,South College NSG 2600 Final Exam | Adult
Health I (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 24 hours post-operative following
a total hip arthroplasty. The patient reports a sudden onset of sharp chest
pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 bpm,
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min, and an oxygen saturation of 88% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer a prescribed PRN dose of morphine sulfate for pain
B) Apply a nasal cannula at 2 L/min and reassess oxygen saturation
C) Place the patient in high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen
D) Prepare for an immediate electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: Place the patient in high-Fowler's position and
administer oxygen
Rationale: The patient is exhibiting classic signs of a pulmonary
embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication. The priority is to stabilize
the patient's airway and oxygenation. Placing the patient in high-Fowler's
position optimizes ventilation and administering supplemental oxygen is
the critical first step to address hypoxemia.
2. A patient with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and
crackles are heard bilaterally. What is the FIRST action by the nurse?
A) Administer oral fluids
B) Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
C) Encourage ambulation
D) Document the findings
Correct Answer: Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
,Rationale: High-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and reduces
pulmonary congestion by decreasing venous return to the heart. This is
the immediate priority to improve oxygenation in a patient with
pulmonary edema.
3. A postoperative patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min after
opioid administration. What is the priority action?
A) Give the next opioid dose
B) Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
C) Encourage deep breathing only
D) Document as expected
Correct Answer: Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates severe opioid-
induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is the specific antagonist for
opioids and should be prepared for administration to reverse respiratory
depression. Stimulating the patient helps maintain airway patency while
the medication takes effect.
4. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is
conscious. What should the nurse do FIRST?
A) Administer IV insulin
B) Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
C) Restrict oral intake
D) Notify provider before action
Correct Answer: Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: For a conscious patient with hypoglycemia, the priority is to
administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as glucose tablets,
juice, or regular soda). The blood glucose should be rechecked in 15
, minutes. Insulin would lower glucose further, and restricting oral intake
would delay treatment.
5. A client with chest pain is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A) Mild anxiety
B) ST elevation on ECG
C) Heart rate 88 bpm
D) Blood pressure 130/80
Correct Answer: ST elevation on ECG
Rationale: ST elevation on ECG indicates acute coronary occlusion and
myocardial injury. This finding requires immediate action to restore
coronary perfusion and prevent further damage. The other findings are
not immediately life-threatening.
6. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, and
hypotensive. What complication is MOST likely?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hemorrhage
C) Fluid overload
D) Anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: Hemorrhage
Rationale: Restlessness, tachycardia, and hypotension are classic signs
of hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding. These findings warrant
immediate assessment for bleeding and intervention to stabilize the
patient.
Health I (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 24 hours post-operative following
a total hip arthroplasty. The patient reports a sudden onset of sharp chest
pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 bpm,
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min, and an oxygen saturation of 88% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer a prescribed PRN dose of morphine sulfate for pain
B) Apply a nasal cannula at 2 L/min and reassess oxygen saturation
C) Place the patient in high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen
D) Prepare for an immediate electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: Place the patient in high-Fowler's position and
administer oxygen
Rationale: The patient is exhibiting classic signs of a pulmonary
embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication. The priority is to stabilize
the patient's airway and oxygenation. Placing the patient in high-Fowler's
position optimizes ventilation and administering supplemental oxygen is
the critical first step to address hypoxemia.
2. A patient with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and
crackles are heard bilaterally. What is the FIRST action by the nurse?
A) Administer oral fluids
B) Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
C) Encourage ambulation
D) Document the findings
Correct Answer: Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
,Rationale: High-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and reduces
pulmonary congestion by decreasing venous return to the heart. This is
the immediate priority to improve oxygenation in a patient with
pulmonary edema.
3. A postoperative patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min after
opioid administration. What is the priority action?
A) Give the next opioid dose
B) Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
C) Encourage deep breathing only
D) Document as expected
Correct Answer: Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates severe opioid-
induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is the specific antagonist for
opioids and should be prepared for administration to reverse respiratory
depression. Stimulating the patient helps maintain airway patency while
the medication takes effect.
4. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is
conscious. What should the nurse do FIRST?
A) Administer IV insulin
B) Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
C) Restrict oral intake
D) Notify provider before action
Correct Answer: Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: For a conscious patient with hypoglycemia, the priority is to
administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as glucose tablets,
juice, or regular soda). The blood glucose should be rechecked in 15
, minutes. Insulin would lower glucose further, and restricting oral intake
would delay treatment.
5. A client with chest pain is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A) Mild anxiety
B) ST elevation on ECG
C) Heart rate 88 bpm
D) Blood pressure 130/80
Correct Answer: ST elevation on ECG
Rationale: ST elevation on ECG indicates acute coronary occlusion and
myocardial injury. This finding requires immediate action to restore
coronary perfusion and prevent further damage. The other findings are
not immediately life-threatening.
6. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, and
hypotensive. What complication is MOST likely?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hemorrhage
C) Fluid overload
D) Anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: Hemorrhage
Rationale: Restlessness, tachycardia, and hypotension are classic signs
of hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding. These findings warrant
immediate assessment for bleeding and intervention to stabilize the
patient.
