NP1 FINAL EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS
• A patient complains of severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Uponpalpation, the
pain worsens when you quickly release pressure. What is this finding called, and what might
it indicate?
a) Rebound tenderness, suggesting appendicitis.
b) Guarding, suggesting peritonitis.
c) Rigidity, suggesting bowel obstruction.
d) Murphy's sign, suggesting gallbladder inflammation.: A. Rebound tender- ness occurs
when pain is felt after you quickly release pressure from the abdomen.It is commonly
associated with peritonitis or an acute abdomen, like appendicitis. Inappendicitis, the right
lower quadrant of the abdomen is usually the most tender.
• You auscultate a patient's abdomen and hear no bowel sounds after listening in all four
quadrants for one minute. What should you do next?
a) Document absent bowel sounds and notify the provider immediately.
b) Continue listening for a full five minutes before confirming absent sounds.
c) Percuss the abdomen to confirm bowel obstruction.
d) Assume the patient is fasting, and this is normal.: B. If you don't hear bowelsounds after
one minute, you should continue to listen for a full 5 minutes before confirming absent bowel
sounds. Absent bowel sounds for 5 minutes may indicatea severe bowel obstruction or ileus.
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance? Hypotension, respiratory
depression, bradycardia, loss of deep tendon reflex-es.: Hypermagnesemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle cramps, tremors, seizures, arrhythmias (torsades de pointes).: Hypomagnesemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, arrhythmias, bone pain.: -
Hypercalcemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Tetany, muscle spasms, Chvostek's sign, Trousseau's sign, confusion, arrhythmias.:
Hypocalcemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle weakness, palpitations, peaked T waves on ECG, arrhythmias.: Hyperkalemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle weakness, cramping, arrhythmias (especially ventricular arrhythmias),constipation.:
Hypokalemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance? Thirst, dry mucous
membranes, confusion, seizures.: Hypernatremia
,• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?Confusion, lethargy,
headache, nausea, seizures.: Hyponatremia
• A patient presents with a fever of 101°F, increased heart rate (110 bpm), andchills. On
inspection, you notice redness, warmth, and swelling at a surgicalwound site. What are the
most likely findings?
a) Localized infection with signs of systemic infection (sepsis).
b) Normal post-surgical healing with no signs of infection.
c) A minor allergic reaction to medication.
d) A bruise or hematoma from recent surgery.: A
The fever, increased heart rate, and chills indicate systemic infection (possiblysepsis), and the
redness, warmth, and swelling at the surgical site suggest a localized infection. Both are
common signs of infection.
• A patient is exhibiting confusion, nausea, and muscle weakness. Labo-ratory results show
a sodium level of 130 mEq/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Hypernatremia.
b) Hyponatremia.
c) Hypokalemia.
d) Hypercalcemia.: B. Hyponatremia
A sodium level of 130 mEq/L is low (normal is 135-145 mEq/L), and symptoms suchas
confusion, nausea, and muscle weakness are commonly seen in hyponatremia.
• A patient receiving diuretic therapy reports feeling weak, experiencing legcramps, and
having irregular heartbeats. What electrolyte imbalance is mostlikely contributing to these
symptoms?
a) Hypokalemia.
b) Hyperkalemia.
c) Hypomagnesemia.
d) Hypercalcemia.: A. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (low potassium) can cause symptoms like muscle weakness, leg cramps, and
arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), especially in patients taking diuret-ics that cause potassium
loss.
• A patient's laboratory results show a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Whatsymptom is
most likely associated with this finding?
a) Muscle weakness and peaked T waves on an ECG.
b) Constipation and fatigue.
c) Increased appetite and dry mouth.
, d) Seizures and tetany.: A. Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia (high potassium) can cause muscle weakness, and on an ECG, you'll often see
peaked T waves. This is a life-threatening condition that requiresimmediate intervention.
• What is the normal temperature range?: 97.6-99.6
• What is a normal BP?: 120/80
• You are monitoring a 65-year-old patient recovering from surgery. Theirvitals are:
• Respiratory rate: 30 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 88%
• Blood pressure: 118/75 mmHg
• Heart rate: 98 bpm
• Temperature: 98.6°F
1. Which vital sign is most concerning?
2. What is your immediate action?
3. When should you alert the provider?: 1. Which vital sign is most concerning?
• Oxygen saturation
• 2. What is your immediate action?
• Start by ensuring the airway is clear and assess for breathing difficulties.
• Apply supplemental oxygen (e.g., via nasal cannula or mask)
• Position the patient upright to ease breathing.
• 3. When should you alert the provider?
• Immediately.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents to the ER with a headache and blurred vision.Their vitals are:
• Blood pressure: 190/124 mmHg
• Heart rate: 85 bpm
• Respiratory rate: 16 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 96%
• Temperature: 98.4°F
Question:
1. Which vital sign is most critical to report?
2. What symptoms make this situation urgent?
3. What interventions might you anticipate?: 1. Blood pressure
2. Blurred vision and headache
3. Medication for hypertension, close monitoring, labs to assess organ damage
5. A 30-year-old post-op patient complains of dizziness. Their vitals are:
• Heart rate: 48 bpm
• Blood pressure: 90/60 mmHg
• Respiratory rate: 14 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 97%
• A patient complains of severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Uponpalpation, the
pain worsens when you quickly release pressure. What is this finding called, and what might
it indicate?
a) Rebound tenderness, suggesting appendicitis.
b) Guarding, suggesting peritonitis.
c) Rigidity, suggesting bowel obstruction.
d) Murphy's sign, suggesting gallbladder inflammation.: A. Rebound tender- ness occurs
when pain is felt after you quickly release pressure from the abdomen.It is commonly
associated with peritonitis or an acute abdomen, like appendicitis. Inappendicitis, the right
lower quadrant of the abdomen is usually the most tender.
