NUR 3463 Exam 1: Adult Health Acute Care
Verified & Updated Questions and
Answers - Rasmussen University
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mm Hg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg indicates a
respiratory cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a positive
Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. Chvostek’s sign is a
facial twitching triggered by tapping the facial nerve.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has not yet signed the informed
consent. Who is primarily responsible for obtaining the patient’s signature and
explaining the procedure?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Anesthesiologist
C. The Surgeon
D. The Charge Nurse
Answer: C
Explanation: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives
of the procedure. The nurse only witnesses the signature.
4. Which medication is the drug of choice to treat Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Dantrolene Sodium
B. Atropine Sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat the life-
threatening metabolic crisis of Malignant Hyperthermia.
5. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most likely to be observed?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. ST segment depression
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
, Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widening of the QRS
complex on an EKG.
6. In the immediate postoperative period, which assessment finding should the
nurse prioritize as the most critical?
A. Pain level of 7 out of 10
B. Hypoactive bowel sounds
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
Answer: C
Explanation: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, hypoxia (low O2
saturation) is the most immediate life-threatening concern.
7. Which type of intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and used for rapid
volume replacement?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
Explanation: 0.9% NaCl (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution that remains in the
extracellular space to expand volume.
8. A patient with AIDS has a CD4+ T-cell count of 150 cells/mm3. The nurse
should implement which type of precautions?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Airborne Precautions
C. Neutropenic Precautions
D. Droplet Precautions
Answer: C
Verified & Updated Questions and
Answers - Rasmussen University
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mm Hg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg indicates a
respiratory cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a positive
Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. Chvostek’s sign is a
facial twitching triggered by tapping the facial nerve.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has not yet signed the informed
consent. Who is primarily responsible for obtaining the patient’s signature and
explaining the procedure?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Anesthesiologist
C. The Surgeon
D. The Charge Nurse
Answer: C
Explanation: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives
of the procedure. The nurse only witnesses the signature.
4. Which medication is the drug of choice to treat Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Dantrolene Sodium
B. Atropine Sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat the life-
threatening metabolic crisis of Malignant Hyperthermia.
5. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most likely to be observed?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. ST segment depression
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
, Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widening of the QRS
complex on an EKG.
6. In the immediate postoperative period, which assessment finding should the
nurse prioritize as the most critical?
A. Pain level of 7 out of 10
B. Hypoactive bowel sounds
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
Answer: C
Explanation: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, hypoxia (low O2
saturation) is the most immediate life-threatening concern.
7. Which type of intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and used for rapid
volume replacement?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
Explanation: 0.9% NaCl (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution that remains in the
extracellular space to expand volume.
8. A patient with AIDS has a CD4+ T-cell count of 150 cells/mm3. The nurse
should implement which type of precautions?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Airborne Precautions
C. Neutropenic Precautions
D. Droplet Precautions
Answer: C
