LPN Basic Care and Comfort 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient reports pain of 7/10 and requests repositioning before analgesics. What is the LPN's best initial action?
- Reposition the patient and reassess pain after 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Administer the prescribed analgesic first, then reposition
- Notify the charge nurse before taking any action
- Document that the patient refused medication
Correct answer: Reposition the patient and reassess pain after 15 minutes
Non-pharmacological comfort measures like repositioning should be attempted first when requested, and pain reassessment follows to evaluate effectiveness.
Question 2: Which position is most appropriate for a patient with severe dyspnea?
- Supine with legs elevated
- High Fowler's (60–90 degrees) (Correct answer)
- Prone
- Trendelenburg
Correct answer: High Fowler's (60–90 degrees)
High Fowler's position maximizes lung expansion and reduces the work of breathing in patients with dyspnea.
Question 3: When assisting a patient with oral hygiene who is unconscious, the LPN should position the patient in which way?
- Supine with head hyperextended
- Lateral (side-lying) with head slightly lowered (Correct answer)
- High Fowler's at 90 degrees
- Semi-prone with arms forward
Correct answer: Lateral (side-lying) with head slightly lowered
Lateral positioning with the head slightly lowered prevents aspiration of fluids during oral care in unconscious patients.
Question 4: A patient is prescribed a regular diet but has difficulty chewing due to poor dentition. The LPN should:
- Withhold meals until the dentist evaluates the patient
- Notify the dietitian to change the diet to a mechanical soft consistency (Correct answer)
- Provide only liquids until further orders are obtained
- Crush all solid foods and mix with water
Correct answer: Notify the dietitian to change the diet to a mechanical soft consistency
The dietitian should be notified so the diet can be appropriately modified to mechanical soft to meet the patient's nutritional needs safely.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a therapeutic bath used to relieve perineal itching and inflammation?
- Paraffin bath
- Sitz bath (Correct answer)
- Whirlpool bath
- Medicated sponge bath
Correct answer: Sitz bath
A sitz bath immerses only the perineal and rectal areas in warm water and is used to relieve discomfort and promote healing.
Question 6: A bedridden patient's heels are reddened but skin is intact. What is the priority intervention?
- Apply a heating pad to increase circulation
- Massage the reddened area vigorously
- Elevate heels off the bed using pillows or heel protectors (Correct answer)
- Apply an antibiotic ointment
Correct answer: Elevate heels off the bed using pillows or heel protectors
Offloading pressure from reddened (Stage 1) heels by elevation prevents progression to deeper pressure injury.
Question 7: A patient using a cane should be taught to hold it on which side?
- The side of the weaker extremity
- Either side based on patient preference
- The side of the stronger extremity (Correct answer)
- Alternating sides with each step
Correct answer: The side of the stronger extremity
A cane is held on the stronger side to provide lateral support and shift weight away from the weaker extremity during ambulation.
LPN Basic Care and Comfort 2
A patient reports pain of 7/10 and requests repositioning before analgesics.
What is the LPN's best initial action?