Prometric Mock Test for Nurses (2025 Exam Model)

Question 1: A 65-year-old male patient with a history of heart failure is admitted with acute shortness of breath. On assessment, the nurse notes bilateral crackles in the lungs, dependent edema, and a productive cough with pink, frothy sputum. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer prescribed diuretics.
B) Elevate the head of the bed.
C) Obtain a sputum culture.
D) Prepare for immediate intubation.

Question 2: A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1 after abdominal surgery. The patient reports severe pain (9/10) and is due for a dose of IV opioid analgesic. The patient’s respiratory rate is 10 breaths/min and shallow. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
A) Administer the opioid analgesic as prescribed.
B) Hold the opioid and notify the physician immediately.
C) Administer a reduced dose of the opioid.
D) Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and cough.

Question 3: A patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is being discharged. The nurse is providing discharge teaching about foot care. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I should inspect my feet daily for any cuts or sores.”
B) “I will wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.”
C) “I can use a heating pad on my feet if they feel cold.”
D) “I will trim my toenails straight across after bathing.”

Question 4: A nurse is preparing to administer medications through a nasogastric tube. The patient is unconscious. What is the most important nursing action to ensure patient safety before administering the medications?
A) Crush all medications finely and mix with water.
B) Aspirate gastric contents to check residual volume.
C) Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30-45 degrees.
D) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water after administration.

Question 5: A 4-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric ward with severe dehydration. The nurse is preparing to insert an intravenous (IV) catheter. Which approach would be most appropriate for the nurse to use to minimize the child’s anxiety?
A) Tell the child that the procedure will not hurt at all.
B) Have the parents leave the room during the procedure.
C) Allow the child to choose which arm the IV will go into.
D) Explain the procedure in simple terms and allow the child to hold a favorite toy.

Question 6: A nurse is providing care for a patient with a new colostomy. The patient expresses significant distress and states, “I can’t believe this is my life now. I feel so ugly.” What is the most therapeutic nursing response?
A) “You’ll get used to it over time; many people live normally with a colostomy.”
B) “It’s normal to feel this way, but we’ll teach you how to care for it.”
C) “Can you tell me more about what makes you feel this way?”
D) “Let me show you how to change your pouch; that will make you feel better.”

Question 7: A nurse is preparing to administer blood to a patient. After obtaining the blood from the blood bank, what is the FIRST action the nurse should take?
A) Check the patient’s vital signs.
B) Verify the blood product with another nurse.
C) Prime the blood tubing with normal saline.
D) Explain the procedure to the patient.

Question 9: A patient with a severe allergic reaction is brought to the emergency department. The patient is experiencing angioedema and difficulty breathing. What medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B) Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
C) Ranitidine (Zantac)
D) Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef)

Question 10: A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Coolness and pallor in the affected leg.
B) Diminished pedal pulse in the affected leg.
C) Unilateral leg swelling, pain, and warmth.
D) Bilateral lower extremity edema.

Question 11: A nurse is educating a group of community members about hypertension. Which dietary recommendation is most important for preventing and managing hypertension?
A) Increase intake of red meat.
B) Limit sodium intake.
C) Consume high-fat dairy products.
D) Decrease fiber intake.

Question 12: A patient is receiving continuous enteral feeding through a gastrostomy tube. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient coughing and showing signs of respiratory distress. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
A) Increase the feeding rate to ensure adequate nutrition.
B) Discontinue the feeding and assess lung sounds.
C) Reposition the patient to a supine position.
D) Administer an antiemetic to prevent vomiting.

Question 13: A nurse is caring for a patient who is agitated and attempting to remove their IV line. After attempting de-escalation techniques without success, the nurse determines that restraints are necessary. What is the priority nursing action before applying restraints?
A) Document the patient’s behavior and interventions attempted.
B) Obtain a physician’s order for restraints.
C) Explain the purpose of restraints to the patient.
D) Ensure the patient’s basic needs are met.

Question 14: A pregnant woman in her third trimester reports sudden, painless vaginal bleeding. What condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Preterm labor
D) Ectopic pregnancy

Question 15: A nurse is providing care for a patient with a new diagnosis of HIV. The patient expresses fear and shame, stating, “I don’t want anyone to know about this.” What ethical principle is most relevant to the nurse’s response?
A) Beneficence
B) Non-maleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice

Question 16: A nurse is assessing a patient admitted with dehydration. Which laboratory value would the nurse expect to be elevated?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Hematocrit
D) Blood glucose

Question 17: A nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis. The infant is experiencing respiratory distress. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
A) Administer antibiotics as ordered.
B) Encourage oral fluid intake.
C) Administer humidified oxygen.
D) Provide chest physiotherapy.

