1. A patient with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) is at increased risk for which of the following?
A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Stroke
Answer: A) Infection
Rationale: SLE is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune
system, leaving the patient at higher risk for infections due to
immunosuppressive therapy and the disease itself.
2. What is a common sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in
older adults?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and delirium
C. Painful urination
D. Excessive thirst
Answer: B) Confusion and delirium
Rationale: In older adults, UTIs may present with atypical
symptoms such as confusion, delirium, or agitation, rather than
the typical symptoms of fever and dysuria.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected myocardial
infarction (MI). Which finding would be most indicative of an MI?
A. Severe sharp chest pain that radiates to the left shoulder
B. Shortness of breath with a productive cough
C. Gradual onset of bilateral lower leg edema
D. Sudden dizziness with no associated chest pain
Answer: A) Severe sharp chest pain that radiates to the left
shoulder
Rationale: A common symptom of myocardial infarction is chest
,pain that radiates to the left shoulder or arm. This is due to
ischemia affecting the heart muscle.
4. What is a classic symptom of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Hypotension
C. Polyuria
D. Weight gain
Answer: A) Muscle rigidity
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by symptoms such
as muscle rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia due to a loss of
dopaminergic neurons in the brain.
5. A patient with acute blood loss from a traumatic injury may
experience which of the following?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute blood loss leads to a decrease in circulating
blood volume, which triggers compensatory tachycardia
(increased heart rate) to maintain cardiac output.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has developed ascites. Which of the
following is a likely cause of ascites in this patient?
A. Decreased albumin production
B. Increased clotting factors
C. Increased renin production
D. Decreased red blood cell production
Answer: A) Decreased albumin production
Rationale: In cirrhosis, the liver's ability to produce albumin is
impaired, leading to a decrease in plasma oncotic pressure, which
, contributes to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).
7. What is a key characteristic of Crohn's disease?
A. Continuous inflammation of the colon
B. Painless, non-bloody diarrhea
C. Skip lesions along the gastrointestinal tract
D. Gallstone formation
Answer: C) Skip lesions along the gastrointestinal tract
Rationale: Crohn’s disease is characterized by inflammation that
can occur in patches (skip lesions) throughout the gastrointestinal
tract, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
weight loss.
8. A patient with an ileus will most likely experience which of the
following symptoms?
A. Increased appetite
B. Abdominal distention and nausea
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B) Abdominal distention and nausea
Rationale: An ileus occurs when there is a lack of peristalsis in the
intestines, leading to abdominal distention, nausea, and inability
to pass stool or gas.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Which
of the following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
B. Morning dizziness and fatigue
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Chest pain
Answer: A) Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes symmetrical joint
pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly in the hands and feet.
(SLE) is at increased risk for which of the following?
A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Stroke
Answer: A) Infection
Rationale: SLE is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune
system, leaving the patient at higher risk for infections due to
immunosuppressive therapy and the disease itself.
2. What is a common sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in
older adults?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and delirium
C. Painful urination
D. Excessive thirst
Answer: B) Confusion and delirium
Rationale: In older adults, UTIs may present with atypical
symptoms such as confusion, delirium, or agitation, rather than
the typical symptoms of fever and dysuria.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected myocardial
infarction (MI). Which finding would be most indicative of an MI?
A. Severe sharp chest pain that radiates to the left shoulder
B. Shortness of breath with a productive cough
C. Gradual onset of bilateral lower leg edema
D. Sudden dizziness with no associated chest pain
Answer: A) Severe sharp chest pain that radiates to the left
shoulder
Rationale: A common symptom of myocardial infarction is chest
,pain that radiates to the left shoulder or arm. This is due to
ischemia affecting the heart muscle.
4. What is a classic symptom of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Hypotension
C. Polyuria
D. Weight gain
Answer: A) Muscle rigidity
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by symptoms such
as muscle rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia due to a loss of
dopaminergic neurons in the brain.
5. A patient with acute blood loss from a traumatic injury may
experience which of the following?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute blood loss leads to a decrease in circulating
blood volume, which triggers compensatory tachycardia
(increased heart rate) to maintain cardiac output.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has developed ascites. Which of the
following is a likely cause of ascites in this patient?
A. Decreased albumin production
B. Increased clotting factors
C. Increased renin production
D. Decreased red blood cell production
Answer: A) Decreased albumin production
Rationale: In cirrhosis, the liver's ability to produce albumin is
impaired, leading to a decrease in plasma oncotic pressure, which
, contributes to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).
7. What is a key characteristic of Crohn's disease?
A. Continuous inflammation of the colon
B. Painless, non-bloody diarrhea
C. Skip lesions along the gastrointestinal tract
D. Gallstone formation
Answer: C) Skip lesions along the gastrointestinal tract
Rationale: Crohn’s disease is characterized by inflammation that
can occur in patches (skip lesions) throughout the gastrointestinal
tract, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
weight loss.
8. A patient with an ileus will most likely experience which of the
following symptoms?
A. Increased appetite
B. Abdominal distention and nausea
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B) Abdominal distention and nausea
Rationale: An ileus occurs when there is a lack of peristalsis in the
intestines, leading to abdominal distention, nausea, and inability
to pass stool or gas.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Which
of the following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
B. Morning dizziness and fatigue
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Chest pain
Answer: A) Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes symmetrical joint
pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly in the hands and feet.
