NURS 1150 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 VERIFIED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The
client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic for pain
B. Notify the rapid response team and the provider
C. Perform a complete head-to-toe physical assessment
D. Elevate the head of the bed to a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: According to the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority
framework, the nurse should first address respiratory distress. Elevating the head of the
bed is an immediate nursing intervention to improve gas exchange.
2. Which of the following actions by a nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity?
A. Providing the same level of care to all clients regardless of status
B. Sharing medical information only with authorized family members
C. Respecting a client’s right to refuse a life-saving procedure
,D. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room at a specific time
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fidelity refers to the duty to be faithful to commitments and
promises. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room is a direct application of this
principle.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which of
the following actions would result in a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the outer wrap of the catheter kit away from the body
B. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up the lubricant
C. Cleaning the labia minora in a back-to-front direction
D. Donning sterile gloves before touching the sterile contents
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because
microorganisms can drop from the nurse’s arm or clothing onto the sterile items. Cleaning
should be front-to-back, and reaching over is a primary violation.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a blood transfusion. Within 15 minutes, the client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action is the priority?
A. Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
B. Stop the infusion immediately and disconnect the tubing
, C. Administer diphenhydramine as per standing orders
D. Check the client’s vital signs and oxygen saturation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Low back pain and chills are signs of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The priority action is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent further reaction
and disconnect the tubing at the hub.
5. A nurse is evaluating the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with COPD. The results
are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 28 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Metabolic alkalosis, fully compensated
B. Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated
C. Respiratory acidosis, partially compensated
D. Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3 is high (indicating the kidneys are trying to compensate), but the pH is not
yet normal, making it partially compensated.
6. When assessing a client with hypokalemia, which of the following findings should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 VERIFIED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The
client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic for pain
B. Notify the rapid response team and the provider
C. Perform a complete head-to-toe physical assessment
D. Elevate the head of the bed to a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: According to the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority
framework, the nurse should first address respiratory distress. Elevating the head of the
bed is an immediate nursing intervention to improve gas exchange.
2. Which of the following actions by a nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity?
A. Providing the same level of care to all clients regardless of status
B. Sharing medical information only with authorized family members
C. Respecting a client’s right to refuse a life-saving procedure
,D. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room at a specific time
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fidelity refers to the duty to be faithful to commitments and
promises. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room is a direct application of this
principle.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which of
the following actions would result in a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the outer wrap of the catheter kit away from the body
B. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up the lubricant
C. Cleaning the labia minora in a back-to-front direction
D. Donning sterile gloves before touching the sterile contents
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because
microorganisms can drop from the nurse’s arm or clothing onto the sterile items. Cleaning
should be front-to-back, and reaching over is a primary violation.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a blood transfusion. Within 15 minutes, the client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action is the priority?
A. Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
B. Stop the infusion immediately and disconnect the tubing
, C. Administer diphenhydramine as per standing orders
D. Check the client’s vital signs and oxygen saturation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Low back pain and chills are signs of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The priority action is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent further reaction
and disconnect the tubing at the hub.
5. A nurse is evaluating the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with COPD. The results
are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 28 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Metabolic alkalosis, fully compensated
B. Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated
C. Respiratory acidosis, partially compensated
D. Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3 is high (indicating the kidneys are trying to compensate), but the pH is not
yet normal, making it partially compensated.
6. When assessing a client with hypokalemia, which of the following findings should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds
