NUR 3275 Exam 2 Comprehensive Pharmacology Study
Guide & Test Bank (2027)
Ace your advanced nursing pharmacology assessment with this
comprehensive, high-yield study guide and practice question bank for
NUR 3275 Exam 2. Every question is tailored to clinical nursing
blueprints and paired with deep-dive rationales covering high-alert
medication protocols, critical laboratory values, therapeutic drug ranges,
and priority nursing safety interventions. Perfect for intensive
remediation or structured last-minute cramming, this package guarantees
to build the testing baseline needed to maximize your exam score.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on an adult patient. Which of the
following techniques should the nurse use FIRST?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Inspection
D) Auscultation
Rationale: Inspection is always the first assessment technique performed. It involves
visual examination of the body and use of smell. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation
follow inspection in that order for most body systems, except the abdomen where
auscultation precedes palpation .
QUESTION 2
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin temperature. Which part of the hand should the
nurse use?
A) Fingertips
B) Palmar surface
,C) Dorsal surface
D) Ulnar surface
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is specifically used to assess skin temperature
because it is more sensitive to temperature changes. The fingertips are used for fine tactile
discrimination such as pulse, texture, and moisture .
QUESTION 3
A patient's oral temperature reads 99.8°F. The patient has just finished drinking hot
coffee. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Document the temperature as accurate
B) Wait 10-15 minutes and recheck
C) Administer antipyretic medication
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: Hot or cold liquids can affect oral temperature readings. The nurse should wait
10-15 minutes after the patient has consumed hot or cold substances before taking an
oral temperature .
QUESTION 4
The nurse is assessing a patient's tympanic temperature. For an adult patient, the nurse
should pull the:
A) Earlobe down and back
B) Helix up and back
C) Helix down and back
D) Earlobe up and forward
Rationale: For adults, the helix should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal.
For children, the earlobe is pulled down and back .
,QUESTION 5
Which of the following is the MOST accurate method for measuring core body
temperature?
A) Oral
B) Axillary
C) Temporal
D) Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature is the most accurate measurement of core body
temperature. It reads approximately 1°F higher than oral temperature. It is considered the
gold standard for core temperature measurement .
QUESTION 6
A patient's axillary temperature reads 97.2°F. What is the approximate equivalent oral
temperature?
A) 96.2°F
B) 98.2°F
C) 99.2°F
D) 100.2°F
Rationale: Axillary temperature reads approximately 1°F LOWER than oral temperature.
Therefore, 97.2°F + 1°F = 98.2°F .
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing an adult patient's pulse. Which of the following is the MOST
commonly used site?
A) Brachial
B) Carotid
C) Femoral
D) Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is the most commonly used site for assessing heart rate in
adults. It is easily accessible and provides an accurate count .
, QUESTION 8
The normal adult pulse rate range is:
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60
indicate bradycardia; rates above 100 indicate tachycardia .
QUESTION 9
A patient's pulse is documented as "2+". This indicates:
A) Absent pulse
B) Diminished pulse
C) Normal pulse
D) Bounding pulse
Rationale: Pulse amplitude is graded on a scale of 0-4. 0 = absent, 1+ = diminished, 2+
= normal, 3+ = increased, 4+ = bounding. 2+ is considered normal .
QUESTION 10
Which of the following findings indicates the need for immediate intervention when
assessing a patient's oxygen saturation?
A) SpO2 of 95%
B) SpO2 of 92%
C) SpO2 of 88%
D) SpO2 of 98%
Guide & Test Bank (2027)
Ace your advanced nursing pharmacology assessment with this
comprehensive, high-yield study guide and practice question bank for
NUR 3275 Exam 2. Every question is tailored to clinical nursing
blueprints and paired with deep-dive rationales covering high-alert
medication protocols, critical laboratory values, therapeutic drug ranges,
and priority nursing safety interventions. Perfect for intensive
remediation or structured last-minute cramming, this package guarantees
to build the testing baseline needed to maximize your exam score.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on an adult patient. Which of the
following techniques should the nurse use FIRST?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Inspection
D) Auscultation
Rationale: Inspection is always the first assessment technique performed. It involves
visual examination of the body and use of smell. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation
follow inspection in that order for most body systems, except the abdomen where
auscultation precedes palpation .
QUESTION 2
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin temperature. Which part of the hand should the
nurse use?
A) Fingertips
B) Palmar surface
,C) Dorsal surface
D) Ulnar surface
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is specifically used to assess skin temperature
because it is more sensitive to temperature changes. The fingertips are used for fine tactile
discrimination such as pulse, texture, and moisture .
QUESTION 3
A patient's oral temperature reads 99.8°F. The patient has just finished drinking hot
coffee. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Document the temperature as accurate
B) Wait 10-15 minutes and recheck
C) Administer antipyretic medication
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: Hot or cold liquids can affect oral temperature readings. The nurse should wait
10-15 minutes after the patient has consumed hot or cold substances before taking an
oral temperature .
QUESTION 4
The nurse is assessing a patient's tympanic temperature. For an adult patient, the nurse
should pull the:
A) Earlobe down and back
B) Helix up and back
C) Helix down and back
D) Earlobe up and forward
Rationale: For adults, the helix should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal.
For children, the earlobe is pulled down and back .
,QUESTION 5
Which of the following is the MOST accurate method for measuring core body
temperature?
A) Oral
B) Axillary
C) Temporal
D) Rectal
Rationale: Rectal temperature is the most accurate measurement of core body
temperature. It reads approximately 1°F higher than oral temperature. It is considered the
gold standard for core temperature measurement .
QUESTION 6
A patient's axillary temperature reads 97.2°F. What is the approximate equivalent oral
temperature?
A) 96.2°F
B) 98.2°F
C) 99.2°F
D) 100.2°F
Rationale: Axillary temperature reads approximately 1°F LOWER than oral temperature.
Therefore, 97.2°F + 1°F = 98.2°F .
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing an adult patient's pulse. Which of the following is the MOST
commonly used site?
A) Brachial
B) Carotid
C) Femoral
D) Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is the most commonly used site for assessing heart rate in
adults. It is easily accessible and provides an accurate count .
, QUESTION 8
The normal adult pulse rate range is:
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60
indicate bradycardia; rates above 100 indicate tachycardia .
QUESTION 9
A patient's pulse is documented as "2+". This indicates:
A) Absent pulse
B) Diminished pulse
C) Normal pulse
D) Bounding pulse
Rationale: Pulse amplitude is graded on a scale of 0-4. 0 = absent, 1+ = diminished, 2+
= normal, 3+ = increased, 4+ = bounding. 2+ is considered normal .
QUESTION 10
Which of the following findings indicates the need for immediate intervention when
assessing a patient's oxygen saturation?
A) SpO2 of 95%
B) SpO2 of 92%
C) SpO2 of 88%
D) SpO2 of 98%
