ADN Exam Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
What is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE)?
A. Diagnosis
B. Implementation
C. Planning
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D. Assessment
Explanation: Assessment is the first step, involving the systematic collection of data
about a patient’s health status.
Question 2.
A patient has a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and an HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How would
the nurse interpret this ABG?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high CO2 (above 45) indicates a
respiratory cause. Since HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
Question 3.
In which order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: Auscultation is done before percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating
bowel sounds that were not originally present.
Question 4.
Which ethical principle refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no harm?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: D. Non-maleficence
, Explanation: Non-maleficence is the duty to do no harm to the patient.
Question 5.
A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be 52 beats per minute. This is
documented as:
A. Tachycardia
B. Normal sinus rhythm
C. Pulse deficit
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: D. Bradycardia
Explanation: Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute in an
adult.
Question 6.
When assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient, where is the best location to check?
A. The back of the hand
B. The sternum or clavicle
C. The forearm
D. The abdomen
Correct Answer: B. The sternum or clavicle
Explanation: In older adults, skin on the hands loses elasticity; the sternum or
subclavicular area provides a more accurate assessment of hydration.
Question 7.
Which of the following values represents a normal arterial blood pH?
A. 7.00 - 7.10
B. 7.35 - 7.45
C. 7.45 - 7.55
D. 6.35 - 6.45
Correct Answer: B. 7.35 - 7.45
Explanation: The normal range for arterial blood pH is 7.35 to 7.45.
Question 8.
The nurse is caring for a patient with C. difficile. Which infection control precaution is
required?
A. Standard Precautions only
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Contact Precautions
D. Airborne Precautions
Correct Answer: C. Contact Precautions
Question 1.
What is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE)?
A. Diagnosis
B. Implementation
C. Planning
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D. Assessment
Explanation: Assessment is the first step, involving the systematic collection of data
about a patient’s health status.
Question 2.
A patient has a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and an HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How would
the nurse interpret this ABG?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory Acidosis
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high CO2 (above 45) indicates a
respiratory cause. Since HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
Question 3.
In which order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: Auscultation is done before percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating
bowel sounds that were not originally present.
Question 4.
Which ethical principle refers to the nurse’s obligation to do no harm?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: D. Non-maleficence
, Explanation: Non-maleficence is the duty to do no harm to the patient.
Question 5.
A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be 52 beats per minute. This is
documented as:
A. Tachycardia
B. Normal sinus rhythm
C. Pulse deficit
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: D. Bradycardia
Explanation: Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute in an
adult.
Question 6.
When assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient, where is the best location to check?
A. The back of the hand
B. The sternum or clavicle
C. The forearm
D. The abdomen
Correct Answer: B. The sternum or clavicle
Explanation: In older adults, skin on the hands loses elasticity; the sternum or
subclavicular area provides a more accurate assessment of hydration.
Question 7.
Which of the following values represents a normal arterial blood pH?
A. 7.00 - 7.10
B. 7.35 - 7.45
C. 7.45 - 7.55
D. 6.35 - 6.45
Correct Answer: B. 7.35 - 7.45
Explanation: The normal range for arterial blood pH is 7.35 to 7.45.
Question 8.
The nurse is caring for a patient with C. difficile. Which infection control precaution is
required?
A. Standard Precautions only
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Contact Precautions
D. Airborne Precautions
Correct Answer: C. Contact Precautions
