NSG-3250 EXAM NURSING PRACTICE – ADULT HEALTH I
EXAM PREP | VERIFIED Q&A | GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A 68-year-old patient with a history of chronic hypertension is admitted with
acute pulmonary edema. The patient is sitting upright, appears extremely anxious,
has pink frothy sputum, and reports severe shortness of breath. Which nursing
intervention should be the priority while additional treatment is being prepared?
A. Encourage oral fluid intake to improve circulation
B. Place the patient in a high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen as
prescribed
C. Assist the patient to lie flat and elevate the legs
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate to improve lung expansion
Answer: B
2. A patient admitted with acute decompensated heart failure has bilateral crackles,
peripheral edema, and increasing dyspnea. Which assessment finding should the
nurse report as the most concerning indication of worsening fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 3 lb in 24 hours
B. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
C. Blood pressure of 138/82 mmHg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: A
3. A patient with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Before administering the
medication, which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to evaluate
because an abnormal result may increase the patient's risk for a life-threatening
complication?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
,4. A patient arrives in the emergency department reporting crushing substernal
chest pain that radiates to the left arm and jaw. The patient is pale, diaphoretic, and
anxious. Which action should the nurse anticipate as the priority intervention?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG promptly
B. Encourage the patient to walk to the examination room
C. Provide a high-carbohydrate meal
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
5. A patient diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction suddenly develops severe
shortness of breath, crackles, and decreased oxygen saturation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Gastrointestinal bleeding
Answer: A
6. A patient receiving nitroglycerin for angina reports dizziness after standing.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Stand up quickly to improve circulation."
B. "Sit or lie down immediately when dizziness occurs."
C. "Increase your physical activity when symptoms occur."
D. "Take another dose of nitroglycerin immediately."
Answer: B
7. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks why the condition must be
treated even though no symptoms are present. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. "Hypertension always causes severe pain before complications occur."
B. "Untreated hypertension can damage organs even when you feel well."
, C. "You only need treatment when your blood pressure causes headaches."
D. "Hypertension usually disappears without treatment."
Answer: B
8. A patient with peripheral arterial disease reports severe leg pain when walking
that improves with rest. Which additional assessment finding would the nurse
expect?
A. Warm, edematous legs with brown discoloration
B. Diminished pulses and cool extremities
C. Large amounts of lower-extremity edema
D. Pain relieved by elevating the legs
Answer: B
9. A patient with chronic venous insufficiency has lower-extremity edema and a
venous ulcer. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage prolonged sitting with legs dependent
B. Elevate the legs when resting
C. Apply ice directly to the ulcer
D. Restrict all movement
Answer: B
10. A postoperative patient suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia,
and anxiety. The nurse suspects a pulmonary embolism. Which action is the
priority?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing only
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider immediately
C. Massage the patient's lower extremities
D. Assist the patient to ambulate
Answer: B
EXAM PREP | VERIFIED Q&A | GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A 68-year-old patient with a history of chronic hypertension is admitted with
acute pulmonary edema. The patient is sitting upright, appears extremely anxious,
has pink frothy sputum, and reports severe shortness of breath. Which nursing
intervention should be the priority while additional treatment is being prepared?
A. Encourage oral fluid intake to improve circulation
B. Place the patient in a high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen as
prescribed
C. Assist the patient to lie flat and elevate the legs
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate to improve lung expansion
Answer: B
2. A patient admitted with acute decompensated heart failure has bilateral crackles,
peripheral edema, and increasing dyspnea. Which assessment finding should the
nurse report as the most concerning indication of worsening fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 3 lb in 24 hours
B. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
C. Blood pressure of 138/82 mmHg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: A
3. A patient with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Before administering the
medication, which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to evaluate
because an abnormal result may increase the patient's risk for a life-threatening
complication?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
,4. A patient arrives in the emergency department reporting crushing substernal
chest pain that radiates to the left arm and jaw. The patient is pale, diaphoretic, and
anxious. Which action should the nurse anticipate as the priority intervention?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG promptly
B. Encourage the patient to walk to the examination room
C. Provide a high-carbohydrate meal
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
5. A patient diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction suddenly develops severe
shortness of breath, crackles, and decreased oxygen saturation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Gastrointestinal bleeding
Answer: A
6. A patient receiving nitroglycerin for angina reports dizziness after standing.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Stand up quickly to improve circulation."
B. "Sit or lie down immediately when dizziness occurs."
C. "Increase your physical activity when symptoms occur."
D. "Take another dose of nitroglycerin immediately."
Answer: B
7. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks why the condition must be
treated even though no symptoms are present. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. "Hypertension always causes severe pain before complications occur."
B. "Untreated hypertension can damage organs even when you feel well."
, C. "You only need treatment when your blood pressure causes headaches."
D. "Hypertension usually disappears without treatment."
Answer: B
8. A patient with peripheral arterial disease reports severe leg pain when walking
that improves with rest. Which additional assessment finding would the nurse
expect?
A. Warm, edematous legs with brown discoloration
B. Diminished pulses and cool extremities
C. Large amounts of lower-extremity edema
D. Pain relieved by elevating the legs
Answer: B
9. A patient with chronic venous insufficiency has lower-extremity edema and a
venous ulcer. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage prolonged sitting with legs dependent
B. Elevate the legs when resting
C. Apply ice directly to the ulcer
D. Restrict all movement
Answer: B
10. A postoperative patient suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia,
and anxiety. The nurse suspects a pulmonary embolism. Which action is the
priority?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing only
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider immediately
C. Massage the patient's lower extremities
D. Assist the patient to ambulate
Answer: B
