WGU D427 Quick Review Exam 2026 | 25
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Data
Management Applications
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes potassium
excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Monitoring
potassium is essential.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Furosemide does not significantly affect calcium.
B. Correct.
C. Magnesium may be affected by diuretics but potassium is the priority.
D. Phosphorus is not primarily affected.
Learning Objective: Identify electrolyte imbalances caused by loop
diuretics.
Difficulty: Easy
Question Type: Application
Question 2
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an
,arterial blood gas (ABG) showing pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 55 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻
32 mEq/L. What is the correct interpretation?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Correct Answer: C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is within normal range (7.35–7.45) but on the acidic
side, PaCO₂ is elevated (respiratory acidosis), and HCO₃⁻ is elevated
(metabolic compensation). The kidneys have retained bicarbonate to
normalize pH, indicating full compensation.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Uncompensated would have normal HCO₃⁻.
B. This is acidosis, not alkalosis.
C. Correct.
D. The primary disorder is respiratory, not metabolic.
Learning Objective: Interpret ABG results in chronic respiratory
conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Question Type: Calculation/Interpretation
Question 3
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
B. A patient with heart failure who has new-onset confusion and an
oxygen saturation of 85%
C. A patient with a urinary tract infection who reports dysuria
D. A patient with type 2 diabetes who has a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
, Correct Answer: B. A patient with heart failure who has new-onset
confusion and an oxygen saturation of 85%
Rationale: New-onset confusion and hypoxemia (SpO₂ 85%) suggest
acute decompensation or cerebral hypoxia. This patient requires
immediate intervention. The others are stable or have less urgent issues.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Fever alone is not immediately life-threatening.
B. Correct.
C. Dysuria is uncomfortable but not an emergency.
D. Blood glucose of 200 is elevated but not critical.
Learning Objective: Prioritize patients based on oxygenation and mental
status.
Difficulty: Moderate
Question Type: Prioritization
Question 4
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding indicates a
hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Fever, chills, and flank pain
B. Mild itching and hives
C. Headache and hypertension
D. Nausea and vomiting without fever
Correct Answer: A. Fever, chills, and flank pain
Rationale: Hemolytic reactions are caused by ABO incompatibility,
leading to rapid red cell destruction, fever, chills, flank pain,
hemoglobinuria, and hypotension. This is an emergency.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Correct.
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Data
Management Applications
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes potassium
excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Monitoring
potassium is essential.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Furosemide does not significantly affect calcium.
B. Correct.
C. Magnesium may be affected by diuretics but potassium is the priority.
D. Phosphorus is not primarily affected.
Learning Objective: Identify electrolyte imbalances caused by loop
diuretics.
Difficulty: Easy
Question Type: Application
Question 2
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an
,arterial blood gas (ABG) showing pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 55 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻
32 mEq/L. What is the correct interpretation?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
Correct Answer: C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is within normal range (7.35–7.45) but on the acidic
side, PaCO₂ is elevated (respiratory acidosis), and HCO₃⁻ is elevated
(metabolic compensation). The kidneys have retained bicarbonate to
normalize pH, indicating full compensation.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Uncompensated would have normal HCO₃⁻.
B. This is acidosis, not alkalosis.
C. Correct.
D. The primary disorder is respiratory, not metabolic.
Learning Objective: Interpret ABG results in chronic respiratory
conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Question Type: Calculation/Interpretation
Question 3
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
B. A patient with heart failure who has new-onset confusion and an
oxygen saturation of 85%
C. A patient with a urinary tract infection who reports dysuria
D. A patient with type 2 diabetes who has a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
, Correct Answer: B. A patient with heart failure who has new-onset
confusion and an oxygen saturation of 85%
Rationale: New-onset confusion and hypoxemia (SpO₂ 85%) suggest
acute decompensation or cerebral hypoxia. This patient requires
immediate intervention. The others are stable or have less urgent issues.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Fever alone is not immediately life-threatening.
B. Correct.
C. Dysuria is uncomfortable but not an emergency.
D. Blood glucose of 200 is elevated but not critical.
Learning Objective: Prioritize patients based on oxygenation and mental
status.
Difficulty: Moderate
Question Type: Prioritization
Question 4
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding indicates a
hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Fever, chills, and flank pain
B. Mild itching and hives
C. Headache and hypertension
D. Nausea and vomiting without fever
Correct Answer: A. Fever, chills, and flank pain
Rationale: Hemolytic reactions are caused by ABO incompatibility,
leading to rapid red cell destruction, fever, chills, flank pain,
hemoglobinuria, and hypotension. This is an emergency.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Correct.
