Basic Patient Care Practice Questions
20 free Basic Patient Care practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
A patient on bed rest asks to get out of bed to sit in a chair after their morning meds. What should the nurse do first?
- A Assist the patient out to the chair immediately on request
- B Check the patient's vital signs and orthostatic tolerance before assisting
- C Refuse, telling the patient they must remain in bed until lunchtime
- D Delegate the transfer to the UAP and then leave the room
Correct answer: Check the patient's vital signs and orthostatic tolerance before assisting
Before changing position or mobility for a bed-rest patient, the nurse must assess stability (vitals/orthostatics) to ensure safe transfer.
A patient with dysphagia following a stroke needs which intervention during mealtime?
- A Offer thin liquids and let the patient drink them down quickly
- B Feed the patient while lying flat to improve their overall comfort
- C Give thickened liquids, small bites, keep upright, supervise feeding
- D Let the patient manage the entire meal alone without any assistance
Correct answer: Give thickened liquids, small bites, keep upright, supervise feeding
In dysphagia, safety requires upright position, supervised feeding, thickened liquids/small bites to reduce aspiration risk.
How should the nurse help prevent skin breakdown in a patient who is incontinent of urine and has delicate skin?
- A Dry the skin vigorously with coarse, dry towels after each episode
- B Change the incontinence pad only once during each nursing shift
- C Clean after each episode, pat dry gently, apply barrier cream
- D Wait until redness or breakdown appears before using barrier cream
Correct answer: Clean after each episode, pat dry gently, apply barrier cream
Frequent gentle cleansing, drying, barrier protection and timely pad change are key to prevent moisture-associated skin damage.
What should the nurse do before starting a nasogastric (NG) tube feeding for a patient?
- A Raise the head of bed 30-45 degrees, verify placement, check residual
- B Keep the patient flat, begin feeding, and check residual volume afterward
- C Begin feeding right away since the NG tube is already confirmed in place
- D Give the full formula volume even when a large residual remains
Correct answer: Raise the head of bed 30-45 degrees, verify placement, check residual
For NG feeding safety: head elevation reduces aspiration risk; always verify placement and check residual before feeding.
What should the nurse do for a patient shivering and feeling cold postoperatively?
- A Raise the core temperature quickly using a heating pad alone
- B Warm blankets, cover head, check temp, treat cause
- C Ignore the shivering until the patient settles on their own
- D Add extra bed covers only, without doing any assessment
Correct answer: Warm blankets, cover head, check temp, treat cause
Comfort care includes warming, head cover (heat loss), assessing underlying cause (e.g., hypothermia, infection) and monitoring vital signs.
When assisting an NPO patient with oral hygiene, what action best supports comfort and oral health?
- A Rinse the mouth with antiseptic mouthwash only and nothing further
- B Use drying lemon-glycerin swabs exclusively for all oral care
- C Brush teeth and gums, clean tongue, floss, apply lip balm
- D Skip oral care entirely because the patient is unable to eat or drink
Correct answer: Brush teeth and gums, clean tongue, floss, apply lip balm
Even NPO patients need comprehensive oral hygiene to prevent dryness, mucosal breakdown, and maintain comfort/infection prevention.
What action minimizes infection risk and promotes comfort for a patient wearing a urinary catheter?
- A Disconnect the drainage bag frequently to make patient mobility easier
- B Keep bag below bladder, secure catheter, keep system closed, do perineal care
- C Change the indwelling catheter every day regardless of clinical indication
- D Raise the drainage bag above bladder level while the patient is mobilising
Correct answer: Keep bag below bladder, secure catheter, keep system closed, do perineal care
Closed drainage, bag below bladder, secure catheter, hygiene all reduce catheter-associated UTI risk and promote comfort.
What nursing action supports a diet-restricted NPO patient's feelings of anxiety?
- A Encourage them to eat a little, accepting the risk of non-adherence
- B Reassure, give mouth care and lip balm, distract, explain the NPO reason
- C Avoid discussing the condition and simply let the patient rest quietly
- D Focus only on the fasting instructions and disregard the patient's anxiety
Correct answer: Reassure, give mouth care and lip balm, distract, explain the NPO reason
Basic care includes addressing physiological (mouth dryness) and psychosocial (anxiety) comfort needs; explaining reason supports cooperation.
For a patient with reduced mobility scheduled for passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises, which is correct?
- A Perform PROM only when the patient reports stiffness or pain
- B PROM preserves joint mobility and circulation if immobile
- C Perform PROM no more than once a week for these patients
- D Use PROM to replace active exercise entirely for all patients
Correct answer: PROM preserves joint mobility and circulation if immobile
PROM is appropriate for patients unable to perform active movement; helps maintain mobility, circulation, prevent contractures.
A patient with pain post-surgery wants to get up to the chair. What should the nurse do first?
- A Ask the patient to wait until the next scheduled dose of analgesic
- B Assist the patient up immediately regardless of their pain level
- C Assess pain, vitals, and analgesic effect, then assist if stable
- D Delegate the transfer to the UAP without doing any assessment first
Correct answer: Assess pain, vitals, and analgesic effect, then assist if stable
Basic patient care involves assessing pain and stability before assisting with mobility to ensure safe, comfortable transfer.
