NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing
Exam 3 – Galen College
Practice Questions &
Rationales
Based on the available search results, I have compiled a representative set of practice questions covering
key topics for the NUR 242 Exam 3, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and
hematological disorders .
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
Question 1
The nurse's physical assessment of a client with heart failure reveals tachypnea and bilateral crackles.
Which is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer digoxin as prescribed
B) Place client in a high-Fowler position
C) Notify the provider immediately
D) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Placing the client in high-Fowler's position uses gravity to reduce venous return (preload) and
promote lung expansion. This is the immediate priority action to improve breathing. Oxygen and
medications are important but should follow positioning .
Question 2
When caring for a client with a diagnosis of right ventricular heart failure, the nurse expects which
assessment findings? (Select all that apply.)
A) Dependent edema
B) Crackles in lung bases
C) Swollen hands and fingers
D) Right upper quadrant discomfort
E) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers s: A, C, D
, Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion leading to dependent edema, swollen
extremities, and hepatomegaly (right upper quadrant discomfort). Crackles and PND are signs of
leftsided heart failure .
Question 3
A client takes furosemide and digoxin for heart failure. Why would the nurse advise the client to drink a
glass of orange juice every day? A) Maintaining potassium levels
B) Enhancing digoxin absorption
C) Preventing constipation
D) Promoting diuresis
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : A
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Low potassium (hypokalemia) increases the risk
of digoxin toxicity. Orange juice is a good source of potassium and helps maintain serum levels .
Question 4
An infant with a diagnosis of heart failure is being given furosemide twice daily. Which laboratory value
would the nurse report to the health care provider?
A) Sodium 140 mEq/L
B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C) Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D) Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Potassium of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a common side effect of furosemide. This is
especially concerning in infants and requires provider notification. Normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0
mEq/L .
Question 5
A client with left ventricular heart failure and supraventricular tachycardia is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg
daily. Which changes would the nurse expect to find if this medication is therapeutically effective?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased dyspnea
D) Increased urine output
E) Widened pulse pressure
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers s: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Digoxin has positive inotropic (increases cardiac output) and negative chronotropic (decreases
heart rate) effects. Effective therapy improves symptoms: decreased dyspnea and increased urine output
from better perfusion .
Exam 3 – Galen College
Practice Questions &
Rationales
Based on the available search results, I have compiled a representative set of practice questions covering
key topics for the NUR 242 Exam 3, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and
hematological disorders .
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
Question 1
The nurse's physical assessment of a client with heart failure reveals tachypnea and bilateral crackles.
Which is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer digoxin as prescribed
B) Place client in a high-Fowler position
C) Notify the provider immediately
D) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Placing the client in high-Fowler's position uses gravity to reduce venous return (preload) and
promote lung expansion. This is the immediate priority action to improve breathing. Oxygen and
medications are important but should follow positioning .
Question 2
When caring for a client with a diagnosis of right ventricular heart failure, the nurse expects which
assessment findings? (Select all that apply.)
A) Dependent edema
B) Crackles in lung bases
C) Swollen hands and fingers
D) Right upper quadrant discomfort
E) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers s: A, C, D
, Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion leading to dependent edema, swollen
extremities, and hepatomegaly (right upper quadrant discomfort). Crackles and PND are signs of
leftsided heart failure .
Question 3
A client takes furosemide and digoxin for heart failure. Why would the nurse advise the client to drink a
glass of orange juice every day? A) Maintaining potassium levels
B) Enhancing digoxin absorption
C) Preventing constipation
D) Promoting diuresis
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : A
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Low potassium (hypokalemia) increases the risk
of digoxin toxicity. Orange juice is a good source of potassium and helps maintain serum levels .
Question 4
An infant with a diagnosis of heart failure is being given furosemide twice daily. Which laboratory value
would the nurse report to the health care provider?
A) Sodium 140 mEq/L
B) Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C) Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D) Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Potassium of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a common side effect of furosemide. This is
especially concerning in infants and requires provider notification. Normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0
mEq/L .
Question 5
A client with left ventricular heart failure and supraventricular tachycardia is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg
daily. Which changes would the nurse expect to find if this medication is therapeutically effective?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased dyspnea
D) Increased urine output
E) Widened pulse pressure
Correct Resolution Result Verified Answers s: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Digoxin has positive inotropic (increases cardiac output) and negative chronotropic (decreases
heart rate) effects. Effective therapy improves symptoms: decreased dyspnea and increased urine output
from better perfusion .
