1

RENR REVIEW
Patrick McKenzie
1. The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of hemorrhage. Which adaptation
is most indicative of shock?
a. Hyperemia
b. Hypotension
c. Irregular pulse
d. Slow respirations
2. The nurse is monitoring the vital signs of a group of patients. When reviewing these
results, the nurse must remember that body temperature usually is at its highest at:
a. 12 AM2 AM
b. 6 AM8 AM
c. 4 PM6 PM
d. 8 PM10 PM
3. When assessing for borborygmi, which physical examination method should the nurse
use?
a. Auscultation
b. Percussion
c. Inspection
d. Palpation
4. The nurse plans to take a patients radial pulse. Which method of examination should
be used by the nurse?
a. Palpation
b. Inspection
c. Percussion
d. Auscultation
5. Which nursing action is common to all instruments when taking a temperature?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Identify that the reading is below 96F before insertion

Wash with cool soap and water after use
Place a disposable sheath over the probe
Ensure that the instrument is clean

6. The nurse concludes that a patient is experiencing hyperthermia. Which assessment

precipitated this conclusion?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Mental confusion
Increased appetite
Decreased heart rate
Rectal temperature of 101F

7. The nurse in the Emergency Department is engaging in an initial assessment of a

patient. Which assessment takes priority?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Blood pressure
Airway clearance
Breathing pattern
Circulatory status

8. The nurse is obtaining a patients blood pressure. Which information is most important
for the nurse to document?
a. Staff member who took the blood pressure
b. Patients tolerance to having the blood pressure taken
c. Position of the patient if the patient is not in a sitting position
d. 4. Difference between the palpated and auscultated systolic readings
9. The nurse is teaching a cancer prevention community health class. Which recommended
cancer screening guideline for asymptomatic non-risk people should the nurse include?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Pap smears annually for females 13 years of age and older

Mammograms annually for women 30 years of age and older
Prostate-specific antigens yearly for men 30 years of age and older
Sigmoidoscopies every 5 years for patients 50 years of age and older

10. The nurse understands that body heat production is increased by:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Vasodilation
Evaporation
Shivering
Radiation

11. The nurse is assessing a patients bilateral pulses for symmetry. However, the nurse
should not assess which pulse sites on both sides of the body at the same time?
a. Radial
b. Carotid
c. Femoral
d. Brachial
e.
12. The nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing an increase in symptoms associated
with multiple sclerosis. Which term best describes a recurrence of symptoms associated
with a chronic disease?
a. Variance
b. Remission
c. Adaptation
d. Exacerbation
13. The nurse in the clinic must obtain the vital signs of each patient before each patient is
assessed by the practitioner. The nurse should obtain a temperature via the rectal route
for a patient:
a. Who is a mouth breather
b. With a history of vomiting
c. With an intelligence of a seven-year-old child

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d. Who cannot tolerate a semi-Fowlers position
14. A patient with hypertension is given discharge instructions to take the blood pressure
every day. The nurse is evaluating a family member taking the patients blood pressure
as part of the patients discharge teaching plan. The nurse identifies that further teaching
is necessary when the family member:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Places the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the brachial artery

Applies the center of the bladder of the cuff directly over an artery
Releases the valve on the manometer so that the gauge drops 10 mm Hg per heartbeat
Inserts the 2 earpieces of the stethoscope into the ears so that they tilt slightly forward

15. A patient has a serious vitamin K deficiency. For which adaptation should the nurse
assess this patient?
a. Skin lesions
b. Bleeding gums
c. Night blindness
d. Muscle weakness
16. The nurse identifies that a patient with a fever has warm skin. An additional adaptation
that confirms the defervescence (flush) phase of a fever is:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Sweating
Shivering
Cyanotic nail beds
Goosebumps on the skin

17. 17. When evaluating a patients temperature, the nurse recalls that people usually have the
lowest body temperature at:
a.
b.
c.
d.

