NUR 3463 Exam 2: Adult Health Acute Care
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.32, PaCO2 52, and HCO3 24. How would the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the HCO3 is within normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
2. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of left-sided heart
failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of
right-sided heart failure.
,3. A patient with DKA is being treated in the ICU. Which of the following is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Administering IV bicarbonate
B. Administering oral glucose
C. Starting a subcutaneous insulin sliding scale
D. Fluid resuscitation with Normal Saline
Answer: D
Explanation: The priority in DKA is to restore volume and perfusion through fluid
resuscitation before or concurrent with insulin therapy.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. Constant bubbling is noted
in the water seal chamber. What does this indicate?
A. There is an air leak in the system
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The system is functioning normally
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: A
Explanation: Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax, but
constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the drainage system or
the patient’s pleural space.
5. Which lab value is most specific for diagnosing a myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Troponin I or T
B. Myoglobin
C. CK-MB
D. C-reactive protein
Answer: A
Explanation: Troponin is the gold standard biomarker for MI because it is highly specific
to cardiac muscle damage.
, 6. A patient is suspected of having a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Obtain a chest X-ray
B. Perform an EKG
C. Start an IV of D5W
D. Administer oxygen
Answer: D
Explanation: Oxygen therapy is the priority to maintain gas exchange and reduce hypoxia
in a patient with a suspected PE.
7. What is the primary goal of administering Nitroglycerin to a patient with
chest pain?
A. To increase blood pressure
B. To dilate coronary arteries and reduce preload
C. To decrease heart rate
D. To prevent blood clots
Answer: B
Explanation: Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, reducing the heart’s workload
(preload/afterload) and improving blood flow to the myocardium.
8. A patient presents with a ‘moon face’, ‘buffalo hump’, and hyperglycemia.
The nurse suspects which condition?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Diabetes Insipidus
Answer: B
Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excess cortisol, leading to characteristic fat
redistribution and high blood sugar.
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.32, PaCO2 52, and HCO3 24. How would the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the HCO3 is within normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
2. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of left-sided heart
failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of
right-sided heart failure.
,3. A patient with DKA is being treated in the ICU. Which of the following is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Administering IV bicarbonate
B. Administering oral glucose
C. Starting a subcutaneous insulin sliding scale
D. Fluid resuscitation with Normal Saline
Answer: D
Explanation: The priority in DKA is to restore volume and perfusion through fluid
resuscitation before or concurrent with insulin therapy.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. Constant bubbling is noted
in the water seal chamber. What does this indicate?
A. There is an air leak in the system
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The system is functioning normally
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: A
Explanation: Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax, but
constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the drainage system or
the patient’s pleural space.
5. Which lab value is most specific for diagnosing a myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Troponin I or T
B. Myoglobin
C. CK-MB
D. C-reactive protein
Answer: A
Explanation: Troponin is the gold standard biomarker for MI because it is highly specific
to cardiac muscle damage.
, 6. A patient is suspected of having a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Obtain a chest X-ray
B. Perform an EKG
C. Start an IV of D5W
D. Administer oxygen
Answer: D
Explanation: Oxygen therapy is the priority to maintain gas exchange and reduce hypoxia
in a patient with a suspected PE.
7. What is the primary goal of administering Nitroglycerin to a patient with
chest pain?
A. To increase blood pressure
B. To dilate coronary arteries and reduce preload
C. To decrease heart rate
D. To prevent blood clots
Answer: B
Explanation: Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator, reducing the heart’s workload
(preload/afterload) and improving blood flow to the myocardium.
8. A patient presents with a ‘moon face’, ‘buffalo hump’, and hyperglycemia.
The nurse suspects which condition?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Diabetes Insipidus
Answer: B
Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excess cortisol, leading to characteristic fat
redistribution and high blood sugar.
