NUR 1140 2026/2027 – NURSING STUDY GUIDE,
EXAM REVIEW, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The nurse asks the charge
nurse why the client is breathing rapidly. What response by
the charge nurse is best?
a. Anxiety is causing the client to breathe rapidly.
b. The client is trying to get rid of excess body acids.
c. The rapid respirations cause buildup of bicarbonate.
d. An increased respiratory rate is due to increased metabolism. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: B
The client is acidotic, and the respiratory system is attempting to
compensate by "blowing off" excess acid in the form of carbon
dioxide. The increased respiratory rate is not due to anxiety or increased
metabolism. An increased respiratory rate does not cause a
buildup of bicarbonate.
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work which
requires frequent car and plane travel. What self-care
measure does the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting in
this client?
a. Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
b. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor for safety.
c. Be sure to sit with the legs elevated as much as possible.
d. Increase fiber in the diet so as not to strain to move the bowels. -
correct answer✔✔ ANS: A
,Clients who are at risk of increased clotting (as evidenced by prior
thromboembolic event) can take several measures to reduce their risk of
further problems. One measure is to get up and walk frequently when
sitting for a long period of time. Using a soft toothbrush and an electric
razor and needing to prevent constipation would be important for a client
at risk of bleeding. Elevating the legs is not as beneficial as ambulating.
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse assess first
for impaired cognition?
a. A 28-year-old client 2 days post-open cholecystectomy
b. An 88-year-old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
c. A 32-year-old client with a 20-pack-year history of smoking
d. A 42-year-old client with a serum sodium of 134 mEq/L (134 mmol/L) -
correct answer✔✔ ANS: B
There are many risk factors for impaired cognition including advanced age
and diseases and disorders that affect the brain. The
88-year-old client who is recovering from a stroke has two such risk
factors and is at highest risk for impaired cognition. The nurse
assesses this client first. The other clients have a much lower risk of
developing impaired cognition.
The assistive personnel (AP) reports to the registered nurse that a
postoperative client has a pulse of 132 beats/min and a blood
pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a. Ask the AP to repeat the client's vital signs in 15 minutes.
b. Assess the client for pain.
c. Ask the client if something is bothersome.
d. Instruct the AP to reposition the client - correct answer✔✔ ANS: B
,The "fight-or-flight" syndrome can occur from sympathetic nervous
stimulation due to acute pain. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting,
diaphoresis, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, and dilated pupils.
Since this client is postoperative, it is reasonable to believe that he or she
might be in pain. The nurse first assesses for pain or discomfort and treats
it. If the client is not in pain, the nurse would conduct further assessments
to determine the cause of the abnormal vital signs.
A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates that
outcomes for a priority nursing diagnosis have been
met?
a. Client reports satisfaction with undergarments for incontinence.
b. Client reports drinking 8 to 9 glasses of water each day.
c. Skin in perineal area is intact without redness on inspection.
d. Family states that client is more active and socializes more. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: C
Urinary incontinence can lead to skin breakdown and possibility of
infection. Skin that is intact without redness shows that a major goal for
this client has been met. Becoming more social is a positive finding as
many adults with incontinence limit their social activities, but this
psychosocial outcome is not the priority over a physical outcome. Being
satisfied with undergarments is also not the priority. Drinking adequate
water can sometimes help with incontinence and is important for general
health, but is not directly related to an important goal for this client.
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's
morning weight has not yet been done. The nursing assistant
says, "I'll get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond,
the nurse considers what information about weight?
a. Decisions on treatment often depend on the daily weight.
b. The nursing assistant needs to ensure that tasks are done on time.
c. Weight is the most accurate noninvasive indicator of fluid status.
, d. A change in weight may indicate the need to change IV fluids. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: C
Weight is the best (noninvasive) indicator of fluid status. Primary health
care providers may base treatment decisions on weight, because the
weight reflects fluid balance, but this answer does not explain why. IV fluid
rates or solutions may change for the same reason. The nursing assistant
would perform tasks on a timely basis, but this is not related to
information about weight.
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for four clients.
Which client does the nurse assess for gas exchange
abnormalities first?
a. Involved in motor vehicle crash, has broken femur.
b. Brought in unconscious by roommate after opioid overdose.
c. Asthmatic client being discharged after bronchodilator therapy.
d. History of COPD, presents to ED after being bitten by a dog. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: B
Opioid medications can cause respiratory depression, so this client is most
at risk for gas exchange problems. Diminished respirations will allow a
buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. The clients with asthma and COPD
have the potential for gas exchange problems but this is not indicated in
answer option as he or she is being discharged. The client with a broken
femur does
not have information suggesting gas exchange problems.
