200 Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
Nursing Care of Clients across the Lifespan / Medical-Surgical Focus
MODULE 1: CARDIVASCULAR & PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
DISORDERS
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 1)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
,sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 2)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 3)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
, with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 4)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 5)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
, D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client admitted with heart
failure who reports acute shortness of breath and pink, frothy
sputum. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first? (Clinical Scenario Variant 6)
A) Administer furosemide IV push
B) Position the client in high-Fowler's position with legs dangling
C) Administer morphine sulfate IV
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary
edema, a life-threatening complication of left-sided heart failure.
The priority nursing intervention is to decrease venous return
(preload) to the heart by placing the client in an upright position
with legs dangling (high-Fowler's position). While administering
oxygen (D), furosemide (A), and morphine (C) are crucial medical
orders, positioning is a rapid, non-pharmacological nursing
intervention that should be done immediately.