CPNRE - Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Collaborative Practice and Teamwork Questions and Answers

Question 1

A practical nurse (PN) is concerned about a post-operative client's increasing restlessness and shortness of breath.
When contacting the Registered Nurse (RN) team leader, which statement best demonstrates the use of the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) communication tool?

Accepted Answer

"This is the PN for room 302. The client had a hip replacement this morning, their vital signs were stable, but now their respiratory rate is 28 and O2 sat is 89% on room air. I think they might be developing a pulmonary embolism. I recommend you assess the client immediately."

Answer

"You need to come see the client in room 302 right away; something is wrong."

Answer

"I'm calling about the client in 302. They seem anxious and are breathing fast. I'm not sure what to do."

Answer

"Room 302 is the post-op hip that came from the recovery room at 1100. They have an IV of Normal Saline running. Their family visited earlier. Now the client is restless and short of breath."

Question 2

A practical nurse is planning the daily assignments on a stable medical unit. Which task is appropriate for the PN to delegate to an Unregulated Care Provider (UCP)?

Accepted Answer

Assisting a client who is steady on their feet with their morning bath and grooming.

Answer

Administering a pre-measured dose of insulin to a client with stable diabetes.

Answer

Performing a routine sterile dressing change on a small, healing incision.

Answer

Teaching a client how to use their new inhaler for the first time.

Question 3

A practical nurse observes a physician speaking to a client's family in a dismissive and unprofessional manner, causing them distress. What is the PN's most appropriate initial action to advocate for the client and their family?

Accepted Answer

Wait until the physician has left, and then find a private moment to respectfully address the physician about the impact of their communication style.

Answer

Report the physician's behaviour to the hospital's patient advocate immediately.

Answer

Interrupt the conversation and tell the physician their behaviour is inappropriate in front of the family.

Answer

Document the interaction in the nursing notes and discuss it with colleagues in the break room.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key principle of effective interprofessional collaboration in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

Mutual respect, shared decision-making, and open communication among all team members, including the client.

Answer

A hierarchical structure where the physician makes all final decisions for the team.

Answer

Each team member working independently on their tasks to maximize efficiency.

Answer

Ensuring that each profession's roles are kept separate to avoid overlap and conflict.

Question 5

A practical nurse is participating in a weekly care conference for a long-term care resident. The team is discussing the resident's recent decline in mobility. What is the PN's most valuable contribution to this discussion?

Accepted Answer

Providing specific, daily observations about the resident's ability to ambulate, their level of fatigue, and their response to assistance.

Answer

Making the final decision on whether the resident needs a wheelchair.

Answer

Suggesting a new medication to manage the resident's joint pain.

Answer

Contacting the resident's family to inform them of the team's decisions.

Question 6

During a busy shift, the Registered Nurse (RN) team leader assigns the Practical Nurse (PN) to care for a client who requires complex wound care that the PN has not been trained to perform. Which action by the PN demonstrates accountability and promotes patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Informing the RN that the assignment is outside their current individual competence and requesting assistance or a different assignment.

Answer

Attempting to perform the wound care after watching an online video tutorial.

Answer

Asking an Unregulated Care Provider (UCP) to assist with the procedure.

Answer

Accepting the assignment and documenting that the RN is responsible for any negative outcomes.

A practical nurse (PN) is concerned about a post-operative client's increasing restlessness and shortness of breath.When contacting the Registered Nurse (RN) team leader, which statement best demonstrates the use of the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) communication tool?

A practical nurse (PN) is concerned about a post-operative client's increasing restlessness and shortness of breath.
When contacting the Registered Nurse (RN) team leader, which statement best demonstrates the use of the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) communication tool?