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NUR 155 Exam 3 – Complete 70-Question Practice Test
**1. A nurse is preparing to take a patient's radial pulse. Which action demonstrates correct
technique?**
A) Using the thumb to palpate the pulse
B) Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4
C) Using the pads of the index and middle fingers
D) Applying firm pressure until the pulse disappears
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The thumb has its own pulse, which could be mistaken for the patient's. The pads of
the index and middle fingers are most sensitive for palpation. For an irregular pulse, count for a full 60
seconds. Light to moderate pressure is used to avoid occluding the artery.
**2. A patient's vital signs show an SpO2 of 88% on room air. What is the priority nursing action?**
A) Document the finding and recheck in 30 minutes
B) Apply oxygen as ordered
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The nurse should apply supplemental oxygen per protocol or order. Abnormal vitals for
oxygenation include SpO2 < 90%, increased pulse, and increased respiratory rate.
**3. A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute. The nurse documents this as:**
A) Eupnea
B) Bradypnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Tachypnea is a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in adults. Eupnea is
normal breathing (12-20 breaths/min), and bradypnea is a rate less than 12 breaths/min.
,**4. The nurse is assessing a patient's pain using a 0-10 numeric rating scale. The patient reports a
pain level of 8. Which action is most appropriate?**
A) Document the pain rating and reassess in 4 hours
B) Administer a PRN analgesic as ordered
C) Encourage the patient to rest and ignore the pain
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A pain rating of 8 indicates severe pain and warrants prompt intervention. The nurse
should administer prescribed PRN analgesics and reassess within an appropriate timeframe.
**5. What is the normal range for oral body temperature in adults?**
A) 96.0°F to 98.0°F
B) 97.6°F to 99.6°F
C) 98.6°F to 100.6°F
D) 99.6°F to 101.6°F
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The normal range for oral temperature in adults is 97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C).
**6. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?**
A) Blood pressure 140/90
B) Patient reports pain level of 8
C) Heart rate 88
D) Skin is warm and dry
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Subjective data is what the patient reports or tells the nurse, such as pain level.
Objective data is what the nurse observes or measures.
**7. A patient is demonstrating signs of dehydration. Which assessment finding would the nurse
expect?**
A) Bounding pulses
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Edema in the extremities
, **Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Poor skin turgor (skin tenting) is a sign of dehydration. Edema, crackles, and bounding
pulses are signs of fluid overload.
**8. What is the normal heart rate for an adult?**
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 100-120 beats per minute
D) 120-140 beats per minute
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is less
than 60, and tachycardia is greater than 100.
**9. The nurse notes that a patient has a pulse rate of 110 beats per minute. The nurse should
document this as:**
A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Normal
D) Arrhythmia
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Tachycardia is a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute in adults.
**10. Which patient is demonstrating signs of hypoxemia?**
A) A patient with a respiratory rate of 14
B) A patient with an SpO2 of 95%
C) A patient with an SpO2 of 88% and restlessness
D) A patient who is sleeping quietly
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Hypoxemia is indicated by an SpO2 below 90%. Restlessness, tachycardia, and
dyspnea are also signs of hypoxemia.
**11. What is the primary purpose of the patient interview in nursing assessment?**
A) To establish rapport with the patient only
B) To collect medical history, contact information, and insurance information
C) To allow the patient to direct the conversation
NUR 155 Exam 3 – Complete 70-Question Practice Test
**1. A nurse is preparing to take a patient's radial pulse. Which action demonstrates correct
technique?**
A) Using the thumb to palpate the pulse
B) Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4
C) Using the pads of the index and middle fingers
D) Applying firm pressure until the pulse disappears
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The thumb has its own pulse, which could be mistaken for the patient's. The pads of
the index and middle fingers are most sensitive for palpation. For an irregular pulse, count for a full 60
seconds. Light to moderate pressure is used to avoid occluding the artery.
**2. A patient's vital signs show an SpO2 of 88% on room air. What is the priority nursing action?**
A) Document the finding and recheck in 30 minutes
B) Apply oxygen as ordered
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The nurse should apply supplemental oxygen per protocol or order. Abnormal vitals for
oxygenation include SpO2 < 90%, increased pulse, and increased respiratory rate.
**3. A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute. The nurse documents this as:**
A) Eupnea
B) Bradypnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Tachypnea is a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in adults. Eupnea is
normal breathing (12-20 breaths/min), and bradypnea is a rate less than 12 breaths/min.
,**4. The nurse is assessing a patient's pain using a 0-10 numeric rating scale. The patient reports a
pain level of 8. Which action is most appropriate?**
A) Document the pain rating and reassess in 4 hours
B) Administer a PRN analgesic as ordered
C) Encourage the patient to rest and ignore the pain
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A pain rating of 8 indicates severe pain and warrants prompt intervention. The nurse
should administer prescribed PRN analgesics and reassess within an appropriate timeframe.
**5. What is the normal range for oral body temperature in adults?**
A) 96.0°F to 98.0°F
B) 97.6°F to 99.6°F
C) 98.6°F to 100.6°F
D) 99.6°F to 101.6°F
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The normal range for oral temperature in adults is 97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C).
**6. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?**
A) Blood pressure 140/90
B) Patient reports pain level of 8
C) Heart rate 88
D) Skin is warm and dry
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Subjective data is what the patient reports or tells the nurse, such as pain level.
Objective data is what the nurse observes or measures.
**7. A patient is demonstrating signs of dehydration. Which assessment finding would the nurse
expect?**
A) Bounding pulses
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Edema in the extremities
, **Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Poor skin turgor (skin tenting) is a sign of dehydration. Edema, crackles, and bounding
pulses are signs of fluid overload.
**8. What is the normal heart rate for an adult?**
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 100-120 beats per minute
D) 120-140 beats per minute
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is less
than 60, and tachycardia is greater than 100.
**9. The nurse notes that a patient has a pulse rate of 110 beats per minute. The nurse should
document this as:**
A) Bradycardia
B) Tachycardia
C) Normal
D) Arrhythmia
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Tachycardia is a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute in adults.
**10. Which patient is demonstrating signs of hypoxemia?**
A) A patient with a respiratory rate of 14
B) A patient with an SpO2 of 95%
C) A patient with an SpO2 of 88% and restlessness
D) A patient who is sleeping quietly
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Hypoxemia is indicated by an SpO2 below 90%. Restlessness, tachycardia, and
dyspnea are also signs of hypoxemia.
**11. What is the primary purpose of the patient interview in nursing assessment?**
A) To establish rapport with the patient only
B) To collect medical history, contact information, and insurance information
C) To allow the patient to direct the conversation
