COMP Galen College of nursing
Questions with Complete
Solutions
Course
COMP
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours postoperative following an abdominal
hysterectomy. The client reports sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and anxiety. Oxygen
saturation is 86% on room air.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
B. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
C. Apply oxygen and notify the healthcare provider or rapid response team immediately.
D. Assist the client to ambulate.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The client's symptoms are consistent with a possible pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
postoperative complication. The priority is to improve oxygenation, activate emergency
resources, and prepare for further evaluation and treatment.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) overnight
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields with oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Fatigue after walking
Correct Answer: C
,Explanation:
Diffuse crackles and hypoxemia indicate pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange,
requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
Question 3
A client with diabetes mellitus becomes confused, diaphoretic, and shaky.
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Check the client's blood glucose immediately.
C. Restrict oral fluids.
D. Encourage exercise.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
These findings suggest hypoglycemia. The nurse should verify blood glucose promptly and treat
hypoglycemia according to protocol if confirmed.
Question 4
A nurse is educating a client who has hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I'll stop taking my medication when my blood pressure is normal."
B. "I'll reduce my sodium intake and continue taking my medications as prescribed."
C. "I'll only check my blood pressure if I have a headache."
D. "Exercise isn't necessary if I take medication."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Hypertension management requires long-term medication adherence and lifestyle modifications,
including sodium restriction and regular physical activity.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous potassium chloride.
Which finding requires immediate nursing action?
A. Burning sensation at the IV site
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 82 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Pain or burning at the infusion site may indicate infiltration or vein irritation. Potassium is highly
irritating to tissues and requires immediate assessment.
Question 6
A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless and confused.
What should the nurse assess first?
A. Oxygen saturation
B. Pain level
C. Bowel sounds
D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Acute restlessness and confusion may be early signs of hypoxemia. Airway and oxygenation take
priority.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for four clients.
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with stable angina requesting pain medication.
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation has decreased from 94% to 84%.
Questions with Complete
Solutions
Course
COMP
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours postoperative following an abdominal
hysterectomy. The client reports sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and anxiety. Oxygen
saturation is 86% on room air.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
B. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
C. Apply oxygen and notify the healthcare provider or rapid response team immediately.
D. Assist the client to ambulate.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The client's symptoms are consistent with a possible pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
postoperative complication. The priority is to improve oxygenation, activate emergency
resources, and prepare for further evaluation and treatment.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) overnight
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields with oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Fatigue after walking
Correct Answer: C
,Explanation:
Diffuse crackles and hypoxemia indicate pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange,
requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
Question 3
A client with diabetes mellitus becomes confused, diaphoretic, and shaky.
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Check the client's blood glucose immediately.
C. Restrict oral fluids.
D. Encourage exercise.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
These findings suggest hypoglycemia. The nurse should verify blood glucose promptly and treat
hypoglycemia according to protocol if confirmed.
Question 4
A nurse is educating a client who has hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I'll stop taking my medication when my blood pressure is normal."
B. "I'll reduce my sodium intake and continue taking my medications as prescribed."
C. "I'll only check my blood pressure if I have a headache."
D. "Exercise isn't necessary if I take medication."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Hypertension management requires long-term medication adherence and lifestyle modifications,
including sodium restriction and regular physical activity.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous potassium chloride.
Which finding requires immediate nursing action?
A. Burning sensation at the IV site
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 82 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Pain or burning at the infusion site may indicate infiltration or vein irritation. Potassium is highly
irritating to tissues and requires immediate assessment.
Question 6
A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless and confused.
What should the nurse assess first?
A. Oxygen saturation
B. Pain level
C. Bowel sounds
D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Acute restlessness and confusion may be early signs of hypoxemia. Airway and oxygenation take
priority.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for four clients.
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with stable angina requesting pain medication.
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation has decreased from 94% to 84%.
