NURS 327ATI MED-SURGADULT HEALTH CONCEPTS] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
🟢 B. Potassium
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, placing
the client at risk for hypokalemia.
A client is admitted with suspected appendicitis. Which assessment finding requires immediate
nursing intervention?
A. Pain localized in the right lower quadrant
B. An oral temperature of 99.8 F
C. Rigid, board-like abdomen
D. Reported nausea and anorexia
🟢 C. Rigid, board-like abdomen
🔴 RATIONALE: A rigid abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis, which is a life-threatening
emergency caused by a ruptured appendix.
Which intervention is the priority for a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Administering a short-acting beta2 agonist
B. Obtaining a chest X-ray
C. Assessing the client's smoking history
,D. Initiating an intravenous fluid bolus
🟢 A. Administering a short-acting beta2 agonist
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta2 agonists are fast-acting bronchodilators that provide immediate relief of
airway constriction during an asthma attack.
A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is confused, diaphoretic, and has a
blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer subcutaneous insulin
B. Provide 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Document the event in the chart
🟢 B. Provide 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
🔴 RATIONALE: The client is experiencing hypoglycemia; the immediate goal is to raise blood
glucose levels quickly.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed alendronate for osteoporosis?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of juice
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication
C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication
D. Take the medication with a calcium supplement
🟢 C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation or erosion; staying upright helps
prevent reflux.
A client presents with symptoms of fluid volume overload. Which assessment finding is most
significant?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
,B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Elevated hematocrit
D. Dry mucous membranes
🟢 A. Crackles in the lung bases
🔴 RATIONALE: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary edema, which presents as adventitious breath
sounds such as crackles.
A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin. Which laboratory result is used to monitor the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. PTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
🟢 B. INR
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR) to
ensure therapeutic anticoagulation.
When assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which finding is
expected?
A. Barrel chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Decreased respiratory rate
🟢 A. Barrel chest
🔴 RATIONALE: Chronic hyperinflation of the lungs in COPD leads to the structural change known
as a barrel chest.
, A client is prescribed phenytoin for seizure control. Which teaching point is essential?
A. Discontinue the medication if a rash appears
B. Maintain meticulous oral hygiene
C. Increase intake of vitamin C
D. Take the medication only when feeling an aura
🟢 B. Maintain meticulous oral hygiene
🔴 RATIONALE: Phenytoin frequently causes gingival hyperplasia, so frequent dental care is
necessary.
A nurse is caring for a client with a total hip arthroplasty. What is the priority postoperative nursing
action?
A. Encourage the client to cross their legs
B. Monitor for signs of deep vein thrombosis
C. Place a pillow between the legs when turning
D. Advance the diet to a regular meal
🟢 C. Place a pillow between the legs when turning
🔴 RATIONALE: Maintaining abduction prevents hip dislocation in the immediate postoperative
period.
Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a client with prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
🟢 B. Metabolic alkalosis
🔴 RATIONALE: Prolonged vomiting results in the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, leading to
metabolic alkalosis.
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
🟢 B. Potassium
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, placing
the client at risk for hypokalemia.
A client is admitted with suspected appendicitis. Which assessment finding requires immediate
nursing intervention?
A. Pain localized in the right lower quadrant
B. An oral temperature of 99.8 F
C. Rigid, board-like abdomen
D. Reported nausea and anorexia
🟢 C. Rigid, board-like abdomen
🔴 RATIONALE: A rigid abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis, which is a life-threatening
emergency caused by a ruptured appendix.
Which intervention is the priority for a client experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation?
A. Administering a short-acting beta2 agonist
B. Obtaining a chest X-ray
C. Assessing the client's smoking history
,D. Initiating an intravenous fluid bolus
🟢 A. Administering a short-acting beta2 agonist
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta2 agonists are fast-acting bronchodilators that provide immediate relief of
airway constriction during an asthma attack.
A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is confused, diaphoretic, and has a
blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer subcutaneous insulin
B. Provide 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Document the event in the chart
🟢 B. Provide 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
🔴 RATIONALE: The client is experiencing hypoglycemia; the immediate goal is to raise blood
glucose levels quickly.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed alendronate for osteoporosis?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of juice
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication
C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication
D. Take the medication with a calcium supplement
🟢 C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation or erosion; staying upright helps
prevent reflux.
A client presents with symptoms of fluid volume overload. Which assessment finding is most
significant?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
,B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Elevated hematocrit
D. Dry mucous membranes
🟢 A. Crackles in the lung bases
🔴 RATIONALE: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary edema, which presents as adventitious breath
sounds such as crackles.
A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin. Which laboratory result is used to monitor the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. PTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
🟢 B. INR
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR) to
ensure therapeutic anticoagulation.
When assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which finding is
expected?
A. Barrel chest
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Decreased respiratory rate
🟢 A. Barrel chest
🔴 RATIONALE: Chronic hyperinflation of the lungs in COPD leads to the structural change known
as a barrel chest.
, A client is prescribed phenytoin for seizure control. Which teaching point is essential?
A. Discontinue the medication if a rash appears
B. Maintain meticulous oral hygiene
C. Increase intake of vitamin C
D. Take the medication only when feeling an aura
🟢 B. Maintain meticulous oral hygiene
🔴 RATIONALE: Phenytoin frequently causes gingival hyperplasia, so frequent dental care is
necessary.
A nurse is caring for a client with a total hip arthroplasty. What is the priority postoperative nursing
action?
A. Encourage the client to cross their legs
B. Monitor for signs of deep vein thrombosis
C. Place a pillow between the legs when turning
D. Advance the diet to a regular meal
🟢 C. Place a pillow between the legs when turning
🔴 RATIONALE: Maintaining abduction prevents hip dislocation in the immediate postoperative
period.
Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a client with prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
🟢 B. Metabolic alkalosis
🔴 RATIONALE: Prolonged vomiting results in the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, leading to
metabolic alkalosis.
