CELBAN Reading Patient Charts 2

Question 1

A patient's chart shows 'NPO after midnight.' What does this instruction mean for the nursing staff?

Accepted Answer

The patient must not eat or drink anything after midnight

Answer

NPO stands for 'nil per os' (nothing by mouth), meaning the patient must not consume anything orally after midnight.

Question 2

A chart entry reads: 'Pt. c/o dyspnea on exertion x 3 days.' Which of the following best interprets this note?

Accepted Answer

The patient complains of difficulty breathing during physical activity for three days

Answer

C/o means 'complains of,' dyspnea means difficulty breathing, and 'on exertion' indicates it occurs during physical activity.

Question 3

In a patient's chart, the vital signs section reads: 'BP 90/60 mmHg, HR 118 bpm, RR 24, Temp 38.9°C.' Which finding is most immediately concerning?

Accepted Answer

The combination of all four abnormal findings

Answer

All four findings together suggest possible septic shock: hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fever are classic signs requiring immediate intervention.

Question 4

A nurse reads in a patient's progress note: 'Wound site shows erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge.' What condition does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A wound infection

Answer

Erythema (redness), warmth, and purulent (pus-containing) discharge are classic signs of a wound infection.

Question 5

A chart reads: 'Hx of HTN, DM Type 2, and CKD Stage 3.' What does this mean about the patient's medical background?

Accepted Answer

History of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and chronic kidney disease stage 3

Answer

Hx = history, HTN = hypertension, DM = diabetes mellitus, CKD = chronic kidney disease.

(CELBAN) Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Practice Test

(CELBAN) Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Practice Test

CELBAN Reading Patient Charts 2