• NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
NUR 504 EXAM 3 PREP NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE
An older client asks the nurse why "people my age" have weaker immune systems than
younger people. What responses by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.)
a. "Bone marrow produces fewer blood cells as you age."
b. "You may have decreased levels of circulating platelets."
c. "You have lower levels of plasma proteins in the blood."
d. "Lymphocytes become more reactive to antigens."
e. "Spleen function declines after age 60." –
P 1
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: A, C
The aging adult has bone marrow that produces fewer cells and decreased blood volume with
fewer plasma proteins. Platelet numbers remain unchanged, lymphocytes become less
reactive, and spleen function stays the same.
The nurse is assessing a client experiencing anemia. Which laboratory findings will the nurse expect for this
client? (Select all that apply.)
a. Increased hematocrit
b. Decreased red blood cell count
c. Decreased serum iron
d. Decreased hemoglobin
e. Increased platelet count
f. Decreased white blood cell count –
Correct Answer :ANS: B, C, D
Clients experiencing anemia have a decreased red blood cell count which leads to a decreased
hemoglobin and hematocrit. For some clients, serum iron levels are also decreased. Anemia is
not a problem involving platelets or white blood cells.
A nurse works in a gerontology clinic. What age-related change(s) related to the hematologic
system will the nurse expect during health assessment? (Select all that apply.)
a. Dentition deteriorates with more cavities.
b. Nail beds may be thickened or discolored.
c. Progressive loss or thinning of hair occurs.
d. Sclerae begin to turn yellow or pale.
e. Skin becomes more oily. –
P 2
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: B, C
Common findings in older adults include thickened or discolored nail beds, dry (not oily)
skin, and thinning hair. The nurse adapts to these changes by altering assessment techniques.
Having more dental caries and changes in the sclerae are not normal age-related changes.
A client has a platelet count of 9000/mm3
(9 × 109/L). The nurse finds the client confused and
mumbling. What nursing action takes priority at this time?
a. Call the Rapid Response Team.
b. Take a set of vital signs.
c. Institute bleeding precautions.
d. Place the client on bedrest. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
With a platelet count this low, the client is at high risk of spontaneous bleeding. The most
disastrous complication would be intracranial bleeding. The nurse needs to call the Rapid
Response Team as this client has manifestations of a sudden neurologic change. Bleeding
precautions will not address the immediate situation. Placing the client on bedrest is
important, but the critical action is to call for immediate medical attention.
A nurse assesses a client with diabetes mellitus who is admitted with an acid-base imbalance. The client's arterial
blood gas values are pH 7.36, PaO2 98 mm Hg, PaCO2 33 mm Hg, and HCO3 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L). Which sign or
symptom does the nurse identify as an
example of the client's compensatory mechanisms?
a. Increased rate and depth of respirations
b. Increased urinary output
c. Increased thirst and hunger
d. Increased release of acids from the kidneys –
P 3
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: A
This client has metabolic acidosis. The respiratory system compensates by increasing its
activity and blowing off excess carbon dioxide. Increased urinary output, thirst, and hunger
are signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia but are not compensatory mechanisms for
acid-base imbalances. The kidneys do not release acids.
A nurse assesses a client who is experiencing an acid-base imbalance. The client's arterial
blood gas values are pH 7.2, PaO2 88 mm Hg, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L (19
mmol/L). Which assessment would the nurse perform first?
a. Cardiac rate and rhythm
b. Skin and mucous membranes
c. Musculoskeletal strength
d. Level of orientation –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
Early cardiovascular changes for a client experiencing moderate acidosis include increased
heart rate and cardiac output. As the acidosis worsens, the heart rate decreases and
electrocardiographic changes will be present. The nurse responds by performing a thorough
cardiovascular assessment. Changes will occur in the integumentary system, musculoskeletal
system, and neurologic system, but assessing for the cardiovascular complications comes first.
