Licensed Practical Nurse Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Licensed Practical Nurse flashcards as text
Which laboratory value is the LPN most concerned about in a patient receiving long-term heparin therapy?
Answer: Platelet count dropping from 250,000 to 60,000/µL
A significant drop in platelets during heparin therapy indicates heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a life-threatening complication requiring immediate provider notification.
An LPN is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile field, which action contaminates it?
Answer: Reaching across the sterile field to place an item
Reaching across a sterile field allows microorganisms from clothing or non-sterile areas to fall onto it, breaking sterile technique.
A patient with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness, diaphoresis, and confusion. The blood glucose reads 52 mg/dL. The patient is conscious. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Give 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates orally
The 15-15 rule states that a conscious hypoglycemic patient should receive 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates orally, then recheck glucose in 15 minutes.
When performing tracheostomy suctioning, what is the maximum recommended suction duration per pass?
Answer: 10 seconds
Each suction pass should not exceed 10 seconds to prevent hypoxia, trauma, and vagal stimulation.
The LPN is caring for a patient in alcohol withdrawal. Which medication class does the LPN expect to be ordered for symptom management?
Answer: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal because they cross-react with the GABA receptor system and prevent seizures and delirium tremens.
A patient is admitted with suspected appendicitis. Which assessment finding requires the LPN to notify the provider immediately?
Answer: Sudden relief of pain followed by a rigid abdomen
Sudden pain relief followed by a board-like rigid abdomen signals appendix rupture and peritonitis, a surgical emergency requiring immediate notification.
A patient with a chest tube is being ambulated. The LPN accidentally disconnects the drainage tubing from the chest tube. What is the immediate action?
Answer: Place the end of the chest tube in a cup of sterile water and call for help
If the chest tube separates from the drainage system, the tube end should be placed in sterile water to create a water seal while help is summoned, then reconnected.