ADN Exam Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation when the high- pressure alarm
sounds. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Check for a disconnection in the ventilator circuit
B. Call the respiratory therapist to recalibrate the machine
C. Assess the patient for a possible cuff leak
D. Auscultate breath sounds and check for the need to suction
Correct Answer: D. Auscultate breath sounds and check for the need to suction
Explanation: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as
secretions, biting the tube, or kinks. Suctioning or checking for tube obstruction is the
priority.
Question 2.
A patient with 40% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns weighs 70 kg. Using the Parkland
Formula (4mL/kg/%TBSA), how much fluid should be administered in the first 8 hours?
A. 4,200 mL
B. 2,800 mL
C. 11,200 mL
D. 5,600 mL
Correct Answer: D. 5,600 mL
Explanation: Total = 4 x 70 x 40 = 11,200 mL. Half of the total (5,600 mL) is given in the
first 8 hours.
Question 3.
The nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a chest tube who has 50 mL of drainage in the last hour
B. A patient with heart failure and 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
C. A patient with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91% on 2L NC
D. A patient 2 hours post-op abdominal surgery with a BP of 88/54 mmHg
Correct Answer: D. A patient 2 hours post-op abdominal surgery with a BP of
88/54 mmHg
Explanation: Hypotension (88/54) post-operatively may indicate hemorrhage or shock
and requires immediate intervention.
, Question 4.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing the lung sounds of a patient with pneumonia
B. Feeding a patient with a high risk of aspiration
C. Assisting a stable patient with a bedside commode
D. Performing a simple dressing change on a stable surgical wound
Correct Answer: C. Assisting a stable patient with a bedside commode
Explanation: UAPs can assist with ADLs and mobility for stable patients. Assessments and
complex procedures are the RN’s responsibility.
Question 5.
Which hemodynamic finding is most characteristic of hypovolemic shock?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Increased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
C. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO) and decreased CVP
Correct Answer: D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO) and decreased CVP
Explanation: Hypovolemic shock is characterized by low volume, leading to low CVP and
low cardiac output.
Question 6.
A patient in the ICU is diagnosed with Septic Shock. Which of the following is the priority
intervention?
A. Initiating physical therapy to prevent muscle atrophy
B. Obtaining a dietary consult for nutritional support
C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour
D. Administering oral antihypertensives
Correct Answer: C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour
Explanation: Early administration of antibiotics is critical in septic shock to treat the
underlying infection.
Question 7.
A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52, and HCO3 of 24. How does the nurse
interpret these ABGs?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory Acidosis
Question 1.
A nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation when the high- pressure alarm
sounds. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Check for a disconnection in the ventilator circuit
B. Call the respiratory therapist to recalibrate the machine
C. Assess the patient for a possible cuff leak
D. Auscultate breath sounds and check for the need to suction
Correct Answer: D. Auscultate breath sounds and check for the need to suction
Explanation: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as
secretions, biting the tube, or kinks. Suctioning or checking for tube obstruction is the
priority.
Question 2.
A patient with 40% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns weighs 70 kg. Using the Parkland
Formula (4mL/kg/%TBSA), how much fluid should be administered in the first 8 hours?
A. 4,200 mL
B. 2,800 mL
C. 11,200 mL
D. 5,600 mL
Correct Answer: D. 5,600 mL
Explanation: Total = 4 x 70 x 40 = 11,200 mL. Half of the total (5,600 mL) is given in the
first 8 hours.
Question 3.
The nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a chest tube who has 50 mL of drainage in the last hour
B. A patient with heart failure and 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
C. A patient with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91% on 2L NC
D. A patient 2 hours post-op abdominal surgery with a BP of 88/54 mmHg
Correct Answer: D. A patient 2 hours post-op abdominal surgery with a BP of
88/54 mmHg
Explanation: Hypotension (88/54) post-operatively may indicate hemorrhage or shock
and requires immediate intervention.
, Question 4.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing the lung sounds of a patient with pneumonia
B. Feeding a patient with a high risk of aspiration
C. Assisting a stable patient with a bedside commode
D. Performing a simple dressing change on a stable surgical wound
Correct Answer: C. Assisting a stable patient with a bedside commode
Explanation: UAPs can assist with ADLs and mobility for stable patients. Assessments and
complex procedures are the RN’s responsibility.
Question 5.
Which hemodynamic finding is most characteristic of hypovolemic shock?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Increased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
C. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO) and decreased CVP
Correct Answer: D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO) and decreased CVP
Explanation: Hypovolemic shock is characterized by low volume, leading to low CVP and
low cardiac output.
Question 6.
A patient in the ICU is diagnosed with Septic Shock. Which of the following is the priority
intervention?
A. Initiating physical therapy to prevent muscle atrophy
B. Obtaining a dietary consult for nutritional support
C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour
D. Administering oral antihypertensives
Correct Answer: C. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour
Explanation: Early administration of antibiotics is critical in septic shock to treat the
underlying infection.
Question 7.
A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52, and HCO3 of 24. How does the nurse
interpret these ABGs?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory Acidosis
