BSN3A Nursing Unit Examination Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemia. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Bradycardia and hypertension
D. Increased urine output
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension are common compensatory
findings in hypovolemia because the body attempts to maintain
cardiac output despite decreased circulating volume.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient
receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Increasing confusion and restlessness
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Rationale: Increasing confusion and restlessness may indicate
worsening hypoxemia and require immediate assessment of airway,
breathing, and oxygenation.
3. A patient with heart failure has bilateral crackles and increasing
dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?
,A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the patient flat
C. Position the patient in high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage ambulation
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning improves lung expansion and
decreases venous return, which can reduce pulmonary congestion and
improve breathing.
4. Which laboratory value is most important for a patient receiving
warfarin therapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. INR
D. Serum calcium
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin
and helps determine whether the patient is adequately
anticoagulated without excessive bleeding risk.
5. A patient receiving furosemide is at greatest risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion, making hypokalemia a significant potential
adverse effect.
6. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
,A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema only
C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
D. Enlarged liver
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion, crackles, and
dyspnea.
7. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which nursing action is
appropriate?
A. Administer unlimited oxygen regardless of response
B. Discontinue oxygen when the patient becomes dyspneic
C. Administer oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate and monitor
respiratory status
D. Keep oxygen saturation intentionally at critically low levels
Rationale: Oxygen should be administered as prescribed while
respiratory status and oxygen saturation are monitored carefully,
particularly in patients at risk for carbon dioxide retention.
8. Which symptom is most suggestive of hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
9. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 54
mg/dL and can swallow safely. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Give a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to exercise
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: A conscious patient with symptomatic hypoglycemia who
can swallow should receive a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise
blood glucose promptly.
10. Which finding is most characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep and rapid respirations that
develop as the body attempts to compensate for metabolic acidosis
associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
11. A patient with chronic kidney disease is most likely to
require monitoring of which electrolyte?
A. Chloride only
B. Potassium
C. Fluoride
D. Iodide
Rationale: Impaired renal function decreases potassium excretion,
increasing the risk of hyperkalemia and potentially life-threatening
cardiac dysrhythmias.
12. Which assessment finding is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Muscle flaccidity without cardiac effects
B. Peaked T waves on an ECG
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemia. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Bradycardia and hypertension
D. Increased urine output
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension are common compensatory
findings in hypovolemia because the body attempts to maintain
cardiac output despite decreased circulating volume.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient
receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Increasing confusion and restlessness
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Rationale: Increasing confusion and restlessness may indicate
worsening hypoxemia and require immediate assessment of airway,
breathing, and oxygenation.
3. A patient with heart failure has bilateral crackles and increasing
dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?
,A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the patient flat
C. Position the patient in high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage ambulation
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning improves lung expansion and
decreases venous return, which can reduce pulmonary congestion and
improve breathing.
4. Which laboratory value is most important for a patient receiving
warfarin therapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. INR
D. Serum calcium
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin
and helps determine whether the patient is adequately
anticoagulated without excessive bleeding risk.
5. A patient receiving furosemide is at greatest risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion, making hypokalemia a significant potential
adverse effect.
6. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
,A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema only
C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
D. Enlarged liver
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion, crackles, and
dyspnea.
7. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which nursing action is
appropriate?
A. Administer unlimited oxygen regardless of response
B. Discontinue oxygen when the patient becomes dyspneic
C. Administer oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate and monitor
respiratory status
D. Keep oxygen saturation intentionally at critically low levels
Rationale: Oxygen should be administered as prescribed while
respiratory status and oxygen saturation are monitored carefully,
particularly in patients at risk for carbon dioxide retention.
8. Which symptom is most suggestive of hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
9. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 54
mg/dL and can swallow safely. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Give a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to exercise
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: A conscious patient with symptomatic hypoglycemia who
can swallow should receive a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise
blood glucose promptly.
10. Which finding is most characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep and rapid respirations that
develop as the body attempts to compensate for metabolic acidosis
associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
11. A patient with chronic kidney disease is most likely to
require monitoring of which electrolyte?
A. Chloride only
B. Potassium
C. Fluoride
D. Iodide
Rationale: Impaired renal function decreases potassium excretion,
increasing the risk of hyperkalemia and potentially life-threatening
cardiac dysrhythmias.
12. Which assessment finding is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Muscle flaccidity without cardiac effects
B. Peaked T waves on an ECG
