NSG 3850 EXAM 3 200 NCLEX-STYLE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES
NSG 3850 – Exam 3 Practice Questions
1. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of
breath and orthopnea. Which intervention is priority?
A. Administer IV antibiotics
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Provide a low-sodium diet
Answer: B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
Rationale: High Fowler’s improves lung expansion and eases breathing
for patients with pulmonary congestion from heart failure.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV for
edema. Which electrolyte should be monitored most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia,
which may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
3. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 320
mg/dL. Which assessment finding requires immediate
attention?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath odor
,C. Blurred vision
D. Fatigue
Answer: B. Fruity breath odor
Rationale: Fruity breath indicates ketosis, a sign of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a medical emergency.
4. Which lab value indicates worsening renal function?
A. BUN 12 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
C. Sodium 140 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: B. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine reflects impaired kidney filtration and
worsening renal function.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase oxygen to 5 L/min
B. Encourage deep breaths and pursed-lip breathing
C. Restrict fluid intake
D. Place patient in supine position
Answer: B. Encourage deep breaths and pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing improves ventilation and helps prevent
air trapping in COPD patients.
6. A patient on warfarin therapy presents with bruising and
bleeding gums. Which lab value is most relevant?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
,Answer: A. PT/INR
Rationale: PT/INR monitors warfarin therapy; elevated INR increases
bleeding risk.
7. A patient with an acute myocardial infarction is prescribed
nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates correct patient
teaching?
A. “Take nitroglycerin only once daily.”
B. “You may experience a headache after taking this medication.”
C. “Store tablets in the bathroom medicine cabinet.”
D. “Avoid taking if experiencing chest pain.”
Answer: B. “You may experience a headache after taking this
medication.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which commonly results
in headaches.
8. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature 101°F
C. SpO₂ 88% on room air
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C. SpO₂ 88% on room air
Rationale: Low oxygen saturation indicates hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention.
9. A patient with chronic kidney disease reports muscle
cramps and tingling in fingers. Which electrolyte imbalance is
likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Answer: D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: CKD can cause low calcium due to impaired vitamin D
activation and phosphate retention.
10. Which action is most appropriate for a patient receiving a
blood transfusion who develops itching and hives?
A. Continue transfusion at a slower rate
B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
C. Administer IV furosemide
D. Apply cold compresses to extremities
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Itching and hives may indicate an allergic reaction;
stopping the transfusion prevents progression.
I can continue and create questions 11–50 in this same format with
answers bolded and rationales italicized, covering all critical NSG
3850 topics including codes for procedures, lab interpretations,
and medication considerations.
Do you want me to generate the remaining 40 questions now in
one complete set?
11-50
Perfect! Here’s the full continuation for NSG 3850 Exam 3 Practice
Questions 11–50 with answers in bold and rationales in italics,
covering medical-surgical topics, labs, medications, and nursing
interventions.
NSG 3850 – Exam 3 Practice Questions (11–50)
11. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cough
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES
NSG 3850 – Exam 3 Practice Questions
1. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of
breath and orthopnea. Which intervention is priority?
A. Administer IV antibiotics
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Provide a low-sodium diet
Answer: B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
Rationale: High Fowler’s improves lung expansion and eases breathing
for patients with pulmonary congestion from heart failure.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV for
edema. Which electrolyte should be monitored most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia,
which may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
3. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 320
mg/dL. Which assessment finding requires immediate
attention?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath odor
,C. Blurred vision
D. Fatigue
Answer: B. Fruity breath odor
Rationale: Fruity breath indicates ketosis, a sign of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a medical emergency.
4. Which lab value indicates worsening renal function?
A. BUN 12 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
C. Sodium 140 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: B. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine reflects impaired kidney filtration and
worsening renal function.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase oxygen to 5 L/min
B. Encourage deep breaths and pursed-lip breathing
C. Restrict fluid intake
D. Place patient in supine position
Answer: B. Encourage deep breaths and pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing improves ventilation and helps prevent
air trapping in COPD patients.
6. A patient on warfarin therapy presents with bruising and
bleeding gums. Which lab value is most relevant?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
,Answer: A. PT/INR
Rationale: PT/INR monitors warfarin therapy; elevated INR increases
bleeding risk.
7. A patient with an acute myocardial infarction is prescribed
nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates correct patient
teaching?
A. “Take nitroglycerin only once daily.”
B. “You may experience a headache after taking this medication.”
C. “Store tablets in the bathroom medicine cabinet.”
D. “Avoid taking if experiencing chest pain.”
Answer: B. “You may experience a headache after taking this
medication.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which commonly results
in headaches.
8. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with
pneumonia?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature 101°F
C. SpO₂ 88% on room air
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C. SpO₂ 88% on room air
Rationale: Low oxygen saturation indicates hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention.
9. A patient with chronic kidney disease reports muscle
cramps and tingling in fingers. Which electrolyte imbalance is
likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Answer: D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: CKD can cause low calcium due to impaired vitamin D
activation and phosphate retention.
10. Which action is most appropriate for a patient receiving a
blood transfusion who develops itching and hives?
A. Continue transfusion at a slower rate
B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
C. Administer IV furosemide
D. Apply cold compresses to extremities
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Itching and hives may indicate an allergic reaction;
stopping the transfusion prevents progression.
I can continue and create questions 11–50 in this same format with
answers bolded and rationales italicized, covering all critical NSG
3850 topics including codes for procedures, lab interpretations,
and medication considerations.
Do you want me to generate the remaining 40 questions now in
one complete set?
11-50
Perfect! Here’s the full continuation for NSG 3850 Exam 3 Practice
Questions 11–50 with answers in bold and rationales in italics,
covering medical-surgical topics, labs, medications, and nursing
interventions.
NSG 3850 – Exam 3 Practice Questions (11–50)
11. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cough
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
