NSG 3130 Exam 1 question verified with correct answers plus rationales
2026/2027 version instant pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden shortness of breath. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's complete medical history
B. Assess the client's airway and breathing
C. Document the client's report
D. Notify the family
Answer: B. Assess the client's airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. The nurse should rapidly assess
respiratory status and intervene as necessary before completing nonurgent assessments.
Question 2
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min
C. Temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
D. “My pain is a 7 out of 10.”
Answer: D. “My pain is a 7 out of 10.”
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the client, such as pain, nausea,
dizziness, or fatigue. Vital signs are objective data.
Question 3
The nurse obtains a client's blood pressure and pulse before administering an antihypertensive
medication. Which component of the nursing process is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
,Answer: A. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting objective and subjective information about the
client's current condition.
Question 4
Which outcome is written correctly?
A. “Client will feel better.”
B. “Client will have improved health.”
C. “Client will report pain of 3/10 or less within 1 hr of intervention.”
D. “Client will understand pain management.”
Answer: C.
Rationale: A measurable outcome specifies the expected behavior or finding and includes a time
frame.
Question 5
A nurse implements interventions designed to reduce a client's risk for falls. Which phase of the
nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: C. Implementation
Rationale: Implementation involves carrying out the interventions established in the plan of
care.
Question 6
After administering a prescribed analgesic, the nurse reassesses the client's pain. Which phase is
being performed?
,A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D. Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether the intervention produced the desired outcome.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action is most important?
A. Ask another client to identify the patient.
B. Use two approved client identifiers.
C. Document administration before giving the medication.
D. Ask the client's roommate to verify the medication.
Answer: B. Use two approved client identifiers.
Rationale: Using two identifiers helps ensure that medications and treatments are provided to
the correct client.
Question 8
A nurse receives a medication prescription that is difficult to read. What should the nurse do?
A. Guess what the prescription says.
B. Ask another nurse to interpret it.
C. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider.
D. Give the medication that seems most appropriate.
Answer: C. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider.
Rationale: The nurse should never guess when an order is unclear. Clarification prevents
medication errors.
Question 9
Which client should the nurse assess first?
, A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client reporting sudden chest pressure
C. A client requesting a meal
D. A client waiting for discharge instructions
Answer: B. A client reporting sudden chest pressure
Rationale: Sudden chest pressure can indicate an acute cardiovascular emergency. Life-
threatening problems take priority over routine needs.
Question 10
A nurse is using the ABC priority framework. Which problem should receive priority?
A. Mild abdominal discomfort
B. Difficulty breathing
C. Need for discharge teaching
D. Request for assistance with hygiene
Answer: B. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: ABC stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. Respiratory compromise can
rapidly become life-threatening.
Question 11
Which action is an example of primary prevention?
A. Rehabilitation following a stroke
B. Screening for hypertension
C. Receiving an immunization
D. Physical therapy after an injury
Answer: C. Receiving an immunization
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it occurs.
Question 12
Which activity is an example of secondary prevention?
2026/2027 version instant pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden shortness of breath. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's complete medical history
B. Assess the client's airway and breathing
C. Document the client's report
D. Notify the family
Answer: B. Assess the client's airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities. The nurse should rapidly assess
respiratory status and intervene as necessary before completing nonurgent assessments.
Question 2
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min
C. Temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
D. “My pain is a 7 out of 10.”
Answer: D. “My pain is a 7 out of 10.”
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the client, such as pain, nausea,
dizziness, or fatigue. Vital signs are objective data.
Question 3
The nurse obtains a client's blood pressure and pulse before administering an antihypertensive
medication. Which component of the nursing process is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
,Answer: A. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting objective and subjective information about the
client's current condition.
Question 4
Which outcome is written correctly?
A. “Client will feel better.”
B. “Client will have improved health.”
C. “Client will report pain of 3/10 or less within 1 hr of intervention.”
D. “Client will understand pain management.”
Answer: C.
Rationale: A measurable outcome specifies the expected behavior or finding and includes a time
frame.
Question 5
A nurse implements interventions designed to reduce a client's risk for falls. Which phase of the
nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: C. Implementation
Rationale: Implementation involves carrying out the interventions established in the plan of
care.
Question 6
After administering a prescribed analgesic, the nurse reassesses the client's pain. Which phase is
being performed?
,A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D. Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether the intervention produced the desired outcome.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action is most important?
A. Ask another client to identify the patient.
B. Use two approved client identifiers.
C. Document administration before giving the medication.
D. Ask the client's roommate to verify the medication.
Answer: B. Use two approved client identifiers.
Rationale: Using two identifiers helps ensure that medications and treatments are provided to
the correct client.
Question 8
A nurse receives a medication prescription that is difficult to read. What should the nurse do?
A. Guess what the prescription says.
B. Ask another nurse to interpret it.
C. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider.
D. Give the medication that seems most appropriate.
Answer: C. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider.
Rationale: The nurse should never guess when an order is unclear. Clarification prevents
medication errors.
Question 9
Which client should the nurse assess first?
, A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client reporting sudden chest pressure
C. A client requesting a meal
D. A client waiting for discharge instructions
Answer: B. A client reporting sudden chest pressure
Rationale: Sudden chest pressure can indicate an acute cardiovascular emergency. Life-
threatening problems take priority over routine needs.
Question 10
A nurse is using the ABC priority framework. Which problem should receive priority?
A. Mild abdominal discomfort
B. Difficulty breathing
C. Need for discharge teaching
D. Request for assistance with hygiene
Answer: B. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: ABC stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. Respiratory compromise can
rapidly become life-threatening.
Question 11
Which action is an example of primary prevention?
A. Rehabilitation following a stroke
B. Screening for hypertension
C. Receiving an immunization
D. Physical therapy after an injury
Answer: C. Receiving an immunization
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it occurs.
Question 12
Which activity is an example of secondary prevention?
