Gulf Nurse Prometric Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

A nurse is preparing to set up a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. What is the nurse's primary safety responsibility?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Verify the drug, concentration, dose settings, and lock-out interval against the physician's order and have a second nurse double-check. PCA pump setup requires a double-nurse verification of the drug, concentration, and programmed settings against the medication order. Only the patient should press the PCA button (proxy dosing by family is unsafe). Lock-out intervals prevent overdose by limiting frequency of self-administered doses.

Question 2

A nurse is giving a SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) handoff to an oncoming nurse. What information belongs in the 'Assessment' component?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The nurse's clinical judgment about what is happening with the patient. In SBAR: S (Situation) = current problem; B (Background) = relevant history/diagnosis; A (Assessment) = the nurse's clinical interpretation and judgment (e.g., 'I think the patient is deteriorating due to fluid overload'); R (Recommendation) = what the nurse needs (orders, labs, transfer). The Assessment is the communicator's expert opinion.

Question 3

A nurse needs to apply a sterile dressing to a postoperative wound. Which action breaks sterile technique?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Reaching across the sterile field to place an item on the opposite side. Reaching across a sterile field introduces contamination because the arm (a non-sterile area) passes over the sterile field. Items should be placed by approaching from the nearest edge. The 1-inch (2.5 cm) border of sterile drapes IS considered non-sterile and is a correct concept.

Question 4

A patient is receiving IV heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to assess therapeutic effect?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time). aPTT is used to monitor IV heparin therapy. The therapeutic range is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. PT/INR is used to monitor warfarin (oral anticoagulant) therapy.

Question 5

A nurse is preparing to administer NPH insulin. Which of the following is the correct description of NPH insulin?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Intermediate-acting; onset 2–4 hours, peak 4–12 hours. NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) is an intermediate-acting insulin with onset 2–4 hours, peak 4–12 hours, and duration 12–18 hours. It appears cloudy and must be gently rolled (not shaken) before use.

Question 6

A patient is prescribed metoprolol (a beta-1 selective blocker). Which condition is a contraindication to this medication?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Cardiogenic shock with heart rate 42 bpm. Beta-blockers are contraindicated in cardiogenic shock (severe systolic dysfunction with hypotension), significant bradycardia (<60 bpm), second- or third-degree AV block (without pacemaker), and decompensated heart failure. They are used therapeutically for hypertension, stable angina, and rate control in atrial fibrillation.

Question 7

A patient is started on lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) for hypertension. Which adverse effect should the nurse teach the patient to monitor and report?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Persistent dry cough and hyperkalemia. ACE inhibitors commonly cause a persistent dry cough (due to accumulation of bradykinin in the lung) — the most common reason for discontinuation. They also cause hyperkalemia (potassium retention due to decreased aldosterone). Other adverse effects: angioedema (a serious complication), first-dose hypotension, and elevated creatinine.

Question 8

A patient on digoxin (cardiac glycoside) reports nausea, blurred or yellow-green vision, and their apical pulse is 48 bpm. Which nursing action is the priority?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Hold the digoxin, notify the physician, check serum digoxin level and electrolytes (especially potassium). The patient is showing signs of digoxin toxicity: bradycardia, GI symptoms (nausea/vomiting), and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos). Therapeutic range is 0.5–2 ng/mL. HOLD the dose, notify physician, check digoxin level and serum potassium (hypokalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity). Antidote: Digoxin immune Fab (Digibind) for severe toxicity.

Question 9

A patient is receiving morphine for post-operative pain. Which adverse effect requires the nurse's most immediate attention?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression with rate of 8 breaths/min. While all listed effects are adverse effects of opioids, respiratory depression is the most life-threatening and requires immediate action. Respiratory rate ≤12 breaths/min warrants holding the next dose and notifying the physician. If severe (RR <8 or unresponsive), administer naloxone (opioid antagonist) per protocol. The nurse should also keep resuscitation equipment available.

Question 10

A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates the patient needs more education?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

'I can take ibuprofen (NSAID) for my headaches since it's not a blood thinner'. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) are contraindicated in patients on warfarin because they inhibit platelet function and irritate the gastric mucosa, significantly increasing bleeding risk. NSAIDs also displace warfarin from protein-binding sites, potentially elevating INR. The patient should use acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain relief instead.

Gulf Nurse Prometric Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

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