ADN Exam Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A nurse is assigned to four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a history of heart failure reporting 2+ pitting edema in the ankles.
B. A client with a new-onset productive cough and shortness of breath following a
thyroidectomy.
C. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an SpO2 of 91% on
room air.
D. A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy and has a temperature of 100.2 F.
Correct Answer: B. A client with a new-onset productive cough and shortness of
breath following a thyroidectomy.
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority. Post-thyroidectomy respiratory distress
may indicate airway obstruction from bleeding or laryngeal edema, which is an
emergency.
Question 2.
Which task is most appropriate for a nurse to delegate to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
A. Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication administered 30 minutes ago.
B. Assisting a stable client with ambulation for the first time after surgery.
C. Calculating a client’s 24-hour intake and output totals.
D. Providing discharge instructions regarding wound care to a client.
Correct Answer: C. Calculating a client’s 24-hour intake and output totals.
Explanation: UAPs can perform routine tasks like calculating I&O. Evaluation, initial
ambulation (requiring assessment), and teaching are nursing responsibilities.
Question 3.
A nurse receives a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse visit first?
A. A client with diabetes mellitus whose blood glucose is 150 mg/dL.
B. A client with a stage III pressure injury requiring a dressing change.
C. A client receiving physical therapy for a fractured hip.
D. A client who has just been admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis.
Correct Answer: D. A client who has just been admitted with suspected bacterial
meningitis.
Explanation: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate isolation
and antibiotic therapy to prevent neurological damage or death.
, Question 4.
An RN is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Call the physician to report the lab result.
B. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate orally.
D. Check the client’s urine output.
Correct Answer: B. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Explanation: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. An ECG is
the priority to assess the heart’s electrical activity.
Question 5.
Which client should the nurse see first after the shift report?
A. A client with Crohn’s disease reporting five loose stools in the last 12 hours.
B. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reporting sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath.
C. A client with a urinary tract infection reporting burning during urination.
D. A client scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy in 4 hours.
Correct Answer: B. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reporting sudden
chest pain and shortness of breath.
Explanation: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath in a DVT patient suggest a
pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication.
Question 6.
A client is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administering 10 units of regular insulin IV bolus.
B. Educating the client on the importance of insulin compliance.
C. Checking the client’s potassium level.
D. Initiating an intravenous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Correct Answer: D. Initiating an intravenous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Explanation: Fluid resuscitation is the initial priority in DKA to treat dehydration and
restore circulatory volume before insulin and electrolyte management.
Question 1.
A nurse is assigned to four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a history of heart failure reporting 2+ pitting edema in the ankles.
B. A client with a new-onset productive cough and shortness of breath following a
thyroidectomy.
C. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an SpO2 of 91% on
room air.
D. A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy and has a temperature of 100.2 F.
Correct Answer: B. A client with a new-onset productive cough and shortness of
breath following a thyroidectomy.
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority. Post-thyroidectomy respiratory distress
may indicate airway obstruction from bleeding or laryngeal edema, which is an
emergency.
Question 2.
Which task is most appropriate for a nurse to delegate to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
A. Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication administered 30 minutes ago.
B. Assisting a stable client with ambulation for the first time after surgery.
C. Calculating a client’s 24-hour intake and output totals.
D. Providing discharge instructions regarding wound care to a client.
Correct Answer: C. Calculating a client’s 24-hour intake and output totals.
Explanation: UAPs can perform routine tasks like calculating I&O. Evaluation, initial
ambulation (requiring assessment), and teaching are nursing responsibilities.
Question 3.
A nurse receives a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse visit first?
A. A client with diabetes mellitus whose blood glucose is 150 mg/dL.
B. A client with a stage III pressure injury requiring a dressing change.
C. A client receiving physical therapy for a fractured hip.
D. A client who has just been admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis.
Correct Answer: D. A client who has just been admitted with suspected bacterial
meningitis.
Explanation: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate isolation
and antibiotic therapy to prevent neurological damage or death.
, Question 4.
An RN is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Call the physician to report the lab result.
B. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate orally.
D. Check the client’s urine output.
Correct Answer: B. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Explanation: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. An ECG is
the priority to assess the heart’s electrical activity.
Question 5.
Which client should the nurse see first after the shift report?
A. A client with Crohn’s disease reporting five loose stools in the last 12 hours.
B. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reporting sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath.
C. A client with a urinary tract infection reporting burning during urination.
D. A client scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy in 4 hours.
Correct Answer: B. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reporting sudden
chest pain and shortness of breath.
Explanation: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath in a DVT patient suggest a
pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening complication.
Question 6.
A client is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administering 10 units of regular insulin IV bolus.
B. Educating the client on the importance of insulin compliance.
C. Checking the client’s potassium level.
D. Initiating an intravenous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Correct Answer: D. Initiating an intravenous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Explanation: Fluid resuscitation is the initial priority in DKA to treat dehydration and
restore circulatory volume before insulin and electrolyte management.
