NSG 320 ADULT HEALTH NURSING
FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which assessment finding should the
nurse expect to prioritize?
A. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
B. Hepatosplenomegaly and ascites
C. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
D. Weight gain and anorexia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary system, leading to pulmonary congestion (crackles) and shortness of breath
(dyspnea). Other options are signs of right-sided failure.
2. Which ECG change is most characteristic of a patient presenting with hyperkalemia
(potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L)?
A. Prolonged QT interval
,B. Presence of U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia leads to tall, peaked T waves and eventual
widening of the QRS complex. U waves are typical of hypokalemia.
3. A patient with COPD is experiencing respiratory acidosis. What is the primary physiological
cause of this acid-base imbalance?
A. Alveolar hypoventilation resulting in CO2 retention
B. Excessive loss of bicarbonate through the kidneys
C. Hyperventilation causing excessive CO2 loss
D. Excessive production of lactic acid
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation, where the
lungs fail to exhale sufficient CO2, leading to an accumulation of carbonic acid.
4. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse monitor for in a patient diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease?
A. Spastic paralysis and hyperreflexia
B. Bradykinesia and resting tremors
, C. Choreiform movements
D. Ascending muscle weakness
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the ‘TRAP’ symptoms:
Tremor at rest, Rigidity, Akinesia/Bradykinesia, and Postural instability.
5. A patient with hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease) is most likely to exhibit which of the
following?
A. Cold intolerance and bradycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
D. Dry skin and constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism, leading to heat
intolerance and tachycardia. Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) is a specific sign of Graves’
disease.
6. What is the primary causative factor for the majority of peptic ulcer diseases (PUD)?
A. High intake of spicy foods
B. Psychological stress
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which assessment finding should the
nurse expect to prioritize?
A. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
B. Hepatosplenomegaly and ascites
C. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
D. Weight gain and anorexia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary system, leading to pulmonary congestion (crackles) and shortness of breath
(dyspnea). Other options are signs of right-sided failure.
2. Which ECG change is most characteristic of a patient presenting with hyperkalemia
(potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L)?
A. Prolonged QT interval
,B. Presence of U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia leads to tall, peaked T waves and eventual
widening of the QRS complex. U waves are typical of hypokalemia.
3. A patient with COPD is experiencing respiratory acidosis. What is the primary physiological
cause of this acid-base imbalance?
A. Alveolar hypoventilation resulting in CO2 retention
B. Excessive loss of bicarbonate through the kidneys
C. Hyperventilation causing excessive CO2 loss
D. Excessive production of lactic acid
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation, where the
lungs fail to exhale sufficient CO2, leading to an accumulation of carbonic acid.
4. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse monitor for in a patient diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease?
A. Spastic paralysis and hyperreflexia
B. Bradykinesia and resting tremors
, C. Choreiform movements
D. Ascending muscle weakness
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the ‘TRAP’ symptoms:
Tremor at rest, Rigidity, Akinesia/Bradykinesia, and Postural instability.
5. A patient with hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease) is most likely to exhibit which of the
following?
A. Cold intolerance and bradycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
D. Dry skin and constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism, leading to heat
intolerance and tachycardia. Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) is a specific sign of Graves’
disease.
6. What is the primary causative factor for the majority of peptic ulcer diseases (PUD)?
A. High intake of spicy foods
B. Psychological stress
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
