1. 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.
2. Which of the following would most likely cause a decrease in
blood pressure?
A. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
B. Release of aldosterone
C. Release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D. Decreased blood volume
Answer: D) Decreased blood volume
Rationale: Decreased blood volume reduces venous return, leading
to reduced cardiac output and a drop in blood pressure.
3. What is the main cause of type 2 diabetes?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
D. Excessive glucagon secretion
Answer: A) Insulin resistance
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by insulin
resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to
insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
,4. Which of the following lab results is most likely in a patient
with dehydration?
A. Low hematocrit
B. Low sodium levels
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Low creatinine
Answer: C) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Rationale: Dehydration leads to decreased renal perfusion and an
increase in BUN due to reduced fluid volume.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. What is the most common cause of peptic ulcers?
A. Stress
B. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Excessive alcohol consumption
Answer: C) Helicobacter pylori infection
Rationale: H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers
due to its ability to disrupt the mucosal lining of the stomach.
9. Which of the following is the most likely cause of anaphylactic
shock?
A. Blood loss
B. Allergic reaction
C. Bacterial infection
D. Spinal cord injury
Answer: B) Allergic reaction
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that
causes vasodilation and fluid leakage, leading to hypotension and
shock.
10. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most at risk for
which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
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.
2. Which of the following would most likely cause a decrease in
blood pressure?
A. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
B. Release of aldosterone
C. Release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D. Decreased blood volume
Answer: D) Decreased blood volume
Rationale: Decreased blood volume reduces venous return, leading
to reduced cardiac output and a drop in blood pressure.
3. What is the main cause of type 2 diabetes?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
D. Excessive glucagon secretion
Answer: A) Insulin resistance
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by insulin
resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to
insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
,4. Which of the following lab results is most likely in a patient
with dehydration?
A. Low hematocrit
B. Low sodium levels
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Low creatinine
Answer: C) Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Rationale: Dehydration leads to decreased renal perfusion and an
increase in BUN due to reduced fluid volume.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. What is the most common cause of peptic ulcers?
A. Stress
B. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Excessive alcohol consumption
Answer: C) Helicobacter pylori infection
Rationale: H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers
due to its ability to disrupt the mucosal lining of the stomach.
9. Which of the following is the most likely cause of anaphylactic
shock?
A. Blood loss
B. Allergic reaction
C. Bacterial infection
D. Spinal cord injury
Answer: B) Allergic reaction
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that
causes vasodilation and fluid leakage, leading to hypotension and
shock.
10. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most at risk for
which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
