NSG 3250 Exam 1 - Adult Health I Foundations 2026 UPDATE
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fluid volume deficit. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor, also known as tenting, is a classic sign of dehydration or
fluid volume deficit. Distended neck veins and crackles indicate fluid volume excess.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of Chvostek’s sign and
Trousseau’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
,Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to signs like
Chvostek’s (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s (carpal spasm).
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), while the
bicarbonate is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
4. During the preoperative phase, what is the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding
informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Deciding if the patient needs the surgery
D. Obtaining the signature from a family member instead of the patient
Answer: B
, Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure. The nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and ensure the patient is competent to sign.
5. A postoperative patient is encouraged to use an incentive spirometer. What is the primary
purpose of this intervention?
A. To increase cardiac output
B. To monitor oxygen saturation
C. To reduce surgical site pain
D. To prevent atelectasis
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis) after surgery.
6. A patient is receiving a hypertonic intravenous solution. The nurse should monitor for
which potential complication?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Hypotension
C. Dehydration of the intravascular space
D. Fluid volume excess
Answer: D
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fluid volume deficit. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor, also known as tenting, is a classic sign of dehydration or
fluid volume deficit. Distended neck veins and crackles indicate fluid volume excess.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of Chvostek’s sign and
Trousseau’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
,Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to signs like
Chvostek’s (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s (carpal spasm).
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), while the
bicarbonate is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
4. During the preoperative phase, what is the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding
informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Deciding if the patient needs the surgery
D. Obtaining the signature from a family member instead of the patient
Answer: B
, Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure. The nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and ensure the patient is competent to sign.
5. A postoperative patient is encouraged to use an incentive spirometer. What is the primary
purpose of this intervention?
A. To increase cardiac output
B. To monitor oxygen saturation
C. To reduce surgical site pain
D. To prevent atelectasis
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis) after surgery.
6. A patient is receiving a hypertonic intravenous solution. The nurse should monitor for
which potential complication?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Hypotension
C. Dehydration of the intravascular space
D. Fluid volume excess
Answer: D
