NSG 3000 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
| EXAM PREPARATION | ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
School of Nursing / Department of Nursing (Course-Based Examination)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Advanced Health Assessment
2. Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning
3. Pharmacology and Medication Safety
4. Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
5. Cardiovascular Disorders
6. Respiratory Disorders
7. Endocrine Disorders
8. Renal and Fluid-Electrolyte Management
9. Gastrointestinal Disorders
10. Neurological Disorders
11. Infection Prevention and Control
12. Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
13. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
14. Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
15. Professional Communication and Documentation
CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING || RESPIRATORY CARE || CLINICAL JUDGMENT ||
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY || PHARMACOLOGY || FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE ||
PATIENT SAFETY || EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE || PRIORITIZATION ||
HEMODYNAMIC MONITORING || DIAGNOSTIC INTERPRETATION || NURSING
INTERVENTIONS || PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY || DOCUMENTATION ||
CRITICAL THINKING
QUESTION 1.
,A patient with acute decompensated heart failure develops increasing dyspnea
despite supplemental oxygen. Which nursing action best reflects appropriate
priority-based clinical judgment?
A. Assess lung sounds, oxygen saturation, and notify the provider while preparing
interventions to reduce pulmonary congestion.
B. Encourage increased oral fluid intake.
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position.
D. Delay reassessment until after scheduled medication administration.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Assess lung sounds, oxygen saturation, and notify the
provider while preparing interventions to reduce pulmonary congestion.
🔵 Explanation: Early recognition of worsening pulmonary edema requires prompt
assessment and intervention. Continuous evaluation of respiratory status supports
timely treatment and prevention of respiratory failure. Increased fluids, Trendelenburg
positioning, and delayed reassessment may worsen the patient's condition.
QUESTION 2.
A nurse reviews laboratory results before administering insulin. Which finding
requires the greatest clinical concern?
A. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
B. Blood glucose 64 mg/dL
C. Sodium 139 mEq/L
D. Platelet count 260,000/mm³
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Blood glucose 64 mg/dL
🔵 Explanation: Administering insulin to a patient who is already hypoglycemic
significantly increases the risk of severe neurologic complications. The nurse should
assess the patient, treat hypoglycemia according to protocol, and reassess before
administering insulin. The remaining laboratory values are within expected ranges.
,QUESTION 3.
A postoperative patient develops sudden tachycardia, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest
pain. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Acute kidney injury
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism
🔵 Explanation: The combination of sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and tachycardia
strongly suggests pulmonary embolism requiring immediate evaluation. Atelectasis
generally develops more gradually and presents differently. Hypoglycemia and acute
kidney injury do not typically produce this symptom cluster.
QUESTION 4.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide develops muscle weakness and
ventricular ectopy. Which electrolyte imbalance most likely explains these findings?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
🔵 Explanation: Loop diuretics commonly increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia. Low potassium predisposes patients to muscle weakness and potentially
life-threatening dysrhythmias. The other electrolyte abnormalities are less consistent
with the medication and clinical presentation.
QUESTION 5.
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should be assessed first?
, A. A patient awaiting discharge education.
B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and diaphoresis.
C. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis.
D. A patient awaiting a routine dressing change.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and
diaphoresis.
🔵 Explanation: New chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute
coronary syndrome requiring immediate assessment. Priority frameworks emphasize
identifying potentially life-threatening conditions before addressing routine or stable
concerns.
QUESTION 6.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an oxygen saturation of
87% on room air and increasing work of breathing. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage vigorous coughing before assessment.
B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen while monitoring respiratory status.
C. Restrict all activity for 24 hours.
D. Increase oral fluid intake immediately.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen while
monitoring respiratory status.
🔵 Explanation: Patients demonstrating hypoxemia require prompt oxygen therapy
according to prescribed parameters while being closely monitored. Assessment
continues throughout treatment, but correcting oxygenation is a priority. The
remaining options do not immediately address impaired gas exchange.
QUESTION 7.