4 AM6 AM
8 AM10 AM
4 PM6 PM
8 PM10 PM

18. Which method of examination is being used when the nurses hands are used to assess
the temperature of a patients skin?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Palpation
Inspection
Percussion
Observation

19. The nurse must assess for the presence of bowel sounds in a postoperative patient. The
nurse should auscultate the patients abdomen:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Prior to palpation
Using a warmed stethoscope
Starting at the left lower quadrant
For at least three minutes in each quadrant

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20. Which assessment requires the nurse to assess the patient further?
a.
b.
c.
d.

18-year-old woman with a pulse rate of 140 after riding 2 miles on an exercise bike
50-year-old man with a BP of 112/60 upon awakening in the morning
65-year-old man with a respiratory rate of 10
40-year-old woman with a pulse of 88

21. The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted patient. Which patient statement indicates
the onset of a fever? I feel:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Cold.
Warm.
Sweaty.
Thirsty.

22. The nurse is monitoring the status of postoperative patients. The vital sign that changes
first indicating that a postoperative patient has internal bleeding is the:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Body temperature
Blood pressure
Pulse pressure
Heart rate

23. patient has had a 101F fever for the last 24 hours. How often should the nurse monitor
this patients temperature?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Every 2 hours
Every 4 hours
Every 6 hours
Every 8 hours

24. The nurse is unable to palpate a patients brachial pulse. Which pulse should the nurse
assess to determine adequate brachial blood flow in this patient?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Radial
Carotid
Femoral
Popliteal

25. Which can cause urine to appear red?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Beets
Strawberries
Cherry Jell-O
Red food dye

26. The nurse is assessing a patients heart rate by palpating the carotid artery. What is the

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most important thing the nurse should do when assessing a pulse at this site?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Monitor for a full minute

Palpate just below the ear
Press gently when palpating the site
Massage the site before assessing for rate

27. The nurse obtains the blood pressure of several adults. What blood pressure result
causes the most concern?
a.
b.
c.
d.

102/70
140/90
125/85
118/75

28. The nurse is planning care for a patient who has an intolerance to activity. What is the
first assessment that should be made by the nurse?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Influence on the other family members

Impact on functional health patterns
Pattern of vital signs
Range of motion

29. The nurse concludes that a patient has inadequate nutrition. Which patient adaptation
supports this conclusion?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Presence of surface papillae on the tongue

Reddish-pink mucous membranes
Cachectic appearance
Shiny eyes

30. The nurse must take a patients rectal temperature. The nurse should:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Take the temperature for 5 minutes

Wear gloves throughout the procedure
Place the patient in the right lateral position
Insert the thermometer 2 inches into the rectum

31. Which usually is unrelated to a nursing physical assessment?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Posture and gait

Balance and strength
Hygiene and grooming
Blood and urine values

32. The patient has a temperature of 102F and complains of feeling thirsty. Which additional
adaptation should the nurse expect during this febrile stage of a fever?
a. Restlessness with confusion
b. Decreased respiratory rate
c. Profuse perspiration

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d.

Pale, cold skin

33. The nurse is performing a psychosocial assessment. Which assessment should be identified as a subtle indicator
of depression?
a.
b.
c.
d.

1. Unkempt appearance
2. Anxious behavior
Tense posture
Crying

34. The nurse in the Emergency Department is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed
with hypothermia. The presence of which factor in the patients history may have
precipitated this condition?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Heat stroke
Inability to sweat
Excessive exercise
High alcohol intake

35. A patient has lost approximately 2 units of blood during a vaginal delivery. For which
response to this blood loss should the nurse assess this patient?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Rapid, shallow breathing

Increased urinary output
Hypertension
Bradypnea

36. The nurse understands that a concern that is common to the collection of specimens
for culture and sensitivity tests, regardless of their source, is:
a.
b.
c.
d.