A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed furosemide for hypertension. For which acid-base
imbalance does the nurse assess to prevent complications of this therapy?
a. Respiratory acidosis
b. Respiratory alkalosis
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Metabolic alkalosis - Correct Answer :ANS: D
Many diuretics, especially loop and thiazide diuretics, increase the excretion of hydrogen ions,
P 4
NUR 504 EXAM 3 PREP NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE
An older client asks the nurse why "people my age" have weaker immune systems than
younger people. What responses by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.)
a. "Bone marrow produces fewer blood cells as you age."
b. "You may have decreased levels of circulating platelets."
c. "You have lower levels of plasma proteins in the blood."
d. "Lymphocytes become more reactive to antigens."
e. "Spleen function declines after age 60." –
P 1
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: A, C
The aging adult has bone marrow that produces fewer cells and decreased blood volume with
fewer plasma proteins. Platelet numbers remain unchanged, lymphocytes become less
reactive, and spleen function stays the same.
The nurse is assessing a client experiencing anemia. Which laboratory findings will the nurse expect for this
client? (Select all that apply.)
a. Increased hematocrit
b. Decreased red blood cell count
c. Decreased serum iron
d. Decreased hemoglobin
e. Increased platelet count
f. Decreased white blood cell count –
Correct Answer :ANS: B, C, D
Clients experiencing anemia have a decreased red blood cell count which leads to a decreased
hemoglobin and hematocrit. For some clients, serum iron levels are also decreased. Anemia is
not a problem involving platelets or white blood cells.
A nurse works in a gerontology clinic. What age-related change(s) related to the hematologic
system will the nurse expect during health assessment? (Select all that apply.)
a. Dentition deteriorates with more cavities.
b. Nail beds may be thickened or discolored.
c. Progressive loss or thinning of hair occurs.
d. Sclerae begin to turn yellow or pale.
e. Skin becomes more oily. –
P 2
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: B, C
Common findings in older adults include thickened or discolored nail beds, dry (not oily)
skin, and thinning hair. The nurse adapts to these changes by altering assessment techniques.
Having more dental caries and changes in the sclerae are not normal age-related changes.
A client has a platelet count of 9000/mm3
(9 × 109/L). The nurse finds the client confused and
mumbling. What nursing action takes priority at this time?
a. Call the Rapid Response Team.
b. Take a set of vital signs.
c. Institute bleeding precautions.
d. Place the client on bedrest. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
With a platelet count this low, the client is at high risk of spontaneous bleeding. The most
disastrous complication would be intracranial bleeding. The nurse needs to call the Rapid
Response Team as this client has manifestations of a sudden neurologic change. Bleeding
precautions will not address the immediate situation. Placing the client on bedrest is
important, but the critical action is to call for immediate medical attention.
A nurse assesses a client with diabetes mellitus who is admitted with an acid-base imbalance. The client's arterial
blood gas values are pH 7.36, PaO2 98 mm Hg, PaCO2 33 mm Hg, and HCO3 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L). Which sign or
symptom does the nurse identify as an
example of the client's compensatory mechanisms?
a. Increased rate and depth of respirations
b. Increased urinary output
c. Increased thirst and hunger
d. Increased release of acids from the kidneys –
P 3
, • NUR 504 EXAM 09/07/2026
Correct Answer :ANS: A
This client has metabolic acidosis. The respiratory system compensates by increasing its
activity and blowing off excess carbon dioxide. Increased urinary output, thirst, and hunger
are signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia but are not compensatory mechanisms for
acid-base imbalances. The kidneys do not release acids.
A nurse assesses a client who is experiencing an acid-base imbalance. The client's arterial
blood gas values are pH 7.2, PaO2 88 mm Hg, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L (19
mmol/L). Which assessment would the nurse perform first?
a. Cardiac rate and rhythm
b. Skin and mucous membranes
c. Musculoskeletal strength
d. Level of orientation –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
Early cardiovascular changes for a client experiencing moderate acidosis include increased
heart rate and cardiac output. As the acidosis worsens, the heart rate decreases and
electrocardiographic changes will be present. The nurse responds by performing a thorough
cardiovascular assessment. Changes will occur in the integumentary system, musculoskeletal
system, and neurologic system, but assessing for the cardiovascular complications comes first.
A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed furosemide for hypertension. For which acid-base
imbalance does the nurse assess to prevent complications of this therapy?
a. Respiratory acidosis
b. Respiratory alkalosis
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Metabolic alkalosis - Correct Answer :ANS: D
Many diuretics, especially loop and thiazide diuretics, increase the excretion of hydrogen ions,
P 4
