LPN Study Guide 2026

Informed consent in nursing practice ensures that a patient fully understands the proposed treatment, including its purpose, potential benefits, risks, and available alternatives, before agreeing to it. The nurse's role is to facilitate this understanding, clarify information, and confirm the patient's voluntary agreement. This process upholds the patient's right to autonomy and empowers them to make educated decisions about their own healthcare.

The ability to climb two flights of stairs (or achieve 5 METs on a stress test) without chest pain or dyspnea is a general guideline indicating sufficient cardiac reserve for sexual activity.

Wound cleansing proceeds from the least contaminated area (wound center) to the most contaminated area (surrounding skin) to prevent introducing bacteria.

Blood lead levels ≥45 mcg/dL indicate significant toxicity requiring chelation therapy with succimer (DMSA) in addition to removing the child from the lead source.

Older adults are at a higher risk for hypothermia due to a slower metabolism, a thinner subcutaneous fat layer, and a decreased ability to regulate body temperature. Chronic conditions like hypothyroidism further impair the body's ability to generate heat, and living in a cold environment is a major contributing factor.

The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous heparin injections because it has a consistent layer of subcutaneous fat, allowing for predictable absorption. Injecting at least 2 inches from the umbilicus avoids the umbilical veins and vascular areas. Aspirating and massaging the site are not recommended as they can cause hematoma formation.