Brookdale Community College
Nursing 172 Final (from davis
med-surg) Questions With
Complete Solutions
Course
Nur 172
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with acute heart failure. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Crackles throughout both lung fields and oxygen saturation of 84%
C. Weight gain of 2 lb over one week
D. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
Correct Answer: B. Crackles throughout both lung fields and oxygen saturation of 84%
Solution:
Diffuse crackles and severe hypoxemia indicate pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.
The priority is to improve oxygenation, position the patient upright, administer oxygen as
prescribed, and notify the provider promptly.
Question 2
Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a patient receiving intravenous
unfractionated heparin?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Sodium
D. Albumin
Correct Answer: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Solution:
,Unfractionated heparin therapy is adjusted according to the aPTT to achieve therapeutic
anticoagulation while minimizing bleeding risk.
Question 3
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. Which
assessment finding indicates effective therapy?
A. Respiratory rate increases from 18 to 30 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation improves from 85% to 91%
C. Increasing confusion
D. Cyanosis develops
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation improves from 85% to 91%
Solution:
Improved oxygen saturation indicates better oxygenation. Patients with COPD often have
individualized oxygen saturation targets rather than aiming for 100%.
Question 4
Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion
C. Polyuria and polydipsia only
D. Fruity breath odor
Correct Answer: B. Tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion
Solution:
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, producing sweating, shakiness,
tachycardia, hunger, and confusion.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with bacterial meningitis. Which intervention has the highest
priority?
,A. Encourage visitors
B. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions and begin prescribed antimicrobial therapy promptly
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Place the patient flat
Correct Answer: B. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions and begin prescribed
antimicrobial therapy promptly
Solution:
Early antibiotics and appropriate isolation reduce morbidity and help prevent transmission of
infectious organisms.
Question 6
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T waves on an ECG?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Solution:
Hyperkalemia commonly causes tall peaked T waves, widening of the QRS complex, and
potentially life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient receiving furosemide should be monitored closely for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
, Solution:
Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, increasing the risk for hypokalemia.
Question 8
Which assessment finding suggests worsening renal function?
A. Increased urine output
B. Rising serum creatinine
C. Blood pressure of 120/76 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 72 beats/min
Correct Answer: B. Rising serum creatinine
Solution:
An increasing serum creatinine level indicates declining glomerular filtration and worsening
kidney function.
Question 9
A patient receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 7 breaths/min.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Assess airway, support ventilation as needed, and prepare to administer naloxone per protocol
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Document the findings
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway, support ventilation as needed, and prepare to
administer naloxone per protocol
Solution:
Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids and requires immediate
intervention.
Question 10
Nursing 172 Final (from davis
med-surg) Questions With
Complete Solutions
Course
Nur 172
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with acute heart failure. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Crackles throughout both lung fields and oxygen saturation of 84%
C. Weight gain of 2 lb over one week
D. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
Correct Answer: B. Crackles throughout both lung fields and oxygen saturation of 84%
Solution:
Diffuse crackles and severe hypoxemia indicate pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.
The priority is to improve oxygenation, position the patient upright, administer oxygen as
prescribed, and notify the provider promptly.
Question 2
Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a patient receiving intravenous
unfractionated heparin?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Sodium
D. Albumin
Correct Answer: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Solution:
,Unfractionated heparin therapy is adjusted according to the aPTT to achieve therapeutic
anticoagulation while minimizing bleeding risk.
Question 3
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. Which
assessment finding indicates effective therapy?
A. Respiratory rate increases from 18 to 30 breaths/min
B. Oxygen saturation improves from 85% to 91%
C. Increasing confusion
D. Cyanosis develops
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation improves from 85% to 91%
Solution:
Improved oxygen saturation indicates better oxygenation. Patients with COPD often have
individualized oxygen saturation targets rather than aiming for 100%.
Question 4
Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion
C. Polyuria and polydipsia only
D. Fruity breath odor
Correct Answer: B. Tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion
Solution:
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, producing sweating, shakiness,
tachycardia, hunger, and confusion.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with bacterial meningitis. Which intervention has the highest
priority?
,A. Encourage visitors
B. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions and begin prescribed antimicrobial therapy promptly
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Place the patient flat
Correct Answer: B. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions and begin prescribed
antimicrobial therapy promptly
Solution:
Early antibiotics and appropriate isolation reduce morbidity and help prevent transmission of
infectious organisms.
Question 6
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T waves on an ECG?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Solution:
Hyperkalemia commonly causes tall peaked T waves, widening of the QRS complex, and
potentially life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient receiving furosemide should be monitored closely for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
, Solution:
Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, increasing the risk for hypokalemia.
Question 8
Which assessment finding suggests worsening renal function?
A. Increased urine output
B. Rising serum creatinine
C. Blood pressure of 120/76 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 72 beats/min
Correct Answer: B. Rising serum creatinine
Solution:
An increasing serum creatinine level indicates declining glomerular filtration and worsening
kidney function.
Question 9
A patient receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 7 breaths/min.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Assess airway, support ventilation as needed, and prepare to administer naloxone per protocol
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Document the findings
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway, support ventilation as needed, and prepare to
administer naloxone per protocol
Solution:
Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids and requires immediate
intervention.
Question 10
