NUR 265 Latest Exam 2026: Questions and Answers with
Explanations
1. A patient with heart failure develops acute pulmonary edema. Which finding requires
the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Severe dyspnea with pink, frothy sputum
C. Weight gain of 1 kg in 3 days
D. Fatigue during activity
Answer: B
Pink, frothy sputum with severe dyspnea is characteristic of acute pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C
Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary
congestion and crackles.
3. A patient taking digoxin should be assessed for which sign of toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Yellow-green visual disturbances
C. Hypertension
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: B
,Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and visual disturbances such as blurred or
yellow-green vision.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Low potassium levels increase myocardial sensitivity to digoxin and therefore increase the risk of toxicity.
5. A patient with myocardial infarction suddenly develops severe chest pain. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to walk
B. Assess vital signs and cardiac rhythm
C. Give the patient food
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: B
Sudden chest pain after myocardial infarction may indicate recurrent ischemia or another complication.
Immediate assessment of vital signs and cardiac rhythm is essential.
6. Which symptom is most suggestive of myocardial infarction?
A. Mild itching
B. Crushing substernal chest pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Joint stiffness
Answer: B
Myocardial infarction commonly presents with severe pressure, squeezing, or crushing substernal chest
discomfort, although presentations can vary.
,7. Which laboratory value is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Sodium
D. Albumin
Answer: A
Cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury.
8. A patient with hypertension asks why blood pressure must be controlled. What is the
best response?
A. "It prevents all infections."
B. "It reduces the risk of stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease."
C. "It guarantees that you will never have chest pain."
D. "It eliminates the need for exercise."
Answer: B
Long-standing hypertension damages blood vessels and organs and increases the risk of stroke,
cardiovascular disease, and renal impairment.
9. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient prescribed antihypertensive medication?
A. Stop the medication when blood pressure becomes normal
B. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
C. Double the dose if one dose is missed
D. Avoid monitoring blood pressure
Answer: B
Antihypertensive medications generally need to be taken consistently to maintain blood pressure control.
10. Which finding is most characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
A. Persistent airflow limitation
B. Sudden complete airway obstruction
, C. Increased lung elasticity
D. Reduced residual volume
Answer: A
COPD is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, usually associated with
airway and/or alveolar abnormalities.
11. Which position is most helpful for a patient experiencing severe dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B
High-Fowler's position promotes maximum lung expansion and can reduce the work of breathing.
12. A patient with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and dyspnea. Which
medication is commonly used for rapid relief?
A. Salbutamol/albuterol
B. Warfarin
C. Digoxin
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Short-acting beta₂ agonists such as salbutamol/albuterol provide rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma
symptoms.
13. Which finding indicates worsening respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Ability to speak in full sentences
C. Cyanosis and altered level of consciousness
D. Warm extremities
Answer: C
Explanations
1. A patient with heart failure develops acute pulmonary edema. Which finding requires
the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Severe dyspnea with pink, frothy sputum
C. Weight gain of 1 kg in 3 days
D. Fatigue during activity
Answer: B
Pink, frothy sputum with severe dyspnea is characteristic of acute pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C
Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary
congestion and crackles.
3. A patient taking digoxin should be assessed for which sign of toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Yellow-green visual disturbances
C. Hypertension
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: B
,Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and visual disturbances such as blurred or
yellow-green vision.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Low potassium levels increase myocardial sensitivity to digoxin and therefore increase the risk of toxicity.
5. A patient with myocardial infarction suddenly develops severe chest pain. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to walk
B. Assess vital signs and cardiac rhythm
C. Give the patient food
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: B
Sudden chest pain after myocardial infarction may indicate recurrent ischemia or another complication.
Immediate assessment of vital signs and cardiac rhythm is essential.
6. Which symptom is most suggestive of myocardial infarction?
A. Mild itching
B. Crushing substernal chest pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Joint stiffness
Answer: B
Myocardial infarction commonly presents with severe pressure, squeezing, or crushing substernal chest
discomfort, although presentations can vary.
,7. Which laboratory value is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Sodium
D. Albumin
Answer: A
Cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury.
8. A patient with hypertension asks why blood pressure must be controlled. What is the
best response?
A. "It prevents all infections."
B. "It reduces the risk of stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease."
C. "It guarantees that you will never have chest pain."
D. "It eliminates the need for exercise."
Answer: B
Long-standing hypertension damages blood vessels and organs and increases the risk of stroke,
cardiovascular disease, and renal impairment.
9. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient prescribed antihypertensive medication?
A. Stop the medication when blood pressure becomes normal
B. Take the medication consistently as prescribed
C. Double the dose if one dose is missed
D. Avoid monitoring blood pressure
Answer: B
Antihypertensive medications generally need to be taken consistently to maintain blood pressure control.
10. Which finding is most characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
A. Persistent airflow limitation
B. Sudden complete airway obstruction
, C. Increased lung elasticity
D. Reduced residual volume
Answer: A
COPD is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, usually associated with
airway and/or alveolar abnormalities.
11. Which position is most helpful for a patient experiencing severe dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B
High-Fowler's position promotes maximum lung expansion and can reduce the work of breathing.
12. A patient with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and dyspnea. Which
medication is commonly used for rapid relief?
A. Salbutamol/albuterol
B. Warfarin
C. Digoxin
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Short-acting beta₂ agonists such as salbutamol/albuterol provide rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma
symptoms.
13. Which finding indicates worsening respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Ability to speak in full sentences
C. Cyanosis and altered level of consciousness
D. Warm extremities
Answer: C
