NSG 320 Exam 3 V2 | NSG 320 Adult
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Exam 3) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about the side effects of Metformin.
Which of the following should the nurse include? (Select All That Apply)
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Weight gain
C. Abdominal bloating
D. Diarrhea
E. Hypoglycemia when used alone
F. Metallic taste
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Explanation: Metformin is a biguanide that commonly causes gastrointestinal issues such
as diarrhea, bloating, and a metallic taste. Lactic acidosis is a rare but life-threatening
complication, especially in patients with renal impairment. It does not typically cause
weight gain or hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy because it does not stimulate
insulin secretion.
,2. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Truncal obesity and moon face
B. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
C. Hypotension and weight loss
D. Increased muscle mass in the extremities
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by an excess of corticosteroids, leading
to fat redistribution such as moon face and truncal obesity. Patients also typically present
with thin extremities due to muscle wasting and purple striae on the abdomen.
Hyperpigmentation and hypotension are more characteristic of Addison’s disease, which is
adrenal insufficiency.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which of the following
assessment findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium of 120 mEq/L
C. Polyuria and polydipsia
D. Fluid volume excess
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of ADH or a decreased renal
response to ADH, resulting in the excretion of large amounts of dilute urine. This leads to
symptoms of extreme thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria). Laboratory
findings would typically include a low urine specific gravity (less than 1.005) and
hypernatremia due to water loss.
4. The nurse is reviewing the lab results for a patient with SIADH. Which finding is the nurse’s
priority to report to the provider?
A. Serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg
B. Urine specific gravity 1.025
C. Serum sodium 118 mEq/L
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia, which
puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema, seizures, and death. SIADH results in water
retention and dilutional hyponatremia due to excessive ADH. Immediate intervention with
fluid restriction and possibly hypertonic saline is necessary to prevent neurological
damage.
5. A patient with cirrhosis and ascites is prescribed Spironolactone. What is the primary
rationale for using this specific medication?
A. To promote potassium excretion
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Exam 3) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about the side effects of Metformin.
Which of the following should the nurse include? (Select All That Apply)
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Weight gain
C. Abdominal bloating
D. Diarrhea
E. Hypoglycemia when used alone
F. Metallic taste
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Explanation: Metformin is a biguanide that commonly causes gastrointestinal issues such
as diarrhea, bloating, and a metallic taste. Lactic acidosis is a rare but life-threatening
complication, especially in patients with renal impairment. It does not typically cause
weight gain or hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy because it does not stimulate
insulin secretion.
,2. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Truncal obesity and moon face
B. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
C. Hypotension and weight loss
D. Increased muscle mass in the extremities
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by an excess of corticosteroids, leading
to fat redistribution such as moon face and truncal obesity. Patients also typically present
with thin extremities due to muscle wasting and purple striae on the abdomen.
Hyperpigmentation and hypotension are more characteristic of Addison’s disease, which is
adrenal insufficiency.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which of the following
assessment findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium of 120 mEq/L
C. Polyuria and polydipsia
D. Fluid volume excess
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of ADH or a decreased renal
response to ADH, resulting in the excretion of large amounts of dilute urine. This leads to
symptoms of extreme thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria). Laboratory
findings would typically include a low urine specific gravity (less than 1.005) and
hypernatremia due to water loss.
4. The nurse is reviewing the lab results for a patient with SIADH. Which finding is the nurse’s
priority to report to the provider?
A. Serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg
B. Urine specific gravity 1.025
C. Serum sodium 118 mEq/L
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia, which
puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema, seizures, and death. SIADH results in water
retention and dilutional hyponatremia due to excessive ADH. Immediate intervention with
fluid restriction and possibly hypertonic saline is necessary to prevent neurological
damage.
5. A patient with cirrhosis and ascites is prescribed Spironolactone. What is the primary
rationale for using this specific medication?
A. To promote potassium excretion
