NSG 2600/2610 – ADULT HEALTH NURSING CLINICAL PRACTICUM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Perioperative Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Foundations
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Neurological and Renal Disorders
Pain Management and Palliative Care
Legal, Ethical, and Safety Standards
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Infection Control and Pharmacology Integration
Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the student’s readiness for clinical practice in adult health
nursing. It assesses foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethical reasoning, and
real-world decision-making across diverse medical-surgical settings. Each multiple-choice question is grounded in
scenario-based reasoning, requiring synthesis of assessment data, prioritization, intervention selection, and
evaluation of outcomes. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional
collaboration. The format mirrors licensure-style testing to promote exam readiness and clinical judgment transfer.
,Mastery of this content supports safe, competent, and compassionate care for adult patients across the health-
illness continuum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure receiving furosemide. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
C. Urine output 40 mL over 2 hours
D. Mild ankle edema
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
increases risk for cardiac dysrhythmias and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are expected or
non-critical.
Question 2
A patient post–abdominal surgery reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes oxygen saturation
88% on room air. What is the priority action?
A. Administer prescribed morphine
B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
,C. Position patient in high-Fowler’s
D. Prepare for endotracheal intubation
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The first priority is correcting hypoxemia. Applying oxygen addresses the low SpO2
immediately while further assessment for pulmonary embolism is initiated. Airway and breathing take
precedence over pain management or positioning alone.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about metformin. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I can skip doses if my blood sugar is normal.”
B. “I should take this medication with meals.”
C. “This medication may cause weight gain.”
D. “I will need insulin instead during illness.”
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. It does not cause
weight gain; skipping doses is unsafe; insulin may be added during illness but metformin is not automatically
replaced.
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an SpO2 of 89% on 2 L oxygen. The nurse notes
increasing lethargy and confusion. What should the nurse suspect first?
, A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Carbon dioxide narcosis
C. Paradoxical bronchospasm
D. Pulmonary embolism
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: In COPD with chronic hypercapnia, oxygen therapy can reduce hypoxic drive, leading to CO2
retention and narcosis. Lethargy and confusion are early signs. Oxygen toxicity requires higher concentrations
and longer duration.
Question 5
A postoperative patient’s family member asks why the sequential compression devices are still in place while the
patient is walking. What is the best response?
A. “They help prevent pneumonia during inactivity.”
B. “They reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.”
C. “They measure blood pressure continuously.”
D. “They keep the patient’s legs warm.”
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Sequential compression devices reduce venous stasis and enhance fibrinolysis, preventing deep
vein thrombosis. Even with walking, risk persists postoperatively. They do not prevent pneumonia or measure
BP.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient admitted with dehydration. Which finding indicates severe fluid volume deficit?
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Perioperative Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Foundations
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Neurological and Renal Disorders
Pain Management and Palliative Care
Legal, Ethical, and Safety Standards
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Infection Control and Pharmacology Integration
Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the student’s readiness for clinical practice in adult health
nursing. It assesses foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethical reasoning, and
real-world decision-making across diverse medical-surgical settings. Each multiple-choice question is grounded in
scenario-based reasoning, requiring synthesis of assessment data, prioritization, intervention selection, and
evaluation of outcomes. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional
collaboration. The format mirrors licensure-style testing to promote exam readiness and clinical judgment transfer.
,Mastery of this content supports safe, competent, and compassionate care for adult patients across the health-
illness continuum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure receiving furosemide. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
C. Urine output 40 mL over 2 hours
D. Mild ankle edema
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
increases risk for cardiac dysrhythmias and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are expected or
non-critical.
Question 2
A patient post–abdominal surgery reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes oxygen saturation
88% on room air. What is the priority action?
A. Administer prescribed morphine
B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
,C. Position patient in high-Fowler’s
D. Prepare for endotracheal intubation
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The first priority is correcting hypoxemia. Applying oxygen addresses the low SpO2
immediately while further assessment for pulmonary embolism is initiated. Airway and breathing take
precedence over pain management or positioning alone.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about metformin. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I can skip doses if my blood sugar is normal.”
B. “I should take this medication with meals.”
C. “This medication may cause weight gain.”
D. “I will need insulin instead during illness.”
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. It does not cause
weight gain; skipping doses is unsafe; insulin may be added during illness but metformin is not automatically
replaced.
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an SpO2 of 89% on 2 L oxygen. The nurse notes
increasing lethargy and confusion. What should the nurse suspect first?
, A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Carbon dioxide narcosis
C. Paradoxical bronchospasm
D. Pulmonary embolism
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: In COPD with chronic hypercapnia, oxygen therapy can reduce hypoxic drive, leading to CO2
retention and narcosis. Lethargy and confusion are early signs. Oxygen toxicity requires higher concentrations
and longer duration.
Question 5
A postoperative patient’s family member asks why the sequential compression devices are still in place while the
patient is walking. What is the best response?
A. “They help prevent pneumonia during inactivity.”
B. “They reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.”
C. “They measure blood pressure continuously.”
D. “They keep the patient’s legs warm.”
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Sequential compression devices reduce venous stasis and enhance fibrinolysis, preventing deep
vein thrombosis. Even with walking, risk persists postoperatively. They do not prevent pneumonia or measure
BP.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient admitted with dehydration. Which finding indicates severe fluid volume deficit?