NURS 317 Nursing – Comprehensive
Final Exam Practice
Description: 200 multiple-choice
questions with answers covering core
nursing content for final exam revision.
Keywords: NURS 317, nursing,
comprehensive final, revision, MCQ,
Athabasca University, 2026–2027
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A. To diagnose medical conditions
B. To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized patient care ✅
C. To replace clinical judgment
D. To document physician orders
2. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. Which tool is most
appropriate?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale ✅
B. Braden Scale
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. Pain Rating Scale
3. Which vital sign change is most concerning in an adult patient?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
,B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min ✅
C. Temperature 37.2°C
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
4. The normal range for adult resting heart rate is:
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm ✅
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
5. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler's ✅
D. Trendelenburg
6. A nurse suspects a patient is developing hypovolemic shock. Which finding
supports this?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Hypertension
C. Tachycardia and cool clammy skin ✅
D. Warm flushed skin
7. Which of the following is a sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness and confusion ✅
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Warm dry skin
8. The first step in the nursing process is:
A. Planning
B. Assessment ✅
,C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
9. Which intervention helps prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Repositioning every 2 hours ✅
B. Massaging reddened areas
C. Keeping skin moist
D. Limiting mobility
10. A Braden Scale score of 12 indicates:
A. No risk
B. Mild risk
C. Moderate risk
D. High risk ✅
11. Which is a normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 8–10 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min ✅
C. 20–28 breaths/min
D. 28–36 breaths/min
12. Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous ✅
D. Topical
13. The "rights" of medication administration include all EXCEPT:
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right diagnosis ✅
D. Right route
, 14. A nurse is preparing to give digoxin. Which assessment is essential before
administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Apical pulse ✅
C. Respiratory rate
D. Blood pressure
15. Which lab value indicates dehydration?
A. Elevated BUN and creatinine ✅
B. Low hemoglobin
C. Low potassium
D. Elevated platelets
16. Normal adult blood pressure is:
A. 90/60 mmHg
B. Less than 120/80 mmHg ✅
C. 140/90 mmHg
D. 160/100 mmHg
17. Which is a sign of fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Crackles in lungs and edema ✅
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Decreased urine output
18. Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle weakness and arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypochloremia
19. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen at what flow rate?
A. 1–2 L/min ✅
Final Exam Practice
Description: 200 multiple-choice
questions with answers covering core
nursing content for final exam revision.
Keywords: NURS 317, nursing,
comprehensive final, revision, MCQ,
Athabasca University, 2026–2027
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A. To diagnose medical conditions
B. To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized patient care ✅
C. To replace clinical judgment
D. To document physician orders
2. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. Which tool is most
appropriate?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale ✅
B. Braden Scale
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. Pain Rating Scale
3. Which vital sign change is most concerning in an adult patient?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
,B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min ✅
C. Temperature 37.2°C
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
4. The normal range for adult resting heart rate is:
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm ✅
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
5. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler's ✅
D. Trendelenburg
6. A nurse suspects a patient is developing hypovolemic shock. Which finding
supports this?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Hypertension
C. Tachycardia and cool clammy skin ✅
D. Warm flushed skin
7. Which of the following is a sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness and confusion ✅
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Warm dry skin
8. The first step in the nursing process is:
A. Planning
B. Assessment ✅
,C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
9. Which intervention helps prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Repositioning every 2 hours ✅
B. Massaging reddened areas
C. Keeping skin moist
D. Limiting mobility
10. A Braden Scale score of 12 indicates:
A. No risk
B. Mild risk
C. Moderate risk
D. High risk ✅
11. Which is a normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 8–10 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min ✅
C. 20–28 breaths/min
D. 28–36 breaths/min
12. Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous ✅
D. Topical
13. The "rights" of medication administration include all EXCEPT:
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right diagnosis ✅
D. Right route
, 14. A nurse is preparing to give digoxin. Which assessment is essential before
administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Apical pulse ✅
C. Respiratory rate
D. Blood pressure
15. Which lab value indicates dehydration?
A. Elevated BUN and creatinine ✅
B. Low hemoglobin
C. Low potassium
D. Elevated platelets
16. Normal adult blood pressure is:
A. 90/60 mmHg
B. Less than 120/80 mmHg ✅
C. 140/90 mmHg
D. 160/100 mmHg
17. Which is a sign of fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Crackles in lungs and edema ✅
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Decreased urine output
18. Which electrolyte imbalance causes muscle weakness and arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypochloremia
19. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen at what flow rate?
A. 1–2 L/min ✅
