20 Patient Care Quiz Questions and Answers

1. Question: What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare setting?
Options:
A. Wearing gloves only during procedures
B. Regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers
C. Using masks for all patient interactions
D. Limiting patient visits to family members
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Regular hand washing disrupts the chain of infection by removing pathogens from the hands, which is a fundamental practice in infection control and helps protect both patients and healthcare workers.

2. Question: When assessing a patient’s vital signs, what is the normal range for adult systolic blood pressure?
Options:
A. Less than 90 mmHg
B. 90-119 mmHg
C. 120-139 mmHg
D. 140 mmHg or higher
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A systolic blood pressure of 90-119 mmHg is considered normal for adults, indicating healthy cardiovascular function; values outside this range may signal hypertension or hypotension requiring intervention.

3. Question: Which position is best for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
Options:
A. Supine position
B. Prone position
C. Semi-Fowler’s position
D. Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The semi-Fowler’s position, where the head of the bed is elevated 30-45 degrees, facilitates easier breathing by reducing pressure on the diaphragm and improving lung expansion.

4. Question: What should a nurse do first when administering oral medication to a patient?
Options:
A. Check the patient’s allergy history
B. Verify the medication against the order
C. Offer a glass of water
D. Document the administration
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Verifying the medication against the order ensures the right drug, dose, route, and time, following the “five rights” of medication administration to prevent errors.

5. Question: How can falls be prevented in elderly patients in a hospital?
Options:
A. Keeping the bed in the lowest position
B. Encouraging patients to walk unassisted
C. Removing all call bells from reach
D. Dimming the lights in the room
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of injury from falls by minimizing the distance a patient could fall, especially for those with mobility issues.

6. Question: What is the primary goal of therapeutic communication in patient care?
Options:
A. To gather medical history quickly
B. To build trust and encourage open dialogue
C. To provide medical advice immediately
D. To document patient complaints
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Therapeutic communication focuses on building trust, empathy, and rapport, which helps patients feel supported and more likely to share important information for effective care.

7. Question: Which action is essential for maintaining a sterile field during a procedure?
Options:
A. Touching the sterile area with gloved hands only
B. Allowing the sterile field to be exposed to air for up to 1 hour
C. Using antiseptic wipes on the patient’s skin afterward
D. Opening sterile packages away from the field
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Touching the sterile area only with sterile gloved hands prevents contamination, ensuring the procedure remains aseptic and reduces infection risk.

8. Question: When managing a patient’s pain, what scale is commonly used for self-reporting?
Options:
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Visual Analog Scale
C. Braden Scale
D. Apgar Scale
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Visual Analog Scale allows patients to rate their pain on a continuum, typically from 0 to 10, providing a subjective measure that guides pain management interventions.

9. Question: What nutritional advice should be given to a patient with diabetes?
Options:
A. Consume high-sugar foods for energy
B. Monitor carbohydrate intake and balance with insulin
C. Avoid all fruits and vegetables
D. Eat large meals infrequently
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Monitoring carbohydrate intake and balancing it with insulin helps maintain stable blood glucose levels, which is crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications.

10. Question: How should a nurse respond to a patient expressing anxiety about surgery?
Options:
A. Ignore the concerns to avoid escalation
B. Provide reassurance and active listening
C. Change the subject to something positive
D. Tell the patient not to worry
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Providing reassurance and active listening addresses the patient’s emotional needs, reduces anxiety, and fosters a supportive environment for better coping.

11. Question: In an emergency, what is the first step in the ABC protocol for patient assessment?
Options:
A. Circulation
B. Breathing
C. Airway
D. Disability
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The ABC protocol prioritizes airway assessment first to ensure the patient can breathe, as obstruction can lead to immediate life-threatening situations.

12. Question: Why is accurate documentation important in patient care?
Options:
A. To save time for nurses
B. To provide a legal record of care and communication
C. To entertain family members
D. To avoid interacting with patients
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Accurate documentation serves as a legal and clinical record, ensuring continuity of care, accountability, and the ability to track changes in the patient’s condition.

13. Question: What ethical principle requires obtaining informed consent before treatment?
Options:
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Non-maleficence
D. Justice
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Autonomy respects the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care, ensuring they understand and consent to procedures to uphold ethical standards.

14. Question: How should cultural sensitivity be applied when caring for a diverse patient population?
Options:
A. Assuming all patients share the same beliefs
B. Asking about cultural preferences and respecting them
C. Providing care only in the dominant language
D. Standardizing care routines for efficiency
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Asking about and respecting cultural preferences ensures patient-centered care, reduces disparities, and improves outcomes by honoring individual beliefs and practices.

15. Question: What is a key component of discharge planning for a patient?
Options:
A. Scheduling follow-up appointments
B. Discharging the patient as soon as possible
C. Ignoring family input
D. Focusing only on medication lists
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Scheduling follow-up appointments is essential for continuity of care, helping to monitor recovery and address any post-discharge issues promptly.

16. Question: Why is family involvement important in pediatric patient care?
Options:
A. To reduce hospital costs
B. To provide emotional support and gather medical history
C. To limit the child’s interactions
D. To replace professional care
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Family involvement offers emotional support, provides valuable medical history, and aids in the child’s comfort, leading to better adherence to treatment plans.

17. Question: What is the proper technique for wound care to prevent infection?
Options:
A. Cleaning the wound with tap water
B. Using sterile technique and appropriate dressings
C. Leaving the wound exposed to air
D. Applying pressure without cleaning
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Using sterile technique and appropriate dressings minimizes contamination, promotes healing, and reduces the risk of infection in wound care.

18. Question: How should mobility assistance be provided to a patient with limited movement?
Options:
A. Encouraging independent walking without support
B. Using assistive devices and proper body mechanics
C. Restraining the patient to the bed
D. Ignoring mobility needs
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Using assistive devices and proper body mechanics ensures safe movement, prevents injury, and maintains the patient’s independence and dignity.

19. Question: What is the nurse’s responsibility regarding patient privacy under HIPAA?
Options:
A. Sharing patient information with anyone who asks
B. Protecting confidential information and limiting access
C. Discussing cases in public areas
D. Keeping records unsecured
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Protecting confidential information under HIPAA safeguards patient privacy, builds trust, and prevents unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data.

20. Question: In end-of-life care, what is a primary focus for the healthcare team?
Options:
A. Prolonging life at all costs
B. Providing comfort and respecting the patient’s wishes
C. Avoiding discussions about death
D. Focusing only on curative treatments
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Providing comfort and respecting wishes ensures dignified care, addresses pain management, and supports the patient’s quality of life in their final stages.