Nursing 354 Sepsis Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse assesses a patient suspected of having sepsis. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99.0°F)
B. Heart rate of 118/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: Heart rate of 118/min
Rationale: Tachycardia can be an early sign of systemic infection and impaired
perfusion in sepsis.
Question 2
Which clinical condition is most commonly associated with the development of
sepsis?
A. Localized bacterial infection
B. Chronic osteoarthritis
,C. Stable hypertension
D. Seasonal allergies
Answer: Localized bacterial infection
Rationale: Sepsis can develop when the body's response to an infection becomes
dysregulated and causes organ dysfunction.
Question 3
Which assessment finding suggests worsening tissue perfusion in a patient with
sepsis?
A. Warm skin with normal capillary refill
B. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
C. New-onset confusion
D. Heart rate of 72/min
Answer: New-onset confusion
Rationale: Altered mental status may indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion
and developing organ dysfunction.
Question 4
A patient with suspected sepsis has a blood pressure of 84/48 mm Hg. What is the
nurse's priority?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Initiate prescribed rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation
C. Place the patient on a low-sodium diet
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: Initiate prescribed rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis may reflect inadequate circulating volume and
distributive shock. Prompt fluid resuscitation is a key intervention.
,Question 5
Which laboratory value is particularly useful for evaluating tissue hypoperfusion in
a patient with sepsis?
A. Serum lactate
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Total cholesterol
D. Serum calcium
Answer: Serum lactate
Rationale: Elevated lactate may indicate impaired tissue oxygen utilization or
perfusion and is used to help assess the severity of sepsis.
Question 6
Before administering antibiotics to a patient with suspected sepsis, which action is
generally appropriate when it will not delay treatment?
A. Obtain ordered blood cultures
B. Wait for culture results
C. Administer an antipyretic first
D. Restrict intravenous access
Answer: Obtain ordered blood cultures
Rationale: Blood cultures should generally be obtained promptly before
antimicrobial administration when feasible, but treatment should not be
unnecessarily delayed.
Question 7
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing sepsis?
, A. Healthy adolescent with a minor abrasion
B. Older adult with pneumonia and immunosuppression
C. Adult with controlled seasonal allergies
D. Young adult with an uncomplicated headache
Answer: Older adult with pneumonia and immunosuppression
Rationale: Advanced age, immunosuppression, and serious infections increase
the risk of sepsis and poor outcomes.
Question 8
Which finding indicates possible progression from sepsis to septic shock?
A. Normal blood pressure after treatment
B. Persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation
C. Improved urine output
D. Normal mental status
Answer: Persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation
Rationale: Septic shock involves severe circulatory dysfunction, including
persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation, with associated
abnormalities in perfusion.
Question 9
Which medication class is commonly used when hypotension persists after
adequate fluid resuscitation in septic shock?
A. Vasopressors
B. Antacids
C. Antihistamines
D. Oral hypoglycemics
Answer: Vasopressors
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse assesses a patient suspected of having sepsis. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99.0°F)
B. Heart rate of 118/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: Heart rate of 118/min
Rationale: Tachycardia can be an early sign of systemic infection and impaired
perfusion in sepsis.
Question 2
Which clinical condition is most commonly associated with the development of
sepsis?
A. Localized bacterial infection
B. Chronic osteoarthritis
,C. Stable hypertension
D. Seasonal allergies
Answer: Localized bacterial infection
Rationale: Sepsis can develop when the body's response to an infection becomes
dysregulated and causes organ dysfunction.
Question 3
Which assessment finding suggests worsening tissue perfusion in a patient with
sepsis?
A. Warm skin with normal capillary refill
B. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
C. New-onset confusion
D. Heart rate of 72/min
Answer: New-onset confusion
Rationale: Altered mental status may indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion
and developing organ dysfunction.
Question 4
A patient with suspected sepsis has a blood pressure of 84/48 mm Hg. What is the
nurse's priority?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Initiate prescribed rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation
C. Place the patient on a low-sodium diet
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: Initiate prescribed rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis may reflect inadequate circulating volume and
distributive shock. Prompt fluid resuscitation is a key intervention.
,Question 5
Which laboratory value is particularly useful for evaluating tissue hypoperfusion in
a patient with sepsis?
A. Serum lactate
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Total cholesterol
D. Serum calcium
Answer: Serum lactate
Rationale: Elevated lactate may indicate impaired tissue oxygen utilization or
perfusion and is used to help assess the severity of sepsis.
Question 6
Before administering antibiotics to a patient with suspected sepsis, which action is
generally appropriate when it will not delay treatment?
A. Obtain ordered blood cultures
B. Wait for culture results
C. Administer an antipyretic first
D. Restrict intravenous access
Answer: Obtain ordered blood cultures
Rationale: Blood cultures should generally be obtained promptly before
antimicrobial administration when feasible, but treatment should not be
unnecessarily delayed.
Question 7
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing sepsis?
, A. Healthy adolescent with a minor abrasion
B. Older adult with pneumonia and immunosuppression
C. Adult with controlled seasonal allergies
D. Young adult with an uncomplicated headache
Answer: Older adult with pneumonia and immunosuppression
Rationale: Advanced age, immunosuppression, and serious infections increase
the risk of sepsis and poor outcomes.
Question 8
Which finding indicates possible progression from sepsis to septic shock?
A. Normal blood pressure after treatment
B. Persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation
C. Improved urine output
D. Normal mental status
Answer: Persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation
Rationale: Septic shock involves severe circulatory dysfunction, including
persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation, with associated
abnormalities in perfusion.
Question 9
Which medication class is commonly used when hypotension persists after
adequate fluid resuscitation in septic shock?
A. Vasopressors
B. Antacids
C. Antihistamines
D. Oral hypoglycemics
Answer: Vasopressors
