NSG 122 Practice Exam with correct
questions updated 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shortness of breath. Which action should the nurse perform
first?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Notify the provider
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Administer pain medication
Rationale: In any urgent situation, the nurse follows ABCs—airway, breathing, circulation.
Assessment of airway and breathing is the priority.
2. Which infection control measure is appropriate for a client with suspected tuberculosis?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis is spread through airborne particles, so airborne precautions are required.
3. Which vital sign finding should the nurse report first?
A. Blood pressure 138/84 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Respiratory rate 30/min
D. Temperature 99.1°F (37.3°C)
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 30/min indicates possible respiratory distress and requires prompt
attention.
,4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action is part of safe medication
administration?
A. Administer all medications at once to save time
B. Use another client’s MAR if unavailable
C. Verify two client identifiers before administration
D. Document before giving the medication
Rationale: Two identifiers are required to ensure the correct client receives the correct medication.
5. Which position is best for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Prone
D. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s promotes lung expansion and eases breathing.
6. Which finding is an example of a subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. Temperature 100.2°F
C. Client states, “I feel nauseated.”
D. Oxygen saturation 92%
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the client.
7. The nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding indicates possible infection?
A. Pink incision edges
B. Mild tenderness at the site
C. Purulent drainage from the incision
D. Minimal serous drainage
,Rationale: Purulent drainage is a classic sign of wound infection.
8. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wear gloves instead of washing hands
B. Wash hands only after client contact
C. Wash hands before and after client contact
D. Use water only if hands are visibly dirty
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after patient contact to reduce infection
transmission.
9. A nurse is collecting data from a client with dehydration. Which finding is expected?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and
tachycardia.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Low potassium can lead to muscle weakness and dangerous cardiac rhythm changes.
11. Which laboratory value should the nurse recognize as normal?
A. WBC 15,000/mm³
B. Hemoglobin 8 g/dL
C. Platelets 75,000/mm³
, D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal sodium ranges from about 135–145 mEq/L.
12. Which action is most appropriate when a client refuses medication?
A. Hide the medication in food
B. Force the client to take it
C. Explore the reason for refusal and educate the client
D. Discharge the client
Rationale: The nurse should determine why the client is refusing and provide education while
respecting autonomy.
13. Which pulse site should be used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an adult?
A. Radial
B. Apical
C. Carotid
D. Brachial
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the recommended pulse site for checking circulation in an
unresponsive adult.
14. A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails up at all times
B. Place the call light out of reach
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage client to ambulate alone
Rationale: Keeping the bed low reduces injury risk if the client attempts to get up.
15. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of incentive spirometer use?
A. “I should breathe out quickly into the device.”
questions updated 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shortness of breath. Which action should the nurse perform
first?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Notify the provider
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Administer pain medication
Rationale: In any urgent situation, the nurse follows ABCs—airway, breathing, circulation.
Assessment of airway and breathing is the priority.
2. Which infection control measure is appropriate for a client with suspected tuberculosis?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis is spread through airborne particles, so airborne precautions are required.
3. Which vital sign finding should the nurse report first?
A. Blood pressure 138/84 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Respiratory rate 30/min
D. Temperature 99.1°F (37.3°C)
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 30/min indicates possible respiratory distress and requires prompt
attention.
,4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action is part of safe medication
administration?
A. Administer all medications at once to save time
B. Use another client’s MAR if unavailable
C. Verify two client identifiers before administration
D. Document before giving the medication
Rationale: Two identifiers are required to ensure the correct client receives the correct medication.
5. Which position is best for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Prone
D. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s promotes lung expansion and eases breathing.
6. Which finding is an example of a subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. Temperature 100.2°F
C. Client states, “I feel nauseated.”
D. Oxygen saturation 92%
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the client.
7. The nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding indicates possible infection?
A. Pink incision edges
B. Mild tenderness at the site
C. Purulent drainage from the incision
D. Minimal serous drainage
,Rationale: Purulent drainage is a classic sign of wound infection.
8. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wear gloves instead of washing hands
B. Wash hands only after client contact
C. Wash hands before and after client contact
D. Use water only if hands are visibly dirty
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after patient contact to reduce infection
transmission.
9. A nurse is collecting data from a client with dehydration. Which finding is expected?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and
tachycardia.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Low potassium can lead to muscle weakness and dangerous cardiac rhythm changes.
11. Which laboratory value should the nurse recognize as normal?
A. WBC 15,000/mm³
B. Hemoglobin 8 g/dL
C. Platelets 75,000/mm³
, D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal sodium ranges from about 135–145 mEq/L.
12. Which action is most appropriate when a client refuses medication?
A. Hide the medication in food
B. Force the client to take it
C. Explore the reason for refusal and educate the client
D. Discharge the client
Rationale: The nurse should determine why the client is refusing and provide education while
respecting autonomy.
13. Which pulse site should be used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an adult?
A. Radial
B. Apical
C. Carotid
D. Brachial
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the recommended pulse site for checking circulation in an
unresponsive adult.
14. A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails up at all times
B. Place the call light out of reach
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage client to ambulate alone
Rationale: Keeping the bed low reduces injury risk if the client attempts to get up.
15. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of incentive spirometer use?
A. “I should breathe out quickly into the device.”
