CNO Ontario Nursing Exam Prep
Practice Test

A. Discuss the matter privately with the colleague first

B. Report the incident through the appropriate reporting channels ✓

C. Document personal observations and take no further action

D. Ignore the situation since it may have been an honest mistake

Correct — B. Falsification of records is professional misconduct that directly threatens patient safety. The nurse has an ethical and legal duty to report such behaviour through the facility's incident reporting system and, if warranted, to the CNO. Discussing the matter privately first may allow the behaviour to continue and does not fulfill the nurse's accountability obligation.

A. Providing patients with detailed medical diagnoses using clinical terminology

B. Using purposeful, goal-directed interaction to promote the patient's well-being ✓

C. Sharing personal experiences with patients to build rapport

D. Restricting conversation to clinical topics only

Correct — B. Therapeutic communication is an intentional, purposeful exchange between nurse and patient designed to support the patient's emotional and physical well-being. It focuses on the patient's needs rather than personal disclosure by the nurse, and it uses techniques such as active listening, open-ended questions, and empathy.

A. Carry out the order immediately without documentation

B. Repeat the order back to the physician to confirm accuracy and document it promptly ✓

C. Refuse to accept verbal orders under any circumstances

D. Ask another nurse to take the order on your behalf

Correct — B. When receiving a verbal or telephone order, the nurse should repeat the order back to the prescriber to confirm accuracy (read-back technique), then document the order as soon as possible with a notation that it was a verbal order. This reduces the risk of miscommunication and ensures patient safety.

A. Applying only research findings to all clinical decisions without considering individual patient needs

B. Integrating best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences ✓

C. Following hospital protocols regardless of current research

D. Relying primarily on years of personal clinical experience

Correct — B. Evidence-informed practice involves integrating the best available research evidence with the nurse's clinical expertise and the patient's individual values and preferences. This approach ensures that care is both scientifically sound and patient-centred.

A. Explain the surgical procedure in detail to ensure informed consent

B. Tell the patient to ask the surgeon before signing the consent form ✓

C. Assure the patient that everything will be fine and encourage them to sign

D. Sign the form on the patient's behalf if they seem agreeable

Correct — B. The responsibility for obtaining informed consent rests with the physician or the person performing the procedure. The nurse's role as witness is to confirm that the patient has signed voluntarily, not to provide surgical information. If the patient has unanswered questions, the nurse should ensure the surgeon answers them before the patient signs.

A. Any nursing task that requires documentation

B. An activity restricted to specific authorized health professionals due to potential risk of harm ✓

C. A procedure that must be co-signed by a physician

D. Any task delegated from a registered nurse to a registered practical nurse

Correct — B. Controlled acts under the RHPA are activities that carry a significant risk of harm if performed by an unqualified person and are therefore restricted to authorized health professionals. Examples include administering substances by injection, performing procedures below the dermis, and communicating a diagnosis.

A. Providing clear information about a patient's diagnosis

B. Calling a patient by their preferred name

C. Accepting a large cash gift from a patient's family ✓

D. Discussing care options with the patient's substitute decision maker

Correct — C. Accepting significant financial gifts from patients or their families creates a conflict of interest, undermines the professional relationship, and represents a clear breach of professional boundaries. The therapeutic relationship must remain centred on the patient's needs, not personal gain.

A. Contact police immediately without informing the patient

B. Notify the patient's partner of the disclosure

C. Assess the patient's immediate safety, provide information about resources, and document the disclosure ✓

D. Encourage the patient to return home and work out the problem

Correct — C. When a patient discloses domestic violence, the nurse should first assess for immediate safety risks, then provide information about community resources, support services, and safety planning. Documentation is essential. Involving police or contacting the partner without the patient's consent may increase risk; the patient's autonomy and safety must guide the response.