NCAS Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric tube. Which action should be taken first?
- Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
- Verify tube placement (Correct answer)
- Crush the medication and dissolve it
- Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees
Correct answer: Verify tube placement
Verifying tube placement is the priority to ensure the tube is in the stomach and prevent aspiration.
Question 2: When performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse accidentally touches the inner surface of the sterile drape with an ungloved hand. What is the correct response?
- Continue the procedure if the area touched was small
- Obtain a new sterile field and supplies (Correct answer)
- Use the outer edge of the drape to cover the contaminated area
- Apply additional antiseptic to the contaminated area
Correct answer: Obtain a new sterile field and supplies
Any break in sterile technique requires obtaining a new sterile field because contamination compromises the entire field.
Question 3: A patient is in restraints. How frequently must the nurse perform a restraint assessment per standard nursing practice?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 8 hours
- Once per shift
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Patients in restraints must be assessed at least every 2 hours for circulation, skin integrity, and need for continued restraint.
Question 4: Which of the following urine characteristics in a catheterized patient warrants immediate reporting to the physician?
- Light yellow color
- Output of 40 mL/hour
- Cloudy urine with sediment (Correct answer)
- Specific gravity of 1.015
Correct answer: Cloudy urine with sediment
Cloudy urine with sediment suggests a urinary tract infection, which requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment.
Question 5: A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. After successful venipuncture and blood flashback is visible, what is the next step?
- Remove the needle while advancing the catheter (Correct answer)
- Tape the catheter in place immediately
- Withdraw the entire catheter and reinsert
- Apply a tourniquet above the insertion site
Correct answer: Remove the needle while advancing the catheter
Once blood flashback confirms vein entry, the needle is withdrawn while the flexible catheter is advanced into the vein.
Question 6: Which position is most appropriate for a patient who is unconscious and breathing spontaneously to prevent aspiration?
- Supine with head of bed elevated 30 degrees
- Lateral (recovery) position (Correct answer)
- Prone position
- Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Lateral (recovery) position
The lateral recovery position allows secretions and vomitus to drain away from the airway, reducing aspiration risk.
Question 7: A nurse is documenting care after administering pain medication. Which documentation practice is correct?
- Document before administering to save time
- Document immediately after administration (Correct answer)
- Document at the end of the shift for all medications given
- Have another nurse cosign before documenting
Correct answer: Document immediately after administration
Documentation should occur immediately after administration to ensure accurate records and prevent duplicate dosing.
NCAS Fundamentals 2
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric tube.
Which action should be taken first?