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NSG 3100 Exam 3
Diagnostics, Lab Values &
Medication
Administration
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Diagnostic Procedures, Laboratory Values, & Safe Medication
Administration
Edition 1 · July 2026 · 69 Questions
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 3100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NSG 3100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Category: Diagnostics, Lab Values, & Medication Administration
1 Which laboratory result should immediately be reported by the nurse to the
primary care provider (PCP)?
A Hemoglobin: 15.6 g/dL
B Hematocrit: 32%
C Red blood cells: 5.3 million/mcL
D White blood cells: 6000/mm³
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A hematocrit of 32% is below the normal range (37-47% for females, 42-52% for males) and
may indicate anemia or bleeding. This result requires immediate notification of the PCP. The
other values are within normal ranges.
Tested Concept: Low hematocrit — report to PCP
,2 A patient has been taking warfarin, an anticoagulant, for several years. The nurse
notices several bruised areas on her arms. Which laboratory result is the most
clinically significant for this medication?
A Platelets: 450,000/mcL
B Prothrombin time: 24.2 seconds
C Activated partial thromboplastin time: 30 seconds
D Fibrinogen: 350 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A PT of 24.2 seconds is elevated and indicates the warfarin is causing excessive anticoagulation,
increasing the risk of bleeding. The normal PT is 11-13.5 seconds.
Tested Concept: Warfarin — elevated PT
3 A patient has been on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet for the past 6
months. Which blood test result could be influenced by her diet?
A Bilirubin
B Creatinine
C Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D Creatine kinase
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A high-protein diet increases the breakdown of protein, leading to elevated BUN levels. BUN
reflects protein metabolism and renal function.
Tested Concept: High-protein diet — elevated BUN
, 4 At a health fair, a male asks what his ideal numbers should be for cholesterol and
triglycerides. Which of the following are recommended levels for lipid?
A Total cholesterol: >200 mg/dL
B HDL: >45 mg/dL
C LDL: >100 mg/dL
D Triglycerides: >160 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
HDL (good cholesterol) should be >45 mg/dL for men and >55 mg/dL for women. Higher levels
are protective against heart disease. The other values are elevated and indicate risk.
Tested Concept: Recommended lipid levels — HDL >45
5 The nurse is preparing a patient for a barium swallow test. Which statements by
the patient indicate that the patient has understood the nurse's teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
A "The doctor will be able to view my stomach and intestines during the test."
B "I should increase fluids after the test."
C "I will have to drink a contrast agent."
D "Barium can cause constipation and I may need a mild laxative."
E "I will be NPO for 8 hours after the test."
F "My stools may turn black for a few days afterward."
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D
Rationale:
Correct understanding includes: the test visualizes the GI tract, fluids should be increased after
the test, contrast agent is drunk, and barium can cause constipation. Stools turn white/light-
colored, not black.
Tested Concept: Barium swallow — patient teaching
NSG 3100 Exam 3
Diagnostics, Lab Values &
Medication
Administration
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Diagnostic Procedures, Laboratory Values, & Safe Medication
Administration
Edition 1 · July 2026 · 69 Questions
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 3100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NSG 3100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Category: Diagnostics, Lab Values, & Medication Administration
1 Which laboratory result should immediately be reported by the nurse to the
primary care provider (PCP)?
A Hemoglobin: 15.6 g/dL
B Hematocrit: 32%
C Red blood cells: 5.3 million/mcL
D White blood cells: 6000/mm³
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A hematocrit of 32% is below the normal range (37-47% for females, 42-52% for males) and
may indicate anemia or bleeding. This result requires immediate notification of the PCP. The
other values are within normal ranges.
Tested Concept: Low hematocrit — report to PCP
,2 A patient has been taking warfarin, an anticoagulant, for several years. The nurse
notices several bruised areas on her arms. Which laboratory result is the most
clinically significant for this medication?
A Platelets: 450,000/mcL
B Prothrombin time: 24.2 seconds
C Activated partial thromboplastin time: 30 seconds
D Fibrinogen: 350 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A PT of 24.2 seconds is elevated and indicates the warfarin is causing excessive anticoagulation,
increasing the risk of bleeding. The normal PT is 11-13.5 seconds.
Tested Concept: Warfarin — elevated PT
3 A patient has been on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet for the past 6
months. Which blood test result could be influenced by her diet?
A Bilirubin
B Creatinine
C Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D Creatine kinase
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A high-protein diet increases the breakdown of protein, leading to elevated BUN levels. BUN
reflects protein metabolism and renal function.
Tested Concept: High-protein diet — elevated BUN
, 4 At a health fair, a male asks what his ideal numbers should be for cholesterol and
triglycerides. Which of the following are recommended levels for lipid?
A Total cholesterol: >200 mg/dL
B HDL: >45 mg/dL
C LDL: >100 mg/dL
D Triglycerides: >160 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
HDL (good cholesterol) should be >45 mg/dL for men and >55 mg/dL for women. Higher levels
are protective against heart disease. The other values are elevated and indicate risk.
Tested Concept: Recommended lipid levels — HDL >45
5 The nurse is preparing a patient for a barium swallow test. Which statements by
the patient indicate that the patient has understood the nurse's teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
A "The doctor will be able to view my stomach and intestines during the test."
B "I should increase fluids after the test."
C "I will have to drink a contrast agent."
D "Barium can cause constipation and I may need a mild laxative."
E "I will be NPO for 8 hours after the test."
F "My stools may turn black for a few days afterward."
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, C, D
Rationale:
Correct understanding includes: the test visualizes the GI tract, fluids should be increased after
the test, contrast agent is drunk, and barium can cause constipation. Stools turn white/light-
colored, not black.
Tested Concept: Barium swallow — patient teaching
