NSG 320 Exam 1 V1 | NSG 320 Adult
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Peaked T waves on EKG
C. Prominent U waves on EKG
D. Muscle twitching
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypokalemia is characterized by a potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L and
can lead to significant cardiac instability. Prominent U waves are a classic EKG finding
associated with low potassium levels. The nurse must monitor for dysrhythmias and
prepare to administer potassium supplements as ordered.
2. A patient is being prepared for an elective cholecystectomy. Which of the following tasks
are the responsibility of the nurse when obtaining informed consent? (Select All That Apply)
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witnessing the patient sign the consent form
,C. Verifying the patient is competent to provide consent
D. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
E. Ensuring the patient understands the information provided
F. Answering specific questions about the surgical technique
Correct Answer: B, C, E
Explanation: The nurse’s role in informed consent is primarily to act as a witness to the
patient’s signature and verify that the patient is competent. It is the surgeon’s
responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. If the patient has
further questions about the surgery itself, the nurse should notify the surgeon to return
and provide clarification.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been vomiting for 24 hours. The patient’s ABG
results are: pH 7.50, PaCO2 42 mmHg, and HCO3 33 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret
these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: D
,Explanation: A pH of 7.50 indicates alkalosis, and a high HCO3 of 33 mEq/L confirms a
metabolic cause. The PaCO2 is within the normal range, suggesting that respiratory
compensation has not yet occurred significantly. Metabolic alkalosis is commonly caused
by the loss of gastric acid through vomiting or gastric suctioning.
4. Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for developing fluid volume deficit?
A. A patient receiving frequent IV normal saline
B. A patient with a high fever and excessive diaphoresis
C. A patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
D. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fluid volume deficit occurs when the body loses water and electrolytes at a
higher rate than intake. Fever increases the metabolic rate and leads to insensible fluid loss
through the skin and lungs. Patients with diaphoresis require careful monitoring of intake
and output to prevent dehydration.
5. A patient develops a temperature of 104°F, muscle rigidity, and tachycardia during general
anesthesia. What is the nurse’s immediate priority?
A. Administering IV antibiotics
B. Applying warm blankets to the patient
C. Increasing the rate of anesthetic gas
, D. Administering Dantrolene sodium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: These symptoms are indicative of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle
relaxant used to treat this condition by inhibiting calcium release. The surgical team must
also immediately stop the triggering anesthetic agents and initiate cooling measures.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient following a thyroidectomy. The patient reports numbness
and tingling around the mouth. Which assessment should the nurse perform?
A. Hoffmann’s sign
B. Babinski’s sign
C. Chvostek’s sign
D. Phalen’s sign
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Numbness and tingling around the mouth (paresthesia) are early signs of
hypocalcemia, which can occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged during a
thyroidectomy. Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear; a
positive response is a twitch of the facial muscles. Monitoring for these signs is critical to
prevent tetany and respiratory distress.
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Peaked T waves on EKG
C. Prominent U waves on EKG
D. Muscle twitching
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypokalemia is characterized by a potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L and
can lead to significant cardiac instability. Prominent U waves are a classic EKG finding
associated with low potassium levels. The nurse must monitor for dysrhythmias and
prepare to administer potassium supplements as ordered.
2. A patient is being prepared for an elective cholecystectomy. Which of the following tasks
are the responsibility of the nurse when obtaining informed consent? (Select All That Apply)
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witnessing the patient sign the consent form
,C. Verifying the patient is competent to provide consent
D. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
E. Ensuring the patient understands the information provided
F. Answering specific questions about the surgical technique
Correct Answer: B, C, E
Explanation: The nurse’s role in informed consent is primarily to act as a witness to the
patient’s signature and verify that the patient is competent. It is the surgeon’s
responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. If the patient has
further questions about the surgery itself, the nurse should notify the surgeon to return
and provide clarification.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been vomiting for 24 hours. The patient’s ABG
results are: pH 7.50, PaCO2 42 mmHg, and HCO3 33 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret
these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: D
,Explanation: A pH of 7.50 indicates alkalosis, and a high HCO3 of 33 mEq/L confirms a
metabolic cause. The PaCO2 is within the normal range, suggesting that respiratory
compensation has not yet occurred significantly. Metabolic alkalosis is commonly caused
by the loss of gastric acid through vomiting or gastric suctioning.
4. Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for developing fluid volume deficit?
A. A patient receiving frequent IV normal saline
B. A patient with a high fever and excessive diaphoresis
C. A patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
D. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fluid volume deficit occurs when the body loses water and electrolytes at a
higher rate than intake. Fever increases the metabolic rate and leads to insensible fluid loss
through the skin and lungs. Patients with diaphoresis require careful monitoring of intake
and output to prevent dehydration.
5. A patient develops a temperature of 104°F, muscle rigidity, and tachycardia during general
anesthesia. What is the nurse’s immediate priority?
A. Administering IV antibiotics
B. Applying warm blankets to the patient
C. Increasing the rate of anesthetic gas
, D. Administering Dantrolene sodium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: These symptoms are indicative of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle
relaxant used to treat this condition by inhibiting calcium release. The surgical team must
also immediately stop the triggering anesthetic agents and initiate cooling measures.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient following a thyroidectomy. The patient reports numbness
and tingling around the mouth. Which assessment should the nurse perform?
A. Hoffmann’s sign
B. Babinski’s sign
C. Chvostek’s sign
D. Phalen’s sign
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Numbness and tingling around the mouth (paresthesia) are early signs of
hypocalcemia, which can occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged during a
thyroidectomy. Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear; a
positive response is a twitch of the facial muscles. Monitoring for these signs is critical to
prevent tetany and respiratory distress.