A preservative media must be used

Two specimens should be obtained
Surgical asepsis must be maintained
A morning specimen should be collected

37. A patients vital signs are: oral temperature 99F, pulse 88 beats per minute with a regular
rhythm, respirations 16 breaths per minute and deep, and blood pressure 180/110 mm
Hg. The sign that should cause the most concern is the:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Pulse
Respirations
Temperature
Blood pressure

38. A patient is admitted to the Emergency Department with diffi culty breathing. Which
patient response identifi ed by the nurse causes the most concern?
a. Low pulse oximetry
b. Wheezing on expiration

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c. Shortness of breath on exertion
d. Using accessory muscles of respiration

39. The researcher in formulating a research problem often employs the following steps: 1.examine a realworld situation; 2. identify research topics; 3. generate questions, and 4. ultimately refine and clarify a
research problem. This process helps the researcher with the _______________ of the study.
a
b
c
d

data analysis
data collection
research design
specific aim or purpose

40. The following historical event that had a major impact on funding for nursing research was the
____________________.
a
b
c
d

formation of the National Institute for Nursing Research

initiation of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
development of a Nursing Research Council as part of the American Nurses Association
development of local, national and international nursing research conferences by Sigma Theta Tau

41. As a student nurse in a busy regional hospital, you are learning about evidence-based practice for the
first time. Evidence- based practice (EBP) is ______________________.
a
b
c
d

the reasoning that goes into the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence
the process that nurses use to make clinical decisions and to answer clinical questions about
delivery of care to patients
a subset of the problem-solving process that includes assessment, diagnosis, plan, implementation,
evaluation and modification
a scientific process that validates and refines existing knowledge that directly and indirectly
influences clinical nursing practice

42. Students at a tertiary institution have decided to use the interview schedule as a data collection
instrument for their study. One advantage of the interview schedule is the______________.
a
b
c
d

tendency for interviewing bias

opportunity to clarify questions
requires minimum explanation
makes it possible to record behavior as it occurs

43. Another group of students attending the same institution have decided to use the mailed questionnaire
as their data collection instrument. One disadvantage of this method is that _____________.
a

it eliminates literacy barriers

b
c
d

it requires maximum explanation

the participants action may be interpreted in a way to suit the researcher
validity is undermined because of possible difference in the interpretation by respondents

44. One major difference between the scientific approach and the problem solving approach is that with
the problem solving approach findings __________.
a
b
c
d

may be reported in a verbal form to a wide range of persons other than those concerned with the
problem
may be reported in either verbal or written form to those immediately concerned with the problem
must be communicated in writing to a large audience unrelated to the problem
must be reported in writing to those concerned with the problem

45. Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things or situations that change or vary
and are manipulated, measured, or controlled in research. The dependent and independent variables
form the basis for formulating hypotheses. Identify the independent variable in the hypothesis below:
Hypothesis:
Cancer patients who receive music therapy complain less frequently of pain and require less pain
medication than cancer patients not receiving music therapy
a pain medication use
b relaxation therapy
c complaints of pain
d music therapy
46. The primary characteristic of variables that separates them from concepts is that ____________.
a
b
c
d

values of variables must be measurable or manipulatable and must vary among the objects, people,
or situations in the study
variables represent concepts that are difficult to measure.
variables are only related to concrete concepts.
variables are defined only in general terms

47. The professional nurse cannot conduct research for which of the following
a
b
c
d

Validation of the results of new nursing modalities

To increase his/her financial status
Professional advancement through research participation
To improve nursing care

48. A group of nurses are participating in a research programme. Each participant is asked to identify a
research problem. __________________should be done subsequent to the identification of the
research problem.
a
b

The methodology
The review of relevant literature

c
d

The acknowledgement
Formulating the hypotheses

49. The findings of the research should be communicated to all the relevant persons._________________
communicates research findings by describing the data
a
b
c
d

The hypothesis
Statistics
The research problem
Tables and graphs

50. In quantitative designs, ________________is described as the distance in the scoring units of the
variables from the highest to the lowest.
a
b
c
d

Frequency
Mean
Median
Range

51. The extent to which we can be sure that the effects detected in the study are a true reflection of reality
rather than being the result of the effects of extraneous variables is known as internal validity. In other
words the results of the study must be dependable and believable.
Situation:
A researcher implements an educational programme for parents of toddlers to promote language
development of the child and then evaluate the childs language development 3 months after the
programme.
A potential threat to the internal validity of the study design would be_____________.
a
b
c
d

history
maturation
selection bias
instrumentation

52. Students at a tertiary institution have decided to use the interview schedule as a data collection
instrument for their study. One advantage of the interview schedule is ______________.
a
b
c
d

tendency for interviewing bias

opportunity to clarify questions
requires minimum explanation
makes it possible to record behavior as it occurs

53. Another group of students attending the same institution have decided to use the mailed questionnaire
as their data collection instrument. One disadvantage of this method is that _____________.

