,NUR 2790 Exam 2 | Professional Nursing III (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
| Rasmussen College
1. A patient with acute pancreatitis is being monitored for complications. Which
assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as an indication of a life-threatening
complication?
A) Grey Turner's sign (bluish discoloration of the flanks)
B) Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
C) Nausea and vomiting after eating
D) Serum amylase level three times the normal limit
Correct Answer: A) Grey Turner's sign (bluish discoloration of the flanks)
Rationale: Grey Turner's sign indicates retroperitoneal hemorrhage, a severe and life-
threatening complication of acute pancreatitis. While epigastric pain and elevated amylase
are expected findings, they are not immediately life-threatening. The nurse must prioritize
signs of internal bleeding and hypovolemic shock to ensure patient safety.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) who is scheduled for
hemodialysis. Which medication should the nurse withhold prior to the procedure?
A) Sevelamer
B) Calcium carbonate
C) Epoetin alfa
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: D) Lisinopril
,Rationale: Antihypertensive medications like lisinopril should be withheld before
hemodialysis to prevent hypotension during the fluid removal process. Dialysis can also
remove certain medications, making them ineffective if given just before treatment. The
nurse should consult the facility protocol and the provider for specific holding orders.
3. A patient is admitted with a suspected Thyroid Storm. Which of the following clinical
manifestations would the nurse expect to find?
A) Bradycardia and constipation
B) Weight gain and cold intolerance
C) Hypotension and periorbital edema
D) Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and agitation
Correct Answer: D) Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and agitation
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a severe hypermetabolic state characterized by extreme
tachycardia, high fever, and central nervous system effects like agitation or delirium. It is a
medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to reduce thyroid hormone
levels and manage symptoms. Failure to treat thyroid storm promptly can lead to heart
failure and death.
4. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the
following laboratory values would the nurse most likely expect to find?
A) Blood glucose 450 mg/dL and pH 7.20
B) Blood glucose 150 mg/dL and pH 7.45
C) Blood glucose 900 mg/dL and pH 7.35
D) Blood glucose 300 mg/dL and Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) Blood glucose 450 mg/dL and pH 7.20
, Rationale: In DKA, blood glucose levels are typically significantly elevated above 250
mg/dL. Metabolic acidosis occurs as a result of ketone production, leading to a blood pH
lower than 7.35. Bicarbonate levels are also typically low, usually less than 18 mEq/L.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated for Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar
State (HHS). What is the primary priority in the initial management of this patient?
A) Initiating a high-dose insulin bolus
B) Replacing potassium levels immediately
C) Administering IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
D) Monitoring for ketone bodies in the urine
Correct Answer: C) Administering IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
Rationale: The primary goal in treating HHS is rapid rehydration to correct the severe
dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis. While insulin is necessary, fluid resuscitation must
begin first to restore circulatory volume and improve renal perfusion. Insulin is typically
started after some fluid volume has been restored to avoid a rapid shift of water into the
cells which could worsen hypotension.
6. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by the absence of P waves and an irregularly
irregular QRS complex?
A) Atrial Fibrillation
B) Ventricular Tachycardia
C) Atrial Flutter
D) Sinus Bradycardia
Correct Answer: A) Atrial Fibrillation
| Rasmussen College
1. A patient with acute pancreatitis is being monitored for complications. Which
assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as an indication of a life-threatening
complication?
A) Grey Turner's sign (bluish discoloration of the flanks)
B) Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
C) Nausea and vomiting after eating
D) Serum amylase level three times the normal limit
Correct Answer: A) Grey Turner's sign (bluish discoloration of the flanks)
Rationale: Grey Turner's sign indicates retroperitoneal hemorrhage, a severe and life-
threatening complication of acute pancreatitis. While epigastric pain and elevated amylase
are expected findings, they are not immediately life-threatening. The nurse must prioritize
signs of internal bleeding and hypovolemic shock to ensure patient safety.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) who is scheduled for
hemodialysis. Which medication should the nurse withhold prior to the procedure?
A) Sevelamer
B) Calcium carbonate
C) Epoetin alfa
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: D) Lisinopril
,Rationale: Antihypertensive medications like lisinopril should be withheld before
hemodialysis to prevent hypotension during the fluid removal process. Dialysis can also
remove certain medications, making them ineffective if given just before treatment. The
nurse should consult the facility protocol and the provider for specific holding orders.
3. A patient is admitted with a suspected Thyroid Storm. Which of the following clinical
manifestations would the nurse expect to find?
A) Bradycardia and constipation
B) Weight gain and cold intolerance
C) Hypotension and periorbital edema
D) Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and agitation
Correct Answer: D) Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and agitation
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a severe hypermetabolic state characterized by extreme
tachycardia, high fever, and central nervous system effects like agitation or delirium. It is a
medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to reduce thyroid hormone
levels and manage symptoms. Failure to treat thyroid storm promptly can lead to heart
failure and death.
4. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the
following laboratory values would the nurse most likely expect to find?
A) Blood glucose 450 mg/dL and pH 7.20
B) Blood glucose 150 mg/dL and pH 7.45
C) Blood glucose 900 mg/dL and pH 7.35
D) Blood glucose 300 mg/dL and Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) Blood glucose 450 mg/dL and pH 7.20
, Rationale: In DKA, blood glucose levels are typically significantly elevated above 250
mg/dL. Metabolic acidosis occurs as a result of ketone production, leading to a blood pH
lower than 7.35. Bicarbonate levels are also typically low, usually less than 18 mEq/L.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated for Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar
State (HHS). What is the primary priority in the initial management of this patient?
A) Initiating a high-dose insulin bolus
B) Replacing potassium levels immediately
C) Administering IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
D) Monitoring for ketone bodies in the urine
Correct Answer: C) Administering IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
Rationale: The primary goal in treating HHS is rapid rehydration to correct the severe
dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis. While insulin is necessary, fluid resuscitation must
begin first to restore circulatory volume and improve renal perfusion. Insulin is typically
started after some fluid volume has been restored to avoid a rapid shift of water into the
cells which could worsen hypotension.
6. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by the absence of P waves and an irregularly
irregular QRS complex?
A) Atrial Fibrillation
B) Ventricular Tachycardia
C) Atrial Flutter
D) Sinus Bradycardia
Correct Answer: A) Atrial Fibrillation
