NUR 265 Exam 3 Practice Questions and
Correct Answers 2026
1. A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath when lying flat. What is
this called?
A. Dyspnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Tachypnea
D. Hypoxia
Correct Answer: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is common in heart failure.
2. Which assessment finding suggests fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Weight loss
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs.
3. Which laboratory value is most important when administering furosemide?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Glucose
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss.
4. A client with COPD should be placed in which position to ease breathing?
,A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler's
D. Prone
Correct Answer: C. High Fowler's
Rationale: High Fowler's maximizes lung expansion.
5. What is the priority assessment for a client with chest pain?
A. Nutrition status
B. Airway, breathing, circulation
C. Skin integrity
D. Mobility
Correct Answer: B. Airway, breathing, circulation
Rationale: ABCs always take priority.
6. Which finding is expected in iron-deficiency anemia?
A. Polycythemia
B. Pallor
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Pallor
Rationale: Reduced hemoglobin causes pallor.
7. A client receiving warfarin should be monitored using:
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. BNP
D. CK-MB
Correct Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates warfarin effectiveness.
, 8. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Chicken
D. Bread
Correct Answer: B. Banana
Rationale: Bananas are potassium-rich.
9. A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority
action?
A. Give insulin
B. Restrict fluids
C. Give fast-acting carbohydrates
D. Notify dietary services
Correct Answer: C. Give fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia is required.
10. Which symptom is most associated with hyperglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Polyuria
C. Tremors
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Polyuria
Rationale: Excess glucose causes osmotic diuresis.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle weakness and dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium affects muscles and cardiac conduction.
Correct Answers 2026
1. A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath when lying flat. What is
this called?
A. Dyspnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Tachypnea
D. Hypoxia
Correct Answer: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is common in heart failure.
2. Which assessment finding suggests fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Weight loss
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs.
3. Which laboratory value is most important when administering furosemide?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Glucose
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss.
4. A client with COPD should be placed in which position to ease breathing?
,A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler's
D. Prone
Correct Answer: C. High Fowler's
Rationale: High Fowler's maximizes lung expansion.
5. What is the priority assessment for a client with chest pain?
A. Nutrition status
B. Airway, breathing, circulation
C. Skin integrity
D. Mobility
Correct Answer: B. Airway, breathing, circulation
Rationale: ABCs always take priority.
6. Which finding is expected in iron-deficiency anemia?
A. Polycythemia
B. Pallor
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Pallor
Rationale: Reduced hemoglobin causes pallor.
7. A client receiving warfarin should be monitored using:
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. BNP
D. CK-MB
Correct Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates warfarin effectiveness.
, 8. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Chicken
D. Bread
Correct Answer: B. Banana
Rationale: Bananas are potassium-rich.
9. A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority
action?
A. Give insulin
B. Restrict fluids
C. Give fast-acting carbohydrates
D. Notify dietary services
Correct Answer: C. Give fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia is required.
10. Which symptom is most associated with hyperglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Polyuria
C. Tremors
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Polyuria
Rationale: Excess glucose causes osmotic diuresis.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle weakness and dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium affects muscles and cardiac conduction.
