NU 136 EXAM 4 – FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% VERIFIED (2026/2027) GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following interventions is the highest priority?
A. Monitor for hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Administer a potassium-sparing diuretic
C. Encourage the intake of potassium-rich foods
D. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
poses a significant risk for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Obtaining an ECG is the
priority to assess cardiac rhythm.
,2. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. The nurse interprets these results as:
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
with a normal HCO3 indicates that the source is respiratory. Thus, the patient has
respiratory acidosis.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for early signs of hypoxia. Which of the following findings
would be most indicative of an early stage?
A. Cyanosis of the nail beds
B. Bradypnea and hypotension
C. Restlessness and tachycardia
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Early signs of hypoxia include restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia,
and increased respiratory rate. Cyanosis is a late sign.
, 4. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize for a patient who just returned from
surgery after receiving general anesthesia?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 1-10 scale
B. O2 saturation of 88% on room air
C. Urinary output of 20 mL in the last hour
D. Absence of bowel sounds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities. An O2
saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, requiring immediate intervention. Post-op low
urine output and absent bowel sounds are concerning but secondary to respiratory status.
5. A patient is diagnosed with fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia). Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Bounding peripheral pulses
D. Dependent edema
Answer: B
NURSING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% VERIFIED (2026/2027) GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following interventions is the highest priority?
A. Monitor for hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Administer a potassium-sparing diuretic
C. Encourage the intake of potassium-rich foods
D. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
poses a significant risk for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Obtaining an ECG is the
priority to assess cardiac rhythm.
,2. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. The nurse interprets these results as:
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
with a normal HCO3 indicates that the source is respiratory. Thus, the patient has
respiratory acidosis.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for early signs of hypoxia. Which of the following findings
would be most indicative of an early stage?
A. Cyanosis of the nail beds
B. Bradypnea and hypotension
C. Restlessness and tachycardia
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Early signs of hypoxia include restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia,
and increased respiratory rate. Cyanosis is a late sign.
, 4. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize for a patient who just returned from
surgery after receiving general anesthesia?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 1-10 scale
B. O2 saturation of 88% on room air
C. Urinary output of 20 mL in the last hour
D. Absence of bowel sounds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities. An O2
saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, requiring immediate intervention. Post-op low
urine output and absent bowel sounds are concerning but secondary to respiratory status.
5. A patient is diagnosed with fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia). Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Bounding peripheral pulses
D. Dependent edema
Answer: B
