Common Board Questions (CBQ) in Nurse Licensure Examination (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM)

CBQ no. 1 How do clients experiencing angina? Describe that pain. Answers: Described as squeezing, heavy,
burning radiates to left arm or shoulder, transient or prolonged.
CBQ no. 2 Develop a teaching plan for the client taking nitroglycerin. Answers: Take at first sign of anginal
pain. Take no more than 3, five minutes apart. Call for emergency attention if no relief in 10 minutes.
CBQ no. 3 List the parameters of blood pressure for diagnosing hypertension. Answers: >140/
CBQ no. 4 Differentiate between essential and secondary hypertension. Answers: Essential has no known
cause while secondary hypertension develops in response to an identifiable mechanism.
CBQ no. 5 Develop a teaching plan for the client taking antihypertensive medications. Answers: Explain how
and when to take med, reason for med, necessary of compliance, need for follow-up visits while on med, need
for certain lab tests, vital sign parameters while initiating therapy.
CBQ no. 6 Describe intermittent claudication. Answers: Pain related to peripheral vascular disease occurring
with exercise and disappearing with rest.
CBQ no. 7 Describe the nurse’s discharge instructions to a client with venous peripheral vascular disease.
Answers: Keep extremities elevated
when sitting, rest at first sign of pain, keep extremities warm (but do NOT use heating pad), change position
often, avoid crossing legs, wear unrestrictive clothing.
CBQ no. 8 What is often the underlying cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm? Answers: Atherosclerosis.
CBQ no. 9 What lab values should be monitored daily for the client with thrombophlebitis who is undergoing
anticoagulant therapy? Answers: PTT, PT, Hgb, and Hct, platelets.
CBQ no. 10 When do PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) present a grave danger? Answers: When they
begin to occur more often than once in 10 beats, occur in 2s or 3s, land near the T wave, or take on multiple
configurations.
CBQ no. 11 Differentiate between the symptoms of left-sided cardiac failure and right-sided cardiac failure.
Answers: Left-sided failure results in pulmonary congestion due to back-up of circulation in the left ventricle.
Right- sided failure results in peripheral congestion due to back-up of circulation in the right ventricle.
CBQ no. 12 List 3 symptoms of digitalis toxicity. Answers: Dysrhythmias, headache, nausea and vomiting
CBQ no. 13 What condition increases the likelihood of digitalis toxicity occurring? Answers: When the client
is hypokalemic (which is more common when diuretics and digitalis preparations are given together).
CBQ no. 14 what life style changes can the client who is at risk for hypertension initiate to reduce the
likelihood of becoming hypertensive? Answers: Cease cigarette smoking if applicable, control weight, exercise
regularly, and maintain a low-fat/low- cholesterol diet.
CBQ no. 15 What immediate actions should the nurse implement when a client is having a myocardial
infarction? Answers: Place the client on immediate strict bedrest to lower oxygen demands of heart, administer
oxygen by nasal cannula at 2-5 L/min., take measures to alleviate pain and anxiety (administer PRN pain
medications and anti-anxiety medications).
CBQ no. 16 What symptoms should the nurse expect to find in the client with hypokalemia? Answers: Dry
mouth and thirst, drowsiness and lethargy, muscle weakness and aches, and tachycardia.
CBQ no. 17 Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below ___ BPM. Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate
above ___ BPM. Answers: bradycardia 60 bpm; tachycardia 100 bpm
CBQ no. 18 What precautions should clients with valve disease take prior to invasive procedures or dental
work? Answers: Take prophylactic antibiotic
Common Board Questions (CBQ) in Nurse Licensure Examination (ENDOCRINE SYSTEM)
CBQ. no 1. What diagnostic test is used to determine thyroid activity? Answers: T3 and T
CBQ. no 2. What condition results from all treatments for hyperthyroidism? Answers: Hypothyroidism,
requiring thyroid replacement
CBQ. no 3. State 3 symptoms of hyperthyroidism and 3 symptoms of hypothyroidism. Answers:
Hyperthyroidism: weight loss, heat intolerance, diarrhea. Hypothyroidism: fatigue, cold intolerance, weight
gain.
CBQ. no 4. List 5 important teaching aspects for clients who are beginning corticosteroid therapy. Answers:
Continue medication until weaning plan is begun by physician, monitor serum potassium, glucose, and sodium
frequently; weigh daily, and report gain of >5lbs./wk; monitor BP and pulse closely; teach symptoms of
Cushing’s syndrome
CBQ. no 5. Describe the physical appearance of clients who are Cushinoid. Answers: Moon face, obesity in
trunk, buffalo hump in back, muscle atrophy, and thin skin.
CBQ. no 6. Which type of diabetic always requires insulin replacement? Answers: Type I, Insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
CBQ. no 7. What type of diabetic sometimes requires no medication? Answers: Type II, Non-insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
CBQ. no 8. List 5 symptoms of hyperglycemia. Answers:Polydipsia,polyuria, polyphagia, weakness, weight
loss
sensorineural (damage to 8th cranial nerve)
CBQ. no 3. Write 4 nursing interventions for the care of the blind person and 4 nursing interventions for the
care of the deaf person. Answers: Care of the blind: announce presence clearly, call by name, orient carefully
to surroundings, guide by walking in front of client with his/her hand in your elbow. Care of deaf: reduce
distraction before beginning conversation, look and listen to client, give client full attention if they are a lip
reader, face client directly.
CBQ. no 4. In your own words describe the Glasgow Coma Scale. Answers: An objective assessment of the
level of consciousness based on a score of 3 to 15, with scores of 7 or less indicative of coma.
CBQ. no 5. List 4 nursing diagnoses for the comatose client in order of priority. Answers: Ineffective breathing
pattern, ineffective airway clearance, impaired gas exchange, and decreased cardiac output.
CBQ. no 6. State 4 independent nursing interventions to maintain adequate respirations, airway, and
oxygenation in the unconscious client. Answers: Position for maximum ventilation (prone or semi-prone and
slightly to one side), insert airway if tongue obstructing; suction airway efficiently,monitor arterial pO2 and
pCO2 and hyperventilate with 100% oxygen before suctioning.
CBQ. no 7. Who is at risk for cerebral vascular accidents? Answers: Persons with history of hypertension,
previous TIAs, cardiac disease (atrial
flutter/fibrillation), diabetes, oral contraceptive use, and the elderly.
CBQ. no 8. Complications of immobility include the potential for thrombus development. State 3 nursing
interventions to prevent thrombi. Answers: Frequent range of motion exercises, frequent (q2h) position
changes, and avoidance of positions which decrease venous return.
CBQ. no 9. List 4 rationales for the appearance of restlessness in the unconscious client. Answers: Anoxia,
distended bladder, covert bleeding, or a return to consciousness CBQ. no 10. What nursing interventions
prevent corneal drying in a comatose client? Answers: Irrigation of eyes PRN with sterile prescribed solution,
application of opthalmic ointment q8h, close assessment for corneal ulceration/drying.
CBQ. no 11. When a comatose client on IV hyperalimentation begin to receive tube feedings instead?
Answers: When peristalsis resumes as evidenced by active bowel sounds, passage of flatus or bowel
movement.
CBQ. no 12. What is the most important principle in a bowel management program for a neurologic client?
Answers: Establishment of REGULARITY
CBQ. no 13. Define cerebral vascular accident. Answers: A disruption of blood supply to a part of the brain,
which results in sudden loss of brain function.
CBQ. no 14. A client with a diagnosis of CVA presents with symptoms of
aphasia, right hemiparesis, but no memory or hearing deficit. In what hemisphere has the client suffered a
lesion? Answer: Left
CBQ. no 15. What are the symptoms of spinal shock? Answers: Hypotension, bladder and bowel distention,
total paralysis, lack of sensation below lesion.
CBQ. no 16. What are the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia? Answers: Hypertension, bladder and bowel
distention, exaggerated autonomic responses, headache, sweating, goose bumps, and bradycardia
CBQ. no 17. What is the most important indicator of increased ICP? Answers: A change in the level of
responsiveness
CBQ. no 18. What vital sign changes are indicative of increased ICP? Answers: Increased BP, widening pulse
pressure, increased or decreased pulse, respiratory irregularities and temperature increase.
CBQ. no 19. A neighbor calls the neighborhood nurse stating that he was knocked hard to the floor by his very
hyperactive dog. He is wondering what symptoms would indicate the need to visit an emergency room. What
should the nurse tell him to do? Answers: Call his physician now and inform him/her of the fall. Symptoms
needing medical attention would include vertigo, confusion or any subtle behavioral change, headache,
vomiting, ataxia (imbalance), or seizure.
CBQ. no 20. What activities and situations should be avoided that increase ICP? Answers: Change in bed
position, extreme hip flexion, endotracheal suctioning, compression of jugular veins, coughing, vomiting, or
straining of any kind.
CBQ. no 21. How do Hyperosmotic agents (osmotic diuretics) used to treat intracranial pressure act? Answers:
Dehydrate the brain and reduce cerebral edema by holding water in the renal tubules to prevent reabsorption,
and by drawing fluid from the extravascular spaces into the plasma.
CBQ. no 22. Why should narcotics be avoided in clients with neurologic impairment? Answers: Narcotics
mask the level of responsiveness as well as pupillary response.
CBQ. no 23. Headache and vomiting are symptoms of many disorders. What characteristics of these symptoms
would alert the nurse to refer a client to a neurologist? Answers: Headache which is more severe upon
awakening and vomiting not associated with nausea are symptoms of a brain tumor.
CBQ. no 24. How should the head of the bed be positioned for post- craniotomy clients with infratentorial
lesions? Answers: Infratentorial –FLAT; Supratentorial –elevated
CBQ. no 25. Is multiple sclerosis thought to occur because of an autoimmune process? Answer: YES
CBQ. no 26. Is paralysis always a consequence of spinal cord injury? Answer: NO
CBQ. no 27. What types of drugs are used in the treatment of myasthenia
CBQ no. 11 After kidney surgery, what are the primary assessments the nurse should make? Answer:
Respiratory status (breathing is guarded because of pain); circulatory status (the kidney is very vascular and
excess bleeding can occur); pain assessment; urinary assessment most importantly, assessment of urinary
output.
