Page 1 of 51
WGU D444 ADULT HEALTH I EXAM- 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
WGU D444 ADULT HEALTH I: QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SUMMARIZED 10-POINT EXAM COVERAGE
Cardiovascular Disorders: Heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial
infarction, dysrhythmias, valvular disorders, and shock states.
Respiratory Disorders: Pneumonia, COPD, asthma, ARDS, and pneumothorax.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Cirrhosis, esophageal varices, inflammatory bowel disease, and
gallbladder disease.
Endocrine Disorders: Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, and adrenal disorders.
Renal & Urinary Disorders: Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and urinary tract
infections.
Neurological Disorders: Stroke, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure.
Infectious Diseases: Tuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, and sepsis.
Perioperative Care: Informed consent, malignant hyperthermia, and postoperative
complications.
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance: Hyperparathyroidism, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Pharmacological Management: Antihypertensives, diuretics, and other medication
management.
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
should the nurse do first?
,Page 2 of 51
A) Administer morphine
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Apply supplemental oxygen
D) Notify the provider
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, oxygenation is the priority. Sudden shortness of breath
and chest pain may indicate myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. Applying oxygen first
addresses potential hypoxemia while preparing for further diagnostic measures.
Question 2
A client with acute decompensated heart failure has severe dyspnea, bilateral crackles,
oxygen saturation of 86% on room air, and pink frothy sputum. Which action is priority?
A) Administer IV furosemide
B) Place the client in high Fowler's position and administer oxygen
C) Obtain a chest X-ray
D) Administer morphine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Pink frothy sputum indicates pulmonary edema. Immediate interventions include
positioning the client upright to improve ventilation and administering oxygen to correct
hypoxemia.
Question 3
A client with chronic heart failure has gained 3 kg in the past 2 days. Which finding is most
important to report to the provider?
A) Heart rate 88/min
B) Respiratory rate 20/min
C) Weight gain of 3 kg in 2 days
D) Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (greater than 2–3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds in a week)
indicates fluid retention and worsening heart failure. This requires prompt intervention to
prevent acute decompensation.
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Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected fluid volume excess. Which findings should the
nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A) Distended neck veins
B) Hypotension
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Weight loss
E) Bounding pulse
Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: Fluid volume excess manifests with distended neck veins, crackles in the lungs,
bounding pulse, hypertension, and weight gain. Hypotension and weight loss indicate fluid
deficit.
Question 5
A nurse is verifying informed consent for a client scheduled for surgery. Which of the
following is the nurse's primary responsibility?
A) Explaining the surgical procedure to the client
B) Witnessing the client's signature and ensuring voluntary consent
C) Obtaining the surgeon's signature
D) Determining the client's competence to consent
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature, ensure the
consent is voluntary, and verify that the client understands the procedure. Explaining the
procedure is the surgeon's responsibility.
Question 6
A client is experiencing malignant hyperthermia during surgery. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering?
A) Dantrolene
B) Epinephrine
C) Atropine
D) Sodium bicarbonate
, Page 4 of 51
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents.
Dantrolene is the specific antidote and should be administered immediately.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic cirrhosis who has esophageal varices. It is most
important for the nurse to monitor for the onset of which problem?
A) Bleeding
B) Infection
C) Ascites
D) Jaundice
Answer: A
Rationale: Esophageal varices are dilated, fragile veins that can rupture and cause life-
threatening hemorrhage. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is the priority.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is prescribed furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia.
Question 9
A client with hypertension is prescribed enalapril. Which adverse effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A) Dry cough
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperglycemia
WGU D444 ADULT HEALTH I EXAM- 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
WGU D444 ADULT HEALTH I: QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SUMMARIZED 10-POINT EXAM COVERAGE
Cardiovascular Disorders: Heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial
infarction, dysrhythmias, valvular disorders, and shock states.
Respiratory Disorders: Pneumonia, COPD, asthma, ARDS, and pneumothorax.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Cirrhosis, esophageal varices, inflammatory bowel disease, and
gallbladder disease.
Endocrine Disorders: Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, and adrenal disorders.
Renal & Urinary Disorders: Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and urinary tract
infections.
Neurological Disorders: Stroke, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure.
Infectious Diseases: Tuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, and sepsis.
Perioperative Care: Informed consent, malignant hyperthermia, and postoperative
complications.
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance: Hyperparathyroidism, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Pharmacological Management: Antihypertensives, diuretics, and other medication
management.
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
should the nurse do first?
,Page 2 of 51
A) Administer morphine
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Apply supplemental oxygen
D) Notify the provider
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, oxygenation is the priority. Sudden shortness of breath
and chest pain may indicate myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. Applying oxygen first
addresses potential hypoxemia while preparing for further diagnostic measures.
Question 2
A client with acute decompensated heart failure has severe dyspnea, bilateral crackles,
oxygen saturation of 86% on room air, and pink frothy sputum. Which action is priority?
A) Administer IV furosemide
B) Place the client in high Fowler's position and administer oxygen
C) Obtain a chest X-ray
D) Administer morphine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Pink frothy sputum indicates pulmonary edema. Immediate interventions include
positioning the client upright to improve ventilation and administering oxygen to correct
hypoxemia.
Question 3
A client with chronic heart failure has gained 3 kg in the past 2 days. Which finding is most
important to report to the provider?
A) Heart rate 88/min
B) Respiratory rate 20/min
C) Weight gain of 3 kg in 2 days
D) Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (greater than 2–3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds in a week)
indicates fluid retention and worsening heart failure. This requires prompt intervention to
prevent acute decompensation.
,Page 3 of 51
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected fluid volume excess. Which findings should the
nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A) Distended neck veins
B) Hypotension
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Weight loss
E) Bounding pulse
Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: Fluid volume excess manifests with distended neck veins, crackles in the lungs,
bounding pulse, hypertension, and weight gain. Hypotension and weight loss indicate fluid
deficit.
Question 5
A nurse is verifying informed consent for a client scheduled for surgery. Which of the
following is the nurse's primary responsibility?
A) Explaining the surgical procedure to the client
B) Witnessing the client's signature and ensuring voluntary consent
C) Obtaining the surgeon's signature
D) Determining the client's competence to consent
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature, ensure the
consent is voluntary, and verify that the client understands the procedure. Explaining the
procedure is the surgeon's responsibility.
Question 6
A client is experiencing malignant hyperthermia during surgery. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering?
A) Dantrolene
B) Epinephrine
C) Atropine
D) Sodium bicarbonate
, Page 4 of 51
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents.
Dantrolene is the specific antidote and should be administered immediately.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic cirrhosis who has esophageal varices. It is most
important for the nurse to monitor for the onset of which problem?
A) Bleeding
B) Infection
C) Ascites
D) Jaundice
Answer: A
Rationale: Esophageal varices are dilated, fragile veins that can rupture and cause life-
threatening hemorrhage. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is the priority.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is prescribed furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia.
Question 9
A client with hypertension is prescribed enalapril. Which adverse effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A) Dry cough
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperglycemia
