WGU D444 OA Adult Health I Complete Practice Exam
2026 | 100 High-Yield Questions with Verified Answers
and Clinical Rationales for OA Success
1. A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with acute myocardial infarction who
reports crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Administer oxygen and prepare for ECG monitoring immediately
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide high-fat meal
Oxygen and ECG monitoring are critical to improve oxygenation and identify life-threatening
arrhythmias early.
2. A patient with heart failure presents with bilateral lower extremity edema and
weight gain. What is the primary pathophysiologic cause of these findings?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Fluid retention due to decreased cardiac output and renal perfusion
C. Increased oxygenation
D. Excess sodium loss
Reduced cardiac output activates compensatory mechanisms causing fluid retention and
edema.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which assessment finding is most expected in this condition?
A. Increased lung elasticity
B. Prolonged expiration with decreased airflow
C. Rapid shallow breathing only
D. Increased oxygen saturation
,COPD leads to airflow limitation and air trapping, causing prolonged expiration.
4. A patient with pneumonia presents with fever, productive cough, and
shortness of breath. What is the underlying cause of impaired gas exchange?
A. Bronchial dilation
B. Alveolar inflammation and fluid accumulation interfering with oxygen diffusion
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Reduced mucus production
Fluid-filled alveoli reduce oxygen transfer to the bloodstream.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has elevated blood glucose levels despite
insulin production. What is the primary cause?
A. Autoimmune destruction
B. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
C. Increased insulin secretion
D. Decreased glucose intake
Cells do not respond effectively to insulin, preventing glucose uptake.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypoglycemia who appears confused and
diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide rapid-acting glucose such as oral glucose or juice
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict fluids
Immediate glucose replacement is critical to prevent neurological damage.
7. A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with decreased urine output
and elevated creatinine. What is the primary concern?
A. Increased filtration
B. Accumulation of metabolic waste products due to impaired kidney function
, C. Excess hydration
D. Increased RBC production
Kidneys cannot effectively eliminate toxins, leading to uremia.
8. A patient presents with hyperkalemia. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Cardiac arrhythmias detected on ECG monitoring
C. Mild fatigue
D. Headache
Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac rhythm disturbances.
9. A patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) suddenly develops chest pain and
dyspnea. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism due to clot migration
C. Asthma attack
D. Heart failure
A clot can travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening obstruction.
10. A patient with hypertension is at risk for which long-term complication if left
untreated?
A. Increased elasticity of vessels
B. End-organ damage such as stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure
C. Improved circulation
D. Decreased cardiac workload
Chronic high pressure damages blood vessels and organs over time.
11. A patient with asthma experiences wheezing and shortness of breath. What is
the primary pathophysiologic mechanism?
2026 | 100 High-Yield Questions with Verified Answers
and Clinical Rationales for OA Success
1. A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with acute myocardial infarction who
reports crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Administer oxygen and prepare for ECG monitoring immediately
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide high-fat meal
Oxygen and ECG monitoring are critical to improve oxygenation and identify life-threatening
arrhythmias early.
2. A patient with heart failure presents with bilateral lower extremity edema and
weight gain. What is the primary pathophysiologic cause of these findings?
A. Decreased blood volume
B. Fluid retention due to decreased cardiac output and renal perfusion
C. Increased oxygenation
D. Excess sodium loss
Reduced cardiac output activates compensatory mechanisms causing fluid retention and
edema.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which assessment finding is most expected in this condition?
A. Increased lung elasticity
B. Prolonged expiration with decreased airflow
C. Rapid shallow breathing only
D. Increased oxygen saturation
,COPD leads to airflow limitation and air trapping, causing prolonged expiration.
4. A patient with pneumonia presents with fever, productive cough, and
shortness of breath. What is the underlying cause of impaired gas exchange?
A. Bronchial dilation
B. Alveolar inflammation and fluid accumulation interfering with oxygen diffusion
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Reduced mucus production
Fluid-filled alveoli reduce oxygen transfer to the bloodstream.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has elevated blood glucose levels despite
insulin production. What is the primary cause?
A. Autoimmune destruction
B. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
C. Increased insulin secretion
D. Decreased glucose intake
Cells do not respond effectively to insulin, preventing glucose uptake.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypoglycemia who appears confused and
diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide rapid-acting glucose such as oral glucose or juice
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict fluids
Immediate glucose replacement is critical to prevent neurological damage.
7. A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with decreased urine output
and elevated creatinine. What is the primary concern?
A. Increased filtration
B. Accumulation of metabolic waste products due to impaired kidney function
, C. Excess hydration
D. Increased RBC production
Kidneys cannot effectively eliminate toxins, leading to uremia.
8. A patient presents with hyperkalemia. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Cardiac arrhythmias detected on ECG monitoring
C. Mild fatigue
D. Headache
Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac rhythm disturbances.
9. A patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) suddenly develops chest pain and
dyspnea. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism due to clot migration
C. Asthma attack
D. Heart failure
A clot can travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening obstruction.
10. A patient with hypertension is at risk for which long-term complication if left
untreated?
A. Increased elasticity of vessels
B. End-organ damage such as stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure
C. Improved circulation
D. Decreased cardiac workload
Chronic high pressure damages blood vessels and organs over time.
11. A patient with asthma experiences wheezing and shortness of breath. What is
the primary pathophysiologic mechanism?
