NU 170 PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as tall,
peaked T waves on an ECG, which can progress to lethal arrhythmias. U waves are seen in
hypokalemia.
2. When interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. What is the client’s acid-base status?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
,D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (< 7.35) indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>
45 mmHg) indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, showing no compensation.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.8 mEq/L
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Digoxin is a negative chronotrope and should be withheld if the
apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults to prevent further bradycardia.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury. Which
electrolyte imbalance is the highest priority risk?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In the oliguric phase, the kidneys cannot excrete potassium,
leading to hyperkalemia, which is life-threatening due to potential cardiac arrest.
5. A client is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the drug’s therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. HgbA1c
D. INR
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: INR (International Normalized Ratio) is the standard
measurement for monitoring Warfarin therapy, while aPTT is used for Heparin.
6. The nurse is assessing a pressure ulcer that involves full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but no bone or muscle exposure. How should this be documented?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Stage IV
Answer: C
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as tall,
peaked T waves on an ECG, which can progress to lethal arrhythmias. U waves are seen in
hypokalemia.
2. When interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. What is the client’s acid-base status?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
,D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (< 7.35) indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>
45 mmHg) indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, showing no compensation.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.8 mEq/L
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Digoxin is a negative chronotrope and should be withheld if the
apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults to prevent further bradycardia.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury. Which
electrolyte imbalance is the highest priority risk?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In the oliguric phase, the kidneys cannot excrete potassium,
leading to hyperkalemia, which is life-threatening due to potential cardiac arrest.
5. A client is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the drug’s therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. HgbA1c
D. INR
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: INR (International Normalized Ratio) is the standard
measurement for monitoring Warfarin therapy, while aPTT is used for Heparin.
6. The nurse is assessing a pressure ulcer that involves full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but no bone or muscle exposure. How should this be documented?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Stage IV
Answer: C
