NSG 320 Final Exam V2 | NSG 320 Adult
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being discharged. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding oxygen therapy?
A. I will keep my oxygen tubing away from any open flames or sparks.
B. I can increase the flow rate to 6L/min if I feel more short of breath.
C. I should notify the provider if I experience persistent headaches.
D. I will check the skin behind my ears for any redness or irritation.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patients with COPD are often driven to breathe by a hypoxic drive rather
than hypercapnia. Increasing the oxygen flow rate to high levels can suppress this drive,
leading to carbon dioxide retention and respiratory arrest. The patient should be taught
that oxygen is a medication and must be used exactly as prescribed, typically at low flow
rates like 1-2L/min.
2. The nurse is providing education to a patient newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus. Which of the following lifestyle modifications and self-care practices should the
nurse include? (Select All That Apply)
A. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
,B. Inspect feet daily for redness, swelling, or breaks in the skin.
C. Wear well-fitting, closed-toe shoes at all times, even indoors.
D. Trim toenails in a curved fashion to follow the shape of the toe.
E. Carry a source of fast-acting carbohydrate at all times.
F. Apply lotion between the toes to prevent fungal infections.
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: Exercise is crucial for improving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health
in Type 2 diabetics. Daily foot inspections and wearing closed-toe shoes are essential to
prevent and identify complications like diabetic foot ulcers. Patients must also have quick
access to glucose for potential hypoglycemic episodes; however, they should never put
lotion between toes as it promotes moisture and fungal growth, and nails should be cut
straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
3. A patient is admitted with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following provider
orders should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer 40 mg of oral Furosemide.
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately.
C. Initiate a low-potassium diet.
D. Administer Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally.
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: Hyperkalemia, defined as a potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L, can cause life-
threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Obtaining an ECG is the priority to assess for changes
such as peaked T waves or widened QRS complexes that indicate cardiac instability. While
medications to lower potassium are necessary, the immediate physiological threat to the
heart must be evaluated first.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the primary
responsibility of the registered nurse?
A. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form.
B. Describing alternative treatments available to the patient.
C. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient.
D. Ensuring the patient knows the specific surgeon’s success rate.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The primary role of the nurse is to witness the patient signing the document
and to verify that the signature is authentic and voluntary. It is the surgeon’s legal
responsibility to provide the detailed explanation of the procedure, its risks, and benefits. If
the patient expresses a lack of understanding, the nurse must contact the surgeon to come
back and provide further clarification before the signature is obtained.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. According to the TNM staging system,
what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors present in the breast.
, B. Necrotic tissue levels within the biopsied area.
C. Nodal diameter of the primary tumor site.
D. Presence or absence of regional lymph node involvement.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: In the TNM staging system, ‘T’ stands for tumor size, ‘N’ stands for regional
lymph node involvement, and ‘M’ stands for distant metastasis. Knowing the ‘N’ status
helps clinicians determine the extent of disease spread beyond the primary site. This
classification is vital for determining the prognosis and the most effective treatment plan
for the oncology patient.
6. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect for a patient experiencing an
acute exacerbation of anxiety and hyperventilation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.52, PaCO2 28, HCO3 22
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 45, HCO3 32
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hyperventilation leads to excessive blowing off of carbon dioxide (CO2),
which is an acid. This results in a decrease in PaCO2 and an increase in pH, indicating
Health Nursing I | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG320 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being discharged. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding oxygen therapy?
A. I will keep my oxygen tubing away from any open flames or sparks.
B. I can increase the flow rate to 6L/min if I feel more short of breath.
C. I should notify the provider if I experience persistent headaches.
D. I will check the skin behind my ears for any redness or irritation.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patients with COPD are often driven to breathe by a hypoxic drive rather
than hypercapnia. Increasing the oxygen flow rate to high levels can suppress this drive,
leading to carbon dioxide retention and respiratory arrest. The patient should be taught
that oxygen is a medication and must be used exactly as prescribed, typically at low flow
rates like 1-2L/min.
2. The nurse is providing education to a patient newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus. Which of the following lifestyle modifications and self-care practices should the
nurse include? (Select All That Apply)
A. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
,B. Inspect feet daily for redness, swelling, or breaks in the skin.
C. Wear well-fitting, closed-toe shoes at all times, even indoors.
D. Trim toenails in a curved fashion to follow the shape of the toe.
E. Carry a source of fast-acting carbohydrate at all times.
F. Apply lotion between the toes to prevent fungal infections.
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: Exercise is crucial for improving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health
in Type 2 diabetics. Daily foot inspections and wearing closed-toe shoes are essential to
prevent and identify complications like diabetic foot ulcers. Patients must also have quick
access to glucose for potential hypoglycemic episodes; however, they should never put
lotion between toes as it promotes moisture and fungal growth, and nails should be cut
straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
3. A patient is admitted with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following provider
orders should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer 40 mg of oral Furosemide.
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately.
C. Initiate a low-potassium diet.
D. Administer Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally.
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: Hyperkalemia, defined as a potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L, can cause life-
threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Obtaining an ECG is the priority to assess for changes
such as peaked T waves or widened QRS complexes that indicate cardiac instability. While
medications to lower potassium are necessary, the immediate physiological threat to the
heart must be evaluated first.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the primary
responsibility of the registered nurse?
A. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form.
B. Describing alternative treatments available to the patient.
C. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient.
D. Ensuring the patient knows the specific surgeon’s success rate.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The primary role of the nurse is to witness the patient signing the document
and to verify that the signature is authentic and voluntary. It is the surgeon’s legal
responsibility to provide the detailed explanation of the procedure, its risks, and benefits. If
the patient expresses a lack of understanding, the nurse must contact the surgeon to come
back and provide further clarification before the signature is obtained.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. According to the TNM staging system,
what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors present in the breast.
, B. Necrotic tissue levels within the biopsied area.
C. Nodal diameter of the primary tumor site.
D. Presence or absence of regional lymph node involvement.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: In the TNM staging system, ‘T’ stands for tumor size, ‘N’ stands for regional
lymph node involvement, and ‘M’ stands for distant metastasis. Knowing the ‘N’ status
helps clinicians determine the extent of disease spread beyond the primary site. This
classification is vital for determining the prognosis and the most effective treatment plan
for the oncology patient.
6. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect for a patient experiencing an
acute exacerbation of anxiety and hyperventilation?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.52, PaCO2 28, HCO3 22
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 45, HCO3 32
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hyperventilation leads to excessive blowing off of carbon dioxide (CO2),
which is an acid. This results in a decrease in PaCO2 and an increase in pH, indicating
