LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-RN 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An LPN is caring for a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. The nurse observes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. This finding indicates:
- Normal functioning of the system
- An air leak in the system or the pleural space (Correct answer)
- Adequate drainage from the pleural cavity
- The suction pressure is set correctly
Correct answer: An air leak in the system or the pleural space
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak that must be identified and reported to the RN immediately.
Question 2: A patient asks an LPN to witness their signature on a consent form for surgery. The LPN should:
- Witness the signature and document that informed consent was obtained
- Witness only that the patient signed voluntarily, not that informed consent was given (Correct answer)
- Refuse to witness any consent forms as this is outside LPN scope
- Have the patient sign and counter-sign the form as the witness
Correct answer: Witness only that the patient signed voluntarily, not that informed consent was given
An LPN may witness a patient's signature, attesting only to voluntary signing; obtaining informed consent and explaining risks is the physician's responsibility.
Question 3: A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 has a serum potassium of 6.1 mEq/L. Which food should the LPN advise the patient to AVOID?
- White rice
- Apples
- Bananas (Correct answer)
- White bread
Correct answer: Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided by patients with hyperkalemia secondary to CKD.
Question 4: Which patient is at the HIGHEST risk for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- A 25-year-old postpartum patient ambulatory after vaginal delivery
- A 70-year-old patient 3 days post total hip replacement on bedrest (Correct answer)
- A 45-year-old patient admitted for hypertensive urgency, ambulatory
- A 30-year-old patient with a fractured wrist in a splint
Correct answer: A 70-year-old patient 3 days post total hip replacement on bedrest
Virchow's triad (stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury) is maximally present in elderly post-orthopedic surgery patients on bedrest.
Question 5: An LPN is preparing to administer an oral medication and the patient states, 'I've never seen this pill before.' The correct response is:
- Reassure the patient that this is their correct medication and administer it
- Hold the medication and verify the order before administration (Correct answer)
- Tell the patient the pharmacy sometimes changes pill appearance
- Ask a family member if they recognize the medication
Correct answer: Hold the medication and verify the order before administration
Patient concerns about medication should always prompt the nurse to stop and verify the order against the medication administration record before proceeding.
Question 6: A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 91% on room air and is ordered supplemental oxygen. Which delivery device provides the MOST precise oxygen concentration?
- Simple face mask
- Nasal cannula
- Venturi mask (Correct answer)
- Non-rebreather mask
Correct answer: Venturi mask
A Venturi mask delivers a precise, consistent FiO2 regardless of respiratory pattern, making it ideal for patients needing accurate oxygen titration.
Question 7: An LPN is caring for a patient with a urinary catheter. Which action BEST prevents catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
- Irrigating the catheter with normal saline daily
- Keeping the drainage bag below bladder level at all times (Correct answer)
- Changing the catheter every 72 hours routinely
- Clamping the drainage tube when ambulating
Correct answer: Keeping the drainage bag below bladder level at all times
Keeping the drainage bag below bladder level prevents urine backflow, which is a major contributor to CAUTI.
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-RN 4
An LPN is caring for a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system.
The nurse observes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
This finding indicates: