1. Which of the following is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Tachycardia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overproduction
of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like tachycardia, heat
intolerance, and weight loss.
2. In which of the following conditions would you expect an
increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?
A. Acute inflammation
B. Dehydration
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Chronic hypertension
Answer: A) Acute inflammation
Rationale: ESR is an indicator of inflammation. It increases during
acute inflammatory processes, such as infections, autoimmune
diseases, and other inflammatory conditions.
3. A patient presents with a chronic cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C) Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by inflammation and
constriction of the airways, leading to symptoms like chronic
cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
,4. 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.
5. 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).
6. A patient with a history of chronic pancreatitis is at increased
risk for which of the following complications?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Asthma
Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Chronic pancreatitis can damage the pancreas' ability
to secrete insulin, leading to insulin resistance and an increased
risk of diabetes mellitus.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
chronic alcoholism?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: D) Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Chronic alcoholism leads to malabsorption of nutrients,
including magnesium, resulting in hypomagnesemia.
8. Which of the following is the primary treatment goal for a
patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Enhance gastrointestinal function
Answer: B) Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
Rationale: The primary goal in managing MI is to reduce the
heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and oxygen demand to
prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
9. A patient with diabetes mellitus presents with polyuria,
polydipsia, and weight loss. What condition might these
symptoms indicate?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
B. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypertension
Answer: A) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA occurs when insulin deficiency causes increased
glucose production and fat breakdown, leading to ketosis and
elevated blood glucose levels, which cause symptoms like
polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss.
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Tachycardia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overproduction
of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like tachycardia, heat
intolerance, and weight loss.
2. In which of the following conditions would you expect an
increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?
A. Acute inflammation
B. Dehydration
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Chronic hypertension
Answer: A) Acute inflammation
Rationale: ESR is an indicator of inflammation. It increases during
acute inflammatory processes, such as infections, autoimmune
diseases, and other inflammatory conditions.
3. A patient presents with a chronic cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C) Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by inflammation and
constriction of the airways, leading to symptoms like chronic
cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
,4. 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.
5. 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).
6. A patient with a history of chronic pancreatitis is at increased
risk for which of the following complications?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Asthma
Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Chronic pancreatitis can damage the pancreas' ability
to secrete insulin, leading to insulin resistance and an increased
risk of diabetes mellitus.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
chronic alcoholism?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: D) Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Chronic alcoholism leads to malabsorption of nutrients,
including magnesium, resulting in hypomagnesemia.
8. Which of the following is the primary treatment goal for a
patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Enhance gastrointestinal function
Answer: B) Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
Rationale: The primary goal in managing MI is to reduce the
heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and oxygen demand to
prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
9. A patient with diabetes mellitus presents with polyuria,
polydipsia, and weight loss. What condition might these
symptoms indicate?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
B. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypertension
Answer: A) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA occurs when insulin deficiency causes increased
glucose production and fat breakdown, leading to ketosis and
elevated blood glucose levels, which cause symptoms like
polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss.
