NUR 215 Final Exam 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions, Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive Nursing Review
Question 1
A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) panel for an adult
client with chronic renal failure: pH = 7.28, PaCO2 = 34 mmHg,
HCO− 3 = 15 mEq/L. How should the nurse document this acid-base
status?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.28 (< 7.35, acidic).
HCO−
3 = 15 mEq/L (< 22 mEq/L, metabolic primary cause).
PaCO2 = 34 mmHg (< 35 mmHg, respiratory system compensating by
blowing off CO2 ).
Because all three parameters are abnormal and the pH remains acidic,
this indicates partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer IV push furosemide to a client
exhibiting pulmonary edema. Which baseline laboratory result requires
immediate nursing intervention prior to administration?
,A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 18 mg/dL
D. Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
Detailed Rationale: Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that increases
renal potassium excretion. Administering furosemide to a client with
existing hypokalemia (< 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk of
fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse must withhold the dose and
notify the primary provider.
Question 3
A nurse is inserting a peripheral intravenous line in an older adult client
with fragile veins. Which action reduces the risk of hematoma
formation and vein rupture?
A. Apply the tourniquet tightly directly over the bare skin.
B. Use a 14-gauge catheter inserted at a 45∘ angle.
C. Apply a blood pressure cuff inflated to sub-diastolic pressure or apply
a light tourniquet over clothing, inserting the catheter at a 10--15∘
angle.
D. Slap the vein vigorously prior to insertion.
Correct Answer: C. Apply a blood pressure cuff inflated to sub-diastolic
pressure or apply a light tourniquet over clothing, inserting the catheter
at a 10--15∘ angle.
,Detailed Rationale: Minimizing vein trauma in older adults requires
avoiding tight tourniquets on bare skin (using a BP cuff inflated to sub-
diastolic pressure prevents vein blowing) and using a shallow insertion
angle (10--15∘ ) with a small-gauge catheter (22--24 gauge).
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client receiving continuous central parenteral
nutrition (TPN). The current bag runs out completely, and the
replacement bag is not yet available from the pharmacy. What solution
should the nurse hang immediately at the same rate?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. 10% Dextrose in Water (D10 W)
C. Lactated Ringer's
D. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Correct Answer: B. 10% Dextrose in Water (D10 W)
Detailed Rationale: Sudden cessation of high-concentration glucose
TPN can precipitate severe rebound hypoglycemia due to circulating
hyperinsulinemia. Infusing D10 W at the same rate maintains blood
glucose until the next TPN bag is prepared.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a surgical wound 3 days postoperatively. The nurse
observes partial separation of the wound layers with visible
subcutaneous tissue. How should the nurse document this
complication?
A. Evisceration
, B. Dehiscence
C. Fistula
D. Maceration
Correct Answer: B. Dehiscence
Detailed Rationale: Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of
outer wound edges or surgical incisions. Evisceration involves
protrusion of internal visceral organs through a dehisced surgical
incision.
Question 6
A nurse is administering continuous enteral tube feeding via a PEG tube.
What is the priority position for the client during feeding and for 60
minutes post-feeding?
A. Flat supine (0∘ )
B. Left Sims' position
C. Elevated to at least 30--45∘ (Semi-Fowler's to High-Fowler's)
D. Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: C. Elevated to at least 30--45∘ (Semi-Fowler's to High-
Fowler's)
Detailed Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30--45∘ or higher
utilizes gravity to enhance gastric emptying and significantly reduces
the risk of regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia.
Question 7
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive Nursing Review
Question 1
A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) panel for an adult
client with chronic renal failure: pH = 7.28, PaCO2 = 34 mmHg,
HCO− 3 = 15 mEq/L. How should the nurse document this acid-base
status?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.28 (< 7.35, acidic).
HCO−
3 = 15 mEq/L (< 22 mEq/L, metabolic primary cause).
PaCO2 = 34 mmHg (< 35 mmHg, respiratory system compensating by
blowing off CO2 ).
Because all three parameters are abnormal and the pH remains acidic,
this indicates partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer IV push furosemide to a client
exhibiting pulmonary edema. Which baseline laboratory result requires
immediate nursing intervention prior to administration?
,A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 18 mg/dL
D. Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
Detailed Rationale: Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that increases
renal potassium excretion. Administering furosemide to a client with
existing hypokalemia (< 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk of
fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse must withhold the dose and
notify the primary provider.
Question 3
A nurse is inserting a peripheral intravenous line in an older adult client
with fragile veins. Which action reduces the risk of hematoma
formation and vein rupture?
A. Apply the tourniquet tightly directly over the bare skin.
B. Use a 14-gauge catheter inserted at a 45∘ angle.
C. Apply a blood pressure cuff inflated to sub-diastolic pressure or apply
a light tourniquet over clothing, inserting the catheter at a 10--15∘
angle.
D. Slap the vein vigorously prior to insertion.
Correct Answer: C. Apply a blood pressure cuff inflated to sub-diastolic
pressure or apply a light tourniquet over clothing, inserting the catheter
at a 10--15∘ angle.
,Detailed Rationale: Minimizing vein trauma in older adults requires
avoiding tight tourniquets on bare skin (using a BP cuff inflated to sub-
diastolic pressure prevents vein blowing) and using a shallow insertion
angle (10--15∘ ) with a small-gauge catheter (22--24 gauge).
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client receiving continuous central parenteral
nutrition (TPN). The current bag runs out completely, and the
replacement bag is not yet available from the pharmacy. What solution
should the nurse hang immediately at the same rate?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. 10% Dextrose in Water (D10 W)
C. Lactated Ringer's
D. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Correct Answer: B. 10% Dextrose in Water (D10 W)
Detailed Rationale: Sudden cessation of high-concentration glucose
TPN can precipitate severe rebound hypoglycemia due to circulating
hyperinsulinemia. Infusing D10 W at the same rate maintains blood
glucose until the next TPN bag is prepared.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a surgical wound 3 days postoperatively. The nurse
observes partial separation of the wound layers with visible
subcutaneous tissue. How should the nurse document this
complication?
A. Evisceration
, B. Dehiscence
C. Fistula
D. Maceration
Correct Answer: B. Dehiscence
Detailed Rationale: Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of
outer wound edges or surgical incisions. Evisceration involves
protrusion of internal visceral organs through a dehisced surgical
incision.
Question 6
A nurse is administering continuous enteral tube feeding via a PEG tube.
What is the priority position for the client during feeding and for 60
minutes post-feeding?
A. Flat supine (0∘ )
B. Left Sims' position
C. Elevated to at least 30--45∘ (Semi-Fowler's to High-Fowler's)
D. Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: C. Elevated to at least 30--45∘ (Semi-Fowler's to High-
Fowler's)
Detailed Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30--45∘ or higher
utilizes gravity to enhance gastric emptying and significantly reduces
the risk of regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia.
Question 7
