SNLE Fundamentals of Nursing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct technique when inserting a urinary catheter in a female patient?
- Use sterile technique, cleanse from front to back, insert into urethral meatus (Correct answer)
- Use clean technique and insert into the vaginal opening
- Cleanse from back to front, use non-sterile gloves
- Insert into the largest visible opening
Correct answer: Use sterile technique, cleanse from front to back, insert into urethral meatus
Female urinary catheterization requires sterile technique. The urethral meatus is cleaned with antiseptic solution using front-to-back strokes to prevent introducing vaginal or rectal flora into the urethra.
Question 2: Which action correctly identifies a patient before medication administration?
- Check two identifiers: name and date of birth or medical record number (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient their room number
- Check the name on the bed nameplate only
- Ask a family member the patient's name
Correct answer: Check two identifiers: name and date of birth or medical record number
Two patient identifiers (name plus date of birth or medical record number) are required before medication administration per international patient safety standards. Room number and bed labels are not reliable identifiers.
Question 3: A nurse observes a colleague making a medication error but not reporting it. What is the appropriate action?
- Encourage the colleague to report the error and report it yourself if they do not (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as it is not your responsibility
- Report only to the unit manager in secret
- Do nothing to avoid conflict
Correct answer: Encourage the colleague to report the error and report it yourself if they do not
Nurses have an ethical and professional obligation to ensure patient safety. Encouraging peer reporting first respects professional relationships, but the nurse must independently report if the colleague fails to do so.
Question 4: What is the primary goal of discharge planning?
- To ensure continuity of care and safe transition to the next level of care (Correct answer)
- To free up hospital beds quickly
- To reduce hospital costs only
- To document patient preferences
Correct answer: To ensure continuity of care and safe transition to the next level of care
Discharge planning aims to ensure safe, continuous care as the patient moves from hospital to home or another care setting. It involves patient education, follow-up arrangements, and coordination of community resources.
Question 5: Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
- Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
- Temperature of 37.2°C
- Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Correct answer: Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia, which can cause tissue hypoxia and organ damage. Immediate supplemental oxygen and physician notification are required. The other values are within normal limits.
Question 6: What does 'NPO' mean in a clinical context?
- Nothing by mouth (nil per os) (Correct answer)
- No procedure ordered
- Normal physiological output
- Non-priority observation
Correct answer: Nothing by mouth (nil per os)
NPO stands for 'nil per os,' a Latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth. It is ordered before procedures, surgery, or when oral intake is contraindicated to prevent aspiration or gastrointestinal complications.
SNLE Fundamentals of Nursing 3
What is the correct technique when inserting a urinary catheter in a female patient?