The nurse caring for a client with malnutrition assesses which laboratory
value as the priority?
a. Albumin
b. Prealbumin
c. Prothrombin time
EXAM REVIEW, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The nurse asks the charge
nurse why the client is breathing rapidly. What response by
the charge nurse is best?
a. Anxiety is causing the client to breathe rapidly.
b. The client is trying to get rid of excess body acids.
c. The rapid respirations cause buildup of bicarbonate.
d. An increased respiratory rate is due to increased metabolism. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: B
The client is acidotic, and the respiratory system is attempting to
compensate by "blowing off" excess acid in the form of carbon
dioxide. The increased respiratory rate is not due to anxiety or increased
metabolism. An increased respiratory rate does not cause a
buildup of bicarbonate.
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work which
requires frequent car and plane travel. What self-care
measure does the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting in
this client?
a. Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
b. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor for safety.
c. Be sure to sit with the legs elevated as much as possible.
d. Increase fiber in the diet so as not to strain to move the bowels. -
correct answer✔✔ ANS: A
,Clients who are at risk of increased clotting (as evidenced by prior
thromboembolic event) can take several measures to reduce their risk of
further problems. One measure is to get up and walk frequently when
sitting for a long period of time. Using a soft toothbrush and an electric
razor and needing to prevent constipation would be important for a client
at risk of bleeding. Elevating the legs is not as beneficial as ambulating.
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse assess first
for impaired cognition?
a. A 28-year-old client 2 days post-open cholecystectomy
b. An 88-year-old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
c. A 32-year-old client with a 20-pack-year history of smoking
d. A 42-year-old client with a serum sodium of 134 mEq/L (134 mmol/L) -
correct answer✔✔ ANS: B
There are many risk factors for impaired cognition including advanced age
and diseases and disorders that affect the brain. The
88-year-old client who is recovering from a stroke has two such risk
factors and is at highest risk for impaired cognition. The nurse
assesses this client first. The other clients have a much lower risk of
developing impaired cognition.
The assistive personnel (AP) reports to the registered nurse that a
postoperative client has a pulse of 132 beats/min and a blood
pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a. Ask the AP to repeat the client's vital signs in 15 minutes.
b. Assess the client for pain.
c. Ask the client if something is bothersome.
d. Instruct the AP to reposition the client - correct answer✔✔ ANS: B
,The "fight-or-flight" syndrome can occur from sympathetic nervous
stimulation due to acute pain. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting,
diaphoresis, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, and dilated pupils.
Since this client is postoperative, it is reasonable to believe that he or she
might be in pain. The nurse first assesses for pain or discomfort and treats
it. If the client is not in pain, the nurse would conduct further assessments
to determine the cause of the abnormal vital signs.
A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates that
outcomes for a priority nursing diagnosis have been
met?
a. Client reports satisfaction with undergarments for incontinence.
b. Client reports drinking 8 to 9 glasses of water each day.
c. Skin in perineal area is intact without redness on inspection.
d. Family states that client is more active and socializes more. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: C
Urinary incontinence can lead to skin breakdown and possibility of
infection. Skin that is intact without redness shows that a major goal for
this client has been met. Becoming more social is a positive finding as
many adults with incontinence limit their social activities, but this
psychosocial outcome is not the priority over a physical outcome. Being
satisfied with undergarments is also not the priority. Drinking adequate
water can sometimes help with incontinence and is important for general
health, but is not directly related to an important goal for this client.
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's
morning weight has not yet been done. The nursing assistant
says, "I'll get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond,
the nurse considers what information about weight?
a. Decisions on treatment often depend on the daily weight.
b. The nursing assistant needs to ensure that tasks are done on time.
c. Weight is the most accurate noninvasive indicator of fluid status.
, d. A change in weight may indicate the need to change IV fluids. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: C
Weight is the best (noninvasive) indicator of fluid status. Primary health
care providers may base treatment decisions on weight, because the
weight reflects fluid balance, but this answer does not explain why. IV fluid
rates or solutions may change for the same reason. The nursing assistant
would perform tasks on a timely basis, but this is not related to
information about weight.
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for four clients.
Which client does the nurse assess for gas exchange
abnormalities first?
a. Involved in motor vehicle crash, has broken femur.
b. Brought in unconscious by roommate after opioid overdose.
c. Asthmatic client being discharged after bronchodilator therapy.
d. History of COPD, presents to ED after being bitten by a dog. - correct
answer✔✔ ANS: B
Opioid medications can cause respiratory depression, so this client is most
at risk for gas exchange problems. Diminished respirations will allow a
buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. The clients with asthma and COPD
have the potential for gas exchange problems but this is not indicated in
answer option as he or she is being discharged. The client with a broken
femur does
not have information suggesting gas exchange problems.
The nurse caring for a client with malnutrition assesses which laboratory
value as the priority?
a. Albumin
b. Prealbumin
c. Prothrombin time
