,NSG 430 Exam 3 Adult Health Nursing II Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Grand canyon university
Q1. Which assessment is the priority after a client sustains a
significant extremity fracture?
A) Dietary history
B) Bowel pattern
C) Sleep pattern
D) Neurovascular status of the affected extremity
Correct Answer: D) Neurovascular status of the affected extremity
Rationale: Fractures can compromise circulation and nerve function.
Assessing pulses, color, temperature, capillary refill, sensation, and
movement helps identify neurovascular compromise early.
Q2. Which characteristic distinguishes an open fracture from a
closed fracture?
A) The fractured bone or wound communicates with the external
environment.
B) The fracture always involves the femur.
C) The client always has compartment syndrome.
D) The fracture cannot be treated surgically.
Correct Answer: A) The fractured bone or wound communicates with the
external environment.
Rationale: An open fracture involves disruption of the skin over the fracture,
increasing the risk of contamination and infection such as osteomyelitis.
Q3. A client with a lower-leg fracture develops increasing pain,
paresthesia, pallor, and a tense swollen compartment. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Fat embolism
B) Compartment syndrome
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Fibromyalgia
Correct Answer: B) Compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome results from increased pressure within a
closed fascial compartment, compromising circulation and nerve and muscle
function.
,Q4. Which finding is an early warning sign of compartment
syndrome?
A) Pain that is disproportionate to the injury, especially with passive
stretching
B) Complete absence of a pulse as the first finding
C) Severe fever with productive cough
D) Sudden generalized edema
Correct Answer: A) Pain that is disproportionate to the injury, especially with
passive stretching
Rationale: Severe pain out of proportion to the injury and pain with passive
stretch are important early indicators of compartment syndrome. Loss of
pulses is a later and more ominous sign.
Q5. A client with a femur fracture becomes confused and develops
tachypnea several hours after the injury. Which complication is most
concerning?
A) Osteoarthritis
B) Fat embolism syndrome
C) Fibromyalgia flare
D) Chronic venous insufficiency
Correct Answer: B) Fat embolism syndrome
Rationale: Long-bone fractures can release fat droplets into the circulation.
Fat embolism syndrome can cause respiratory distress, neurologic changes,
and petechial rash.
Q6. Which finding is classically associated with fat embolism
syndrome?
A) Petechiae on the upper chest
B) Severe jaundice
C) Bradycardia without respiratory symptoms
D) Unilateral facial paralysis
Correct Answer: A) Petechiae on the upper chest
Rationale: Petechial rash involving the chest, axillae, or conjunctivae is a
classic feature of fat embolism syndrome and may occur with respiratory and
neurologic changes.
, Q7. A client with suspected fat embolism syndrome has an oxygen
saturation of 84%. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Encourage ambulation.
B) Place the client flat and wait for further testing.
C) Support oxygenation and rapidly escalate care.
D) Restrict all fluids.
Correct Answer: C) Support oxygenation and rapidly escalate care.
Rationale: Hypoxemia is a major threat in fat embolism syndrome.
Supporting oxygenation and obtaining urgent medical assistance are
priorities.
Q8. Which intervention is appropriate for a client in Buck's traction?
A) Allow the weights to rest on the floor.
B) Keep the weights freely hanging and maintain body alignment.
C) Remove the weights during every position change.
D) Place the weights directly on the bed.
Correct Answer: B) Keep the weights freely hanging and maintain body
alignment.
Rationale: Traction is effective only when the prescribed force is
maintained. Weights should hang freely and alignment should be preserved.
Q9. What is the primary purpose of an external fixator after a
complex fracture?
A) To provide structural stabilization and maintain alignment of the injured
bone
B) To eliminate the need for neurovascular assessment
C) To prevent all postoperative infections
D) To allow unrestricted weight bearing immediately
Correct Answer: A) To provide structural stabilization and maintain alignment
of the injured bone
Rationale: External fixation stabilizes a fracture and maintains alignment
while the bone and surrounding tissues heal.
Q10. Which nursing action is most important when caring for a
client with an external fixator?
