NR 324 | Adult Health II | Exam 9 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A patient with a T6 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, severe headache and
is sweating profusely. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Check the patient’s temperature
C. Assess for a leg fracture
D. Sit the patient upright
Answer: D
Rationale: These are signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The first action is to sit the patient up
to help lower blood pressure via orthostatic changes.
,3. Which laboratory value is most specific for diagnosing a myocardial infarction
(MI)?
A. Creatine Kinase (CK-MB)
B. C-reactive protein
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Answer: D
Rationale: Troponin I is a highly specific cardiac marker that rises within 3-4 hours of
myocardial injury and remains elevated for days.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with SIADH. Which electrolyte abnormality
should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH, causing water retention and dilutional
hyponatremia.
5. What is the hallmark clinical sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
B. Hyperresonance on the unaffected side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Flattened neck veins
Answer: A
Rationale: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side is a late and classic sign of
tension pneumothorax due to pressure buildup.
, 6. In a patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which position
is often used to improve oxygenation?
A. Prone
B. High-Fowler’s
C. Supine
D. Left Lateral
Answer: A
Rationale: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in ARDS by recruiting collapsed alveoli
and improving ventilation-perfusion matching.
7. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a ‘sawtooth’ pattern on the ECG?
A. Atrial Flutter
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Sinus Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Atrial flutter is known for its classic sawtooth-shaped F-waves.
8. The nurse notes a patient’s potassium level is 6.5 mEq/L. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes.
College
1. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A patient with a T6 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, severe headache and
is sweating profusely. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Check the patient’s temperature
C. Assess for a leg fracture
D. Sit the patient upright
Answer: D
Rationale: These are signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The first action is to sit the patient up
to help lower blood pressure via orthostatic changes.
,3. Which laboratory value is most specific for diagnosing a myocardial infarction
(MI)?
A. Creatine Kinase (CK-MB)
B. C-reactive protein
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Answer: D
Rationale: Troponin I is a highly specific cardiac marker that rises within 3-4 hours of
myocardial injury and remains elevated for days.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with SIADH. Which electrolyte abnormality
should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH, causing water retention and dilutional
hyponatremia.
5. What is the hallmark clinical sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
B. Hyperresonance on the unaffected side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Flattened neck veins
Answer: A
Rationale: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side is a late and classic sign of
tension pneumothorax due to pressure buildup.
, 6. In a patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which position
is often used to improve oxygenation?
A. Prone
B. High-Fowler’s
C. Supine
D. Left Lateral
Answer: A
Rationale: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in ARDS by recruiting collapsed alveoli
and improving ventilation-perfusion matching.
7. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a ‘sawtooth’ pattern on the ECG?
A. Atrial Flutter
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Sinus Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Atrial flutter is known for its classic sawtooth-shaped F-waves.
8. The nurse notes a patient’s potassium level is 6.5 mEq/L. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes.
