,NSG3100/NSG 3100 Exam 3 | Fundamental Concepts & Skills
for Nursing Practice | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the priority for preventing a surgical site
infection?
A) Shaving the surgical site the night before surgery
B) Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
C) Ensuring the client has a clear liquid diet 24 hours before surgery
D) Applying a topical antiseptic to the site immediately before the procedure
Correct Answer: Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
Rationale: Prophylactic antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes of the surgical incision to reduce
the risk of surgical site infections. Shaving should be done with clippers immediately before surgery, not
with razors the night before. Clear liquid diets are not a standard preoperative requirement for all
surgeries.
2. A postoperative client's pulse oximetry is 88%. The nurse should first:
A) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B) Encourage deep breathing and coughing
C) Reposition the client to a high-Fowler's position
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct Answer: Reposition the client to a high-Fowler's position
Rationale: In a postoperative client with hypoxia, the first action is to position the client to maximize
ventilation. High-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and diaphragm descent. Low-flow oxygen
may be needed later, but positioning is an immediate and non-invasive intervention.
,3. A postoperative client reports pain of 8 on a 0–10 scale. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV.
Thirty minutes later, the client reports pain of 7 and is drowsy with a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer naloxone immediately
B) Document the findings and continue to monitor
C) Assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate to breathe
D) Notify the healthcare provider for an order for a lower dose
Correct Answer: Assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate to breathe
Rationale: The client is showing signs of respiratory depression (RR 10) from opioid administration. The
nurse should first assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate them to breathe, as this is the
priority intervention for respiratory depression.
4. A client is receiving furosemide (Lasix) intravenously. Which assessment finding indicates a
therapeutic effect?
A) Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
B) Urine output 200 mL over 2 hours
C) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D) Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
Correct Answer: Urine output 200 mL over 2 hours
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid overload. The therapeutic effect is
increased urine output (diuresis). Hypotension (90/60) and hypokalemia (3.2 mEq/L) are adverse effects,
and tachypnea suggests ongoing fluid overload or other issues.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
being discharged with oxygen therapy. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I should use petroleum jelly on my nostrils to prevent dryness."
B) "I can adjust my oxygen flow rate based on how I feel."
C) "I should keep oxygen tubing away from open flames and heat sources."
, D) "It is safe to use oxygen while smoking as long as I am careful."
Correct Answer: "I should keep oxygen tubing away from open flames and heat sources."
Rationale: Oxygen is flammable and supports combustion. Clients must be taught to keep oxygen away
from open flames and heat sources. Petroleum jelly should not be used with oxygen due to fire risk.
Clients should not adjust their own oxygen flow rates, and smoking is strictly prohibited with oxygen
use.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. The client is unable to self-report due to advanced dementia.
Which pain scale is most appropriate?
A) Numeric Rating Scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES Scale
C) FLACC Scale
D) PAINAD Scale
Correct Answer: PAINAD Scale
Rationale: The PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) scale is specifically designed for
assessing pain in clients with advanced dementia who are unable to self-report. The FLACC scale is used
for children or nonverbal clients, the FACES scale for children, and the numeric scale for verbal adults.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which action is most
important?
A) Assess the client's pain level before and after administration
B) Ensure that only the client presses the PCA button
C) Monitor the client's respiratory rate
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
for Nursing Practice | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the priority for preventing a surgical site
infection?
A) Shaving the surgical site the night before surgery
B) Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
C) Ensuring the client has a clear liquid diet 24 hours before surgery
D) Applying a topical antiseptic to the site immediately before the procedure
Correct Answer: Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision
Rationale: Prophylactic antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes of the surgical incision to reduce
the risk of surgical site infections. Shaving should be done with clippers immediately before surgery, not
with razors the night before. Clear liquid diets are not a standard preoperative requirement for all
surgeries.
2. A postoperative client's pulse oximetry is 88%. The nurse should first:
A) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B) Encourage deep breathing and coughing
C) Reposition the client to a high-Fowler's position
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct Answer: Reposition the client to a high-Fowler's position
Rationale: In a postoperative client with hypoxia, the first action is to position the client to maximize
ventilation. High-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and diaphragm descent. Low-flow oxygen
may be needed later, but positioning is an immediate and non-invasive intervention.
,3. A postoperative client reports pain of 8 on a 0–10 scale. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV.
Thirty minutes later, the client reports pain of 7 and is drowsy with a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer naloxone immediately
B) Document the findings and continue to monitor
C) Assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate to breathe
D) Notify the healthcare provider for an order for a lower dose
Correct Answer: Assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate to breathe
Rationale: The client is showing signs of respiratory depression (RR 10) from opioid administration. The
nurse should first assess the client's level of consciousness and stimulate them to breathe, as this is the
priority intervention for respiratory depression.
4. A client is receiving furosemide (Lasix) intravenously. Which assessment finding indicates a
therapeutic effect?
A) Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
B) Urine output 200 mL over 2 hours
C) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D) Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
Correct Answer: Urine output 200 mL over 2 hours
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid overload. The therapeutic effect is
increased urine output (diuresis). Hypotension (90/60) and hypokalemia (3.2 mEq/L) are adverse effects,
and tachypnea suggests ongoing fluid overload or other issues.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
being discharged with oxygen therapy. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I should use petroleum jelly on my nostrils to prevent dryness."
B) "I can adjust my oxygen flow rate based on how I feel."
C) "I should keep oxygen tubing away from open flames and heat sources."
, D) "It is safe to use oxygen while smoking as long as I am careful."
Correct Answer: "I should keep oxygen tubing away from open flames and heat sources."
Rationale: Oxygen is flammable and supports combustion. Clients must be taught to keep oxygen away
from open flames and heat sources. Petroleum jelly should not be used with oxygen due to fire risk.
Clients should not adjust their own oxygen flow rates, and smoking is strictly prohibited with oxygen
use.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. The client is unable to self-report due to advanced dementia.
Which pain scale is most appropriate?
A) Numeric Rating Scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES Scale
C) FLACC Scale
D) PAINAD Scale
Correct Answer: PAINAD Scale
Rationale: The PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) scale is specifically designed for
assessing pain in clients with advanced dementia who are unable to self-report. The FLACC scale is used
for children or nonverbal clients, the FACES scale for children, and the numeric scale for verbal adults.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which action is most
important?
A) Assess the client's pain level before and after administration
B) Ensure that only the client presses the PCA button
C) Monitor the client's respiratory rate
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
