Nursing Interview: Preparing for a nursing job interview in a Canadian hospital can be challenging, especially with case scenarios that test your critical thinking, communication skills, and clinical expertise. This post will cover 20 common case scenarios you might face during an RN interview, with detailed answers to help you showcase your skills and judgment.
Sample of Nursing Interview Questions and Answers:
Chest Pain in the Emergency Room
Scenario: A 55-year-old patient arrives with severe chest pain, radiating to the left arm. What is your priority action?
Answer: “I would immediately assess the patient’s vital signs and perform an EKG to check for any ST changes. Administer oxygen if needed, and follow the hospital protocol for chest pain management, including aspirin and nitroglycerin if appropriate.”
Pediatric Fever Management
Scenario: A mother brings her 2-year-old child with a fever of 39.5°C (103°F). How do you proceed?
Answer: “I would assess the child’s hydration status, check for other symptoms (like rash or cough), administer an antipyretic like acetaminophen, and educate the mother on fever management and when to seek further medical help.”
Post-Surgical Bleeding
Scenario: A post-operative patient reports sudden bleeding at the surgical site. What are your actions?
Answer: “I would apply direct pressure to the site, assess the extent of bleeding, monitor vital signs for hypovolemia, and notify the surgical team immediately while preparing for potential interventions.”
Diabetic Patient with Low Blood Sugar
Scenario: A diabetic patient has a blood glucose of 2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) and feels dizzy. What’s your next step?
Answer: “I would give the patient 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (like juice), reassess blood glucose after 15 minutes, and repeat if necessary. I would then educate the patient on preventing future hypoglycemic episodes.”
Elderly Patient with Delirium
Scenario: An elderly patient suddenly becomes confused and agitated. What would you do?
Answer: “I would check vital signs, assess for possible infection (e.g., UTI), and review medications. I would ensure a calm environment and involve the healthcare team to determine the underlying cause.”
Stroke Symptoms in a Patient
Scenario: A patient shows signs of slurred speech and facial drooping. What’s your priority?
Answer: “Time is critical. I would call a ‘Code Stroke,’ initiate a rapid neurological assessment, and prepare for an urgent CT scan to rule out hemorrhage and initiate thrombolytic therapy if within the time window.”
Respiratory Distress
Scenario: A patient with COPD is struggling to breathe and has an oxygen saturation of 85%. What are your actions?
Answer: “I would elevate the head of the bed, administer bronchodilators as prescribed, monitor oxygen levels, and titrate supplemental oxygen to maintain target saturation while avoiding over-oxygenation.”
Newborn Jaundice
Scenario: A newborn shows signs of jaundice within 24 hours of birth. How would you manage this situation?
Answer: “I would assess bilirubin levels, educate parents on phototherapy if indicated, and encourage frequent feedings to promote bilirubin excretion.”
Medication Error
Scenario: You realize you’ve given the wrong dose of medication. What steps would you take?
Answer: “I would immediately assess the patient for adverse reactions, notify the physician, document the error, and complete an incident report following the hospital’s protocol for medication errors.”
IV Line Infiltration
Scenario: A patient’s IV site is swollen and painful. How would you handle this?
Answer: “I would stop the infusion, remove the IV line, assess the extent of infiltration, elevate the limb, apply a warm or cold compress as per protocol, and notify the physician for further orders.”
End-of-Life Care
Scenario: A terminally ill patient’s family is struggling with end-of-life decisions. How do you support them?
Answer: “I would provide empathetic communication, involve the palliative care team, discuss the patient’s wishes if known, and offer resources for emotional support, ensuring the family understands the options.”
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Scenario: A new mother begins bleeding heavily after delivery. What’s your immediate action?
Answer: “I would massage the uterus to encourage contraction, assess the bleeding, administer prescribed uterotonic medications, monitor vital signs, and prepare for potential transfusion if bleeding continues.”
Patient Refusing Treatment
Scenario: A patient refuses a necessary medical procedure. How do you handle this?
Answer: “I would explore the patient’s concerns, provide clear and factual information, respect their autonomy, involve the healthcare team, and document the refusal as per hospital policy.”
Pediatric Asthma Attack
Scenario: A child with a history of asthma is wheezing and has labored breathing. What’s your response?
Answer: “I would administer a bronchodilator via nebulizer, position the child comfortably, assess oxygen saturation, and monitor for improvement while preparing to escalate care if needed.”
FIGS Zamora High Waisted Jogger Style Scrub Pants for Women — Slim Fit, 6 Pockets, High Rise Yoga Waistband Women Scrub Pants
Sepsis Identification
Scenario: A post-operative patient has a fever, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure. What’s your priority?
Answer: “I would suspect sepsis, initiate blood cultures, administer broad-spectrum antibiotics as ordered, provide IV fluids, and closely monitor vital signs for signs of deterioration.”
Mental Health Crisis
Scenario: A patient expresses thoughts of self-harm. What would you do?
Answer: “I would ensure the patient’s immediate safety, stay with them, conduct a risk assessment, notify the mental health team, and create a safe environment without judgment.”
Allergic Reaction
Scenario: A patient develops hives and wheezing after receiving antibiotics. How do you respond?
Answer: “I would stop the medication, assess the airway for swelling, administer antihistamines or epinephrine as per protocol, and monitor vital signs closely for any escalation.”
Blood Transfusion Reaction
Scenario: A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops a fever and chills. What’s your course of action?
Answer: “I would stop the transfusion immediately, maintain the IV line with normal saline, notify the physician, send the blood bag for testing, and monitor the patient for any additional symptoms.”
Confused Post-Surgical Patient
Scenario: A post-operative elderly patient is confused and disoriented. What do you do?
Answer: “I would assess for pain, review medications, check for signs of infection, reorient the patient gently, ensure their safety, and involve the family in care.”
Pain Management in Oncology
Scenario: A cancer patient in palliative care reports severe pain unrelieved by current medication. How do you proceed?
Answer: “I would assess pain using a standardized scale, review current medications, consult the oncology or palliative team for possible medication adjustment, and ensure patient comfort with non-pharmacological interventions.”
Practice More Nursing Interview Questions and Answers:
- General Nursing Questions
- Tell us about a time you managed a difficult patient. How did you handle it?
- How do you prioritize your tasks during a busy shift?
- What steps do you take to ensure accurate medication administration?
- Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- How do you handle a disagreement with a colleague regarding patient care?
- Clinical Scenario Questions
- What would you do if a post-operative patient suddenly becomes hypotensive?
- How would you manage a patient with severe hypoglycemia?
- What actions would you take if a patient in respiratory distress refuses oxygen therapy?
- A patient complains of chest pain. What are your immediate priorities?
- How would you handle a pediatric patient with a high fever and signs of dehydration?
- Behavioral and Situational Questions
- Tell us about a time you faced an ethical dilemma in nursing. How did you resolve it?
- How do you approach educating a patient or family member about a treatment plan?
- What would you do if you noticed a colleague making a serious error during patient care?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly to a change in patient condition.
- How do you maintain composure when dealing with a high-stress situation?
- Technical and Policy-Related Questions
- What infection control measures do you implement during patient care?
- How do you ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures?
- What is your approach to pain management for a patient in palliative care?
- How do you document patient care to meet legal and professional standards?
- What steps do you take to promote patient safety in your unit?
These questions reflect the diverse skills required for a nursing role and help you prepare for both general and scenario-based interview challenges.
Top 10 Nursing Interview Questions (With Example Answers) | Indeed.com