ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of
88% on room air. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Administer oxygen therapy
C. Document the finding
D. Increase oral fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia. The priority
intervention is to administer oxygen to improve oxygenation.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Jugular vein distention
D. Ascites
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in
crackles, dyspnea, and pulmonary edema.
3. A patient receiving IV antibiotics develops itching, rash, and shortness of breath.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Stop the infusion immediately
C. Document the reaction
D. Notify the provider after assessment
,Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms indicate a possible allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
The infusion must be stopped immediately.
4. Which laboratory value indicates possible dehydration?
A. Sodium 150 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. Calcium 9 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypernatremia (sodium above 145 mEq/L) commonly occurs with
dehydration due to water loss.
5. A patient with diabetes reports shaking, sweating, and dizziness. What should
the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system causing
tremors, sweating, and dizziness.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Low potassium levels disrupt cardiac conduction and can cause serious
arrhythmias.
,7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should receive
oxygen therapy cautiously because:
A. Oxygen may cause lung collapse
B. High oxygen levels may suppress respiratory drive
C. Oxygen increases carbon dioxide production
D. Oxygen causes pulmonary edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Some COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive for respiration, so
excessive oxygen may decrease respiratory effort.
8. Which sign indicates fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Hypotension
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Decreased urine output
Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles occur when fluid accumulates in the lungs due to
fluid overload.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient with appendicitis. Which symptom is most
expected?
A. Right lower quadrant pain
B. Left upper quadrant pain
C. Epigastric pain only
D. Flank pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Appendicitis commonly causes pain in the right lower abdomen
(McBurney’s point).
, 10. Which laboratory test is most commonly used to monitor kidney function?
A. Creatinine
B. Hemoglobin
C. Bilirubin
D. Platelets
Answer: A
Rationale: Serum creatinine reflects the kidney’s ability to filter waste products.
11. A patient receiving morphine becomes excessively drowsy and has a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Naloxone
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Flumazenil
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
12. Which finding indicates infection?
A. Decreased white blood cells
B. Elevated white blood cells
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Decreased platelets
Answer: B
Rationale: Leukocytosis is a common sign of infection or inflammation.