What should the nurse do if a patient is coughing and sputtering while being fed by the UAP?
- A Ignore it and let the feeding finish exactly as planned
- B Stop the feeding, assess for aspiration, request speech therapy
- C Tell the UAP to keep feeding but to go a little more slowly
- D Switch to thin liquids since they are generally easier to swallow
Correct answer: Stop the feeding, assess for aspiration, request speech therapy
Signs of aspiration must be addressed promptly by the nurse; safe feeding takes priority over completion of meal.
How should the nurse respond to a patient on bed rest reporting anxiety and boredom?
- A Attend only to physical needs and disregard psychosocial concerns
- B Encourage simple bed-appropriate activities and explain the plan of care
- C Tell the patient they will simply have to accept being bored
- D Give extra anxiety medication without first exploring the cause
Correct answer: Encourage simple bed-appropriate activities and explain the plan of care
Basic care & comfort include psychosocial support—promoting activities, meaningful engagement, explanation of routine helps reduce anxiety/boredom.
What is the correct foot care instruction for a patient with diabetes?
- A Soak the feet daily in very hot water to keep the skin clean
- B Trim calluses and corns at home using ordinary household scissors
- C Wash and dry feet daily, inspect skin, moisturize, never go barefoot
- D Inspect the feet only once they begin to bleed or hurt badly
Correct answer: Wash and dry feet daily, inspect skin, moisturize, never go barefoot
Diabetic foot care: daily inspection, dryness between toes, moisturizing, no barefoot to prevent injury/infection.
A patient has a cast on their lower leg. What nursing instruction supports comfort and safety?
- A Keep the casted leg hanging down below heart level at all times
- B Elevate on pillows 24-48 h, apply ice, check toes for colour, warmth, movement
- C Begin full weight-bearing on the casted leg immediately after application
- D Remove the pillows since the cast already keeps the leg in position
Correct answer: Elevate on pillows 24-48 h, apply ice, check toes for colour, warmth, movement
After casting: elevate limb to reduce swelling, ice initially, frequent neurovascular checks enhance comfort and prevent complications.
What should the nurse do if a patient complains their nasal cannula is dry and irritating their nares?
- A Increase the oxygen flow rate immediately to relieve dryness
- B Add humidification, lubricate the nares, check cannula fit
- C Stop the oxygen therapy until the irritation fully resolves
- D Tell the patient to simply endure the discomfort for now
Correct answer: Add humidification, lubricate the nares, check cannula fit
Comfort and safety interventions include humidification, lubrication, checking fit instead of increasing flow or stopping therapy.
A patient wants to go to the bathroom but is on bed rest. What is the best nursing action?
- A Ignore the request unless the patient presses the call bell again
- B Promptly assist with a bedside commode or urinal and provide privacy
- C Tell the patient to wait and use a bedpan at a later time
- D Let the patient attempt the transfer alone to save staff time
Correct answer: Promptly assist with a bedside commode or urinal and provide privacy
Promoting patient dignity and comfort includes prompt toileting assistance, privacy, ensuring access to call bell and safe transfer.
What should be included in the basic nursing care plan for a patient receiving opioid analgesics at risk for constipation?
- A Give the prescribed stool softener only once constipation has clearly developed
- B Encourage high-fibre diet and fluids, monitor stools, give stool softener
- C Increase the opioid dose so the patient sleeps through any abdominal discomfort
- D Limit oral fluids in the evening to reduce the patient's need for toileting
Correct answer: Encourage high-fibre diet and fluids, monitor stools, give stool softener
Comprehensive care includes anticipating opioid side effects, preventing constipation, monitoring and proactive intervention.
A patient on bed rest feels weak when sat up for the first time post-surgery. What should nurse do?
- A Have the patient stand up promptly so the dizziness passes more quickly on its own
- B Assist sitting, support legs, watch for orthostatic hypotension, progress slowly
- C Allow the patient to attempt the transfer alone to encourage independence
- D Postpone all mobility for the day and keep the patient on strict bed rest
Correct answer: Assist sitting, support legs, watch for orthostatic hypotension, progress slowly
Safe mobility after bed rest includes gradual progression, assessment for orthostatic changes, and assisted transfer to promote comfort and avoid falls.
A patient is scheduled for NPO after midnight and is feeling thirsty. What action supports basic patient care?
- A Offer ice chips if permitted, give lip balm and mouth swabs, explain NPO
- B Permit small amounts of clear fluids since the surgery is not until morning
- C Tell the patient firmly that nothing can be done and they must simply wait
- D Offer sweetened drinks because the sugar will help maintain the patient's energy
Correct answer: Offer ice chips if permitted, give lip balm and mouth swabs, explain NPO
NPO status requires compensatory comfort measures, explanation to support patient’s comfort and cooperation.
What is the best basic care approach for feeding a patient with limited hand mobility?
- A Feed the patient as quickly as possible to finish before the meal cools off
- B Sit facing the patient, keep them upright, hold eye contact, offer one item at a time
- C Leave the meal tray within reach in bed and let the patient manage independently
- D Delegate feeding entirely to the UAP without observing the patient's tolerance
Correct answer: Sit facing the patient, keep them upright, hold eye contact, offer one item at a time
Basic patient care emphasizes safe, respectful feeding assistance, ensuring posture, promoting interaction and independence.