Adult Health Nursing Midterm Exam
(AGACNP-C) 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. The nurse is admitting a patient with shortness of breath. Which
assessment should be performed first?
A. Assess the airway and breathing
B. Obtain the patient's health history
C. Measure the patient's weight
D. Perform a skin assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities according to the ABC approach.
2. Which vital sign requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
B. Pulse of 76 beats/min
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression and
requires immediate assessment.
3. Which electrolyte is most important for normal cardiac conduction?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Potassium plays a critical role in cardiac electrical activity and muscle
contraction.
4. A serum potassium level of 6.3 mEq/L indicates:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which can cause
life-threatening arrhythmias.
5. Which IV solution is considered hypotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
,B. 0.9% Normal Saline
C. Lactated Ringer's
D. D5NS
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Half-normal saline is hypotonic and causes fluid to move into cells.
6. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Jugular vein distention
D. Bounding pulse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit.
7. Which acid-base imbalance commonly occurs with prolonged diarrhea?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loss of bicarbonate in diarrhea leads to metabolic acidosis.
, 8. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority for a patient with
severe respiratory distress?
A. Maintain a patent airway
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Assist with feeding
D. Provide emotional support
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway management is the highest priority according to the ABCs.
9. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of
oxygen?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Simple face mask
D. Venturi mask
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers approximately 95–100% oxygen.
10. Which assessment finding is most consistent with pneumonia?
A. Crackles and productive cough
B. Polyuria
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
(AGACNP-C) 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. The nurse is admitting a patient with shortness of breath. Which
assessment should be performed first?
A. Assess the airway and breathing
B. Obtain the patient's health history
C. Measure the patient's weight
D. Perform a skin assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities according to the ABC approach.
2. Which vital sign requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
B. Pulse of 76 beats/min
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression and
requires immediate assessment.
3. Which electrolyte is most important for normal cardiac conduction?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Potassium plays a critical role in cardiac electrical activity and muscle
contraction.
4. A serum potassium level of 6.3 mEq/L indicates:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which can cause
life-threatening arrhythmias.
5. Which IV solution is considered hypotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
,B. 0.9% Normal Saline
C. Lactated Ringer's
D. D5NS
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Half-normal saline is hypotonic and causes fluid to move into cells.
6. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Jugular vein distention
D. Bounding pulse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit.
7. Which acid-base imbalance commonly occurs with prolonged diarrhea?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loss of bicarbonate in diarrhea leads to metabolic acidosis.
, 8. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority for a patient with
severe respiratory distress?
A. Maintain a patent airway
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Assist with feeding
D. Provide emotional support
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway management is the highest priority according to the ABCs.
9. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of
oxygen?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Simple face mask
D. Venturi mask
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers approximately 95–100% oxygen.
10. Which assessment finding is most consistent with pneumonia?
A. Crackles and productive cough
B. Polyuria
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
