1|Page
HONDROS NUR 172 ACTUAL EXAM 1 2026
|ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS |RATED A+ |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. Which nursing action should be implemented first?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Administer IV calcium gluconate
C. Encourage increased oral potassium intake
D. Initiate a high-potassium diet
*Rationale: IV calcium gluconate is administered first to stabilize
cardiac membranes and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias
associated with hyperkalemia.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. The
patient’s apical pulse is 52 bpm. What is the appropriate nursing
action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Give half the dose
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer with food to prevent nausea
*Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. A pulse below 60 bpm
requires withholding the dose and notifying the healthcare provider.
3. A patient with COPD is experiencing increased shortness of breath
and wheezing. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
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B. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
C. Provide high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather
D. Elevate the legs and provide fluids
*Rationale: Bronchodilation is priority to relieve airway constriction.
High-flow oxygen can be harmful in COPD without titration.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 1 diabetes about insulin
administration. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should inject insulin into a vein for faster absorption.”
B. “I should rotate injection sites within the same area.”
C. “I should inject into subcutaneous tissue and rotate sites
daily.”
D. “I can mix insulin without checking compatibility.”
*Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are standard, and rotation
prevents lipodystrophy. Daily rotation within the same area is
appropriate.
5. A patient with heart failure is taking furosemide 40 mg daily.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Slight ankle edema
D. Occasional nocturia
*Rationale: Hypokalemia is dangerous in patients on loop diuretics,
increasing risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness.
6. A post-op patient reports sudden shortness of breath and chest
pain. Vital signs: BP 90/60 mmHg, HR 120 bpm, RR 28/min, O2
88%. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B. Place patient on bed rest
C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify provider
,3|Page
immediately
D. Give PRN pain medication
*Rationale: The patient shows signs of pulmonary embolism. Oxygen
and rapid provider notification are priority.
7. A patient receiving morphine PCA reports itching and mild
urticaria. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
C. Stop PCA immediately
D. Apply a cooling lotion
*Rationale: Mild allergic reactions like itching can be managed with
antihistamines while monitoring the patient; naloxone is reserved for
respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient’s IV site. The area is red, swollen,
and tender with a palpable cord along the vein. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
C. Extravasation
D. Hematoma
*Rationale: Phlebitis presents as redness, tenderness, swelling, and a
palpable cord. Infiltration involves fluid leaking without
inflammation.
9. A patient is receiving heparin therapy for DVT. Which lab value
requires immediate nursing action?
A. Platelet count 200,000/mm³
B. aPTT 110 seconds
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. WBC 6,000/mm³
, 4|Page
*Rationale: An elevated aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation,
increasing risk for bleeding. Intervention and provider notification are
needed.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with new-onset type 2
diabetes. Which lifestyle modification should be prioritized?
A. Increase saturated fat intake
B. Reduce physical activity
C. Incorporate regular aerobic exercise and monitor
carbohydrate intake
D. Take insulin without dietary changes
*Rationale: Lifestyle changes, including exercise and carb
management, are first-line interventions in type 2 diabetes
management.
11. A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 89%
on room air. The patient is alert and oriented. Which action is best?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises only
B. Administer supplemental oxygen to maintain SpO₂ above
92%
C. Prepare for intubation immediately
D. Reassure the patient and monitor
*Rationale: Supplemental oxygen is indicated for hypoxemia to
maintain adequate tissue oxygenation.
12. A patient with atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and avoid sudden vitamin K
changes
C. Stop the medication if INR is normal
D. Take double doses if a dose is missed
HONDROS NUR 172 ACTUAL EXAM 1 2026
|ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS |RATED A+ |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. Which nursing action should be implemented first?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Administer IV calcium gluconate
C. Encourage increased oral potassium intake
D. Initiate a high-potassium diet
*Rationale: IV calcium gluconate is administered first to stabilize
cardiac membranes and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias
associated with hyperkalemia.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. The
patient’s apical pulse is 52 bpm. What is the appropriate nursing
action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Give half the dose
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer with food to prevent nausea
*Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. A pulse below 60 bpm
requires withholding the dose and notifying the healthcare provider.
3. A patient with COPD is experiencing increased shortness of breath
and wheezing. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
,2|Page
B. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
C. Provide high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather
D. Elevate the legs and provide fluids
*Rationale: Bronchodilation is priority to relieve airway constriction.
High-flow oxygen can be harmful in COPD without titration.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 1 diabetes about insulin
administration. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should inject insulin into a vein for faster absorption.”
B. “I should rotate injection sites within the same area.”
C. “I should inject into subcutaneous tissue and rotate sites
daily.”
D. “I can mix insulin without checking compatibility.”
*Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are standard, and rotation
prevents lipodystrophy. Daily rotation within the same area is
appropriate.
5. A patient with heart failure is taking furosemide 40 mg daily.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Slight ankle edema
D. Occasional nocturia
*Rationale: Hypokalemia is dangerous in patients on loop diuretics,
increasing risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness.
6. A post-op patient reports sudden shortness of breath and chest
pain. Vital signs: BP 90/60 mmHg, HR 120 bpm, RR 28/min, O2
88%. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B. Place patient on bed rest
C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify provider
,3|Page
immediately
D. Give PRN pain medication
*Rationale: The patient shows signs of pulmonary embolism. Oxygen
and rapid provider notification are priority.
7. A patient receiving morphine PCA reports itching and mild
urticaria. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
C. Stop PCA immediately
D. Apply a cooling lotion
*Rationale: Mild allergic reactions like itching can be managed with
antihistamines while monitoring the patient; naloxone is reserved for
respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient’s IV site. The area is red, swollen,
and tender with a palpable cord along the vein. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
C. Extravasation
D. Hematoma
*Rationale: Phlebitis presents as redness, tenderness, swelling, and a
palpable cord. Infiltration involves fluid leaking without
inflammation.
9. A patient is receiving heparin therapy for DVT. Which lab value
requires immediate nursing action?
A. Platelet count 200,000/mm³
B. aPTT 110 seconds
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. WBC 6,000/mm³
, 4|Page
*Rationale: An elevated aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation,
increasing risk for bleeding. Intervention and provider notification are
needed.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with new-onset type 2
diabetes. Which lifestyle modification should be prioritized?
A. Increase saturated fat intake
B. Reduce physical activity
C. Incorporate regular aerobic exercise and monitor
carbohydrate intake
D. Take insulin without dietary changes
*Rationale: Lifestyle changes, including exercise and carb
management, are first-line interventions in type 2 diabetes
management.
11. A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 89%
on room air. The patient is alert and oriented. Which action is best?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises only
B. Administer supplemental oxygen to maintain SpO₂ above
92%
C. Prepare for intubation immediately
D. Reassure the patient and monitor
*Rationale: Supplemental oxygen is indicated for hypoxemia to
maintain adequate tissue oxygenation.
12. A patient with atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and avoid sudden vitamin K
changes
C. Stop the medication if INR is normal
D. Take double doses if a dose is missed
