NUR 3275 Exam 2 Comprehensive Pharmacology Study
Guide & Test Bank (2026)
Ace your advanced nursing pharmacology assessment with this
comprehensive, high-yield study guide and practice question bank for
NUR 3275 Exam 2. Every question is tailored to clinical nursing
blueprints and paired with deep-dive rationales covering high-alert
medication protocols, critical laboratory values, therapeutic drug ranges,
and priority nursing safety interventions. Perfect for intensive
remediation or structured last-minute cramming, this package guarantees
to build the testing baseline needed to maximize your exam score.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following assessment techniques should the nurse perform first during a
physical examination?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Inspection
D) Auscultation
Rationale: Inspection is the first assessment technique used and should be performed at
the beginning of every assessment. It involves visual examination of the body and use of
smell .
QUESTION 2
The dorsal surface of the hand is used to assess which of the following?
A) Pulse amplitude
B) Organ size
,C) Skin temperature
D) Skin moisture
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is specifically used to assess skin temperature.
The fingertips are used for fine tactile discrimination such as pulse, texture, and moisture .
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing an adult patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Pull the earlobe down and back
B) Pull the helix down and back
C) Pull the helix up and back
D) Do not pull the ear at all
Rationale: For an adult, the helix should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear
canal. For a child, the earlobe is pulled down and back .
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is the most accurate measurement of core body temperature?
A) Axillary temperature
B) Oral temperature
C) Temporal temperature
D) Rectal temperature
Rationale: Rectal temperature is the most accurate measurement of core body
temperature. It reads approximately 1°F higher than oral temperature .
QUESTION 5
Axillary temperature readings are typically:
,A) 1°F lower than oral temperature
B) 1°F higher than oral temperature
C) Equal to oral temperature
D) 2°F lower than oral temperature
Rationale: Axillary temperature reads approximately 1°F LOWER than oral temperature.
This method is commonly used for infants .
QUESTION 6
The normal adult pulse rate range is:
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60
are bradycardia; rates above 100 are tachycardia .
QUESTION 7
A patient who has just smoked a cigarette should wait how long before having their oral
temperature taken?
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 30 minutes
Rationale: Patients should wait 10+ minutes after smoking or consuming hot/cold liquids
before oral temperature is taken to ensure accurate measurement .
, QUESTION 8
When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse should document which of the following
characteristics?
A) Rate only
B) Rhythm only
C) Amplitude only
D) Rate, rhythm, and amplitude
Rationale: Pulse assessment should include rate (beats per minute), rhythm (regular or
irregular), and amplitude (strength). All three characteristics are documented .
QUESTION 9
A temporal artery thermometer reading may be falsely low in which of the following
situations?
A) Excessive sweating or moisture on the forehead
B) The patient has a fever
C) The patient is in a warm room
D) The patient has just exercised
Rationale: Temporal artery thermometers are contraindicated with excessive sweating or
moisture because it causes false low readings .
QUESTION 10
Which of the following is a contraindication for oral temperature measurement?
A) The patient is alert and oriented
B) The patient is able to close their mouth
C) The patient is having a seizure
D) The patient has not eaten in 2 hours
Rationale: Oral temperature is contraindicated in patients with seizures, confusion,
inability to close the mouth, or in infants .
Guide & Test Bank (2026)
Ace your advanced nursing pharmacology assessment with this
comprehensive, high-yield study guide and practice question bank for
NUR 3275 Exam 2. Every question is tailored to clinical nursing
blueprints and paired with deep-dive rationales covering high-alert
medication protocols, critical laboratory values, therapeutic drug ranges,
and priority nursing safety interventions. Perfect for intensive
remediation or structured last-minute cramming, this package guarantees
to build the testing baseline needed to maximize your exam score.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following assessment techniques should the nurse perform first during a
physical examination?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Inspection
D) Auscultation
Rationale: Inspection is the first assessment technique used and should be performed at
the beginning of every assessment. It involves visual examination of the body and use of
smell .
QUESTION 2
The dorsal surface of the hand is used to assess which of the following?
A) Pulse amplitude
B) Organ size
,C) Skin temperature
D) Skin moisture
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is specifically used to assess skin temperature.
The fingertips are used for fine tactile discrimination such as pulse, texture, and moisture .
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing an adult patient's temperature using a tympanic thermometer.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Pull the earlobe down and back
B) Pull the helix down and back
C) Pull the helix up and back
D) Do not pull the ear at all
Rationale: For an adult, the helix should be pulled up and back to straighten the ear
canal. For a child, the earlobe is pulled down and back .
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is the most accurate measurement of core body temperature?
A) Axillary temperature
B) Oral temperature
C) Temporal temperature
D) Rectal temperature
Rationale: Rectal temperature is the most accurate measurement of core body
temperature. It reads approximately 1°F higher than oral temperature .
QUESTION 5
Axillary temperature readings are typically:
,A) 1°F lower than oral temperature
B) 1°F higher than oral temperature
C) Equal to oral temperature
D) 2°F lower than oral temperature
Rationale: Axillary temperature reads approximately 1°F LOWER than oral temperature.
This method is commonly used for infants .
QUESTION 6
The normal adult pulse rate range is:
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60
are bradycardia; rates above 100 are tachycardia .
QUESTION 7
A patient who has just smoked a cigarette should wait how long before having their oral
temperature taken?
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 30 minutes
Rationale: Patients should wait 10+ minutes after smoking or consuming hot/cold liquids
before oral temperature is taken to ensure accurate measurement .
, QUESTION 8
When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse should document which of the following
characteristics?
A) Rate only
B) Rhythm only
C) Amplitude only
D) Rate, rhythm, and amplitude
Rationale: Pulse assessment should include rate (beats per minute), rhythm (regular or
irregular), and amplitude (strength). All three characteristics are documented .
QUESTION 9
A temporal artery thermometer reading may be falsely low in which of the following
situations?
A) Excessive sweating or moisture on the forehead
B) The patient has a fever
C) The patient is in a warm room
D) The patient has just exercised
Rationale: Temporal artery thermometers are contraindicated with excessive sweating or
moisture because it causes false low readings .
QUESTION 10
Which of the following is a contraindication for oral temperature measurement?
A) The patient is alert and oriented
B) The patient is able to close their mouth
C) The patient is having a seizure
D) The patient has not eaten in 2 hours
Rationale: Oral temperature is contraindicated in patients with seizures, confusion,
inability to close the mouth, or in infants .
