CELBAN Practice Questions | Language Skills for Canadian Nurses

1. Audio scenario: A physician gives verbal orders regarding a post-operative client.

“The patient in Room 312 had a total knee replacement this morning. I need vitals every 4 hours, and make sure you’re checking the neurovascular status of the affected limb that’s sensation, movement, capillary refill, and pedal pulse every 2 hours for the first 24 hours. The drain should be emptied and measured at the end of each shift. If output exceeds 200 mL in any 8-hour period, call me immediately. Keep the leg elevated on two pillows and apply ice packs for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.”

Based on the physician’s orders, how often should the nurse assess the neurovascular status of the affected limb during the first 24 hours?

Every shift

Every 4 hours

Every 2 hours

Every hour

2. Read the following excerpt from a client’s Medication Administration Record (MAR):

Medication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Time Due	Special Instructions
Metoprolol tartrate	25 mg	PO	BID	0800, 2000	Hold if HR < 60 or SBP < 100
Furosemide	40 mg	PO	Daily	0800	Monitor daily weight and K+ levels
Potassium chloride	20 mEq	PO	Daily	0800	Give with food; do not crush

The client’s vital signs at 0730: HR 54 bpm, BP 118/72 mmHg, RR 18, Temp 36.8°C. Which action is correct?

Administer all three medications as scheduled

Hold the metoprolol, administer the furosemide and potassium chloride with food, and document the withheld dose

Hold all medications and notify the prescriber immediately

Administer the metoprolol and hold the furosemide

3.

Writing (Documentation)
A nurse found a client on the floor beside the bed at 14:30. The client was alert, oriented x4, denied pain, had no visible injuries, and stated she lost her balance reaching for her water jug. The nurse assisted the client back to bed, notified Dr. Ahmed, and an incident report was completed.

Which nursing documentation entry is most appropriate?

“Client fell out of bed at 14:30. She is fine. Doctor was called.”

“At 14:30, client was found on the floor beside her bed. Client states she lost her balance reaching for her water jug. Alert and oriented x4, denies pain, no visible injuries, ROM intact. Assisted back to bed. Dr. Ahmed notified. Incident report completed.”

“Client was careless and fell trying to get water. No injuries. Will monitor.”

“Fall occurred at 14:30. Client was not using her call bell properly. Physician aware.”

4. Speaking (Client Education)

A client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin 500 mg twice daily. The client says, “I’ve never taken medication every day before. I don’t know how I’m going to manage this.” Which nurse response is most appropriate?

Just take one pill in the morning and one at night. It’s not that hard.

I understand this feels overwhelming. You’ll take one tablet with breakfast and one with dinner — taking it with food helps prevent stomach upset. Would a pill organizer or phone reminder help you remember?”

“You need to take this medication or your diabetes will get worse. Make sure you don’t forget.”

“Don’t worry about it. Most people figure it out after a few days.”

5. Reading (Discharge Summary)

A discharge summary states: “68-year-old male, community-acquired pneumonia. Discharged with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg BID for 5 days. Follow-up with primary care in 7 days. Return to ED if: temperature above 38.5°C, worsening shortness of breath, or inability to tolerate oral medication.”

Which situation should prompt the client to return to the Emergency Department?

A temperature of 37.8°C

Mild fatigue lasting more than two days

Difficulty swallowing the medication and vomiting after each dose

A normal chest X-ray at the follow-up appointment