FREE NMC-CBT Physiological Observations and Escalation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient's physiological observations calculate to a National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) of 8. According to standard UK protocol, what is the required level of response?

Accepted Answer

An urgent response is required from a doctor or critical care outreach team.

Answer

A NEWS2 score of 7 or more indicates a high level of clinical risk and the potential for critical illness. This requires an urgent response from a team with critical care skills, such as a doctor or a critical care outreach team, for immediate assessment and intervention.

Question 2

You are assessing a patient for suspected sepsis. Which combination of signs is most indicative of sepsis with organ dysfunction (severe sepsis)?

Accepted Answer

High respiratory rate, low blood pressure, and new confusion.

Answer

The combination of a high respiratory rate (tachypnoea), low blood pressure (hypotension), and an altered mental state are key red flag signs for sepsis. These indicate the body's systemic inflammatory response is causing organ dysfunction.

Question 3

Why is an accurate measurement of a patient's respiratory rate considered a crucial part of routine observations?

Accepted Answer

It is often the earliest and most sensitive indicator of clinical deterioration.

Answer

An increased respiratory rate (tachypnoea) is a sensitive but non-specific sign of illness. It is often the very first indicator that a patient is deteriorating, as the body tries to compensate for problems like hypoxia or metabolic acidosis.

Question 4

When escalating concerns about a deteriorating patient to a doctor, which communication tool is recommended to ensure information is conveyed clearly and concisely?

Accepted Answer

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)

Answer

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a structured communication tool widely used in healthcare. It ensures that information is passed between clinicians in a clear, concise, and structured way, reducing the risk of miscommunication.

Question 5

A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. The patient only opens their eyes and moans in response to a painful stimulus (trapezius squeeze). How would this be recorded using the AVPU scale?

Accepted Answer

P (Pain)

Answer

The AVPU scale assesses consciousness: Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. Since the patient only responds to a painful stimulus, the correct recording is 'P' for Pain.

(NMC CBT) Nursing and Midwifery Council Computer-Based Test Practice Test

(NMC CBT) Nursing and Midwifery Council Computer-Based Test Practice Test

FREE NMC-CBT Physiological Observations and Escalation Questions and Answers