Question 18: A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks the nurse about the risks involved. The nurse responds, “Don’t worry, the doctor will explain everything.” This response demonstrates a lack of understanding of which ethical concept?
A) Veracity
B) Fidelity
C) Informed consent
D) Confidentiality

Question 19: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. Which site is generally considered the safest for most adult IM injections?
A) Deltoid
B) Vastus lateralis
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Ventrogluteal

Question 20: A patient with chronic kidney disease is receiving hemodialysis. The nurse assesses the patient’s arteriovenous (AV) fistula. What finding indicates a patent fistula?
A) Absence of a thrill and bruit.
B) Coolness and pallor over the site.
C) Presence of a thrill and bruit.
D) Redness and swelling at the site.

Question 21: A nurse is caring for a patient who has a chest tube. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What is the most likely cause of this finding?
A) The patient is ambulating.
B) There is a leak in the system.
C) The lung is fully re-expanded.
D) The suction is too high.

Question 22: A nurse is teaching a patient about self-administration of insulin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I need to rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.”
B) “I can inject the insulin into my arm, thigh, or abdomen.”
C) “I should aspirate before injecting to make sure I’m not in a blood vessel.”
D) “I need to store unopened insulin in the refrigerator.”

Question 23: A nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured femur who is in skeletal traction. Which assessment is the priority for the nurse to perform?
A) Pain level.
B) Pin site assessment.
C) Neurovascular assessment distal to the fracture.
D) Skin integrity under the traction weights.

Question 24: A nurse is planning care for a patient with dementia who frequently wanders. Which intervention is most appropriate to ensure the patient’s safety?
A) Apply wrist restraints to prevent wandering.
B) Keep the patient sedated to minimize agitation.
C) Provide a safe and structured environment with consistent routines.
D) Lock the patient in their room to prevent elopement.

Question 25: A nurse is educating a pregnant woman about signs of true labor. Which of the following statements indicates true labor?
A) Contractions are irregular and do not intensify with walking.
B) Pain is felt primarily in the abdomen and eases with position change.
C) Cervical effacement and dilation occur.
D) Braxton Hicks contractions become stronger.

Question 26: A nurse is preparing to administer medication via an IV push. What is the most important safety check the nurse should perform before administering the medication?
A) Verify the patient’s identification using two identifiers.
B) Check the medication for its expiration date.
C) Assess for any known patient allergies.
D) All of the above.

Question 27: A nurse is caring for a patient who is actively bleeding from a large wound. The patient is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer pain medication.
B) Apply direct pressure to the wound.
C) Elevate the patient’s legs.
D) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC).

Question 28: A patient is discharged home after a myocardial infarction. The nurse provides instructions on lifestyle modifications. Which statement by the patient indicates effective teaching?
A) “I can continue my usual smoking habits as long as I feel well.”
B) “I will limit my physical activity for the rest of my life.”
C) “I need to follow a low-sodium, low-fat diet.”
D) “I can resume all my normal activities immediately.”

Question 29: A nurse is teaching a patient about proper hand hygiene. Which statement indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) “I should use hand sanitizer only when my hands are visibly soiled.”
B) “I need to wash my hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water.”
C) “I should use hot water for hand washing to kill all germs.”
D) “I will wash my hands before and after eating, and after using the restroom.”

Question 30: A patient with a head injury develops a sudden decrease in level of consciousness and pupillary changes. What is the nurse’s immediate concern?
A) Hypoglycemia.
B) Increased intracranial pressure.
C) Seizure activity.
D) Stroke.

Question 31: A nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill and expresses a desire to discontinue all life-sustaining treatments. The patient is alert and oriented. What is the nurse’s ethical responsibility?
A) Encourage the patient to reconsider their decision.
B) Respect the patient’s autonomy and communicate their wishes to the healthcare team.
C) Inform the family about the patient’s decision for them to make the final choice.
D) Continue all treatments as ordered by the physician.

Question 32: A nurse is assessing a patient admitted with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). Which symptom would the nurse most likely find?
A) Flank pain and fever.
B) Hematuria and polyuria.
C) Dysuria, frequency, and urgency.
D) Nocturia and edema.

Question 33: A nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a patient with newly diagnosed celiac disease. What dietary modification is essential for this patient?
A) A high-fiber diet.
B) A gluten-free diet.
C) A low-carbohydrate diet.
D) A high-protein diet.

