,NSG 3850 Exam 1 | Questions & Verified Answers |
2026 Edition | Galen College
1. A nurse is planning care based on the philosophy that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected
and influence a patient's health. Which nursing theorist's work is the foundation for this approach?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Virginia Henderson
C) Jean Watson
D) Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: Jean Watson
Rationale: Watson's Theory of Human Caring emphasizes the transpersonal caring relationship, viewing
the person as a unity of mind-body-spirit that is inseparable from the environment. Her work focuses on
the holistic nature of nursing, whereas Henderson focused on basic nursing functions and Orem on self-
care agency.
2. A nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which statement reflects the use of active listening
and therapeutic communication?
A) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B) "You appear to be upset. Can you tell me more about how you are feeling?"
C) "If I were you, I would stop smoking immediately."
D) "Why did you wait so long to come in for this problem?"
Correct Answer: "You appear to be upset. Can you tell me more about how you are feeling?"
Rationale: This statement uses the therapeutic technique of making an observation followed by an
open-ended question, which encourages the patient to elaborate. Offering false reassurance, giving
personal advice, and asking "why" questions are all non-therapeutic communication blocks.
3. A patient is admitted with a systemic infection. Which laboratory result would the nurse expect to
see, indicating a sign of inflammation or infection?
,A) Decreased platelet count
B) Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Elevated hemoglobin
Correct Answer: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
Rationale: CRP is a protein synthesized by the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines, especially
during acute infection or inflammation. An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis), not
decreased, is also typical. Hemoglobin is unrelated to acute infection.
4. The normal range for serum sodium is:
A) 130-140 mEq/L
B) 135-145 mEq/L
C) 140-150 mEq/L
D) 145-155 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 135-145 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal range for serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L. Hyponatremia is defined as a sodium
level below 135 mEq/L, and hypernatremia is a level above 145 mEq/L.
5. A patient's serum sodium level is 155 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is most consistent with this
imbalance?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Confusion and lethargy
C) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
D) Cardiac arrhythmias
Correct Answer: Thirst and dry mucous membranes
, Rationale: Hypernatremia (sodium > 145 mEq/L) causes cellular dehydration, leading to intense thirst,
dry mucous membranes, and restlessness. Neurological changes like confusion can also occur, but thirst
and dryness are classic early signs.
6. A patient with a serum sodium of 120 mEq/L is at risk for which complication?
A) Pulmonary edema
B) Cerebral edema and seizures
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Cerebral edema and seizures
Rationale: Hyponatremia leads to water movement into brain cells, causing cerebral edema. This can
result in confusion, headache, seizures, and coma if not corrected.
7. Which of the following is a common cause of hypovolemia (fluid volume deficit)?
A) Heart failure
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
C) Cirrhosis of the liver
D) Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Correct Answer: Vomiting and diarrhea
Rationale: Hypovolemia occurs when there is a loss of extracellular fluid. Common causes include
vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhage, excessive sweating, and diuretic use. Heart failure, cirrhosis, and SIADH
are causes of hypervolemia (fluid volume excess).
8. A patient with hypervolemia (fluid volume excess) would most likely exhibit which clinical
manifestation?
A) Poor skin turgor
2026 Edition | Galen College
1. A nurse is planning care based on the philosophy that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected
and influence a patient's health. Which nursing theorist's work is the foundation for this approach?
A) Florence Nightingale
B) Virginia Henderson
C) Jean Watson
D) Dorothea Orem
Correct Answer: Jean Watson
Rationale: Watson's Theory of Human Caring emphasizes the transpersonal caring relationship, viewing
the person as a unity of mind-body-spirit that is inseparable from the environment. Her work focuses on
the holistic nature of nursing, whereas Henderson focused on basic nursing functions and Orem on self-
care agency.
2. A nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which statement reflects the use of active listening
and therapeutic communication?
A) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B) "You appear to be upset. Can you tell me more about how you are feeling?"
C) "If I were you, I would stop smoking immediately."
D) "Why did you wait so long to come in for this problem?"
Correct Answer: "You appear to be upset. Can you tell me more about how you are feeling?"
Rationale: This statement uses the therapeutic technique of making an observation followed by an
open-ended question, which encourages the patient to elaborate. Offering false reassurance, giving
personal advice, and asking "why" questions are all non-therapeutic communication blocks.
3. A patient is admitted with a systemic infection. Which laboratory result would the nurse expect to
see, indicating a sign of inflammation or infection?
,A) Decreased platelet count
B) Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Elevated hemoglobin
Correct Answer: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
Rationale: CRP is a protein synthesized by the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines, especially
during acute infection or inflammation. An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis), not
decreased, is also typical. Hemoglobin is unrelated to acute infection.
4. The normal range for serum sodium is:
A) 130-140 mEq/L
B) 135-145 mEq/L
C) 140-150 mEq/L
D) 145-155 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 135-145 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal range for serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L. Hyponatremia is defined as a sodium
level below 135 mEq/L, and hypernatremia is a level above 145 mEq/L.
5. A patient's serum sodium level is 155 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is most consistent with this
imbalance?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Confusion and lethargy
C) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
D) Cardiac arrhythmias
Correct Answer: Thirst and dry mucous membranes
, Rationale: Hypernatremia (sodium > 145 mEq/L) causes cellular dehydration, leading to intense thirst,
dry mucous membranes, and restlessness. Neurological changes like confusion can also occur, but thirst
and dryness are classic early signs.
6. A patient with a serum sodium of 120 mEq/L is at risk for which complication?
A) Pulmonary edema
B) Cerebral edema and seizures
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Cerebral edema and seizures
Rationale: Hyponatremia leads to water movement into brain cells, causing cerebral edema. This can
result in confusion, headache, seizures, and coma if not corrected.
7. Which of the following is a common cause of hypovolemia (fluid volume deficit)?
A) Heart failure
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
C) Cirrhosis of the liver
D) Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Correct Answer: Vomiting and diarrhea
Rationale: Hypovolemia occurs when there is a loss of extracellular fluid. Common causes include
vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhage, excessive sweating, and diuretic use. Heart failure, cirrhosis, and SIADH
are causes of hypervolemia (fluid volume excess).
8. A patient with hypervolemia (fluid volume excess) would most likely exhibit which clinical
manifestation?
A) Poor skin turgor
