Galen NUR 257 Midterm Exam Questions with
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has just been admitted to the
medical-surgical unit. Which assessment should the nurse
perform first?
A. Review the client's family medical history
B. Determine the client's preferred learning style
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Obtain information about the client's usual sleep pattern
The priority assessment is airway, breathing, and circulation
because these functions are essential for immediate survival.
The nurse should identify and address life-threatening problems
before collecting less urgent historical or psychosocial
information. This follows the ABC priority framework and the
nursing principle of addressing physiologic instability before
routine assessment needs.
Question 2
,A client reports shortness of breath and has an oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air. What action should the nurse
take first?
A. Document the finding and reassess in 30 minutes
B. Encourage the client to drink fluids
C. Position the client to facilitate breathing and apply oxygen
as prescribed
D. Ask the client about recent dietary intake
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia.
The immediate priority is to improve oxygenation by positioning
the client appropriately and administering supplemental oxygen
according to the prescription or institutional protocol. Delaying
intervention to obtain unrelated information could allow the
client's respiratory status to deteriorate.
Question 3
Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving opioid
analgesia?
A. Pain rating of 4 out of 10
B. Mild nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
D. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
,Opioids can depress the central nervous system and suppress
respiratory drive. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute is
dangerously low and requires immediate assessment and
intervention. Mild nausea and a moderate pain score are
important but are not as immediately life-threatening as
respiratory depression.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
action best promotes medication safety?
A. Administer the medication based only on the room number
B. Ask another client to confirm the client's identity
C. Use at least two approved patient identifiers before
administration
D. Verify the client's identity after giving the medication
Using two approved patient identifiers helps prevent medication
errors involving the wrong patient. Room number should not be
used as an identifier because clients may change rooms.
Identification must occur before medication administration
rather than after the medication has been given.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for an
oral medication. The client states, "I am allergic to this
medication." What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication because it was prescribed
B. Tell the client that mild allergies are expected
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy and prescription
D. Ask the client to take the medication with food
The nurse should not administer a medication when the client
reports a possible allergy without first investigating the concern.
The nurse should verify the documented allergy, assess the
nature of the previous reaction, and clarify the prescription with
the appropriate healthcare professional. Preventing an allergic
reaction is a fundamental medication-safety responsibility.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates that a client may be
experiencing fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Bilateral dependent edema
C. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
D. Increased blood pressure and weight gain
Fluid volume deficit commonly produces findings such as dry
mucous membranes, decreased urine output, thirst,
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has just been admitted to the
medical-surgical unit. Which assessment should the nurse
perform first?
A. Review the client's family medical history
B. Determine the client's preferred learning style
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Obtain information about the client's usual sleep pattern
The priority assessment is airway, breathing, and circulation
because these functions are essential for immediate survival.
The nurse should identify and address life-threatening problems
before collecting less urgent historical or psychosocial
information. This follows the ABC priority framework and the
nursing principle of addressing physiologic instability before
routine assessment needs.
Question 2
,A client reports shortness of breath and has an oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air. What action should the nurse
take first?
A. Document the finding and reassess in 30 minutes
B. Encourage the client to drink fluids
C. Position the client to facilitate breathing and apply oxygen
as prescribed
D. Ask the client about recent dietary intake
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia.
The immediate priority is to improve oxygenation by positioning
the client appropriately and administering supplemental oxygen
according to the prescription or institutional protocol. Delaying
intervention to obtain unrelated information could allow the
client's respiratory status to deteriorate.
Question 3
Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving opioid
analgesia?
A. Pain rating of 4 out of 10
B. Mild nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
D. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
,Opioids can depress the central nervous system and suppress
respiratory drive. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute is
dangerously low and requires immediate assessment and
intervention. Mild nausea and a moderate pain score are
important but are not as immediately life-threatening as
respiratory depression.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
action best promotes medication safety?
A. Administer the medication based only on the room number
B. Ask another client to confirm the client's identity
C. Use at least two approved patient identifiers before
administration
D. Verify the client's identity after giving the medication
Using two approved patient identifiers helps prevent medication
errors involving the wrong patient. Room number should not be
used as an identifier because clients may change rooms.
Identification must occur before medication administration
rather than after the medication has been given.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for an
oral medication. The client states, "I am allergic to this
medication." What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication because it was prescribed
B. Tell the client that mild allergies are expected
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy and prescription
D. Ask the client to take the medication with food
The nurse should not administer a medication when the client
reports a possible allergy without first investigating the concern.
The nurse should verify the documented allergy, assess the
nature of the previous reaction, and clarify the prescription with
the appropriate healthcare professional. Preventing an allergic
reaction is a fundamental medication-safety responsibility.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates that a client may be
experiencing fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Bilateral dependent edema
C. Dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output
D. Increased blood pressure and weight gain
Fluid volume deficit commonly produces findings such as dry
mucous membranes, decreased urine output, thirst,
