NURS 190 PA MIDTERM EXAM| PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | EXAM PREP |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. A patient presents to the clinic reporting several days of fatigue, increased thirst, and
frequent urination. Which additional finding would most strongly support a concern for
hyperglycemia?
A. Decreased appetite and bradycardia
B. Increased hunger and unexplained weight loss
C. Productive cough and night sweats
D. Peripheral cyanosis and clubbing
Answer: B
Increased hunger and unexplained weight loss can occur when glucose cannot be effectively
utilized by cells, causing the body to mobilize stored energy.
2. During a routine health assessment, which finding is most appropriately considered an
objective datum?
A. The patient states, “I feel dizzy.”
B. The patient reports a headache rated 7/10.
C. The patient says the pain began yesterday.
D. The patient's blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg.
Answer: D
Blood pressure is measured by the clinician and therefore represents objective, measurable
information rather than a subjective patient report.
3. A patient reports sudden shortness of breath and chest discomfort. What should the
healthcare professional do first?
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Schedule the patient for routine follow-up
D. Ask the patient to complete a pain questionnaire
Answer: A
,Airway, breathing, and circulation take priority when potentially life-threatening
cardiopulmonary compromise is present.
4. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Increased blood pressure after standing
B. A decrease in blood pressure accompanied by dizziness after standing
C. Bradycardia while lying down
D. Increased oxygen saturation after ambulation
Answer: B
Orthostatic hypotension involves a clinically significant fall in blood pressure when the patient
changes position, often producing dizziness or lightheadedness.
5. A healthcare professional is preparing to assess a patient's respiratory status. Which
assessment should generally be performed first?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Inspection provides initial visual information about respiratory effort, rate, pattern,
symmetry, and signs of distress before other examination techniques are performed.
6. Which patient statement demonstrates appropriate understanding of medication
adherence?
A. “I will stop the medication when I feel better.”
B. “I will double the next dose if I miss one.”
C. “I will take the medication according to the prescribed schedule.”
D. “I will share the medication with a family member who has similar symptoms.”
Answer: C
Following the prescribed schedule promotes therapeutic effectiveness and reduces the risk of
treatment failure or adverse effects.
7. A patient develops wheezing, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing shortly after
receiving a medication. Which condition should be suspected?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Mild dehydration
,C. Constipation
D. Tension headache
Answer: A
Rapid-onset respiratory difficulty with facial swelling following medication exposure is highly
concerning for anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction.
8. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with assessing oxygen-carrying
capacity?
A. Sodium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Creatinine
D. Bilirubin
Answer: B
Hemoglobin is the major oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, making its concentration
an important indicator of oxygen-carrying capacity.
9. A patient with vomiting and diarrhea is at increased risk for which complication?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Hypervolemia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Repeated vomiting and diarrhea can cause substantial fluid and electrolyte losses, placing the
patient at risk for dehydration and fluid volume deficit.
10. Which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
B. Telling the patient exactly what decision to make
C. Asking, “Can you tell me more about what concerns you?”
D. Interrupting the patient to save time
Answer: C
Open-ended questions encourage the patient to express concerns and provide additional
information while demonstrating active listening.
, 11. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which action
is the priority?
A. Encourage the patient to walk to improve circulation
B. Initiate an appropriate emergency assessment and response
C. Ask the patient to return next week
D. Provide dietary counseling
Answer: B
Crushing chest pain with radiation is a potentially serious cardiac presentation and requires
immediate assessment and appropriate emergency management.
12. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation during an emergency in an
adult?
A. Radial
B. Dorsalis pedis
C. Carotid
D. Temporal
Answer: C
The carotid pulse is centrally located and can be assessed rapidly when peripheral circulation
is difficult to detect during an adult emergency.
13. A patient has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F). Which term best describes this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normothermia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Apnea
Answer: C
A temperature substantially above the normal range indicates an elevated body temperature,
commonly described as hyperthermia or fever depending on the clinical context.
