2026/2027 Grand canyon university
Q1. Which characteristic most strongly indicates that an adult client
requires advanced, complex nursing care?
A) Multiple interacting physiologic problems requiring continuous assessment
and coordinated interventions
B) A single stable chronic condition managed at home
C) A routine postoperative recovery without complications
D) A minor illness requiring one uncomplicated treatment
Correct Answer: A) Multiple interacting physiologic problems requiring
continuous assessment and coordinated interventions
Rationale: Complex clients often have multiple interacting conditions,
unstable physiologic parameters, and rapidly changing needs that require
frequent assessment and coordinated care.
Q2. A client with several chronic illnesses is admitted with new
respiratory distress and hypotension. Which nursing approach is
most appropriate?
A) Focus exclusively on the client's longest-standing diagnosis.
B) Prioritize immediate threats to airway, breathing, circulation, and overall
stability.
C) Wait for diagnostic confirmation before assessing the client.
D) Delay interventions until the family arrives.
Correct Answer: B) Prioritize immediate threats to airway, breathing,
circulation, and overall stability.
Rationale: In a deteriorating client, immediate threats to vital functions take
priority over less urgent chronic problems.
Q3. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to consider
that a previously stable client is deteriorating?
A) Mild hunger before a meal
B) Stable blood pressure with no new findings
C) New confusion accompanied by increasing respiratory rate
D) A request for a routine television channel
Correct Answer: C) New confusion accompanied by increasing respiratory
rate
,Rationale: New mental-status changes and tachypnea can be early
indicators of physiologic deterioration and require prompt assessment.
Q4. Which statement best describes the purpose of a rapid response
team?
A) To provide routine discharge teaching
B) To perform all scheduled procedures
C) To replace the primary nurse
D) To intervene early when a client's condition is worsening before cardiac or
respiratory arrest occurs
Correct Answer: D) To intervene early when a client's condition is worsening
before cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs
Rationale: Rapid response teams provide specialized assistance for acutely
deteriorating clients with the goal of preventing further deterioration and
arrest.
Q5. A client with a life-altering illness states, “I am worried about
what will happen to my family after I die.” Which nursing response
best reflects palliative care?
A) “Let's focus only on curing the disease.”
B) “Your concern is understandable. Let's discuss what support would be
most helpful for you and your family.”
C) “You should avoid discussing death because it may increase anxiety.”
D) “Your family can address these issues after your treatment is finished.”
Correct Answer: B) “Your concern is understandable. Let's discuss what
support would be most helpful for you and your family.”
Rationale: Palliative care addresses physical, psychosocial, emotional, and
family needs while supporting quality of life throughout serious illness.
Q6. A medication order requires 750 mg. Available tablets contain
250 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C) 3 tablets
, Rationale: Dividing the prescribed dose by the available dose gives 750 mg
÷ 250 mg = 3 tablets.
Q7. Which intervention is most appropriate when providing family-
centered care to a client with complex health needs?
A) Exclude the family from discussions to protect the client.
B) Ask about the client's and family's priorities, understanding, and support
needs.
C) Allow the family to make every decision regardless of the client's wishes.
D) Provide identical education to every family.
Correct Answer: B) Ask about the client's and family's priorities,
understanding, and support needs.
Rationale: Family assessment helps the nurse understand the client's
support system, preferences, concerns, and unique needs.
Q8. A client is receiving invasive hemodynamic monitoring. What is
the primary purpose of this monitoring?
A) To determine the client's nutritional status
B) To replace routine physical assessment
C) To eliminate the need for laboratory tests
D) To provide information about cardiovascular pressure, flow, and perfusion
Correct Answer: D) To provide information about cardiovascular pressure,
flow, and perfusion
Rationale: Hemodynamic monitoring provides information about
cardiovascular function, pressures, flow, preload, afterload, cardiac output,
and tissue perfusion.
Q9. What does central venous pressure primarily reflect?
A) Left ventricular afterload
B) Right-sided preload
C) Pulmonary gas exchange
D) Systemic arterial oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B) Right-sided preload
Rationale: Central venous pressure reflects right-sided filling pressure and
is commonly used as an indicator related to right ventricular preload and
fluid status.