vein open
- Stop the transfusion and notify the RN immediately (Correct answer)
- Administer diphenhydramine as ordered for allergic reaction
- Take vital signs and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Stop the transfusion and notify the RN immediately
These signs suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate cessation of the transfusion.
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-PN 3
The LPN is preparing to administer a liquid medication through a nasogastric tube.
Which action should be performed first?