Deck 1: Caring for Medical-Surgical Patients

Question 1

The nurse is assessing a group of patients.Which patient would most likely qualify for Medicaid?

A) A 35-year-old unemployed single mother with diabetes
B) A 70-year-old Medicare recipient with retirement income who needs to be in a long-term care facility
C) An 80-year-old blind woman living in her own home who has inadequate private insurance
D) A 67-year-old stroke victim with Medicare Part A and an income from investments

Answer 1

A 35-year-old unemployed single mother with diabetes

Question 2

Which is the main cost-containment component of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs)?

A) Hospitals focus only on the specific diagnosis.
B) Hospitals treat and discharge patients quickly.
C) Reduced cost drugs are ordered for specific diagnoses.
D) Diagnostic group classification streamlines care.

Answer 2

Hospitals treat and discharge patients quickly.

Question 3

The nurse is educating a patient that is a member of a health maintenance organization (HMO).Which information should the nurse include?

A) Seek the opinion of an alternate health care provider.
B) Obtain insurance approval for medical services prior to treatment.
C) Provide detailed documentation of all care received for his condition.
D) Wait at least 6 months to see a specialist.

Answer 3

Obtain insurance approval for medical services prior to treatment.

Question 4

The patient complains to the nurse that he is confused about his "deductible" that he owes the hospital.Which statement accurately explains a deductible?

A) An amount of money put aside for the payment of future medical bills
B) A one-time fee for service
C) An amount of money deducted from the bill by the insurance company
D) An annual amount of money the patient must pay out-of-pocket for medical care

Question 5

Which term explains the type of care that addresses interventions for all dimensions of a patient's life?

A) Focused care
B) General care
C) Directed care
D) Holistic care

Question 6

A patient asks the nurse what Medicare Part A covers.Which response is correct?

A) Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital costs.
B) Medicare Part A covers reimbursement to the physician.
C) Medicare Part A covers outpatient hospital services.
D) Medicare Part A covers ambulance transportation.

Question 7

Which area is the major focus of Healthy People 2020 and the primary mechanism through which to improve the health of Americans in the second decade of the century?

A) Research funding
B) Health information distribution
C) Healthy lifestyle encouragement
D) Health improvement program designs

Question 8

An overweight male patient rips off his hospital gown,throws it out the door,and shouts,"I'm not wearing this stupid gown! It is too small,too short,and exposes my backside to the world!" Which response is most appropriate?

A) Remind patient of the need to wear the gown for convenience in care.
B) Confer with the patient for methods to acquire a larger gown.
C) Replace the torn gown with another.
D) Inform the charge nurse of the hostile behavior.

Question 9

The long-term care facility nurse is caring for a newly admitted 80-year-old patient who is depressed.Which approach is best for the nurse to employ?

A) Encourage the resident to engage in an activity.
B) Remind the resident of reasons to be positive.
C) Point out episodes of negative behavior.
D) Present a bright and cheerful behavior.

Question 10

The nurse compares the characteristics of a health maintenance organization (HMO)and a preferred provider organization (PPO).Which information should the nurse include about HMOs?

A) HMOs require a set fee of each member monthly.
B) HMOs allow the member to select his health care provider.
C) HMOs permit admission to any facility the member prefers.
D) HMOs offer unlimited diagnostic tests and treatments.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been on antidepressants for 3 days.The patient tearfully says,"I still feel terrible.I don't think anything can help how I feel." Which response is best?

A) "I will tell the charge nurse how you are feeling."
B) "You just need to be patient and give your medicine some time to work."
C) "Look how much you have improved since you were admitted to the facility."
D) "It must be frustrating to be going through this difficult time."

Question 12

A patient furiously says,"My doctor was so busy giving me instructions that he didn't hear what I was trying to ask him!" Which response is most empathetic?

A) "When people ignore me, I really get mad."
B) "I'm sure that the doctor was rushed and unaware of your needs."
C) "I'll bet that made you feel very frustrated."
D) "Take a deep breath and plan what you will say to him tomorrow."

Question 13

According to most state NPAs,the vocational nurse acting as charge nurse in a long-term care facility acts in which capacity?

A) Working under direct supervision of an RN on the unit
B) Working with the RN in the building
C) Working under general supervision by the RN available on site or by phone
D) Working as an independent vocational nurse

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient who states,"You are the only nurse who understands about my pain.Can't you give me an extra dose of pain medication?" How should the nurse respond to the patient's request?

A) Explain that dosage schedules are by physician's orders.
B) Ignore the request.
C) Tell the patient that his behavior is manipulative.
D) Agree to give an extra dose of pain medication.

Question 15

The nurse is communicating with a patient who voices concern about an upcoming high-risk procedure.Which statement best demonstrates empathy?

A) "Would you like to talk about your feelings regarding the procedure?"
B) "My mother had the same procedure and did very well."
C) "I can't imagine how you feel."
D) "It must be difficult preparing for the procedure; how are you feeling?"

Question 16

Which patient statement indicates a need for further discharge teaching that the vocational nurse should address?

A) "I have no idea of how this drug will affect me."
B) "Do you know if my physician is coming back today?"
C) "Will my insurance pay for my stay?"
D) "Am I going to have to go to a nursing home?"

Question 17

Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of the state nurse practice act (NPA)?

A) To test and license LPN/LVNs.
B) To define the scope of LPN/LVN practice.
C) To improve the quality of care provided by the LPN/LVN.
D) To limit the LPN/LVN employment placement.

Question 18

The nurse is explaining differences in a therapeutic relationship and a social relationship to a patient.Which information about therapeutic relationships is most important for the nurse to include in the explanation?

A) Therapeutic relationships lack formal boundaries.
B) Therapeutic relationships are goal directed.
C) Therapeutic relationships meet the needs of each person in the relationship.
D) Therapeutic relationships extend past the hospitalization period.

Question 19

The charge nurse asks the new vocational nurse to start an intravenous infusion,a skill that the vocational nurse has not been taught during her educational program.How should the vocational nurse respond?

A) Ask a more experienced nurse to demonstrate the procedure.
B) Look up the procedure in the procedure manual.
C) Attempt to perform the procedure with supervision.
D) Inform the charge nurse of her lack of training in this procedure.

Question 20

A female patient who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor asks the nurse,"Do you think God punishes us?" Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?

A) "What do you think?"
B) "God loves you."
C) "Would like to speak with the chaplain?"
D) "God will not give you more than you can bear."

Question 21

What factor(s)should the LPN/LVN consider when delegating a task to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

A) A need for the UAP to voluntarily accept the task delegated
B) Continued accountability for the task by the LPN/LVN
C) Assurance that the task requires no further need for supervision of the UAP
D) An understanding that the task is in the job description of the UAP
E) A transfer of authority to the UAP

Question 22

The nurse explains that the term _____________ refers to the severity of illness.

Question 23

When an insurance company directly reimburses a licensed health care provider for services,the form of financing is called ______________.

Question 24

The LPN/LVN participates in an in-service about cost containment within the health care facility.Which action(s)demonstrate understanding of cost-containment principles?

A) Telling patients to limit their usage of supplies.
B) Asking the UAP to ensure correct charges for patient care items.
C) Only using necessary items for patient care.
D) Charging for extra patient care items that the patient may take home upon discharge.
E) Documenting supplies used for patients in their patient care record.

Question 25

Which of the following are sources of clear guidelines for upholding clinical standards for safe and competent care?

A) The state's nurse practice act (NPA)
B) The State Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE)
C) The National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES)
D) Institutional policies
E) The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. (NFLPN)

Question 26

The newly licensed LPN/LVN demonstrates an understanding of employment opportunities when applying to a position in which area(s)?

A) An outpatient clinic
B) A home health care agency
C) An intravenous (IV) therapy team
D) A long-term care facility
E) An ambulatory care unit

Question 27

Which statement(s)accurately describes the role of the LPN/LVN regardless of employment placement?

A) Uphold clinical standards
B) Educate patients
C) Communicate effectively
D) Collaborate with the health care team
E) Initiate a care plan immediately after admission