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a
b
c
d

it eliminates literacy barriers

it requires maximum explanation
the participants action may be interpreted in a way to suit the researcher
validity is undermined because of possible difference in the interpretation by respondents

54. One major difference between the scientific approach and the problem solving approach is that with
the problem solving approach findings it __________.
a
b
c
d

may be reported in a verbal form to a wide range of persons other than those concerned with the
problem
may be reported in either verbal or written form to those immediately concerned with the problem
must be communicated in writing to a large audience unrelated to the problem
must be reported in writing to those concerned with the problem

55. There is evidence that one in four girls and one in seven boys are sexually abused in some way prior
to their 18th birthday..The long term consequences of child sexual abuse make it one of the most
severe offenses against a childs dignity and sense of well being Thus the need for a systematic
assessment tool to identify childhood incest in this high-risk population is imperative. This
constitutes a _____________.
e
f
g
h

problem statement
study findings
study purpose
population

56. Literature of published research studies found in journals and masters thesis is
termed_________________ evidence.
a
b
c
d

Theoretical
Empirical
Relevant
primary

57. This unit of measurement expresses variability of the data in reference to the mean. It provides a
numerical estimate of how far on an average the separate observations are from the mean. This
measurement is known as the_________________.
a
b
c
d

Mode
Standard deviation
Median
Frequency

58. Which of the following is not a measure of central tendency?

a
b

Mode
Range

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c
d

Variance
Standard deviation

59. In a set of numbers 87, 82, 90, 87, 91, 91 arithmetic average is__________
a
b
c
d

88.3
88.4
88.1
88.2

60. In a set of values 79, 81, 81, 81, 80, 92 130, 60 the modal number is___________.
a
b
c
d

80
81
90
82

61. In the set of numbers 80, 80, 10, 10, 25, 65, 100, 200. __________ the median number
a
b
c
d

71.25
22.5
13.5
10 & 25

62. The drawing of lots, usage of an arbitrary table of numbers is methods of sampling that ensures that
each element of a population has an equal chance of being selected. This type of sampling is
called_______________.
a
b
c
d

Cluster
Simple
Stratified
Systematic

63. A researcher wants to determine some of the problems that are experienced by clients with chronic
renal failure when using the Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). The researcher went
to a clinic where the patients on CAPD are known to him. This type of sampling is
called_______________.
a
b
c
d

Probability
Purposive
Snowball
Incidental

64. Nurses involved in a research project would like to compare adequate support system of students at
Excelsior Community College(Exed) against those students who do not have adequate support
systems. The problem statement that best capture this is_______________.

12

a
b
c
d

A descriptive study to compare the support system of students at Exed with adequate and those
with inadequate support system,
A comparative analysis of the support systems of students with adequate and those with inadequate
support systems
The effects of the types of support systems, inadequate and adequate of students attending Exed
A study to compare students with adequate and inadequate support systems attending Exed

65. The same group of nurses would like to compare the support system of patients with acute illness to
those with chronic illness. The hypothesis was, Clients with chronic illness have fewer support
systems than clients with acute illness. This type of research is called _______________.
a
b
c
d

Descriptive
Experimental
Correlation
Quasi experimental

66. In any research study where individual persons are involved, it is important that an informed consent
of the study is obtained. The following are essential information about the consent that be disclosed to
the informant except_________________.
a
b
c
d

Description of benefits & discomfort

Consent to incomplete the process
Explanation of the procedure
Assurance of anonymity and confidentiality

67. In the following hypothesis, the utilization of technology in teaching improves the retention and
attention of nursing students. ____________ is the dependent variable.
a
b
c
d

Utilization of technology
Improvement in the retention and attention
Nursing students
Teaching

