NSG 3130 ULTIMATE PRACTICE EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
This comprehensive practice exam for NSG 3130
delivers high-yield multiple-choice questions
covering fundamental nursing concepts and
advanced clinical skills required for the 2026/2027
curriculum. Each question features an italicised
correct answer paired with a detailed, bolded
rationale designed to maximize retention and critical
thinking.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an
intramuscular injection to an oblique-capitis
muscle-challenged adult patient. Which of the
following sites provides the safest, largest
muscle mass for a 2 mL medication volume?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: C) Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred
and safest site for deep intramuscular injections
in adults. It lacks major nerves and blood
vessels, has a thick muscle mass, and safely
,accommodates volumes up to 3 mL. The
dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended due
to its proximity to the sciatic nerve.
2. When performing nasogastric (NG) tube
insertion, what is the primary nursing action to
verify correct placement before administering
initial enteral formula?
A) Aspirate gastric contents and check pH
B) Auscultate an air bolus over the epigastrium
C) Obtain an order for an abdominal X-ray
D) Observe for respiratory distress during
insertion
Answer: C) Obtain an order for an abdominal X-ray
Rationale: A chest or abdominal X-ray is the gold
standard and most definitive method to verify
proper placement of a newly inserted NG tube
before fluids or medications are introduced. pH
testing and air auscultation are useful secondary
methods but are not 100% reliable.
3. A nurse notes that a patient’s peripheral IV site
is cool, pale, swollen, and painful to the touch.
The infusion has slowed significantly. Which
complication should the nurse document?
A) Phlebitis
B) Infiltration
, C) Infection
D) Thrombosis
Answer: B) Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when non-vesicant
IV fluid leaks into surrounding subcutaneous
tissue, presenting as cool, pale, and swollen
skin. Phlebitis, by contrast, presents as warm,
reddened skin with a palpable cord along the
vein path.
4. An older adult patient has been on bed rest for
three days. The nurse assesses the sacral area
and finds a 3 cm area of non-blanchable
erythema with intact skin. How should this
pressure injury be staged?
A) Stage 1
B) Stage 2
C) Stage 3
D) Deep Tissue Injury
Answer: A) Stage 1
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is
characterized by localized, intact skin featuring
non-blanchable erythema. If the skin is broken, it
progresses to Stage 2 or higher.
, 5. While suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy,
the nurse notes the heart rate drops from 85
bpm to 58 bpm. Which action should the nurse
take immediately?
A) Increase the suction pressure
B) Continue suctioning until the airway is clear
C) Stop suctioning and hyperoxygenate the
patient with 100% oxygen
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: C) Stop suctioning and hyperoxygenate the
patient with 100% oxygen
Rationale: A drop in heart rate during suctioning
indicates a vagal response secondary to hypoxia
or direct vagal nerve stimulation. The nurse must
immediately stop the procedure and deliver
supplemental oxygen.
6. A healthcare provider prescribes 1,000 mL of
0.9% Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours. The
drop factor of the manual tubing is 15 gtt/mL. At
what rate should the nurse set the manual
infusion in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 31 gtt/min
C) 42 gtt/min
D) 125 gtt/min
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
This comprehensive practice exam for NSG 3130
delivers high-yield multiple-choice questions
covering fundamental nursing concepts and
advanced clinical skills required for the 2026/2027
curriculum. Each question features an italicised
correct answer paired with a detailed, bolded
rationale designed to maximize retention and critical
thinking.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an
intramuscular injection to an oblique-capitis
muscle-challenged adult patient. Which of the
following sites provides the safest, largest
muscle mass for a 2 mL medication volume?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: C) Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred
and safest site for deep intramuscular injections
in adults. It lacks major nerves and blood
vessels, has a thick muscle mass, and safely
,accommodates volumes up to 3 mL. The
dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended due
to its proximity to the sciatic nerve.
2. When performing nasogastric (NG) tube
insertion, what is the primary nursing action to
verify correct placement before administering
initial enteral formula?
A) Aspirate gastric contents and check pH
B) Auscultate an air bolus over the epigastrium
C) Obtain an order for an abdominal X-ray
D) Observe for respiratory distress during
insertion
Answer: C) Obtain an order for an abdominal X-ray
Rationale: A chest or abdominal X-ray is the gold
standard and most definitive method to verify
proper placement of a newly inserted NG tube
before fluids or medications are introduced. pH
testing and air auscultation are useful secondary
methods but are not 100% reliable.
3. A nurse notes that a patient’s peripheral IV site
is cool, pale, swollen, and painful to the touch.
The infusion has slowed significantly. Which
complication should the nurse document?
A) Phlebitis
B) Infiltration
, C) Infection
D) Thrombosis
Answer: B) Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when non-vesicant
IV fluid leaks into surrounding subcutaneous
tissue, presenting as cool, pale, and swollen
skin. Phlebitis, by contrast, presents as warm,
reddened skin with a palpable cord along the
vein path.
4. An older adult patient has been on bed rest for
three days. The nurse assesses the sacral area
and finds a 3 cm area of non-blanchable
erythema with intact skin. How should this
pressure injury be staged?
A) Stage 1
B) Stage 2
C) Stage 3
D) Deep Tissue Injury
Answer: A) Stage 1
Rationale: A Stage 1 pressure injury is
characterized by localized, intact skin featuring
non-blanchable erythema. If the skin is broken, it
progresses to Stage 2 or higher.
, 5. While suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy,
the nurse notes the heart rate drops from 85
bpm to 58 bpm. Which action should the nurse
take immediately?
A) Increase the suction pressure
B) Continue suctioning until the airway is clear
C) Stop suctioning and hyperoxygenate the
patient with 100% oxygen
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: C) Stop suctioning and hyperoxygenate the
patient with 100% oxygen
Rationale: A drop in heart rate during suctioning
indicates a vagal response secondary to hypoxia
or direct vagal nerve stimulation. The nurse must
immediately stop the procedure and deliver
supplemental oxygen.
6. A healthcare provider prescribes 1,000 mL of
0.9% Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours. The
drop factor of the manual tubing is 15 gtt/mL. At
what rate should the nurse set the manual
infusion in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 31 gtt/min
C) 42 gtt/min
D) 125 gtt/min
