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NSG 554 EXAM 1 (WILKES) NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| NSG554 FNP EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient suddenly develops severe shortness of breath, cyanosis,
and an oxygen saturation of 84%. What should the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Place the patient upright and initiate oxygen therapy as indicated
C. Document the findings
D. Administer the patient's scheduled oral medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. Positioning
and oxygen support can improve oxygenation while further
assessment occurs.
2. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient reporting chronic pain rated 6/10
B. A patient requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A patient with new-onset confusion and hypotension
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D. A patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
Answer: C
Rationale: New confusion with hypotension may indicate impaired
perfusion and clinical deterioration requiring immediate assessment.
3. A patient receiving opioid analgesia has a respiratory rate of 7/min
and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer another opioid dose
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Support airway and breathing and prepare opioid reversal as
prescribed
D. Allow the patient to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe opioid-related respiratory depression is potentially
life-threatening. Airway and ventilation must be addressed
immediately.
4. Which finding is most consistent with fluid volume deficit?
A. Peripheral edema
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B. Jugular venous distention
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases circulating volume and can
cause orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes,
and decreased urine output.
5. A patient with heart failure gains 2.5 kg over several days. Which
interpretation is most appropriate?
A. The patient has likely gained skeletal muscle
B. The finding may indicate fluid retention
C. The patient is becoming dehydrated
D. The finding is unrelated to heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure commonly indicates fluid
accumulation and should be evaluated.
6. A patient reports crushing chest pressure radiating to the left arm
with diaphoresis. What should the nurse suspect?
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A. Acute myocardial ischemia
B. Hypoglycemia only
C. Gastrointestinal infection
D. Dehydration
Answer: A
Rationale: Crushing chest pressure with radiation and diaphoresis is
concerning for acute coronary syndrome and requires urgent
evaluation.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with
suspected sepsis?
A. Normal mental status
B. New confusion and decreasing urine output
C. Heart rate of 72/min
D. Warm extremities with stable blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: New confusion and decreased urine output may indicate
inadequate organ perfusion and worsening systemic illness.
NSG 554 EXAM 1 (WILKES) NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| NSG554 FNP EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient suddenly develops severe shortness of breath, cyanosis,
and an oxygen saturation of 84%. What should the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Place the patient upright and initiate oxygen therapy as indicated
C. Document the findings
D. Administer the patient's scheduled oral medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. Positioning
and oxygen support can improve oxygenation while further
assessment occurs.
2. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient reporting chronic pain rated 6/10
B. A patient requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A patient with new-onset confusion and hypotension
,2|Page
D. A patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
Answer: C
Rationale: New confusion with hypotension may indicate impaired
perfusion and clinical deterioration requiring immediate assessment.
3. A patient receiving opioid analgesia has a respiratory rate of 7/min
and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer another opioid dose
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Support airway and breathing and prepare opioid reversal as
prescribed
D. Allow the patient to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe opioid-related respiratory depression is potentially
life-threatening. Airway and ventilation must be addressed
immediately.
4. Which finding is most consistent with fluid volume deficit?
A. Peripheral edema
,3|Page
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases circulating volume and can
cause orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes,
and decreased urine output.
5. A patient with heart failure gains 2.5 kg over several days. Which
interpretation is most appropriate?
A. The patient has likely gained skeletal muscle
B. The finding may indicate fluid retention
C. The patient is becoming dehydrated
D. The finding is unrelated to heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure commonly indicates fluid
accumulation and should be evaluated.
6. A patient reports crushing chest pressure radiating to the left arm
with diaphoresis. What should the nurse suspect?
, 4|Page
A. Acute myocardial ischemia
B. Hypoglycemia only
C. Gastrointestinal infection
D. Dehydration
Answer: A
Rationale: Crushing chest pressure with radiation and diaphoresis is
concerning for acute coronary syndrome and requires urgent
evaluation.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with
suspected sepsis?
A. Normal mental status
B. New confusion and decreasing urine output
C. Heart rate of 72/min
D. Warm extremities with stable blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: New confusion and decreased urine output may indicate
inadequate organ perfusion and worsening systemic illness.
