LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-RN 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a history of seizures is admitted after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure. During the post-ictal phase, the LPN's priority intervention is to:
- Restrain the patient to prevent injury
- Position the patient in a lateral (recovery) position (Correct answer)
- Insert an oral airway immediately
- Administer ordered lorazepam IV push
Correct answer: Position the patient in a lateral (recovery) position
Lateral positioning after a seizure maintains airway patency and prevents aspiration of secretions during the post-ictal period.
Question 2: Which statement by a patient newly diagnosed with heart failure indicates a need for further teaching?
- 'I will weigh myself every morning before eating.'
- 'I should call my doctor if I gain 2 pounds in one day.'
- 'I can eat as much sodium as I want since I'm on a water pill.' (Correct answer)
- 'I will keep my legs elevated when sitting.'
Correct answer: 'I can eat as much sodium as I want since I'm on a water pill.'
Heart failure patients require sodium restriction (typically 2,000 mg/day) regardless of diuretic use to prevent fluid retention.
Question 3: An LPN is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
- Assessing a patient's pain level after ambulation
- Educating a patient on insulin self-injection technique
- Measuring and recording a patient's vital signs (Correct answer)
- Changing a sterile surgical dressing
Correct answer: Measuring and recording a patient's vital signs
Measuring and recording stable vital signs is a routine task within UAP scope; assessment, education, and sterile procedures require a licensed nurse.
Question 4: A patient is receiving IV morphine for pain. Which finding requires the LPN to withhold the next dose and notify the RN?
- Pain score of 6/10
- Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
- Patient reports mild nausea
Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
A respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute indicates opioid-induced respiratory depression and warrants withholding the medication and notifying the RN.
Question 5: A patient with COPD is being discharged on home oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which instruction is MOST important for patient safety?
- Store oxygen tanks in a tightly sealed closet
- No smoking and keep oxygen away from open flames (Correct answer)
- Increase oxygen flow to 4 L/min if feeling short of breath
- Wear the nasal cannula only during sleep
Correct answer: No smoking and keep oxygen away from open flames
Oxygen supports combustion and poses a serious fire risk; patients must be instructed to avoid smoking and open flames near oxygen equipment.
Question 6: An LPN is assessing a patient who had a hip arthroplasty yesterday. Which position should the nurse instruct the patient to AVOID?
- Supine with legs in a neutral position
- Semi-Fowler's position at 45 degrees
- Crossing the operative leg over the midline (Correct answer)
- Ambulating with a walker to the bathroom
Correct answer: Crossing the operative leg over the midline
Crossing the legs or adducting the hip beyond the midline risks prosthetic dislocation after total hip arthroplasty.
Question 7: A patient with myasthenia gravis reports sudden onset of extreme weakness, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory distress. The LPN recognizes this as:
- A cholinergic crisis from anticholinesterase overdose
- A myasthenic crisis requiring emergency respiratory support (Correct answer)
- An expected exacerbation that can be managed with rest
- A side effect of corticosteroid therapy
Correct answer: A myasthenic crisis requiring emergency respiratory support
A myasthenic crisis presents with severe respiratory muscle weakness and dysphagia, representing a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse-RN 5
A patient with a history of seizures is admitted after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure.
During the post-ictal phase, the LPN's priority intervention is to: