NURS 330 CAPSTONE FINAL PROGRAM OUTCOMES] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic heart failure. Which assessment finding is the most sensitive
indicator of early fluid volume excess?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Sudden weight gain
D. Jugular venous distention
🟢 C. Sudden weight gain
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week is the most sensitive
indicator of fluid retention, often occurring before other signs like edema or dyspnea.
2. Which ethical principle is primarily being upheld when a nurse ensures a patient has all the necessary
information to make a voluntary decision about their care?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢 D. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy respects the patient's right to self-determination. Providing complete information
enables the patient to make an informed, voluntary decision, which is the core of informed consent.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is most critical immediately before
starting the transfusion?
A. Verify the patient's blood type and crossmatch with the unit.
B. Pre-medicate the patient with an antihistamine.
C. Check the patient's vital signs.
D. Ensure a signed consent form is on the chart.
🟢 A. Verify the patient's blood type and crossmatch with the unit.
🔴 RATIONALE: The most critical step is the two-nurse verification of the blood product against the patient's
identification and blood type to prevent a fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88%. The nurse
administers oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which is the primary rationale for using a low oxygen flow
rate?
A. To prevent oxygen toxicity.
B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive.
C. To prevent drying of the nasal mucosa.
D. To allow for patient comfort.
🟢 B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive.
🔴 RATIONALE: In some COPD patients, the primary stimulus to breathe is hypoxemia. High-flow oxygen can
remove this stimulus, leading to respiratory depression and apnea.
5. A nurse is delegating a task to a nursing assistant. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change.
C. Measuring and recording a patient's oral intake.
D. Assessing a patient's pain level.
,🟢 C. Measuring and recording a patient's oral intake.
🔴 RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is a standard, non-invasive task that falls within the
scope of practice for a nursing assistant. Assessment and sterile procedures are not delegable.
6. A patient reports a severe headache, nausea, and blurred vision after a lumbar puncture. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer prescribed antiemetics.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Darken the room and apply a cool cloth to the forehead.
D. Assess the puncture site for drainage.
🟢 B. Place the patient in a supine position.
🔴 RATIONALE: The symptoms indicate a post-dural puncture headache. Placing the patient in a flat, supine
position helps reduce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and alleviate the headache.
7. Which of the following is a key component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA)?
A. Ensuring all patients have health insurance.
B. Providing healthcare to uninsured populations.
C. Protecting the privacy and security of patient health information.
D. Establishing standards for electronic health records.
🟢 C. Protecting the privacy and security of patient health information.
🔴 RATIONALE: HIPAA was enacted to protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health
information. It sets standards for how this information can be used and disclosed.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of dietary management?
A. "I will avoid all fruits and vegetables to prevent blockages."
, B. "I should increase my intake of carbonated beverages to help with gas."
C. "I can eat a low-residue diet initially and then slowly introduce new foods."
D. "I will only eat soft foods for the rest of my life."
🟢 C. "I can eat a low-residue diet initially and then slowly introduce new foods."
🔴 RATIONALE: A low-residue diet is recommended initially to reduce stool output. Patients should then
gradually introduce new foods one at a time to see how their digestive system responds.
9. Which type of medication is most likely to cause orthostatic hypotension as a significant side effect?
A. Anticoagulants
B. Antihypertensives
C. Antibiotics
D. Antipyretics
🟢 B. Antihypertensives
🔴 RATIONALE: Antihypertensives work by lowering blood pressure, and a rapid drop in blood pressure upon
standing (orthostatic hypotension) is a common and significant side effect.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new prescription for warfarin. Which dietary
instruction is most important?
A. Avoid foods high in vitamin K.
B. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 2 liters per day.
D. Eat a high-protein diet.
🟢 A. Avoid foods high in vitamin K.
