When a nurse makes an error in a handwritten patient record, the correct way to correct it is to:

Draw one line through it, mark it as an error and sign

Cover it with correction fluid and rewrite it

Remove the page and rewrite the whole record

Erase the entry carefully and write it again

A confused patient keeps pulling at his IV cannula and urinary catheter. The nurse is thinking of using wrist restraints. What must be done before restraints are applied?

Try less restrictive measures and get a prescriber's order

Ask a relative to sign a consent for restraints

Give a PRN sedative so restraints are not needed

Apply them now and inform the doctor next morning

A caller says she is a patient's wife and asks the nurse on the phone for his HIV test result, which has just come back. What is the nurse's best response?

Decline politely and explain results can be shared only with the patient's consent

Tell her it is negative to reduce her anxiety

Give the result only if the caller states his date of birth

Give the result, since a spouse is the next of kin

Under the International Patient Safety Goals, before giving a medicine the nurse must identify the patient by:

At least two identifiers, such as name and date of birth

The diagnosis written on the case sheet

The bed and ward number on the chart

One identifier when the patient is well known

Regarding written informed consent for surgery, the nurse's usual role is to:

Witness the patient's signature on the form

Explain the risks and benefits of the operation

Sign the form on behalf of a fearful patient

Obtain the consent when the surgeon is busy

Nursing process, documentation, safety and ethics

20 AIIMS NORCET (Nursing Officer) practice questions on Nursing process, documentation, safety and ethics, part of Fundamentals of Nursing. The first 20 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Easy
When a nurse makes an error in a handwritten patient record, the correct way to correct it is to:
1. ACover it with correction fluid and rewrite it
2. BDraw one line through it, mark it as an error and sign
3. CRemove the page and rewrite the whole record
4. DErase the entry carefully and write it again
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Answer: B · Draw one line through it, mark it as an error and sign
The patient record is a legal document, so the original entry must remain readable. The nurse draws a single line through the mistake, writes 'error' or 'mistaken entry' with the date, time and signature, and then writes the correct entry. Erasing, scribbling over or using correction fluid suggests tampering. Pages are never removed from the record.
- A: Correction fluid hides the original entry and is not allowed.
- C: Removing pages alters a legal document.
- D: Erasing destroys the original entry and suggests tampering.
Question 2 · Hard
A confused patient keeps pulling at his IV cannula and urinary catheter. The nurse is thinking of using wrist restraints. What must be done before restraints are applied?
1. AAsk a relative to sign a consent for restraints
2. BGive a PRN sedative so restraints are not needed
3. CTry less restrictive measures and get a prescriber's order
4. DApply them now and inform the doctor next morning
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Answer: C · Try less restrictive measures and get a prescriber's order
Restraints are a last resort. The nurse first tries alternatives: reorienting the patient, a sitter or family member, covering or hiding the lines, and treating causes such as pain or a full bladder. If these fail, a prescriber's time-limited order is needed (except in a true emergency, when it is obtained promptly). The reason, the alternatives tried and regular checks of circulation and skin are documented.
- A: A relative's signature does not replace the order or the need to try alternatives first.
- B: Sedation used to control behaviour is a chemical restraint and is not the first step.
- D: Restraints without a prompt order are unlawful and unsafe.
Question 3 · Hard
A caller says she is a patient's wife and asks the nurse on the phone for his HIV test result, which has just come back. What is the nurse's best response?
1. ATell her it is negative to reduce her anxiety
2. BDecline politely and explain results can be shared only with the patient's consent
3. CGive the result only if the caller states his date of birth
4. DGive the result, since a spouse is the next of kin
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Answer: B · Decline politely and explain results can be shared only with the patient's consent
Confidentiality is a legal and ethical duty, and HIV status is especially protected in India under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017. The nurse cannot confirm the identity of a phone caller and must not release results without the patient's informed consent. The patient's doctor discusses the result with the patient first. Giving a false result breaks the duty of veracity.
- A: A false or premature reassurance breaches both truthfulness and confidentiality.
- C: Knowing a date of birth does not prove identity or give consent.
- D: Being next of kin does not give a right to a competent adult's results.
Question 4 · Medium
Under the International Patient Safety Goals, before giving a medicine the nurse must identify the patient by:
1. AThe diagnosis written on the case sheet
2. BThe bed and ward number on the chart
3. CAt least two identifiers, such as name and date of birth
4. DOne identifier when the patient is well known
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Answer: C · At least two identifiers, such as name and date of birth
The first International Patient Safety Goal is to identify patients correctly, using at least two identifiers, such as full name and date of birth or hospital number, before medicines, blood, specimens and procedures. Bed number is never an identifier, because patients move. The nurse checks the identifiers against the wristband and asks the patient to state them where possible. NABH standards in India follow the same rule.
- A: A diagnosis is shared by many patients and does not identify one.
- B: Bed numbers change when patients move and are not identifiers.
- D: Two identifiers are required every time, even for familiar patients.
Question 5 · Medium
Regarding written informed consent for surgery, the nurse's usual role is to:
1. AExplain the risks and benefits of the operation
2. BSign the form on behalf of a fearful patient
3. CWitness the patient's signature on the form
4. DObtain the consent when the surgeon is busy
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Answer: C · Witness the patient's signature on the form
The surgeon who performs the procedure is responsible for explaining it, its risks, benefits and alternatives, and for obtaining consent. The nurse witnesses that the patient signed voluntarily and checks that the patient appears to understand. If the patient has doubts or has not understood, the nurse informs the surgeon before premedication. Consent signed after sedation is not valid.
- A: Explaining the operation is the surgeon's legal duty.
- B: Only the patient, or a legal guardian if incompetent, can sign consent.
- D: The nurse cannot obtain consent for a doctor's procedure.
Question 6 · Medium
When applying a prescribed limb restraint, the nurse should secure the tie to the:
1. ABed frame with a double square knot
2. BSide rail with a quick-release knot
3. CBed frame with a quick-release knot
4. DSide rail with a square knot
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Easy
In the nursing process, the step that immediately follows nursing diagnosis is:
1. AImplementation
2. BPlanning
3. CAssessment
4. DEvaluation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
Which statement is a correctly written actual nursing diagnosis in the PES format?
1. APneumonia related to bacterial infection as evidenced by fever
2. BImpaired gas exchange related to the doctor's diagnosis of pneumonia
3. CImpaired gas exchange related to alveolar fluid as evidenced by SpO2 86%
4. DNeeds oxygen therapy because the saturation is low
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Easy
Florence Nightingale's theory of nursing is centred on the:
1. APatient's environment
2. BFour adaptive modes
3. CPatient's self-care agency
4. DInterpersonal relationship
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Hard
A handwritten order reads 'Digoxin 2.5 mg orally now'. The patient is 72 years old with a pulse of 64/min, and the usual dose is 0.125-0.25 mg. What should the nurse do?
1. AGive 0.25 mg, assuming a misplaced decimal point
2. BAsk a colleague to give the dose instead
3. CGive the dose as written because it is signed
4. DWithhold the dose and clarify the order with the prescriber
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Medium
Which expected outcome for a patient recovering from hip surgery is written correctly?
1. AThe patient will walk 50 metres with a walker by day 3
2. BThe patient will feel better and stronger soon
3. CThe patient will understand the need to walk
4. DThe nurse will walk the patient twice a day
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Hard
On the first day after abdominal surgery, a patient has SpO2 89%, gurgling breath sounds and a weak cough, pain score 5/10, a clean wound and anxiety about the bill. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
1. AAnxiety
2. BRisk for infection
3. CIneffective airway clearance
4. DAcute pain
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Easy
Which nurse theorist identified 14 basic human needs as the basis of nursing care?
1. AFlorence Nightingale
2. BFaye Abdellah
3. CVirginia Henderson
4. DMartha Rogers
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Easy
The self-care deficit theory of nursing was developed by:
1. ADorothea Orem
2. BImogene King
3. CHildegard Peplau
4. DVirginia Henderson
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Hard
A nurse receives four patients at the start of a shift. Which patient should be assessed first?
1. ADiabetic patient with capillary glucose 210 mg/dL
2. BPost-op patient with temperature 38.0 C on day 2
3. CPost-appendicectomy patient with pain score 6/10
4. DPost-thyroidectomy patient with new stridor and a hoarse voice
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Medium
A nurse gives an injection to a competent adult who has clearly refused it. Legally, this act constitutes:
1. AFalse imprisonment
2. BBattery
3. CAssault
4. DDefamation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Medium
A competent adult refuses a blood transfusion after its risks and benefits have been fully explained. Respecting this decision reflects the ethical principle of:
1. AJustice
2. BVeracity
3. CBeneficence
4. DAutonomy
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
During an SBAR phone call, the nurse says, 'I think this patient is developing sepsis.' This statement belongs to which part of SBAR?
1. AAssessment
2. BRecommendation
3. CBackground
4. DSituation
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Easy
Which of the following is subjective data?
1. APulse rate of 110 beats per minute
2. BPale, cool and moist skin on palpation
3. CVomitus of 200 mL with food particles
4. DThe patient says, 'I feel sick to my stomach'
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
An 80-year-old patient on a high fall-risk score is confused at night and keeps trying to get out of bed to go to the toilet. Which is the most appropriate nursing measure?
1. AGive a sedative at bedtime to keep him in bed
2. BRaise all four side rails throughout the night
3. CApply wrist restraints until morning
4. DKeep the bed at its lowest height and offer the toilet regularly
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