14. Which finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing respiratory distress?
A. Mild nasal congestion
B. Ability to speak comfortably in complete sentences
C. Use of accessory muscles with increasing respiratory effort
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/minute without distress
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | EXAM PREP |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. A patient presents to the clinic reporting several days of fatigue, increased thirst, and
frequent urination. Which additional finding would most strongly support a concern for
hyperglycemia?
A. Decreased appetite and bradycardia
B. Increased hunger and unexplained weight loss
C. Productive cough and night sweats
D. Peripheral cyanosis and clubbing
Answer: B
Increased hunger and unexplained weight loss can occur when glucose cannot be effectively
utilized by cells, causing the body to mobilize stored energy.
2. During a routine health assessment, which finding is most appropriately considered an
objective datum?
A. The patient states, “I feel dizzy.”
B. The patient reports a headache rated 7/10.
C. The patient says the pain began yesterday.
D. The patient's blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg.
Answer: D
Blood pressure is measured by the clinician and therefore represents objective, measurable
information rather than a subjective patient report.
3. A patient reports sudden shortness of breath and chest discomfort. What should the
healthcare professional do first?
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Schedule the patient for routine follow-up
D. Ask the patient to complete a pain questionnaire
Answer: A
,Airway, breathing, and circulation take priority when potentially life-threatening
cardiopulmonary compromise is present.
4. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Increased blood pressure after standing
B. A decrease in blood pressure accompanied by dizziness after standing
C. Bradycardia while lying down
D. Increased oxygen saturation after ambulation
Answer: B
Orthostatic hypotension involves a clinically significant fall in blood pressure when the patient
changes position, often producing dizziness or lightheadedness.
5. A healthcare professional is preparing to assess a patient's respiratory status. Which
assessment should generally be performed first?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Inspection provides initial visual information about respiratory effort, rate, pattern,
symmetry, and signs of distress before other examination techniques are performed.
6. Which patient statement demonstrates appropriate understanding of medication
adherence?
A. “I will stop the medication when I feel better.”
B. “I will double the next dose if I miss one.”
C. “I will take the medication according to the prescribed schedule.”
D. “I will share the medication with a family member who has similar symptoms.”
Answer: C
Following the prescribed schedule promotes therapeutic effectiveness and reduces the risk of
treatment failure or adverse effects.
7. A patient develops wheezing, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing shortly after
receiving a medication. Which condition should be suspected?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Mild dehydration
,C. Constipation
D. Tension headache
Answer: A
Rapid-onset respiratory difficulty with facial swelling following medication exposure is highly
concerning for anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction.
8. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with assessing oxygen-carrying
capacity?
A. Sodium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Creatinine
D. Bilirubin
Answer: B
Hemoglobin is the major oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, making its concentration
an important indicator of oxygen-carrying capacity.
9. A patient with vomiting and diarrhea is at increased risk for which complication?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Hypervolemia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Repeated vomiting and diarrhea can cause substantial fluid and electrolyte losses, placing the
patient at risk for dehydration and fluid volume deficit.
10. Which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
B. Telling the patient exactly what decision to make
C. Asking, “Can you tell me more about what concerns you?”
D. Interrupting the patient to save time
Answer: C
Open-ended questions encourage the patient to express concerns and provide additional
information while demonstrating active listening.
, 11. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which action
is the priority?
A. Encourage the patient to walk to improve circulation
B. Initiate an appropriate emergency assessment and response
C. Ask the patient to return next week
D. Provide dietary counseling
Answer: B
Crushing chest pain with radiation is a potentially serious cardiac presentation and requires
immediate assessment and appropriate emergency management.
12. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation during an emergency in an
adult?
A. Radial
B. Dorsalis pedis
C. Carotid
D. Temporal
Answer: C
The carotid pulse is centrally located and can be assessed rapidly when peripheral circulation
is difficult to detect during an adult emergency.
13. A patient has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F). Which term best describes this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normothermia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Apnea
Answer: C
A temperature substantially above the normal range indicates an elevated body temperature,
commonly described as hyperthermia or fever depending on the clinical context.
14. Which finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing respiratory distress?
A. Mild nasal congestion
B. Ability to speak comfortably in complete sentences
C. Use of accessory muscles with increasing respiratory effort
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/minute without distress