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Consistent intake of vitamin K is crucial, but large
fluctuations (especially sudden increases) can reduce the drug's effectiveness and lead to an increased risk of
clotting.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic heart failure. Which assessment finding is the most sensitive
indicator of early fluid volume excess?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Sudden weight gain
D. Jugular venous distention
🟢 C. Sudden weight gain
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week is the most sensitive
indicator of fluid retention, often occurring before other signs like edema or dyspnea.
2. Which ethical principle is primarily being upheld when a nurse ensures a patient has all the necessary
information to make a voluntary decision about their care?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
🟢 D. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy respects the patient's right to self-determination. Providing complete information
enables the patient to make an informed, voluntary decision, which is the core of informed consent.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is most critical immediately before
starting the transfusion?
A. Verify the patient's blood type and crossmatch with the unit.
B. Pre-medicate the patient with an antihistamine.
C. Check the patient's vital signs.
D. Ensure a signed consent form is on the chart.
🟢 A. Verify the patient's blood type and crossmatch with the unit.
🔴 RATIONALE: The most critical step is the two-nurse verification of the blood product against the patient's
identification and blood type to prevent a fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88%. The nurse
administers oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which is the primary rationale for using a low oxygen flow
rate?
A. To prevent oxygen toxicity.
B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive.
C. To prevent drying of the nasal mucosa.
D. To allow for patient comfort.
🟢 B. To avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive.
🔴 RATIONALE: In some COPD patients, the primary stimulus to breathe is hypoxemia. High-flow oxygen can
remove this stimulus, leading to respiratory depression and apnea.
5. A nurse is delegating a task to a nursing assistant. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change.
C. Measuring and recording a patient's oral intake.
D. Assessing a patient's pain level.
,🟢 C. Measuring and recording a patient's oral intake.
🔴 RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is a standard, non-invasive task that falls within the
scope of practice for a nursing assistant. Assessment and sterile procedures are not delegable.
6. A patient reports a severe headache, nausea, and blurred vision after a lumbar puncture. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer prescribed antiemetics.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Darken the room and apply a cool cloth to the forehead.
D. Assess the puncture site for drainage.
🟢 B. Place the patient in a supine position.
🔴 RATIONALE: The symptoms indicate a post-dural puncture headache. Placing the patient in a flat, supine
position helps reduce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and alleviate the headache.
7. Which of the following is a key component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA)?
A. Ensuring all patients have health insurance.
B. Providing healthcare to uninsured populations.
C. Protecting the privacy and security of patient health information.
D. Establishing standards for electronic health records.
🟢 C. Protecting the privacy and security of patient health information.
🔴 RATIONALE: HIPAA was enacted to protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health
information. It sets standards for how this information can be used and disclosed.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of dietary management?
A. "I will avoid all fruits and vegetables to prevent blockages."
, B. "I should increase my intake of carbonated beverages to help with gas."
C. "I can eat a low-residue diet initially and then slowly introduce new foods."
D. "I will only eat soft foods for the rest of my life."
🟢 C. "I can eat a low-residue diet initially and then slowly introduce new foods."
🔴 RATIONALE: A low-residue diet is recommended initially to reduce stool output. Patients should then
gradually introduce new foods one at a time to see how their digestive system responds.
9. Which type of medication is most likely to cause orthostatic hypotension as a significant side effect?
A. Anticoagulants
B. Antihypertensives
C. Antibiotics
D. Antipyretics
🟢 B. Antihypertensives
🔴 RATIONALE: Antihypertensives work by lowering blood pressure, and a rapid drop in blood pressure upon
standing (orthostatic hypotension) is a common and significant side effect.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new prescription for warfarin. Which dietary
instruction is most important?
A. Avoid foods high in vitamin K.
B. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 2 liters per day.
D. Eat a high-protein diet.
🟢 A. Avoid foods high in vitamin K.
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Consistent intake of vitamin K is crucial, but large
fluctuations (especially sudden increases) can reduce the drug's effectiveness and lead to an increased risk of
clotting.
