Activity 1: Emergency Nursing Quiz

A 40-year-old male comes to the ER complaining of severe shortness of breath and chest tightness. He is diaphoretic. Vital signs: HR 120 bpm, BP 88/60 mmHg, RR 28, SpO₂ 88%. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?

• Obtain detailed history from family

• Administer IV fluids

• Assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABC)

• Start ECG

A 60-year-old female with diabetes presents with altered mental status. She is confused and has a blood sugar of 40 mg/dL. The nurse’s first action should be:

• Obtain full medical history

• Administer oral glucose

• Start IV dextrose immediately

• Monitor vital signs

A patient arrives in the ER after a minor car accident. The patient’s vital signs are stable, but he is anxious and demanding attention. What is the nurse’s best approach?

• Ignore patient until primary survey is completed

• Provide brief explanation and reassurance while performing assessment

• Focus on documentation first

• Delegate assessment to a junior nurse

During triage, a patient presents with minor lacerations, stable vital signs, and mild pain. Another patient presents with severe chest pain and shortness of breath. Which patient should be seen first?

• Patient with minor lacerations

• Patient with chest pain and SOB

• Both simultaneously

• Either, as long as staff is available

A nurse identifies a code blue situation in the ER. What is the first action the nurse should take?

• Begin chest compressions immediately

• Call for help and activate emergency response

• Administer epinephrine

• Check the patient’s medications

A patient with multiple comorbidities is admitted with acute shortness of breath. The nurse notices oxygen saturation dropping to 84%. Immediate intervention should be:

• Reposition the patient and monitor

• Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the physician

• Document findings and reassess in 30 minutes

• Start IV fluids

During a mass casualty incident, four patients arrive simultaneously. One has cardiac arrest, one has a deep leg laceration, one has minor burns, and one has mild headache. According to triage principles, which patient gets the highest priority?

• Patient with cardiac arrest

• Patient with deep leg laceration

• Patient with minor burns

• Patient with mild headache

A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a potentially life-saving procedure due to religious beliefs. What is the appropriate nursing action?

• Ignore patient’s wishes

• Coerce patient to consent

• Document refusal and inform physician

• Delay care until patient changes mind

A patient is brought in with sudden onset chest pain. The nurse should prioritize: Which assessment should be done first?

• Pain scale and history

• Vital signs and cardiac monitoring

• Lab tests

• ECG after labs

A patient develops respiratory distress in the ER while waiting for admission. What should the nurse do first?

• Call for respiratory therapy

• Assess airway and provide oxygen

• Notify the attending physician

• Start documentation