NR 324 \ NR324 ADULT HEALTH I MIDTERM EXAM
VERSION 1 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES| GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE | CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Oxygen saturation of 92%
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Pursed-lip breathing
D. Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 indicates respiratory depression, which can
occur in COPD patients receiving too much oxygen. This is an emergency.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of an incentive spirometer. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I will exhale into the device."
B. "I should use it once a day."
,C. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the device."
D. "I will breathe rapidly into it to clear secretions."
Rationale: The correct use involves slow, deep inhalation to promote lung
expansion and prevent atelectasis.
3. A postoperative patient is experiencing decreased breath sounds and
dyspnea. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pleural effusion
Rationale: Atelectasis is common after surgery due to hypoventilation and can
cause decreased breath sounds and shortness of breath.
4. A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A. Productive cough with green sputum
B. Fever of 101.4°F (38.6°C)
C. New-onset confusion
D. Crackles in bilateral lungs
Rationale: Confusion in older adults may indicate hypoxia, a serious complication
of pneumonia.
,5. Which dietary recommendation is appropriate for a patient with heart
failure?
A. High-sodium, high-calorie diet
B. Low-sodium, fluid-restricted diet
C. High-protein, high-fat diet
D. Low-carb, low-fat diet
Rationale: Sodium and fluid restrictions help prevent fluid overload in heart failure
patients.
6. A patient with atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin. What lab value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
D. BUN
Rationale: INR monitors the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. What finding is
expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles in lungs
C. Orthopnea
D. Pink, frothy sputum
, Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to
peripheral edema.
8. What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient receiving furosemide?
A. Monitor heart rate
B. Monitor potassium levels
C. Assess for bradycardia
D. Monitor hemoglobin
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing risk
for hypokalemia.
9. Which finding indicates fluid volume overload?
A. Hypotension
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: JVD is a classic sign of fluid overload, especially in heart failure.
10. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. Which finding should prompt the
nurse to withhold the dose?
A. Blood pressure 138/76
B. Heart rate 54 bpm
VERSION 1 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES| GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE | CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Oxygen saturation of 92%
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Pursed-lip breathing
D. Barrel-shaped chest
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 indicates respiratory depression, which can
occur in COPD patients receiving too much oxygen. This is an emergency.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of an incentive spirometer. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I will exhale into the device."
B. "I should use it once a day."
,C. "I should inhale slowly and deeply through the device."
D. "I will breathe rapidly into it to clear secretions."
Rationale: The correct use involves slow, deep inhalation to promote lung
expansion and prevent atelectasis.
3. A postoperative patient is experiencing decreased breath sounds and
dyspnea. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pleural effusion
Rationale: Atelectasis is common after surgery due to hypoventilation and can
cause decreased breath sounds and shortness of breath.
4. A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is most
concerning?
A. Productive cough with green sputum
B. Fever of 101.4°F (38.6°C)
C. New-onset confusion
D. Crackles in bilateral lungs
Rationale: Confusion in older adults may indicate hypoxia, a serious complication
of pneumonia.
,5. Which dietary recommendation is appropriate for a patient with heart
failure?
A. High-sodium, high-calorie diet
B. Low-sodium, fluid-restricted diet
C. High-protein, high-fat diet
D. Low-carb, low-fat diet
Rationale: Sodium and fluid restrictions help prevent fluid overload in heart failure
patients.
6. A patient with atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin. What lab value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
D. BUN
Rationale: INR monitors the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. What finding is
expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles in lungs
C. Orthopnea
D. Pink, frothy sputum
, Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to
peripheral edema.
8. What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient receiving furosemide?
A. Monitor heart rate
B. Monitor potassium levels
C. Assess for bradycardia
D. Monitor hemoglobin
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing risk
for hypokalemia.
9. Which finding indicates fluid volume overload?
A. Hypotension
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: JVD is a classic sign of fluid overload, especially in heart failure.
10. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. Which finding should prompt the
nurse to withhold the dose?
A. Blood pressure 138/76
B. Heart rate 54 bpm
