,NUR 283 – Exam V1 Questions with Verified
Answers and Rationale 2026/2027
Question 1
The nurse working on a pediatric unit has received the hand-off report
and is reviewing client data and orders. Which of the following clients
should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A toddler with bronchiolitis on room air and mild wheezing.
B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula.
C. A preschooler with otitis media awaiting discharge.
D. A school-age child with a simple fracture in a cast.
Correct Answer: B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is
receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
Rationale: Infants diagnosed with pertussis are at exceptionally high
risk for sudden apnea, severe paroxysmal coughing spells, and rapid
respiratory compromise. Any pediatric client requiring supplemental
oxygen with an active respiratory illness takes immediate priority over
stable or discharging clients.
Question 2
A nurse is administering a packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion to a
client. Shortly after the infusion begins, the client reports sudden lower
back pain and chills. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Stop the transfusion immediately.
, B. Slow the infusion rate to keep-vein-open (KVO).
C. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
D. Administer the prescribed PRN acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: A. Stop the transfusion immediately.
Rationale: Low back pain, fever, chills, and chest tightness are classic
manifestations of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The absolute
first step is to halt the infusion instantly, disconnect the blood tubing,
infuse normal saline through a separate new line, and notify the provider
and blood bank.
Question 3
The nurse is reviewing vital signs and status reports for several clients.
Which client requires the most immediate nursing intervention?
A. A client with type 2 diabetes whose premeal blood glucose was 85
mg/dL and postmeal glucose is 220 mg/dL.
B. A client who is 24 hours postoperative from an abdominal surgery
with wound drainage changing from sanguineous to
serosanguineous over the past 2 hours.
C. A client receiving preparation for a colonoscopy whose blood
pressure dropped from 128/74 mm Hg to 106/60 mm Hg.
D. A client with pleurisy reporting worsening shortness of breath.
Correct Answer: D. A client with pleurisy reporting worsening
shortness of breath.
Rationale: Worsening dyspnea and shortness of breath in any client—
especially one with pleuritic conditions—point toward potential acute
complications such as a pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or
, pneumothorax. Airway and breathing stability always outweigh stable
post-op transitions or expected fluid bowel-prep shifts.
Question 4
A newly hired nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which of
the following actions indicates correct technique?
A. Using a 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle for a deltoid intramuscular (IM)
injection.
B. Using a 23-gauge, 1-inch needle when administering an IM
medication into the deltoid muscle.
C. Using a 20-gauge, 1½-inch needle for a routine subcutaneous
injection.
D. Using an 18-gauge, 1-inch needle for a standard influenza
vaccination.
Correct Answer: B. Using a 23-gauge, 1-inch needle when
administering an IM medication into the deltoid muscle.
Rationale: For an adult IM injection into the deltoid muscle, a needle
gauge of 22 to 25 and a length between 1 to 1.5 inches is appropriate,
making a 23-gauge, 1-inch option clinically safe. Subcutaneous
injections require shorter, smaller needles, and 18-gauge needles are far
too large for routine vaccines.
Question 5
During a community health screening, a nurse identifies several adult
clients. Which client is a priority for the nurse to refer to a primary
healthcare provider for immediate follow-up?
A. A 65-year-old with an elevated HDL level, a decreased LDL level,
and a non-restricted diet.
Answers and Rationale 2026/2027
Question 1
The nurse working on a pediatric unit has received the hand-off report
and is reviewing client data and orders. Which of the following clients
should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A toddler with bronchiolitis on room air and mild wheezing.
B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula.
C. A preschooler with otitis media awaiting discharge.
D. A school-age child with a simple fracture in a cast.
Correct Answer: B. An infant with a diagnosis of pertussis who is
receiving oxygen via nasal cannula.
Rationale: Infants diagnosed with pertussis are at exceptionally high
risk for sudden apnea, severe paroxysmal coughing spells, and rapid
respiratory compromise. Any pediatric client requiring supplemental
oxygen with an active respiratory illness takes immediate priority over
stable or discharging clients.
Question 2
A nurse is administering a packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion to a
client. Shortly after the infusion begins, the client reports sudden lower
back pain and chills. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Stop the transfusion immediately.
, B. Slow the infusion rate to keep-vein-open (KVO).
C. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
D. Administer the prescribed PRN acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: A. Stop the transfusion immediately.
Rationale: Low back pain, fever, chills, and chest tightness are classic
manifestations of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The absolute
first step is to halt the infusion instantly, disconnect the blood tubing,
infuse normal saline through a separate new line, and notify the provider
and blood bank.
Question 3
The nurse is reviewing vital signs and status reports for several clients.
Which client requires the most immediate nursing intervention?
A. A client with type 2 diabetes whose premeal blood glucose was 85
mg/dL and postmeal glucose is 220 mg/dL.
B. A client who is 24 hours postoperative from an abdominal surgery
with wound drainage changing from sanguineous to
serosanguineous over the past 2 hours.
C. A client receiving preparation for a colonoscopy whose blood
pressure dropped from 128/74 mm Hg to 106/60 mm Hg.
D. A client with pleurisy reporting worsening shortness of breath.
Correct Answer: D. A client with pleurisy reporting worsening
shortness of breath.
Rationale: Worsening dyspnea and shortness of breath in any client—
especially one with pleuritic conditions—point toward potential acute
complications such as a pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or
, pneumothorax. Airway and breathing stability always outweigh stable
post-op transitions or expected fluid bowel-prep shifts.
Question 4
A newly hired nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which of
the following actions indicates correct technique?
A. Using a 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle for a deltoid intramuscular (IM)
injection.
B. Using a 23-gauge, 1-inch needle when administering an IM
medication into the deltoid muscle.
C. Using a 20-gauge, 1½-inch needle for a routine subcutaneous
injection.
D. Using an 18-gauge, 1-inch needle for a standard influenza
vaccination.
Correct Answer: B. Using a 23-gauge, 1-inch needle when
administering an IM medication into the deltoid muscle.
Rationale: For an adult IM injection into the deltoid muscle, a needle
gauge of 22 to 25 and a length between 1 to 1.5 inches is appropriate,
making a 23-gauge, 1-inch option clinically safe. Subcutaneous
injections require shorter, smaller needles, and 18-gauge needles are far
too large for routine vaccines.
Question 5
During a community health screening, a nurse identifies several adult
clients. Which client is a priority for the nurse to refer to a primary
healthcare provider for immediate follow-up?
A. A 65-year-old with an elevated HDL level, a decreased LDL level,
and a non-restricted diet.