Basic Care and Comfort Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Basic Care and Comfort flashcards as text
An LPN is caring for a post-operative patient on a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate to offer?
Answer: Gelatin (Jell-O)
Clear liquids include transparent fluids such as plain gelatin, broth, apple juice, and popsicles — foods through which light passes.
A patient is on bedrest following surgery. Which intervention is most important to prevent hypostatic pneumonia?
Answer: Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises every 2 hours
Deep breathing and coughing exercises mobilize secretions and re-expand alveoli, preventing pooling that leads to hypostatic pneumonia.
A patient receiving opioid analgesics reports constipation. The most appropriate nursing intervention is:
Answer: Encourage increased fluid intake, fiber, and mobility as tolerated
Increasing fluids, dietary fiber, and mobility are first-line non-pharmacological measures to counteract opioid-induced constipation.
When applying a cold pack to a patient's sprained ankle, the LPN should:
Answer: Limit application to 15–20 minutes and place a cloth barrier between pack and skin
Cold packs should be applied for 15–20 minutes with a cloth barrier to prevent tissue damage from prolonged cold exposure or frostbite.
Which statement by a patient indicates correct understanding of crutch walking with the three-point gait?
Answer: 'I advance both crutches forward, then bring my injured leg forward while bearing weight on the crutches.'
In the three-point gait, both crutches advance first, then the non-weight-bearing injured leg swings forward while weight is supported by the crutches.
A patient has a nursing diagnosis of impaired skin integrity related to urinary incontinence. Which intervention is the priority?
Answer: Apply a moisture barrier cream to protect perineal skin after each incontinent episode
Applying a moisture barrier cream after cleansing protects the skin from chemical irritation caused by urine and is the priority nursing intervention.
An elderly patient has not had a bowel movement in 4 days and reports discomfort. The LPN should first:
Answer: Assess bowel sounds and palpate the abdomen, then report findings to the charge nurse
Physical assessment of bowel sounds and abdomen provides objective data to report before any intervention requiring an order is initiated.