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Progressive Care RN Assessment A Relias Exam Questions & Detailed Answers
**1. You want to assess for jugular vein distention (JVD). What position would be BEST?**
- Position patient flat on their back
- Position patient on their back with head of bed at 30 to 45 degrees
- Position patient upright at a 90-degree angle
- Position patient on their side
Answer: B) Position patient on their back with head of bed at 30 to 45
degrees.
Explanation: This position allows better visualization of the neck veins for
assessing JVD.
**2. Your patient with triple cardiac bypass surgery is post-op day 3. They suddenly report palpitations. Their blood pressure is 130/76 and heart rate is 1 / 4
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140 bpm. What would you do NEXT?**
- Administer a beta-blocker
- Check the patient's lab values
- Perform a bedside EKG
- Call the physician
Answer: C) Perform a bedside EKG.
Explanation: An EKG is necessary to evaluate the patient’s rhythm and
identify any arrhythmias.
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**3. Your patient has a history of renal insufficiency. What class of analgesics would MOST likely be contraindicated for them?**
- Opioids
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Acetaminophen
- Muscle relaxants
Answer: B) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Explanation: NSAIDs can adversely affect renal function, making them
contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency.
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**4. Your patient is acutely ill. What route of medication administration would likely be LEAST effective?**
- Intravenous
- Oral
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
Answer: D) Intramuscular.
Explanation: In acutely ill patients, the intramuscular route may be less
effective than intravenous administration due to reduced muscle perfusion.
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**5. You are working with the code team to resuscitate a patient in ventricular fibrillation. Chest compressions are ongoing, and the patient has been shocked twice. What emergency medication, if any, would you administer at this juncture?**
- Adenosine
- Amiodarone
- Epinephrine (Adrenaline) 1 mg IV
- Atropine
Answer: C) Epinephrine (Adrenaline) 1 mg IV.
Explanation: Epinephrine is indicated during cardiac arrest to increase
perfusion pressure. 3 / 4
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**6. Your patient is on anticoagulant medication. You are discharging them and providing patient education. Which statement by your patient indicates an understanding of the education?**
- I will take ibuprofen (Motrin®) for my headache.
- I will not take ibuprofen (Motrin®) every day.
- I can continue taking my aspirin every day.
- I can eat what I want without change.
Answer: B) I will not take ibuprofen (Motrin®) every day.
Explanation: This indicates an understanding that NSAIDs should generally
be avoided due to their potential to increase bleeding risk when on anticoagulants.
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**7. Your non-verbal patient is alert. What type of pain assessment would be appropriate?**
- Visual pain scale
- Verbal descriptive scale
- Vital signs assessment to approximate pain
- Behavioral pain scale
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