68. Which type of research inquiry BEST investigates the issue of intricacies in human behaviours?
a
b
c
d

Logical position
Natural inquiry
Positivism
Quantitative research

69. Which of the following studies is based on quantitative research

a
b
c

A study examining the bereavement expressed in a spouse or patient with terminal cancer
A study examining clients feeling before, during and after an hysterectomy
A study exploring the factors influencing weight control behaviour

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A study measuring the effects of sleep deprivation on patients recovery

70. Which of the following study is based on qualitative research

a
b
c
d

A study examining clients reaction to stress after the loss of a baby

A study measuring nutrition and weight loss/gain in clients with HIV
A study examining oxygen levels subsequent to intubation
A study measuring differences in blood pressure before, during and after a procedure

71. A 65 year old patient in a long stay home yells at a nurse, I signed the inform consent for your study
because the doctor insisted and I was afraid that if I refused he would stop caring for me! The right
to_________________ was violated.
a
b
c
d

Self determination
Privacy/confidentiality
Self disclosure
Not to be harmed

72. A supposition or system of ideas that is proposed to explain a given phenomenon best
defines______________.
a
b
c
d

Paradigm
Concept
A theory
A conceptual framework

73. Ann-Marie generally eats a high fat diet. A researcher wants to find out what will be the effect of foods
high in cholesterol to Ann-Marie in the next 5-10 years. The study the researcher will utilize
is_________________.
a
b
c
d

Comparative
Correlational
Historical
Longitudinal

74. Two set of senior nursing students were selected randomly. Sister West conducted teaching of
schizophrenia to one set of students; she assesses the second set on schizophrenia to determine if they
will have a better understanding than the first group. This type of research study is
called______________.
a
b
c
d

Comparative
Correlational
Experimental
Qualitative

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75. Dana researched on the development of a new way to measure intelligence by creating a 30 item
questionnaire that will assess the cognitive skills of students. The study design BEST suited to this
is_________________.
a
b
c
d

Historical
Methodological
Survey
Case study

76. A student in a masters programme is conducting her thesis on Mark an AIDS client. The study looks
at how Mark lives his life from a day to day basis. The most suitable study design for this situation
is_______________.
a
b
c
d

Historical
Case study
Phenomenological
Ethnographic

77. A nurse researcher is conducting a study about how nurses performed asepsis during the 1930s. The
study design best suit to this type of study is________________.
a
b
c
d

Historical
Case study
Phenomenological
Ethnographic

78. The most appropriate characteristics of a sample is____________.

a
b
c
d

Appropriate number
Location
Representativeness
Randomization

79. A student nurse on a school excursion to a tribe in Africa studied the culture of this tribe. The most
appropriate study design would be_______________.
a
b
c
d

Historical
Case study
Phenomenological
Ethnographic

80. A nurse researched schizophrenia, its etiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy and nursing
management and all other treatment modalities. _____________is the design best suited for this
research.

15

a
b
c
d

Historical
Case study
Phenomenological
Ethnographic

81. What does a sample group/target population represent

a
b
c
d

Control group
Study subjects
General population
Universe

82. Random sampling ensures that each subject has_____________.

a
b
c
d

An equal chance of selection

Systematic selection
Selection based on preset criteria
Has characteristics that matches other samples

83. Which of the following methods allow the use of any group of research subjects
a
b
c
d

Purposive
Convenience
Snow-ball
Quota

84. A student included five streets in her community as well as chose a sampling method that would get
representative samples from each street. The appropriate sampling technique that the student should
utilize is_____________.
a
b
c
d

Cluster sampling
Random sampling
Stratified sampling
Systematic sampling

85. Which of the following may prevent a research study from occurring
a
b
c
d

Excessive risk to subjects because of the nature of the study

Costs for conducting the study is low when compared to the benefits
The identified problem is maxed out in literature
The research problem is based on untested nursing theories

86. Each year new technology is discovered to benefit peoples way of life. This type of research is
called______________.
a

Applied

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b
c
d

Experimental
Developmental
Quantitative

87. Both experimental and non-experimental researches have their strengths. _____________ is not a
strength of non-experimental designs
a
b
c
d

A short span of time

Being less expensive
Being useful for predictive purposes
Being easier to gain cooperation of study subjects