LPN Basic Care and Comfort 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient receiving enteral tube feedings via NG tube complains of nausea and abdominal distension. What should the LPN do first?
- Increase the infusion rate to clear the tube
- Check gastric residual volume (Correct answer)
- Flush the tube with 60 mL of water
- Remove the NG tube immediately
Correct answer: Check gastric residual volume
Checking gastric residual volume identifies whether delayed gastric emptying is causing nausea and distension, guiding next steps.
Question 2: Which action by the LPN best promotes sleep for a hospitalized patient who reports insomnia?
- Administer a prescribed sedative immediately at bedtime
- Schedule painful procedures and vitals checks at night to consolidate daytime rest
- Cluster care activities and reduce environmental noise/lighting in the evening (Correct answer)
- Encourage the patient to nap frequently throughout the day
Correct answer: Cluster care activities and reduce environmental noise/lighting in the evening
Clustering care activities and reducing stimulation in the evening support the patient's natural circadian rhythm and promote sleep onset.
Question 3: The nurse notes a patient's urine output is 250 mL over 8 hours. The patient weighs 80 kg. This urine output is:
- Within the normal range (0.5–1 mL/kg/hr)
- Slightly above normal and warrants fluid restriction
- Below normal and requires immediate reporting (Correct answer)
- Normal only if the patient is receiving diuretics
Correct answer: Below normal and requires immediate reporting
Normal urine output is 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr; 250 mL over 8 hours equals ~0.39 mL/kg/hr for an 80 kg patient, which is below normal and should be reported.
Question 4: When providing a bed bath, the LPN should wash the patient in which sequence?
- Feet → legs → abdomen → chest → face
- Face → neck → arms → chest → abdomen → legs → perineum (Correct answer)
- Perineum → legs → abdomen → chest → face
- Chest → abdomen → face → legs → perineum
Correct answer: Face → neck → arms → chest → abdomen → legs → perineum
Bathing proceeds from cleanest to least clean areas: face first, perineum last, to prevent transferring microorganisms to cleaner areas.
Question 5: A patient with left-sided weakness is being transferred from bed to wheelchair. The wheelchair should be placed:
- On the patient's left side at a 90-degree angle
- On the patient's right (stronger) side at a 45-degree angle (Correct answer)
- Directly in front of the bed
- On the patient's left side at a 45-degree angle
Correct answer: On the patient's right (stronger) side at a 45-degree angle
Placing the wheelchair on the patient's stronger side allows them to use that side to pivot and bear weight during the transfer.
Question 6: Which dietary modification is most appropriate for a patient with dysphagia secondary to a stroke?
- Clear liquid diet only
- Regular diet with extra fluids
- Thickened liquids and minced or pureed foods as tolerated (Correct answer)
- High-fiber diet to prevent constipation
Correct answer: Thickened liquids and minced or pureed foods as tolerated
Thickened liquids and modified food textures reduce aspiration risk by slowing flow and improving bolus control in patients with dysphagia.
Question 7: A patient asks why a warm compress is being applied to a muscle spasm. The best LPN response is:
- 'It draws fluid away from the area to reduce swelling.'
- 'It constricts blood vessels to prevent bruising.'
- 'It promotes vasodilation and muscle relaxation, reducing pain.' (Correct answer)
- 'It destroys bacteria in the tissue.'
Correct answer: 'It promotes vasodilation and muscle relaxation, reducing pain.'
Heat promotes vasodilation, increases blood flow, and relaxes muscle fibers, which reduces spasm-related pain and stiffness.
LPN Basic Care and Comfort 3
A patient receiving enteral tube feedings via NG tube complains of nausea and abdominal distension.
What should the LPN do first?