Common Board Questions (CBQ) in Nurse Licensure Examination (RESPIRATORY SYSTEM)
CBQ n0. 1 List 4 common symptoms of pneumonia the nurse might note on a physical exam. Answer:
Tachypnea, fever with chills, productive cough, bronchial breath sounds. CBQ no. 2 State 4 nursing
interventions for assisting the client to cough productively. Answer: Deep breathing, fluid intake increased to 3
liters/day, use humidity to loosen secretions, suction airway to stimulate coughing.
CBQ no. 3 What symptoms of pneumonia might the nurse expect to see in an older client? Answer: Confusion,
lethargy, anorexia, rapid respiratory rate.
CBQ no. 4 What should the O2 flow rate be for the client with COPD? Answer: 1-2 liters per nasal cannula,
too much O2 may eliminate the COPD client’s stimulus to breathe,a COPD client has hypoxic drive to breathe.
CBQ no. 4 How does the nurse prevent hypoxia during suctioning? Answer: Deliver 100% oxygen
(hyperinflating) before and after each endotracheal suctioning.
CBQ no. 5 During mechanical ventilation, what are three major nursing intervention? Answer: Monitor
client’s respiratory status and secure connections, establish a communication mechanism with the client, keep
airway clear by coughing/suctioning.
CBQ no. 6 When examining a client with emphysema, what physical findings is the nurse likely to see?
Answer: Barrel chest,dry or productive cough, decreased breath sounds, dyspnea,crackles in lung fields.
CBQ no. 7 What is the most common risk factor associated with lung cancer? Answer: Smoking
CBQ no. 8 Describe the pre-op nursing care for a client undergoing a laryngectomy. Answer: Involve
family/client in manipulation of tracheostomy equipment before surgery, plan acceptable communication
method, refer to speech pathologist, discuss rehabilitation program.
CBQ no. 9 List 5 nursing interventions after chest tube insertion. Answer: Maintain a dry occlusive dressing to
chest tube site at all times. Check all connections every 4 hours. Make sure bottle III or end of chamber is
bubbling. Measure chest tube drainage by marking level on outside of drainage unit. Encourage use of
incentive spirometry every 2 hours.
CBQ no. 10 What immediate action should the nurse take when a chest tube becomes disconnected from a
bottle or a suction apparatus? What should the nurse do if a chest tube is accidentally removed from the client?
Answer: Place end in container of sterile water. Apply an occlusive dressing and notify physician STAT.
CBQ no. 11 What instructions should be given to a client following radiation therapy? Answer: Do NOT wash
off lines; wear soft cotton garments, avoid use of powders/creams on radiation site.
CBQ no. 12 What precautions are required for clients with TB when placed on respiratory isolation? Answer:
Mask for anyone entering room; private room; client must wear mask if leaving room.
CBQ no. 13 List 4 components of teaching for the client with tuberculosis. Answer: Cough into tissues and
dispose immediately into special bags. Long-term need for daily medication. Good handwashing technique.
Report symptoms of deterioration, i., blood in secretions.
Common Board Questions (CBQ) in Nurse Licensure Examination (GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM)
CBQ n0. 1 List 4 nursing interventions for the client with a hiatal hernia. Answer: Sit up while eating and one
hour after eating. Eat small, frequent meals. Eliminate foods that are problematic.
CBQ n0. 2 List 3 categories of medications used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Answer: Antacids, H2
receptor-blockers, mucosal healing agents, proton pump inhibitors.
CBQ no. 3 List the symptoms of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Answer: Upper GI: melena,
hematemesis,tarry stools. Lower GI: bloddy stools,tarry stools. Similar: tarry stools.
CBQ n0. 4 What bowel sound disruptions occur with an intestinal obstruction? Answer: Early mechanical
obstruction: high-pitched sounds; late mechanical obstruction: diminished or absent bowel sounds.
CBQ n0. 5 List 4 nursing interventions for post-op care of the client with a colostomy. Answer: Irrigate daily
at same time; use warm water for irrigations; wash around stoma with mild soap/water after each colostomy
bag change; pouch opening should extend at least 1/8 inch around the stoma.
CBQ n0. 6 List the common clinical manifestations of jaundice. Answer: Sclera-icteric (yellow sclera), dark
urine, chalky or clay-colored stools
CBQ n0. 7 What are the common food intolerances for clients with cholelithiasis? Answer: Fried/spicy or fatty
foods.
CBQ n0. 8 List 5 symptoms indicative of colon cancer. Answer: Rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, sense
of incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain with nausea, weight loss.
CBQ n0. 9 In a client with cirrhosis, it is imperative to prevent further bleeding and observe for bleeding
tendencies. List 6 relevant nursing interventions. Answer: Avoid injectons, use small bore needles for IV
insertion, maintain pressure for 5 minutes on all venipuncture sites, use electric razor, use