Nursing 354 Exam 1 Comprehensive
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected left-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion because the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump blood into systemic circulation. Crackles,
dyspnea, and pulmonary edema are common findings.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A. Pain rated 3/10
B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
C. Mild nausea after eating
D. Chest tenderness with palpation
,Answer: Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate acute
myocardial ischemia and require immediate evaluation.
3. A patient with hypertension asks why blood pressure control is important.
Which response by the nurse is best?
A. “It prevents all cardiovascular disease.”
B. “It eliminates the need for medications.”
C. “It reduces the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.”
D. “It guarantees that your blood pressure will remain normal.”
Answer: It reduces the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.
Rationale: Chronic hypertension damages blood vessels and target organs and
increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney disease,
and other complications.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hyperphosphatemia
D. Hypochloremia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities, particularly significant hyperkalemia, can
alter cardiac conduction and cause life-threatening dysrhythmias.
5. A patient with an acute myocardial infarction is prescribed aspirin. What is
the primary purpose of aspirin in this situation?
A. Reduce fever
B. Prevent platelet aggregation
C. Lower blood pressure
D. Increase urine output
,Answer: Prevent platelet aggregation
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and helps limit thrombus
formation during acute coronary syndrome.
6. Which symptom is most commonly associated with peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Warm, edematous legs
C. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
D. Bilateral dependent edema
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease decreases arterial blood flow to the
extremities, commonly causing exertional leg pain that improves with rest.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Which positioning intervention promotes ventilation?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's position
D. Flat with legs elevated
Answer: High-Fowler's position
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic compression, improving ventilation.
8. Which assessment finding is expected in a patient experiencing an asthma
exacerbation?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Bradycardia
C. Absent respiratory effort
D. Decreased work of breathing
Answer: Expiratory wheezing
, Rationale: Bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation commonly produce
wheezing, especially during expiration, during an asthma exacerbation.
9. Which oxygen-delivery device provides the most precise oxygen
concentration for a patient with chronic respiratory disease?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled and precise fraction of inspired
oxygen, making it useful when accurate oxygen delivery is important.
10.Which finding suggests worsening respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Clear bilateral breath sounds
Answer: Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates increased work of breathing and may
signal worsening respiratory distress.
11.A patient develops sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain after surgery.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Atelectasis only
D. Chronic bronchitis
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected left-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion because the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump blood into systemic circulation. Crackles,
dyspnea, and pulmonary edema are common findings.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A. Pain rated 3/10
B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
C. Mild nausea after eating
D. Chest tenderness with palpation
,Answer: Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate acute
myocardial ischemia and require immediate evaluation.
3. A patient with hypertension asks why blood pressure control is important.
Which response by the nurse is best?
A. “It prevents all cardiovascular disease.”
B. “It eliminates the need for medications.”
C. “It reduces the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.”
D. “It guarantees that your blood pressure will remain normal.”
Answer: It reduces the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.
Rationale: Chronic hypertension damages blood vessels and target organs and
increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney disease,
and other complications.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hyperphosphatemia
D. Hypochloremia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities, particularly significant hyperkalemia, can
alter cardiac conduction and cause life-threatening dysrhythmias.
5. A patient with an acute myocardial infarction is prescribed aspirin. What is
the primary purpose of aspirin in this situation?
A. Reduce fever
B. Prevent platelet aggregation
C. Lower blood pressure
D. Increase urine output
,Answer: Prevent platelet aggregation
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and helps limit thrombus
formation during acute coronary syndrome.
6. Which symptom is most commonly associated with peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Warm, edematous legs
C. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
D. Bilateral dependent edema
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease decreases arterial blood flow to the
extremities, commonly causing exertional leg pain that improves with rest.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Which positioning intervention promotes ventilation?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's position
D. Flat with legs elevated
Answer: High-Fowler's position
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic compression, improving ventilation.
8. Which assessment finding is expected in a patient experiencing an asthma
exacerbation?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Bradycardia
C. Absent respiratory effort
D. Decreased work of breathing
Answer: Expiratory wheezing
, Rationale: Bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation commonly produce
wheezing, especially during expiration, during an asthma exacerbation.
9. Which oxygen-delivery device provides the most precise oxygen
concentration for a patient with chronic respiratory disease?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a controlled and precise fraction of inspired
oxygen, making it useful when accurate oxygen delivery is important.
10.Which finding suggests worsening respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Clear bilateral breath sounds
Answer: Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates increased work of breathing and may
signal worsening respiratory distress.
11.A patient develops sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain after surgery.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Atelectasis only
D. Chronic bronchitis
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