2026/2027 Grand canyon university
Q1. Which assessment is the priority after a client sustains a
significant extremity fracture?
A) Dietary history
B) Bowel pattern
C) Sleep pattern
D) Neurovascular status of the affected extremity
Correct Answer: D) Neurovascular status of the affected extremity
Rationale: Fractures can compromise circulation and nerve function.
Assessing pulses, color, temperature, capillary refill, sensation, and
movement helps identify neurovascular compromise early.
Q2. Which characteristic distinguishes an open fracture from a
closed fracture?
A) The fractured bone or wound communicates with the external
environment.
B) The fracture always involves the femur.
C) The client always has compartment syndrome.
D) The fracture cannot be treated surgically.
Correct Answer: A) The fractured bone or wound communicates with the
external environment.
Rationale: An open fracture involves disruption of the skin over the fracture,
increasing the risk of contamination and infection such as osteomyelitis.
Q3. A client with a lower-leg fracture develops increasing pain,
paresthesia, pallor, and a tense swollen compartment. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Fat embolism
B) Compartment syndrome
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Fibromyalgia
Correct Answer: B) Compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome results from increased pressure within a
closed fascial compartment, compromising circulation and nerve and muscle
function.
,Q4. Which finding is an early warning sign of compartment
syndrome?
A) Pain that is disproportionate to the injury, especially with passive
stretching
B) Complete absence of a pulse as the first finding
C) Severe fever with productive cough
D) Sudden generalized edema
Correct Answer: A) Pain that is disproportionate to the injury, especially with
passive stretching
Rationale: Severe pain out of proportion to the injury and pain with passive
stretch are important early indicators of compartment syndrome. Loss of
pulses is a later and more ominous sign.
Q5. A client with a femur fracture becomes confused and develops
tachypnea several hours after the injury. Which complication is most
concerning?
A) Osteoarthritis
B) Fat embolism syndrome
C) Fibromyalgia flare
D) Chronic venous insufficiency
Correct Answer: B) Fat embolism syndrome
Rationale: Long-bone fractures can release fat droplets into the circulation.
Fat embolism syndrome can cause respiratory distress, neurologic changes,
and petechial rash.
Q6. Which finding is classically associated with fat embolism
syndrome?
A) Petechiae on the upper chest
B) Severe jaundice
C) Bradycardia without respiratory symptoms
D) Unilateral facial paralysis
Correct Answer: A) Petechiae on the upper chest
Rationale: Petechial rash involving the chest, axillae, or conjunctivae is a
classic feature of fat embolism syndrome and may occur with respiratory and
neurologic changes.
, Q7. A client with suspected fat embolism syndrome has an oxygen
saturation of 84%. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Encourage ambulation.
B) Place the client flat and wait for further testing.
C) Support oxygenation and rapidly escalate care.
D) Restrict all fluids.
Correct Answer: C) Support oxygenation and rapidly escalate care.
Rationale: Hypoxemia is a major threat in fat embolism syndrome.
Supporting oxygenation and obtaining urgent medical assistance are
priorities.
Q8. Which intervention is appropriate for a client in Buck's traction?
A) Allow the weights to rest on the floor.
B) Keep the weights freely hanging and maintain body alignment.
C) Remove the weights during every position change.
D) Place the weights directly on the bed.
Correct Answer: B) Keep the weights freely hanging and maintain body
alignment.
Rationale: Traction is effective only when the prescribed force is
maintained. Weights should hang freely and alignment should be preserved.
Q9. What is the primary purpose of an external fixator after a
complex fracture?
A) To provide structural stabilization and maintain alignment of the injured
bone
B) To eliminate the need for neurovascular assessment
C) To prevent all postoperative infections
D) To allow unrestricted weight bearing immediately
Correct Answer: A) To provide structural stabilization and maintain alignment
of the injured bone
Rationale: External fixation stabilizes a fracture and maintains alignment
while the bone and surrounding tissues heal.
Q10. Which nursing action is most important when caring for a
client with an external fixator?
