NSG 3250 Adult Health I Exam 4 Practice Quiz 2026 UPDATE
1. A nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary system,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. Options A, B, and D are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which lab value is the most important to monitor for a patient receiving a heparin infusion
for a pulmonary embolism?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
,Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT and INR are used
to monitor Warfarin therapy.
3. A client is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should teach the client that
which of the following is a symptom of hypoglycemia?
A. Extreme thirst
B. Shakiness and diaphoresis
C. Frequent urination
D. Fruity-smelling breath
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing shakiness,
sweating (diaphoresis), and palpitations. Thirst and fruity breath are signs of
hyperglycemia/DKA.
4. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is a client with chronic kidney disease most
at risk for developing?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
, Answer: D
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium is impaired,
leading to hyperkalemia, which can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
5. When caring for a patient with a chest tube, which observation requires immediate
intervention?
A. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with respiration
C. Constant, vigorous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguinous fluid in 2 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates a persistent air leak in
the system or the patient’s thorax. Intermittent bubbling is normal for a pneumothorax.
6. A patient has a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these ABG results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
1. A nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary system,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. Options A, B, and D are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which lab value is the most important to monitor for a patient receiving a heparin infusion
for a pulmonary embolism?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
,Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT and INR are used
to monitor Warfarin therapy.
3. A client is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should teach the client that
which of the following is a symptom of hypoglycemia?
A. Extreme thirst
B. Shakiness and diaphoresis
C. Frequent urination
D. Fruity-smelling breath
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing shakiness,
sweating (diaphoresis), and palpitations. Thirst and fruity breath are signs of
hyperglycemia/DKA.
4. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is a client with chronic kidney disease most
at risk for developing?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
, Answer: D
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium is impaired,
leading to hyperkalemia, which can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
5. When caring for a patient with a chest tube, which observation requires immediate
intervention?
A. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with respiration
C. Constant, vigorous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguinous fluid in 2 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates a persistent air leak in
the system or the patient’s thorax. Intermittent bubbling is normal for a pneumothorax.
6. A patient has a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these ABG results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
