NUR 231 ADULT HEALTH NURSING I
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027) |
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is below 7.35 indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated
above 45 mmHg, which matches the direction of the pH change (acidosis), indicating a
respiratory cause.
2. A client is prescribed Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which assessment finding should the nurse
prioritize as an early sign of toxicity?
A. Anorexia and nausea
B. Tachycardia
,C. Lower extremity edema
D. Dry, hacking cough
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, and
vomiting are often the earliest signs of digoxin toxicity, followed by visual disturbances and
arrhythmias.
3. Which laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor for a patient receiving a
continuous intravenous Heparin infusion?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count only
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: aPTT is the standard test to monitor the therapeutic effect of
heparin. PT/INR is used for Warfarin therapy.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
understands that higher concentrations of oxygen may be dangerous because:
A. It causes oxygen toxicity within minutes
B. It leads to immediate pulmonary edema
, C. It may suppress the hypoxic drive to breathe
D. It increases the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In chronic CO2 retainers (like some COPD patients), the stimulus
to breathe shifts from high CO2 levels to low O2 levels (hypoxic drive). Excessive oxygen
can negate this stimulus.
5. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned for an adult
with burns to the entire right arm and the entire chest.
A. 45%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 18%
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The entire arm is 9% and the entire chest (anterior trunk) is
18%. However, if only ‘chest’ is specified, it usually refers to the upper half of the anterior
trunk (9%). In standard nursing exams, the entire anterior trunk is 18%. If we follow 9
(arm) + 9 (chest portion), it is 18%.
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED (2026/2027) |
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is below 7.35 indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated
above 45 mmHg, which matches the direction of the pH change (acidosis), indicating a
respiratory cause.
2. A client is prescribed Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which assessment finding should the nurse
prioritize as an early sign of toxicity?
A. Anorexia and nausea
B. Tachycardia
,C. Lower extremity edema
D. Dry, hacking cough
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, and
vomiting are often the earliest signs of digoxin toxicity, followed by visual disturbances and
arrhythmias.
3. Which laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor for a patient receiving a
continuous intravenous Heparin infusion?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count only
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: aPTT is the standard test to monitor the therapeutic effect of
heparin. PT/INR is used for Warfarin therapy.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
understands that higher concentrations of oxygen may be dangerous because:
A. It causes oxygen toxicity within minutes
B. It leads to immediate pulmonary edema
, C. It may suppress the hypoxic drive to breathe
D. It increases the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In chronic CO2 retainers (like some COPD patients), the stimulus
to breathe shifts from high CO2 levels to low O2 levels (hypoxic drive). Excessive oxygen
can negate this stimulus.
5. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned for an adult
with burns to the entire right arm and the entire chest.
A. 45%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 18%
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The entire arm is 9% and the entire chest (anterior trunk) is
18%. However, if only ‘chest’ is specified, it usually refers to the upper half of the anterior
trunk (9%). In standard nursing exams, the entire anterior trunk is 18%. If we follow 9
(arm) + 9 (chest portion), it is 18%.
