CELBAN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CELBAN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. During a CELBAN role-play, a patient refuses a recommended treatment. As the nurse, your most appropriate action is to: → Respect the refusal, explain the potential consequences, and document the discussion.
2. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. Which response best reflects the nurse's role? → Document the refusal and notify the physician
3. A patient's family member insists that the nurse is providing incorrect medication. What is the most appropriate initial response? → Acknowledge the concern, pause the administration, and verify the order
4. A nurse is interviewing a patient who uses a professional interpreter. Which technique ensures accurate history taking? → Speak directly to the patient and pause for interpretation
5. A patient avoids eye contact during your conversation. How should you interpret this behavior? → The patient may be showing respect based on cultural norms.
6. What is the PRIMARY purpose of maintaining professional tone in nurse-to-nurse written communication? → To create a legal record that accurately reflects clinical reasoning and events
7. A patient's order reads 'elevate HOB 30 degrees.' What does HOB stand for? → Head of bed
8. A nurse reads in a patient's progress note: 'Wound site shows erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge.' What condition does this describe? → A wound infection
9. A patient asks a nurse to repeat medication instructions for the third time. What is the most therapeutic response? → Calmly repeat the instructions using simpler language and visual aids
10. A transfer summary chart notes: 'Pt. transferred from ICU, weaned off vasopressors 12h ago, hemodynamically stable.' What does 'hemodynamically stable' mean? → The patient's blood pressure and cardiac output are adequate without medication support
11. Select the correct preposition: 'The nurse informed the patient ___ the risks of the procedure.' → about
12. A patient reports a past surgical history of an 'appendix removal 10 years ago.' The nurse should document this as: → Appendectomy
13. When a nurse receives a handover and is unsure about an unfamiliar medication listed in the plan, what should they do? → Ask the outgoing nurse for clarification or consult a drug reference before administering
14. A patient is asked about allergies and states, 'Penicillin makes me nauseous.' How should the nurse classify this response? → Adverse drug reaction — document separately from true allergies
15. When leaving a voicemail for a physician about a deteriorating patient, a nurse should FIRST state: → The patient's full name, room number, and the reason for the call
16. Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly to describe a nursing procedure? → The medication was administered by the nurse at 0800.
17. A patient reports a family history of 'heart trouble.' Which follow-up question provides the most clinically useful information? → At what age were they diagnosed?
18. When preparing a patient for a colonoscopy, the nurse must explain the bowel preparation protocol. What is the most critical piece of information to emphasize? → The importance of drinking the entire preparation solution to ensure the colon is clean.
19. A nurse disagrees with a physician's order. The MOST professional action is to: → Clarify the concern directly with the physician using assertive, respectful communication
20. A patient reports taking herbal supplements daily. Why is this information particularly important in the health history? → Herbal supplements can interact with prescribed medications
21. A patient refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is your best response? → "Can you tell me why you don’t want to take the medication?"
22. A patient prefers a family member to be present during all consultations as part of their cultural practice. What should you do? → "We can include your family member if it makes you comfortable."
23. Which statement by a patient indicates CORRECT understanding of instructions to take antibiotics? → 'I should take all the pills even if my symptoms improve.'
24. Which sentence correctly uses a conditional structure appropriate for patient teaching? → If you experience chest pain, you should call for assistance immediately.
25. A nurse documents 'the patient is febrile.' What should the nurse expect to find? → Elevated body temperature
26. A patient's family member insists on staying in the room during all assessments, citing cultural norms. The nurse should: → Ask the patient privately if they are comfortable with the family member present
27. A patient declines food offered at the hospital because it is not culturally appropriate. What is your best response? → "Can you tell us what foods you prefer? We’ll see if we can make arrangements."
28. A patient's lab results in the chart show: 'K+ 2.9 mEq/L.' What clinical manifestation should the nurse monitor for given this result? → Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias
29. When communicating with a patient who speaks limited English, which approach is MOST appropriate? → Use a certified medical interpreter for important clinical conversations
30. Which of the following best demonstrates culturally competent patient instruction? → Asking about the patient's cultural beliefs and incorporating them into teaching