NU 155 Exam 1 / NU 155 Medical Surgical
Nursing I Exam 1 Newest Practice Test Bank
with 400 Questions and Correct Answers/
NU155 Exam 1 prep (Latest 2026-2027)
The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse
should carefully monitor the patient for which potential problem?
Excessive urinary output
Abdominal distention
Increased reflexes
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Abdominal distention
Rationale: A potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L results in reduced urine
output, cardiac dysrhythmia, muscle weakness, abdominal pain and distention,
paralytic ileus, lethargy, and confusion.
The nurse assesses the patient's IV insertion site and observes that the vein is hard,
the skin is red and tender, and a blood return in the IV line. After removing the IV
catheter, which action should the nurse take next?
1. Obtain an arm board to properly secure the IV.
1
,2. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.
3. Clean the site with alcohol and apply cool compresses.
4. Apply a warm moist pack.
Apply a warm moist pack.
Rationale: These are signs and symptoms of phlebitis and should be treated with a
warm moist pack to increase blood flow to the area. The IV has been discontinued,
so an arm board for stabilization is unnecessary. Elevation of the arm would be
helpful to reduce swelling. A cool compress would be indicated for other issues
related to IV infusion problems, such as extravasation.
The nurse is caring for a 50-year-old female who presented to the emergency
department after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. The patient displays
marked tenderness and spasm in the suprapubic area and a nonpulsating mass. The
nurse anticipates that this patient will undergo additional workup for which
complication?
Bladder trauma
A damaged kidney
A urethral tear
Ruptured spleen
Bladder trauma
Rationale: Bladder traumas signal themselves with pain, spasm, and a mass in the
suprapubic area. These findings are not consistent with a damaged kidney, urethral
tear, or splenic rupture.
2
,A patient has a kidney stone lodged in the ureter. He questions why it must be
removed. What response is most appropriate?
1. "If the stone is not promptly removed, you will continue to have blood in your
urine."
2. "If the stone is not removed, it could block urine flow from the kidney and cause
swelling within the kidney."
3. "Keeping the stone in your body may result in a condition called
glomerulonephritis."
4. "You may experience scarring of the renal structures and a condition known as
nephrotic syndrome may result."
"If the stone is not removed, it could block urine flow from the kidney and cause
swelling within the kidney."
Rationale: An obstructed ureter will cause urinary reflux into the renal pelvis,
causing hydronephrosis and, ultimately, destruction of the kidney.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been on total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
for 48 h. Which action demonstrates effective nursing care?
1. Checking the patient's blood glucose level according to facility protocol
2. Increasing the infusion rate if the prescribed intake falls behind
3. Informing the patient that TPN can only be administered via a central line for 1
week
3
, 4. Monitoring the peripheral IV site of TPN infusion for signs of infiltration at least
every 8 h
Checking the patient's blood glucose level according to facility protocol
Rationale: The hypertonic solution causes difficulty with glucose tolerance, so
monitoring of blood glucose level is imperative. The infusion rate should never be
increased to "catch up" because of the likelihood of fluid overload caused by the
hypertonicity of the TPN. TPN can be administered for more than 1 week and it is
almost always administered via a central line rather than a peripheral line.
The nurse is reviewing standing orders for a patient who was admitted for
evaluation of chest pain. The patient has a history of COPD (Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder) and his laboratory results indicate that he has mild respiratory
acidosis. The nurse would question which order?
1. Encourage oral fluids
2. Oxygen therapy 4L/min as needed
3. Keep head of the bed elevated
4. Bedrest with bathroom privileges only
Oxygen therapy 4L/min
Rationale: Bedrest will help conserve energy. Keeping the bed elevated will help
open the airways. Increasing the fluid intake will help thin lung secretions when
coughing and help remove mucus from the lungs. Giving too much oxygen to a
COPD patient will decrease their respiratory drive, because CO2 gives humans
drive to breathe. This may cause them to stop bleeding. Give 1-2L of oxygen for
COPD.
