GALEN NUR 283 COMP 1–3
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of congestive heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg daily.
Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as a potential sign of toxicity?
A. Occasional heart palpitations
B. Yellow-green visual disturbances
C. Increased urine output
D. Systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green halos, are a classic
sign of digoxin toxicity, alongside nausea and bradycardia.
2. When triage is performed during a mass casualty incident, which patient would the nurse
tag as ‘Red’ (Immediate)?
A. A client with a sucking chest wound and labored breathing
B. A client with a closed fracture of the right tibia
C. A client who is unresponsive with a high-level spinal cord injury
,D. A client with minor abrasions and controlled bleeding
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable with
immediate intervention, such as airway or breathing compromises. Unresponsive spinal
injuries may be tagged black if resources are limited.
3. A client is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following laboratory
values should the nurse expect to find?
A. pH 7.30, HCO3 15 mEq/L
B. pH 7.48, HCO3 28 mEq/L
C. Glucose 110 mg/dL, pH 7.35
D. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L, pH 7.50
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: DKA is characterized by metabolic acidosis (low pH and low
bicarbonate) and hyperglycemia.
4. An RN is delegating tasks to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Which task is most
appropriate for the LPN?
A. Administering a scheduled intramuscular injection
B. Developing a plan of care for a client with unstable angina
C. Completing the initial admission assessment for a new patient
, D. Providing discharge teaching to a patient after a gastrectomy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: LPNs can perform stable tasks like IM injections. Initial
assessments, care planning, and discharge teaching require RN-level clinical judgment.
5. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab result indicates the
medication is in the therapeutic range?
A. INR of 2.5
B. aPTT of 60 seconds
C. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3
D. PT of 11 seconds
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For most conditions like A-fib, the therapeutic INR range for
Warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. aPTT is used to monitor Heparin.
6. A client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula at 2L/min. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90%
B. Respirations of 22 breaths per minute
C. A decrease in respiratory rate to 8 breaths per minute
D. Clubbing of the fingers
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of congestive heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg daily.
Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as a potential sign of toxicity?
A. Occasional heart palpitations
B. Yellow-green visual disturbances
C. Increased urine output
D. Systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green halos, are a classic
sign of digoxin toxicity, alongside nausea and bradycardia.
2. When triage is performed during a mass casualty incident, which patient would the nurse
tag as ‘Red’ (Immediate)?
A. A client with a sucking chest wound and labored breathing
B. A client with a closed fracture of the right tibia
C. A client who is unresponsive with a high-level spinal cord injury
,D. A client with minor abrasions and controlled bleeding
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable with
immediate intervention, such as airway or breathing compromises. Unresponsive spinal
injuries may be tagged black if resources are limited.
3. A client is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following laboratory
values should the nurse expect to find?
A. pH 7.30, HCO3 15 mEq/L
B. pH 7.48, HCO3 28 mEq/L
C. Glucose 110 mg/dL, pH 7.35
D. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L, pH 7.50
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: DKA is characterized by metabolic acidosis (low pH and low
bicarbonate) and hyperglycemia.
4. An RN is delegating tasks to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Which task is most
appropriate for the LPN?
A. Administering a scheduled intramuscular injection
B. Developing a plan of care for a client with unstable angina
C. Completing the initial admission assessment for a new patient
, D. Providing discharge teaching to a patient after a gastrectomy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: LPNs can perform stable tasks like IM injections. Initial
assessments, care planning, and discharge teaching require RN-level clinical judgment.
5. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab result indicates the
medication is in the therapeutic range?
A. INR of 2.5
B. aPTT of 60 seconds
C. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3
D. PT of 11 seconds
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For most conditions like A-fib, the therapeutic INR range for
Warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. aPTT is used to monitor Heparin.
6. A client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula at 2L/min. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90%
B. Respirations of 22 breaths per minute
C. A decrease in respiratory rate to 8 breaths per minute
D. Clubbing of the fingers