Nursing process, documentation, safety and ethics

When a nurse makes an error in a handwritten patient record, the correct way to correct it is to:

A confused patient keeps pulling at his IV cannula and urinary catheter. The nurse is thinking of using wrist restraints. What must be done before restraints are applied?

A caller says she is a patient's wife and asks the nurse on the phone for his HIV test result, which has just come back. What is the nurse's best response?

Under the International Patient Safety Goals, before giving a medicine the nurse must identify the patient by:

Regarding written informed consent for surgery, the nurse's usual role is to:

When applying a prescribed limb restraint, the nurse should secure the tie to the:

In the nursing process, the step that immediately follows nursing diagnosis is:

Which statement is a correctly written actual nursing diagnosis in the PES format?

Florence Nightingale's theory of nursing is centred on the:

A handwritten order reads 'Digoxin 2.5 mg orally now'. The patient is 72 years old with a pulse of 64/min, and the usual dose is 0.125-0.25 mg. What should the nurse do?

Which expected outcome for a patient recovering from hip surgery is written correctly?

On the first day after abdominal surgery, a patient has SpO2 89%, gurgling breath sounds and a weak cough, pain score 5/10, a clean wound and anxiety about the bill. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?

Which nurse theorist identified 14 basic human needs as the basis of nursing care?

The self-care deficit theory of nursing was developed by:

A nurse receives four patients at the start of a shift. Which patient should be assessed first?

A nurse gives an injection to a competent adult who has clearly refused it. Legally, this act constitutes:

A competent adult refuses a blood transfusion after its risks and benefits have been fully explained. Respecting this decision reflects the ethical principle of:

During an SBAR phone call, the nurse says, 'I think this patient is developing sepsis.' This statement belongs to which part of SBAR?

Which of the following is subjective data?

An 80-year-old patient on a high fall-risk score is confused at night and keeps trying to get out of bed to go to the toilet. Which is the most appropriate nursing measure?