NURS 320
EXAM 1
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
(Health and Illness Concepts I)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from Exam 1 of NURS 320 at Drexel
University. It covers core topics assessed in the
course and reflects the actual exam format and question style.
Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. A triage nurse, working in the Emergency Room received four admissions. Which
patient should the nurse see first?
a. A 40 year old client who is diaphoretic and complains of chest pain after mowing the
lawn
b. An 18 year old client who thinks he might have a fracture arm while playing football.
Arm is swollen and painful
c. A 35 year old client who has a leg laceration from construction work after a metal pole
fell on upper thigh
d. A 60 year old client with peanut allergy who is experiencing stridor and has swollen
mouth after eating food made in peanut oil - airway breathing problem
Correct Answer:
d. A 60 year old client with peanut allergy who is experiencing stridor and has swollen
mouth after eating food made in peanut oil - airway breathing problem
Expert Explanation:
priority setting, airway is always first; stridor and oral swelling indicate possible
anaphylaxis with impending airway obstruction.
2. A nurse checks the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of an older adult and finds that
the client's pH is 7.46, PaCO2 is 34 mm Hg and, if compensated, then the HCO3 is 21
mEq/L. What should be the nurse's interpretation of the patient's condition by looking
at these values?
a. Respiratory alkalosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer:
a. Respiratory alkalosis
Expert Explanation:
The pH is alkalotic and the PaCO2 is low, showing a primary respiratory alkalosis caused
by excessive CO2 loss.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed postsurgical metabolic alkalosis.
What should the nurse expect the primary health-care provider to prescribe to
increase renal excretion of bicarbonate?
a. Thiazide diuretics
b. Acetazolamide
c. Antibiotics
d. Sedatives
Correct Answer:
b. Acetazolamide
Expert Explanation:
Acetazolamide promotes renal bicarbonate excretion, helping lower serum bicarbonate
and correct metabolic alkalosis.
4. A nurse is checking the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of an older adult who has
developed postsurgical respiratory alkalosis. Which ABG result confirms that the
patient has developed respiratory alkalosis?
a. pH > 7.45 and HCO3- > 28 mEq/L; if compensated, then the PCO2 > 45 mm Hg.
b. pH > 7.45 and PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- < 22 mEq/L.
c. pH < 7.35 and HCO3- < 22 mEq/L; if compensated, then the PCO2 < 35 mm Hg.
d. pH < 7.35 and PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- > 26 mEq/L.
Correct Answer:
b. pH > 7.45 and PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- < 22 mEq/L.
Expert Explanation:
Respiratory alkalosis presents with high pH and low PaCO2; renal compensation lowers
bicarbonate over time.
5. A client who has been suffering from severe diarrhea has developed hypokalemia
and cardiac arrhythmias as a result. Which of the following treatments would
mostlikely be ordered for this client to correct the situation?
, a. IV administration of potassium
b. Oral intake of potassium by electrolyte preparations
c. Encouraged intake of potassium-rich foods, such as bananas
d. No intervention but continue to monitor the client's hemodynamic status
Correct Answer:
a. IV administration of potassium
Expert Explanation:
Severe hypokalemia with dysrhythmias requires prompt potassium replacement, usually
by controlled IV infusion, because potassium directly affects cardiac conduction.
6. A client is being seen for care after developing abdominal distention, cramping, and
hypotension. The client is diagnosed with hypokalemia secondary to excessive use of
diuretics. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate for this
client?
a. Arrange for an ECG as ordered and report the findings to the provider
b. Administer an IV push of potassium as ordered
c. Prepare to set up for dialysis treatment
d. Administer sodium bicarbonate as ordered
Correct Answer:
a. Arrange for an ECG as ordered and report the findings to the provider
Expert Explanation:
Hypokalemia can cause life-threatening rhythm disturbances, so ECG assessment is a
priority; potassium is never given IV push.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client and notes that the client has
hyperkalemia. Which of the following EKG abnormalities would be consistent with this
finding? Select all that apply.
a. Peaked T waves
b. Wide QRS
c. Prolonged QT interval
EXAM 1
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
(Health and Illness Concepts I)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from Exam 1 of NURS 320 at Drexel
University. It covers core topics assessed in the
course and reflects the actual exam format and question style.
Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. A triage nurse, working in the Emergency Room received four admissions. Which
patient should the nurse see first?
a. A 40 year old client who is diaphoretic and complains of chest pain after mowing the
lawn
b. An 18 year old client who thinks he might have a fracture arm while playing football.
Arm is swollen and painful
c. A 35 year old client who has a leg laceration from construction work after a metal pole
fell on upper thigh
d. A 60 year old client with peanut allergy who is experiencing stridor and has swollen
mouth after eating food made in peanut oil - airway breathing problem
Correct Answer:
d. A 60 year old client with peanut allergy who is experiencing stridor and has swollen
mouth after eating food made in peanut oil - airway breathing problem
Expert Explanation:
priority setting, airway is always first; stridor and oral swelling indicate possible
anaphylaxis with impending airway obstruction.
2. A nurse checks the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of an older adult and finds that
the client's pH is 7.46, PaCO2 is 34 mm Hg and, if compensated, then the HCO3 is 21
mEq/L. What should be the nurse's interpretation of the patient's condition by looking
at these values?
a. Respiratory alkalosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer:
a. Respiratory alkalosis
Expert Explanation:
The pH is alkalotic and the PaCO2 is low, showing a primary respiratory alkalosis caused
by excessive CO2 loss.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed postsurgical metabolic alkalosis.
What should the nurse expect the primary health-care provider to prescribe to
increase renal excretion of bicarbonate?
a. Thiazide diuretics
b. Acetazolamide
c. Antibiotics
d. Sedatives
Correct Answer:
b. Acetazolamide
Expert Explanation:
Acetazolamide promotes renal bicarbonate excretion, helping lower serum bicarbonate
and correct metabolic alkalosis.
4. A nurse is checking the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of an older adult who has
developed postsurgical respiratory alkalosis. Which ABG result confirms that the
patient has developed respiratory alkalosis?
a. pH > 7.45 and HCO3- > 28 mEq/L; if compensated, then the PCO2 > 45 mm Hg.
b. pH > 7.45 and PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- < 22 mEq/L.
c. pH < 7.35 and HCO3- < 22 mEq/L; if compensated, then the PCO2 < 35 mm Hg.
d. pH < 7.35 and PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- > 26 mEq/L.
Correct Answer:
b. pH > 7.45 and PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg; if compensated, then the HCO3- < 22 mEq/L.
Expert Explanation:
Respiratory alkalosis presents with high pH and low PaCO2; renal compensation lowers
bicarbonate over time.
5. A client who has been suffering from severe diarrhea has developed hypokalemia
and cardiac arrhythmias as a result. Which of the following treatments would
mostlikely be ordered for this client to correct the situation?
, a. IV administration of potassium
b. Oral intake of potassium by electrolyte preparations
c. Encouraged intake of potassium-rich foods, such as bananas
d. No intervention but continue to monitor the client's hemodynamic status
Correct Answer:
a. IV administration of potassium
Expert Explanation:
Severe hypokalemia with dysrhythmias requires prompt potassium replacement, usually
by controlled IV infusion, because potassium directly affects cardiac conduction.
6. A client is being seen for care after developing abdominal distention, cramping, and
hypotension. The client is diagnosed with hypokalemia secondary to excessive use of
diuretics. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate for this
client?
a. Arrange for an ECG as ordered and report the findings to the provider
b. Administer an IV push of potassium as ordered
c. Prepare to set up for dialysis treatment
d. Administer sodium bicarbonate as ordered
Correct Answer:
a. Arrange for an ECG as ordered and report the findings to the provider
Expert Explanation:
Hypokalemia can cause life-threatening rhythm disturbances, so ECG assessment is a
priority; potassium is never given IV push.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client and notes that the client has
hyperkalemia. Which of the following EKG abnormalities would be consistent with this
finding? Select all that apply.
a. Peaked T waves
b. Wide QRS
c. Prolonged QT interval
