NSG 3100 Exams 1, 2 & 3 – Nursing Practice – Actual
Questions & Answers (Updated PDF) – Galen College of
Nursing 2026
QUESTION 1
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse
notes the patient has a productive cough with yellow-green
sputum, fever, and crackles in the right lower lobe. Which nursing
diagnosis is the priority?
A. Impaired gas exchange
B. Ineffective airway clearance
C. Hyperthermia
D. Activity intolerance
*Correct Answer: B. Ineffective airway clearance
*Rationale: * Ineffective airway clearance is the priority diagnosis
because the patient has a productive cough with secretions that
need to be cleared to maintain a patent airway. While impaired
gas exchange and hyperthermia are also concerns, airway
clearance must be addressed first to prevent respiratory
compromise. Activity intolerance is a later concern.
,QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. After
verifying the blood product with another nurse, which action
should the nurse take next?
A. Start the transfusion at a slow rate
B. Check the patient's vital signs
C. Prime the tubing with 0.9% normal saline
D. Obtain a signed consent form
*Correct Answer: B. Check the patient's vital signs
*Rationale: * Baseline vital signs must be obtained before starting
a blood transfusion to monitor for transfusion reactions. The
tubing should be primed with normal saline. Vital signs are
checked, then the transfusion is started slowly, and the patient is
monitored closely for the first 15 minutes.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning
personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
,C. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
*Correct Answer: B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
*Rationale: * The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first,
then mask, then eye protection, then gloves. Gown protects the
body, mask and eye protection protect mucous membranes, and
gloves are put on last to prevent contamination.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube
connected to continuous suction. The patient complains of nausea
and abdominal distention. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Increase the suction setting
B. Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of normal saline
C. Check the tube for proper placement and patency
D. Administer an antiemetic
*Correct Answer: C. Check the tube for proper placement and
patency
, *Rationale: * Nausea and abdominal distention may indicate tube
displacement or obstruction. The nurse should first verify tube
placement (using pH testing or x-ray confirmation) and check for
patency. Increasing suction or irrigation without assessment could
worsen the problem.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's surgical wound 24 hours post-
operation. The wound edges are approximated, with slight
redness and serosanguineous drainage. The nurse should:
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Apply a sterile dressing with antibiotic ointment
D. Culture the wound drainage
*Correct Answer: B. Document the finding as normal
*Rationale: * Slight redness (within 1 cm of the incision) and
serosanguineous drainage (pink-tinged) are expected findings 24
hours post-surgery. The wound edges are approximated,
indicating healing is progressing normally. Documentation of
normal findings is appropriate.
Questions & Answers (Updated PDF) – Galen College of
Nursing 2026
QUESTION 1
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse
notes the patient has a productive cough with yellow-green
sputum, fever, and crackles in the right lower lobe. Which nursing
diagnosis is the priority?
A. Impaired gas exchange
B. Ineffective airway clearance
C. Hyperthermia
D. Activity intolerance
*Correct Answer: B. Ineffective airway clearance
*Rationale: * Ineffective airway clearance is the priority diagnosis
because the patient has a productive cough with secretions that
need to be cleared to maintain a patent airway. While impaired
gas exchange and hyperthermia are also concerns, airway
clearance must be addressed first to prevent respiratory
compromise. Activity intolerance is a later concern.
,QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. After
verifying the blood product with another nurse, which action
should the nurse take next?
A. Start the transfusion at a slow rate
B. Check the patient's vital signs
C. Prime the tubing with 0.9% normal saline
D. Obtain a signed consent form
*Correct Answer: B. Check the patient's vital signs
*Rationale: * Baseline vital signs must be obtained before starting
a blood transfusion to monitor for transfusion reactions. The
tubing should be primed with normal saline. Vital signs are
checked, then the transfusion is started slowly, and the patient is
monitored closely for the first 15 minutes.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning
personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
,C. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
*Correct Answer: B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
*Rationale: * The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first,
then mask, then eye protection, then gloves. Gown protects the
body, mask and eye protection protect mucous membranes, and
gloves are put on last to prevent contamination.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube
connected to continuous suction. The patient complains of nausea
and abdominal distention. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Increase the suction setting
B. Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of normal saline
C. Check the tube for proper placement and patency
D. Administer an antiemetic
*Correct Answer: C. Check the tube for proper placement and
patency
, *Rationale: * Nausea and abdominal distention may indicate tube
displacement or obstruction. The nurse should first verify tube
placement (using pH testing or x-ray confirmation) and check for
patency. Increasing suction or irrigation without assessment could
worsen the problem.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's surgical wound 24 hours post-
operation. The wound edges are approximated, with slight
redness and serosanguineous drainage. The nurse should:
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Apply a sterile dressing with antibiotic ointment
D. Culture the wound drainage
*Correct Answer: B. Document the finding as normal
*Rationale: * Slight redness (within 1 cm of the incision) and
serosanguineous drainage (pink-tinged) are expected findings 24
hours post-surgery. The wound edges are approximated,
indicating healing is progressing normally. Documentation of
normal findings is appropriate.