• You auscultate a patient's abdomen and hear no bowel sounds after listening in all four
quadrants for one minute. What should you do next?
a) Document absent bowel sounds and notify the provider immediately.
b) Continue listening for a full five minutes before confirming absent sounds.
c) Percuss the abdomen to confirm bowel obstruction.
d) Assume the patient is fasting, and this is normal.: B. If you don't hear bowelsounds after
one minute, you should continue to listen for a full 5 minutes before confirming absent bowel
sounds. Absent bowel sounds for 5 minutes may indicatea severe bowel obstruction or ileus.
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance? Hypotension, respiratory
depression, bradycardia, loss of deep tendon reflex-es.: Hypermagnesemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle cramps, tremors, seizures, arrhythmias (torsades de pointes).: Hypomagnesemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, arrhythmias, bone pain.: -
Hypercalcemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Tetany, muscle spasms, Chvostek's sign, Trousseau's sign, confusion, arrhythmias.:
Hypocalcemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle weakness, palpitations, peaked T waves on ECG, arrhythmias.: Hyperkalemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?
Muscle weakness, cramping, arrhythmias (especially ventricular arrhythmias),constipation.:
Hypokalemia
• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance? Thirst, dry mucous
membranes, confusion, seizures.: Hypernatremia
,• The following are symptoms of which electrolyte imbalance?Confusion, lethargy,
headache, nausea, seizures.: Hyponatremia
• A patient presents with a fever of 101°F, increased heart rate (110 bpm), andchills. On
inspection, you notice redness, warmth, and swelling at a surgicalwound site. What are the
most likely findings?
a) Localized infection with signs of systemic infection (sepsis).
b) Normal post-surgical healing with no signs of infection.
c) A minor allergic reaction to medication.
d) A bruise or hematoma from recent surgery.: A
The fever, increased heart rate, and chills indicate systemic infection (possiblysepsis), and the
redness, warmth, and swelling at the surgical site suggest a localized infection. Both are
common signs of infection.
• A patient is exhibiting confusion, nausea, and muscle weakness. Labo-ratory results show
a sodium level of 130 mEq/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Hypernatremia.
b) Hyponatremia.
c) Hypokalemia.
d) Hypercalcemia.: B. Hyponatremia
A sodium level of 130 mEq/L is low (normal is 135-145 mEq/L), and symptoms suchas
confusion, nausea, and muscle weakness are commonly seen in hyponatremia.
• A patient receiving diuretic therapy reports feeling weak, experiencing legcramps, and
having irregular heartbeats. What electrolyte imbalance is mostlikely contributing to these
symptoms?
a) Hypokalemia.
b) Hyperkalemia.
c) Hypomagnesemia.
d) Hypercalcemia.: A. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (low potassium) can cause symptoms like muscle weakness, leg cramps, and
arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), especially in patients taking diuret-ics that cause potassium
loss.
• A patient's laboratory results show a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Whatsymptom is
most likely associated with this finding?
a) Muscle weakness and peaked T waves on an ECG.
b) Constipation and fatigue.
c) Increased appetite and dry mouth.
, d) Seizures and tetany.: A. Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia (high potassium) can cause muscle weakness, and on an ECG, you'll often see
peaked T waves. This is a life-threatening condition that requiresimmediate intervention.
• What is the normal temperature range?: 97.6-99.6
• What is a normal BP?: 120/80
• You are monitoring a 65-year-old patient recovering from surgery. Theirvitals are:
• Respiratory rate: 30 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 88%
• Blood pressure: 118/75 mmHg
• Heart rate: 98 bpm
• Temperature: 98.6°F
1. Which vital sign is most concerning?
2. What is your immediate action?
3. When should you alert the provider?: 1. Which vital sign is most concerning?
• Oxygen saturation
• 2. What is your immediate action?
• Start by ensuring the airway is clear and assess for breathing difficulties.
• Apply supplemental oxygen (e.g., via nasal cannula or mask)
• Position the patient upright to ease breathing.
• 3. When should you alert the provider?
• Immediately.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents to the ER with a headache and blurred vision.Their vitals are:
• Blood pressure: 190/124 mmHg
• Heart rate: 85 bpm
• Respiratory rate: 16 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 96%
• Temperature: 98.4°F
Question:
1. Which vital sign is most critical to report?
2. What symptoms make this situation urgent?
3. What interventions might you anticipate?: 1. Blood pressure
2. Blurred vision and headache
3. Medication for hypertension, close monitoring, labs to assess organ damage
5. A 30-year-old post-op patient complains of dizziness. Their vitals are:
• Heart rate: 48 bpm
• Blood pressure: 90/60 mmHg
• Respiratory rate: 14 breaths/min
• Oxygen saturation: 97%
