NUR 3300 Exam 3 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 3300 Exam 3 – 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 3 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which assessment finding is the earliest clinical indicator of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis of the lips and nail beds
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Restlessness and apprehension
D. Increased respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Restlessness and apprehension are early signs of hypoxia due to the central nervous system’s
sensitivity to oxygen deprivation. Cyanosis is a late sign. 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 (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distension
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary
congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided heart failure. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. What is the priority nursing action for a patient who just returned to the unit after a total hip
arthroplasty?
A. Assessing the surgical site for drainage
B. Administering prescribed pain medication
C. Maintaining the airway and checking vital signs
D. Positioning the client with an abduction pillow
Answer: C
Rationale: In the immediate postoperative period, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are the highest
priority. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 3300 Exam 3 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance does this represent?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. The
HCO3 is normal, indicating no compensation yet. 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. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a patient using an incentive spirometer?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device until the piston rises.
B. Take short, shallow breaths to keep the indicator stable.
C. Inhale slowly and deeply to raise the piston as high as possible.
D. Use the device once every 8 hours while awake.
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing (inspiration) to expand alveoli and prevent
atelectasis. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I should elevate my legs above the level of my heart when sitting.’
B. ‘I will walk until I feel pain, rest, and then walk again.’
C. ‘I will avoid using heating pads on my feet.’
D. . Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
Answer: A
Rationale: In PAD, elevating the legs decreases arterial blood flow. The legs should be kept dependent or level
to optimize perfusion. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 3300 Exam 3 – 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 3 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which assessment finding is the earliest clinical indicator of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis of the lips and nail beds
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Restlessness and apprehension
D. Increased respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Restlessness and apprehension are early signs of hypoxia due to the central nervous system’s
sensitivity to oxygen deprivation. Cyanosis is a late sign. 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 (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distension
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary
congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided heart failure. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. What is the priority nursing action for a patient who just returned to the unit after a total hip
arthroplasty?
A. Assessing the surgical site for drainage
B. Administering prescribed pain medication
C. Maintaining the airway and checking vital signs
D. Positioning the client with an abduction pillow
Answer: C
Rationale: In the immediate postoperative period, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are the highest
priority. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 3300 Exam 3 – Nursing Practice II 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance does this represent?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. The
HCO3 is normal, indicating no compensation yet. 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. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a patient using an incentive spirometer?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device until the piston rises.
B. Take short, shallow breaths to keep the indicator stable.
C. Inhale slowly and deeply to raise the piston as high as possible.
D. Use the device once every 8 hours while awake.
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing (inspiration) to expand alveoli and prevent
atelectasis. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I should elevate my legs above the level of my heart when sitting.’
B. ‘I will walk until I feel pain, rest, and then walk again.’
C. ‘I will avoid using heating pads on my feet.’
D. . Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
Answer: A
Rationale: In PAD, elevating the legs decreases arterial blood flow. The legs should be kept dependent or level
to optimize perfusion. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