Which assessment finding most strongly indicates worsening septic shock?
| EXAM PREPARATION | ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
School of Nursing / Department of Nursing (Course-Based Examination)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Advanced Health Assessment
2. Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning
3. Pharmacology and Medication Safety
4. Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
5. Cardiovascular Disorders
6. Respiratory Disorders
7. Endocrine Disorders
8. Renal and Fluid-Electrolyte Management
9. Gastrointestinal Disorders
10. Neurological Disorders
11. Infection Prevention and Control
12. Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
13. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
14. Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
15. Professional Communication and Documentation
CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING || RESPIRATORY CARE || CLINICAL JUDGMENT ||
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY || PHARMACOLOGY || FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE ||
PATIENT SAFETY || EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE || PRIORITIZATION ||
HEMODYNAMIC MONITORING || DIAGNOSTIC INTERPRETATION || NURSING
INTERVENTIONS || PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY || DOCUMENTATION ||
CRITICAL THINKING
QUESTION 1.
,A patient with acute decompensated heart failure develops increasing dyspnea
despite supplemental oxygen. Which nursing action best reflects appropriate
priority-based clinical judgment?
A. Assess lung sounds, oxygen saturation, and notify the provider while preparing
interventions to reduce pulmonary congestion.
B. Encourage increased oral fluid intake.
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position.
D. Delay reassessment until after scheduled medication administration.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Assess lung sounds, oxygen saturation, and notify the
provider while preparing interventions to reduce pulmonary congestion.
🔵 Explanation: Early recognition of worsening pulmonary edema requires prompt
assessment and intervention. Continuous evaluation of respiratory status supports
timely treatment and prevention of respiratory failure. Increased fluids, Trendelenburg
positioning, and delayed reassessment may worsen the patient's condition.
QUESTION 2.
A nurse reviews laboratory results before administering insulin. Which finding
requires the greatest clinical concern?
A. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
B. Blood glucose 64 mg/dL
C. Sodium 139 mEq/L
D. Platelet count 260,000/mm³
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Blood glucose 64 mg/dL
🔵 Explanation: Administering insulin to a patient who is already hypoglycemic
significantly increases the risk of severe neurologic complications. The nurse should
assess the patient, treat hypoglycemia according to protocol, and reassess before
administering insulin. The remaining laboratory values are within expected ranges.
,QUESTION 3.
A postoperative patient develops sudden tachycardia, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest
pain. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Acute kidney injury
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism
🔵 Explanation: The combination of sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and tachycardia
strongly suggests pulmonary embolism requiring immediate evaluation. Atelectasis
generally develops more gradually and presents differently. Hypoglycemia and acute
kidney injury do not typically produce this symptom cluster.
QUESTION 4.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide develops muscle weakness and
ventricular ectopy. Which electrolyte imbalance most likely explains these findings?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
🔵 Explanation: Loop diuretics commonly increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia. Low potassium predisposes patients to muscle weakness and potentially
life-threatening dysrhythmias. The other electrolyte abnormalities are less consistent
with the medication and clinical presentation.
QUESTION 5.
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should be assessed first?
, A. A patient awaiting discharge education.
B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and diaphoresis.
C. A patient requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis.
D. A patient awaiting a routine dressing change.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. A patient reporting new-onset chest pressure and
diaphoresis.
🔵 Explanation: New chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute
coronary syndrome requiring immediate assessment. Priority frameworks emphasize
identifying potentially life-threatening conditions before addressing routine or stable
concerns.
QUESTION 6.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an oxygen saturation of
87% on room air and increasing work of breathing. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage vigorous coughing before assessment.
B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen while monitoring respiratory status.
C. Restrict all activity for 24 hours.
D. Increase oral fluid intake immediately.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen while
monitoring respiratory status.
🔵 Explanation: Patients demonstrating hypoxemia require prompt oxygen therapy
according to prescribed parameters while being closely monitored. Assessment
continues throughout treatment, but correcting oxygenation is a priority. The
remaining options do not immediately address impaired gas exchange.
QUESTION 7.
Which assessment finding most strongly indicates worsening septic shock?
