NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
SpO2 is 89%. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Continue to monitor as this is an expected finding for COPD
B. Increase the oxygen flow to 6L/min immediately
C. Switch the patient to a non-rebreather mask
D. Prepare for emergency intubation
Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with COPD, a target SpO2 of 88-92% is often acceptable because high oxygen
concentrations can suppress their hypoxic drive to breathe. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. While assessing a chest tube drainage system, the nurse notices constant bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What does this indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. There is an air leak in the system
C. The lung has fully re-expanded
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or coughing, but continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system or from the patient. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect to see in a patient with acute
respiratory failure and CO2 retention?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.35, HCO3 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.45, PaO2 95 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Retention of CO2 leads to respiratory acidosis, characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and an
elevated PaCO2 (greater than 45 mmHg). Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum Amylase and Lipase
B. Serum Potassium
C. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A
Rationale: Amylase and lipase are the primary enzymes released during pancreatic inflammation and are used
to confirm a diagnosis of pancreatitis. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. When providing discharge teaching to a patient with GERD, which instruction is most
important?
A. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime
B. Lie flat for 30 minutes after eating to aid digestion
C. Drink a glass of milk before bed to coat the stomach
D. Increase intake of caffeinated beverages to stimulate motility
Answer: A
Rationale: Eating close to bedtime increases the risk of reflux when lying down. Patients should remain upright
and avoid late-night snacks. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice
and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse expects to
administer which medication to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Furosemide
C. Lactulose
D. Propranolol
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool, which is the primary treatment for
hepatic encephalopathy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026
UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
SpO2 is 89%. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Continue to monitor as this is an expected finding for COPD
B. Increase the oxygen flow to 6L/min immediately
C. Switch the patient to a non-rebreather mask
D. Prepare for emergency intubation
Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with COPD, a target SpO2 of 88-92% is often acceptable because high oxygen
concentrations can suppress their hypoxic drive to breathe. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. While assessing a chest tube drainage system, the nurse notices constant bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What does this indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. There is an air leak in the system
C. The lung has fully re-expanded
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or coughing, but continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system or from the patient. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect to see in a patient with acute
respiratory failure and CO2 retention?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.35, HCO3 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.45, PaO2 95 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Retention of CO2 leads to respiratory acidosis, characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and an
elevated PaCO2 (greater than 45 mmHg). Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 3300 Exam 4 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum Amylase and Lipase
B. Serum Potassium
C. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A
Rationale: Amylase and lipase are the primary enzymes released during pancreatic inflammation and are used
to confirm a diagnosis of pancreatitis. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. When providing discharge teaching to a patient with GERD, which instruction is most
important?
A. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime
B. Lie flat for 30 minutes after eating to aid digestion
C. Drink a glass of milk before bed to coat the stomach
D. Increase intake of caffeinated beverages to stimulate motility
Answer: A
Rationale: Eating close to bedtime increases the risk of reflux when lying down. Patients should remain upright
and avoid late-night snacks. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice
and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse expects to
administer which medication to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Furosemide
C. Lactulose
D. Propranolol
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool, which is the primary treatment for
hepatic encephalopathy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