Question 34: A nurse is administering medication to a patient when the patient states, “This pill looks different than what I usually take.” What is the nurse’s best action?
A) Tell the patient the pharmacy might have changed manufacturers.
B) Administer the medication as prescribed.
C) Verify the medication against the physician’s order and medication administration record (MAR).
D) Document the patient’s refusal to take the medication.

Question 35: A 5-year-old child is admitted with a severe asthma exacerbation. The child is wheezing, has a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer bronchodilator by nebulizer.
B) Obtain a chest X-ray.
C) Encourage fluid intake.
D) Place the child in a supine position.

Question 36: A nurse is caring for a patient who develops a sudden onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, and feeling of impending doom. The patient has a history of atrial fibrillation. What emergent condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Myocardial infarction.
B) Pulmonary embolism.
C) Pneumonia.
D) Anxiety attack.

Question 37: A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to take their prescribed medication. The nurse explains the benefits and risks, but the patient remains steadfast in their refusal. What is the nurse’s next action?
A) Force the patient to take the medication for their own good.
B) Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider.
C) Tell the patient they will be discharged if they don’t comply.
D) Leave the medication at the bedside for the patient to take later.

Question 38: A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of fluid volume excess. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor.
B) Increased urine output and flat neck veins.
C) Bounding peripheral pulses and crackles in the lungs.
D) Hypotension and tachycardia.

Question 39: A nurse is providing education to a new mother about breastfeeding. Which statement indicates the mother understands effective latching?
A) “My baby’s mouth should cover only the nipple.”
B) “I should hear clicking or smacking sounds during feeding.”
C) “My baby’s mouth should be wide open and cover a good portion of the areola.”
D) “I should feel sharp pain during the entire feeding.”

Question 40: A nurse is administering an intravenous push medication and notices infiltration at the IV site. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
A) Slow down the infusion rate.
B) Discontinue the IV and restart it in a new location.
C) Apply a warm compress to the site.
D) Elevate the affected extremity.

Question 41: A patient is experiencing severe anxiety and hyperventilation. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A) Administer an anxiolytic medication.
B) Encourage slow, deep breaths.
C) Apply a rebreather mask.
D) Leave the patient alone to calm down.

Question 42: A nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a total hip arthroplasty. Which patient position should the nurse avoid to prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis?
A) Supine with legs abducted.
B) Side-lying with a pillow between the legs.
C) Adduction and internal rotation of the affected hip.
D) Flexion of the hip beyond 90 degrees.

Question 43: A nurse is performing a wound dressing change. The wound appears red with serosanguineous drainage and granulation tissue. How should the nurse describe this wound healing?
A) Inflammatory phase.
B) Proliferative phase.
C) Remodeling phase.
D) Infection phase.

Question 44: A nurse is caring for a patient with active tuberculosis. What type of isolation precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions.
B) Droplet precautions.
C) Airborne precautions.
D) Standard precautions.

Question 45: A patient is receiving continuous bladder irrigation after a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The nurse notes bright red urine with clots in the drainage bag. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Increase the rate of irrigation.
B) Clamp the tubing to prevent further bleeding.
C) Document the finding and continue to monitor.
D) Notify the physician immediately.

Question 46: A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of liver cirrhosis. Which physical assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Pallor and decreased skin turgor.
B) Jaundice and ascites.
C) Bradypnea and hypothermia.
D) Muscle weakness and hyperreflexia.

Question 47: A nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department who has been exposed to a chemical spill. The patient is exhibiting respiratory distress and skin irritation. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A) Administer oxygen.
B) Remove the patient’s contaminated clothing.
C) Obtain a detailed history of the exposure.
D) Initiate IV access.

Question 48: A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient who has impaired swallowing. Which form of medication is generally contraindicated for this patient?
A) Liquid medication.
B) Chewable tablets.
C) Enteric-coated tablets.
D) Medicated patches.

Question 49: A nurse is performing a newborn assessment. Which reflex is a normal finding in a healthy newborn?
A) Moro reflex.
B) Landau reflex.
C) Parachute reflex.
D) Neck righting reflex.

Question 50: A nurse identifies a medication error that occurred during the previous shift. The patient experienced no adverse effects. What is the nurse’s ethical and legal responsibility?
A) Document the error in the patient’s chart only.
B) Report the error to the nurse manager and complete an incident report.
C) Ignore the error since the patient was not harmed.
D) Discuss the error with the patient’s family.