4
Nursing I Exam 1 Newest Practice Test Bank
with 400 Questions and Correct Answers/
NU155 Exam 1 prep (Latest 2026-2027)
The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse
should carefully monitor the patient for which potential problem?
Excessive urinary output
Abdominal distention
Increased reflexes
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Abdominal distention
Rationale: A potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L results in reduced urine
output, cardiac dysrhythmia, muscle weakness, abdominal pain and distention,
paralytic ileus, lethargy, and confusion.
The nurse assesses the patient's IV insertion site and observes that the vein is hard,
the skin is red and tender, and a blood return in the IV line. After removing the IV
catheter, which action should the nurse take next?
1. Obtain an arm board to properly secure the IV.
1
,2. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.
3. Clean the site with alcohol and apply cool compresses.
4. Apply a warm moist pack.
Apply a warm moist pack.
Rationale: These are signs and symptoms of phlebitis and should be treated with a
warm moist pack to increase blood flow to the area. The IV has been discontinued,
so an arm board for stabilization is unnecessary. Elevation of the arm would be
helpful to reduce swelling. A cool compress would be indicated for other issues
related to IV infusion problems, such as extravasation.
The nurse is caring for a 50-year-old female who presented to the emergency
department after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. The patient displays
marked tenderness and spasm in the suprapubic area and a nonpulsating mass. The
nurse anticipates that this patient will undergo additional workup for which
complication?
Bladder trauma
A damaged kidney
A urethral tear
Ruptured spleen
Bladder trauma
Rationale: Bladder traumas signal themselves with pain, spasm, and a mass in the
suprapubic area. These findings are not consistent with a damaged kidney, urethral
tear, or splenic rupture.
2
,A patient has a kidney stone lodged in the ureter. He questions why it must be
removed. What response is most appropriate?
1. "If the stone is not promptly removed, you will continue to have blood in your
urine."
2. "If the stone is not removed, it could block urine flow from the kidney and cause
swelling within the kidney."
3. "Keeping the stone in your body may result in a condition called
glomerulonephritis."
4. "You may experience scarring of the renal structures and a condition known as
nephrotic syndrome may result."
"If the stone is not removed, it could block urine flow from the kidney and cause
swelling within the kidney."
Rationale: An obstructed ureter will cause urinary reflux into the renal pelvis,
causing hydronephrosis and, ultimately, destruction of the kidney.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been on total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
for 48 h. Which action demonstrates effective nursing care?
1. Checking the patient's blood glucose level according to facility protocol
2. Increasing the infusion rate if the prescribed intake falls behind
3. Informing the patient that TPN can only be administered via a central line for 1
week
3
, 4. Monitoring the peripheral IV site of TPN infusion for signs of infiltration at least
every 8 h
Checking the patient's blood glucose level according to facility protocol
Rationale: The hypertonic solution causes difficulty with glucose tolerance, so
monitoring of blood glucose level is imperative. The infusion rate should never be
increased to "catch up" because of the likelihood of fluid overload caused by the
hypertonicity of the TPN. TPN can be administered for more than 1 week and it is
almost always administered via a central line rather than a peripheral line.
The nurse is reviewing standing orders for a patient who was admitted for
evaluation of chest pain. The patient has a history of COPD (Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder) and his laboratory results indicate that he has mild respiratory
acidosis. The nurse would question which order?
1. Encourage oral fluids
2. Oxygen therapy 4L/min as needed
3. Keep head of the bed elevated
4. Bedrest with bathroom privileges only
Oxygen therapy 4L/min
Rationale: Bedrest will help conserve energy. Keeping the bed elevated will help
open the airways. Increasing the fluid intake will help thin lung secretions when
coughing and help remove mucus from the lungs. Giving too much oxygen to a
COPD patient will decrease their respiratory drive, because CO2 gives humans
drive to breathe. This may cause them to stop bleeding. Give 1-2L of oxygen for
COPD.
4
