NUR 272 EXAM 1 NCLEX STYLE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALE NEW 2026-2027 UPDATE
96 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Analyze arterial blood gas values to identify complex acid-base imbalances and prioritize nursing
interventions
2 Evaluate risk factors and implement evidence-based prevention strategies for surgical site infections and
pressure injuries
3 Synthesize data from multiple sources to make safe clinical judgments regarding medication
administration and patient monitoring
4 NUR 272 Exam 1 NCLEX Style Review Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale New 2026
5 2027 Update
6 Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
7 Applied Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
8 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
9 Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice) Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 96 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NUR 272
Exam 1 NCLEX Style Review Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale New 2026-2027
Update, with the strongest emphasis placed on Analyze arterial blood gas values to identify
complex acid-base imbalances and prioritize nursing interventions, Evaluate risk factors and
implement evidence-based prevention strategies for surgical site infections and pressure injuries
and Synthesize data from multiple sources to make safe clinical judgments regarding medication
administration and patient monitoring. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with a new ileostomy has high-output liquid stool. Which assessment
finding most urgently indicates the need for immediate intervention?
A. Stoma output of 1200 mL over 24 hours
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L CORRECT
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 28 mg/dL
D. Stoma appears dark red and moist
RATIONALE: High-output ileostomies cause significant potassium loss; a level of 3.2 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia, which can precipitate life-threatening arrhythmias. While output and BUN
are concerning, hypokalemia requires immediate intervention. A dark red, moist stoma is normal.
Q2 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is prescribed enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. Which
laboratory value requires the nurse to hold the dose and notify the provider?
A. Platelet count 80,000/mm³ CORRECT
B. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
C. International normalized ratio (INR) 1.2
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 35 seconds
RATIONALE: Enoxaparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); a platelet count
<100,000/mm³ or a 50% drop requires holding the dose. The other values are within normal
limits or not directly affected by enoxaparin monitoring.
Page 2
,Q3 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with acute heart failure is prescribed furosemide IV. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having the desired effect?
A. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
B. Decreased crackles in lung bases CORRECT
C. Serum potassium 3.0 mEq/L
D. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
RATIONALE: Furosemide reduces preload by promoting diuresis, leading to decreased
pulmonary congestion and crackles. Urine output is a secondary indicator; hypokalemia and
hypotension are adverse effects, not desired outcomes.
Q4 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of malignant hyperthermia.
Which anesthetic agent should the nurse anticipate the provider will avoid?
A. Propofol
B. Succinylcholine CORRECT
C. Midazolam
D. Fentanyl
RATIONALE: Succinylcholine is a triggering agent for malignant hyperthermia. Propofol,
midazolam, and fentanyl are safe alternatives. The nurse must ensure a MH-safe anesthesia
plan.
Page 3
, Q5 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops fever, chills, and flank
pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access CORRECT
C. Slow the transfusion rate
D. Obtain a urine specimen
RATIONALE: These signs suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction; the priority is to stop
the transfusion immediately and keep the IV line patent with normal saline. Administering
medication or slowing the rate delays critical intervention.
Q6 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with a new colostomy has a stoma that is dark purple and dry. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Apply a moisture-barrier cream
B. Notify the provider immediately CORRECT
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Increase fluid intake
RATIONALE: A dark purple, dry stoma indicates ischemia and possible necrosis, requiring
immediate provider notification. Normal stomas are pink to red and moist. Creams or fluid
changes do not address the underlying ischemia.
Page 4
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALE NEW 2026-2027 UPDATE
96 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Analyze arterial blood gas values to identify complex acid-base imbalances and prioritize nursing
interventions
2 Evaluate risk factors and implement evidence-based prevention strategies for surgical site infections and
pressure injuries
3 Synthesize data from multiple sources to make safe clinical judgments regarding medication
administration and patient monitoring
4 NUR 272 Exam 1 NCLEX Style Review Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale New 2026
5 2027 Update
6 Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
7 Applied Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
8 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice)
9 Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Foundations of Nursing Practice) Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 96 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NUR 272
Exam 1 NCLEX Style Review Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale New 2026-2027
Update, with the strongest emphasis placed on Analyze arterial blood gas values to identify
complex acid-base imbalances and prioritize nursing interventions, Evaluate risk factors and
implement evidence-based prevention strategies for surgical site infections and pressure injuries
and Synthesize data from multiple sources to make safe clinical judgments regarding medication
administration and patient monitoring. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with a new ileostomy has high-output liquid stool. Which assessment
finding most urgently indicates the need for immediate intervention?
A. Stoma output of 1200 mL over 24 hours
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L CORRECT
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 28 mg/dL
D. Stoma appears dark red and moist
RATIONALE: High-output ileostomies cause significant potassium loss; a level of 3.2 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia, which can precipitate life-threatening arrhythmias. While output and BUN
are concerning, hypokalemia requires immediate intervention. A dark red, moist stoma is normal.
Q2 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is prescribed enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. Which
laboratory value requires the nurse to hold the dose and notify the provider?
A. Platelet count 80,000/mm³ CORRECT
B. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
C. International normalized ratio (INR) 1.2
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 35 seconds
RATIONALE: Enoxaparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); a platelet count
<100,000/mm³ or a 50% drop requires holding the dose. The other values are within normal
limits or not directly affected by enoxaparin monitoring.
Page 2
,Q3 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with acute heart failure is prescribed furosemide IV. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having the desired effect?
A. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
B. Decreased crackles in lung bases CORRECT
C. Serum potassium 3.0 mEq/L
D. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
RATIONALE: Furosemide reduces preload by promoting diuresis, leading to decreased
pulmonary congestion and crackles. Urine output is a secondary indicator; hypokalemia and
hypotension are adverse effects, not desired outcomes.
Q4 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of malignant hyperthermia.
Which anesthetic agent should the nurse anticipate the provider will avoid?
A. Propofol
B. Succinylcholine CORRECT
C. Midazolam
D. Fentanyl
RATIONALE: Succinylcholine is a triggering agent for malignant hyperthermia. Propofol,
midazolam, and fentanyl are safe alternatives. The nurse must ensure a MH-safe anesthesia
plan.
Page 3
, Q5 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops fever, chills, and flank
pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access CORRECT
C. Slow the transfusion rate
D. Obtain a urine specimen
RATIONALE: These signs suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction; the priority is to stop
the transfusion immediately and keep the IV line patent with normal saline. Administering
medication or slowing the rate delays critical intervention.
Q6 ANALYZE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS VALUES TO IDENTIFY COMPLEX ACID-BASE
IMBALANCES AND PRIORITIZE NURSING INTERVENTIONS
A patient with a new colostomy has a stoma that is dark purple and dry. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Apply a moisture-barrier cream
B. Notify the provider immediately CORRECT
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Increase fluid intake
RATIONALE: A dark purple, dry stoma indicates ischemia and possible necrosis, requiring
immediate provider notification. Normal stomas are pink to red and moist. Creams or fluid
changes do not address the underlying ischemia.
Page 4
