NUR 257 Chronic Exam 1 Exam Study Guide |
2026 Update with complete solutions. Galen
College of Nursing.
1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. What is the most
important instruction to provide?
A) "Avoid taking the medication with food."
B) "Monitor your blood pressure regularly."
C) "Increase your intake of salt."
D) "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration."
Answer: B) "Monitor your blood pressure regularly."
Rationale: Diuretics lower blood pressure by reducing fluid volume, and
monitoring blood pressure ensures that the medication is effective and the
patient is not at risk for hypotension.
2. What is a priority intervention for a patient experiencing acute pain
from a myocardial infarction (MI)?
A) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed.
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises.
C) Initiate an intravenous (IV) line for hydration.
D) Position the patient in high Fowler’s position.
Answer: A) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin helps to relieve chest pain by dilating coronary
arteries, which improves blood flow to the heart during an MI.
3. Which of the following lab results should the nurse monitor closely for a
patient with chronic kidney disease?
A) Serum creatinine
, B) Hemoglobin A1c
C) White blood cell count
D) Prothrombin time (PT)
Answer: A) Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a marker of kidney function, and elevated levels
indicate impaired kidney function, which is critical to monitor in chronic kidney
disease.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). What is the best position for this patient to improve
respiratory function?
A) Lying flat on the back.
B) Sitting upright with arms resting on a table.
C) Lying on the left side.
D) Lying on the right side.
Answer: B) Sitting upright with arms resting on a table.
Rationale: Sitting upright with arms supported helps to expand the chest and
improve lung ventilation, making it easier for patients with COPD to breathe.
5. A patient with diabetes is scheduled for surgery. Which medication
should the nurse hold prior to the procedure?
A) Metformin
B) Insulin
C) Lisinopril
D) Aspirin
Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin should be held before surgery because the patient may not be
able to eat, and insulin dosing needs to be adjusted to avoid hypoglycemia.
, 6. What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient with
chronic heart failure?
A) Encourage high sodium intake.
B) Monitor for signs of fluid overload.
C) Teach the patient to avoid all exercise.
D) Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Answer: B) Monitor for signs of fluid overload.
Rationale: In chronic heart failure, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively
is reduced, leading to fluid retention. Monitoring for fluid overload helps
prevent complications such as pulmonary edema.
7. Which of the following is a common side effect of calcium channel
blockers?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Hypotension
C) Diarrhea
D) Insomnia
Answer: A) Peripheral edema
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers cause blood vessel dilation, which can
lead to fluid accumulation in the lower extremities, resulting in peripheral
edema.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis. What is the most important
dietary modification for this patient?
A) High-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
B) Low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
C) Low-sodium diet
D) High-fat, low-protein diet
2026 Update with complete solutions. Galen
College of Nursing.
1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. What is the most
important instruction to provide?
A) "Avoid taking the medication with food."
B) "Monitor your blood pressure regularly."
C) "Increase your intake of salt."
D) "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration."
Answer: B) "Monitor your blood pressure regularly."
Rationale: Diuretics lower blood pressure by reducing fluid volume, and
monitoring blood pressure ensures that the medication is effective and the
patient is not at risk for hypotension.
2. What is a priority intervention for a patient experiencing acute pain
from a myocardial infarction (MI)?
A) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed.
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises.
C) Initiate an intravenous (IV) line for hydration.
D) Position the patient in high Fowler’s position.
Answer: A) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin helps to relieve chest pain by dilating coronary
arteries, which improves blood flow to the heart during an MI.
3. Which of the following lab results should the nurse monitor closely for a
patient with chronic kidney disease?
A) Serum creatinine
, B) Hemoglobin A1c
C) White blood cell count
D) Prothrombin time (PT)
Answer: A) Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a marker of kidney function, and elevated levels
indicate impaired kidney function, which is critical to monitor in chronic kidney
disease.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). What is the best position for this patient to improve
respiratory function?
A) Lying flat on the back.
B) Sitting upright with arms resting on a table.
C) Lying on the left side.
D) Lying on the right side.
Answer: B) Sitting upright with arms resting on a table.
Rationale: Sitting upright with arms supported helps to expand the chest and
improve lung ventilation, making it easier for patients with COPD to breathe.
5. A patient with diabetes is scheduled for surgery. Which medication
should the nurse hold prior to the procedure?
A) Metformin
B) Insulin
C) Lisinopril
D) Aspirin
Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin should be held before surgery because the patient may not be
able to eat, and insulin dosing needs to be adjusted to avoid hypoglycemia.
, 6. What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient with
chronic heart failure?
A) Encourage high sodium intake.
B) Monitor for signs of fluid overload.
C) Teach the patient to avoid all exercise.
D) Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Answer: B) Monitor for signs of fluid overload.
Rationale: In chronic heart failure, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively
is reduced, leading to fluid retention. Monitoring for fluid overload helps
prevent complications such as pulmonary edema.
7. Which of the following is a common side effect of calcium channel
blockers?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Hypotension
C) Diarrhea
D) Insomnia
Answer: A) Peripheral edema
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers cause blood vessel dilation, which can
lead to fluid accumulation in the lower extremities, resulting in peripheral
edema.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis. What is the most important
dietary modification for this patient?
A) High-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
B) Low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
C) Low-sodium diet
D) High-fat, low-protein diet
