Nursing 354 Hypertension Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which blood pressure reading is most consistent with hypertension in an adult?
A. 108/68 mm Hg
B. 118/76 mm Hg
C. 128/78 mm Hg
D. 140/90 mm Hg
Answer: D. 140/90 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is within the hypertensive range
and requires further evaluation and confirmation.
2. Which factor is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A. Age
B. Family history
C. High dietary sodium intake
D. Genetic predisposition
Answer: C. High dietary sodium intake
Rationale: Excess sodium contributes to fluid retention and increased vascular
resistance, making it an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension.
,3. Which organ is particularly vulnerable to long-term complications of
uncontrolled hypertension?
A. Appendix
B. Gallbladder
C. Kidneys
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: C. Kidneys
Rationale: Chronic hypertension damages renal blood vessels and can
progressively impair kidney function.
4. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with severe hypertension?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Headache and visual disturbances
C. Bradycardia after meals
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: B. Headache and visual disturbances
Rationale: Severe elevations in blood pressure may produce neurologic and
visual symptoms, particularly when acute target-organ injury occurs.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about dietary management.
Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Increase processed foods
B. Add salt to meals before tasting them
C. Avoid all fruits
D. Choose fresh foods and limit sodium
Answer: D. Choose fresh foods and limit sodium
,Rationale: Reducing sodium and emphasizing fresh, minimally processed foods
can help lower blood pressure.
6. Which medication class is commonly used as an initial treatment option for
uncomplicated hypertension?
A. Antacids
B. Thiazide-type diuretics
C. Antidiarrheal agents
D. Proton pump inhibitors
Answer: B. Thiazide-type diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide-type diuretics are among the commonly recommended first-
line medication classes for hypertension.
7. A client taking hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored closely for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia only
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can increase urinary potassium loss, potentially
resulting in hypokalemia.
8. Which lifestyle modification is most effective for helping reduce blood
pressure?
A. Increasing alcohol consumption
B. Eliminating physical activity
, C. Regular aerobic physical activity
D. Increasing saturated fat intake
Answer: C. Regular aerobic physical activity
Rationale: Regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure and improve
cardiovascular health.
9. Which finding may indicate hypertensive emergency?
A. Blood pressure slightly above the client's usual level without symptoms
B. Severely elevated blood pressure with acute neurologic changes
C. Mild thirst
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Severely elevated blood pressure with acute neurologic changes
Rationale: Hypertensive emergency involves severe blood pressure elevation
accompanied by acute target-organ injury, such as neurologic dysfunction.
10. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed an
antihypertensive medication?
A. Stop the medication when blood pressure improves
B. Double the next dose if one is missed
C. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
D. Take medication only when symptoms occur
Answer: C. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Hypertension is often asymptomatic, so medications should be taken
consistently rather than based on symptoms.
11. Which blood pressure measurement technique provides the most accurate
result?
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which blood pressure reading is most consistent with hypertension in an adult?
A. 108/68 mm Hg
B. 118/76 mm Hg
C. 128/78 mm Hg
D. 140/90 mm Hg
Answer: D. 140/90 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is within the hypertensive range
and requires further evaluation and confirmation.
2. Which factor is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A. Age
B. Family history
C. High dietary sodium intake
D. Genetic predisposition
Answer: C. High dietary sodium intake
Rationale: Excess sodium contributes to fluid retention and increased vascular
resistance, making it an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension.
,3. Which organ is particularly vulnerable to long-term complications of
uncontrolled hypertension?
A. Appendix
B. Gallbladder
C. Kidneys
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: C. Kidneys
Rationale: Chronic hypertension damages renal blood vessels and can
progressively impair kidney function.
4. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with severe hypertension?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Headache and visual disturbances
C. Bradycardia after meals
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: B. Headache and visual disturbances
Rationale: Severe elevations in blood pressure may produce neurologic and
visual symptoms, particularly when acute target-organ injury occurs.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about dietary management.
Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Increase processed foods
B. Add salt to meals before tasting them
C. Avoid all fruits
D. Choose fresh foods and limit sodium
Answer: D. Choose fresh foods and limit sodium
,Rationale: Reducing sodium and emphasizing fresh, minimally processed foods
can help lower blood pressure.
6. Which medication class is commonly used as an initial treatment option for
uncomplicated hypertension?
A. Antacids
B. Thiazide-type diuretics
C. Antidiarrheal agents
D. Proton pump inhibitors
Answer: B. Thiazide-type diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide-type diuretics are among the commonly recommended first-
line medication classes for hypertension.
7. A client taking hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored closely for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia only
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can increase urinary potassium loss, potentially
resulting in hypokalemia.
8. Which lifestyle modification is most effective for helping reduce blood
pressure?
A. Increasing alcohol consumption
B. Eliminating physical activity
, C. Regular aerobic physical activity
D. Increasing saturated fat intake
Answer: C. Regular aerobic physical activity
Rationale: Regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure and improve
cardiovascular health.
9. Which finding may indicate hypertensive emergency?
A. Blood pressure slightly above the client's usual level without symptoms
B. Severely elevated blood pressure with acute neurologic changes
C. Mild thirst
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Severely elevated blood pressure with acute neurologic changes
Rationale: Hypertensive emergency involves severe blood pressure elevation
accompanied by acute target-organ injury, such as neurologic dysfunction.
10. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed an
antihypertensive medication?
A. Stop the medication when blood pressure improves
B. Double the next dose if one is missed
C. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
D. Take medication only when symptoms occur
Answer: C. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Hypertension is often asymptomatic, so medications should be taken
consistently rather than based on symptoms.
11. Which blood pressure measurement technique provides the most accurate
result?
