NURS 498 MIDTERM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NURS 498
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
Elevating extremity
Applying ice - correct answer ✔✔2 things to avoid when caring for compartment syndrome
Active viruses (active herpes, active/latent TB). Live-virus vaccines. If patient is prone to infections. -
correct answer ✔✔What is contraindicated with use of Biologics?
1-2 hours after a meal - correct answer ✔✔The physician orders chest physiotherapy on your patient
with cystic fibrosis. This is best performed:
A. immediately after a meal
B. right before a meal
C. 1-2 hours after a meal
D. only at bedtime
Huff cough - correct answer ✔✔You're assisting a patient with performing chest physiotherapy. It is very
important you have the patient ___________ during the therapy sessions.
A. bear down
B. use the incentive spirometer
C. huff cough
D. use a peak flow meter
Flutter valve - correct answer ✔✔The physician gives an order for a patient with cystic fibrosis to use a
positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device to help with airway clearance. As the nurse you will order
which device from supply:
A. Incentive spirometer
B. Bipap
C. Peak flow meter
D. Flutter valve
B. "Complications from this condition can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure" -
correct answer ✔✔A patient is newly diagnosed with COPD due to chronic bronchitis. Which statement
by the patient indicates they understood your teaching about this condition?
A. "If I stop smoking, it will cure my condition."
B. "Complications from this condition can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure."
C. "I'm at risk for low levels of red blood cells due to hypoxia and may require blood transfusions during
acute illnesses."
D. "My respiratory system is stimulated to breathe due to high carbon dioxide levels rather than low
oxygen levels
Continue monitoring the patient. - correct answer ✔✔An alarm beeps notifying you that one of your
patient's oxygen saturation is reading 89%. You arrive to the patient's room, and see the patient
comfortably resting in bed. The patient is already on 2 L of oxygen via nasal cannula. The patient is
admitted for COPD exacerbation. Your next nursing action would be:
, A. Continue to monitor the patient
B. Increase the patient's oxygen level to 3 L
C. Notify the doctor for further orders
D. Turn off the alarm settings
The patient should use Spiriva first and then 5 minutes later the Pulmicort.
Using the inhalers in this order will allow the corticosteroid to work properly after the lung fields are
opened due to bronchodilation. - correct answer ✔✔A patient is ordered by the physician to take
Pulmicort and Spiriva via inhaler. How should the patient take this medication?
A. The patient should use the medications every 2 hours for acute episodes of shortness of breath.
B. The patient should use the Spiriva first and then 5 minutes later the Pulmicort.
C. The patient should use the Pulmicort first and then the Spiriva 5 minutes later.
D. The patient should use the medications at the same exact time, regardless of the order.
To prevent or reduce muscle spasm
Immobilize joint.
Decrease a fracture or dislocation
Treat a pathological joint condition - correct answer ✔✔What is the purpose of traction for MSK?
Ensure the weights hang freely
Do not interrupt weights
Ensure the weight range is between 2-20 kg
Assess pin or wire insertion site
Assess for bedsores or pneumonia as the patient is on bedrest. - correct answer ✔✔What are some
things a nurse should ensure when caring for a patient with skeletal traction?
- Harder to treat due to less blood supply to bones
- Lengthy treatment with antibiotics
- Months of IV and PO antibiotics
- Costly to healthcare system and patient due to unemployment.
- Osteomyelitis can become chronic - correct answer ✔✔Why is bone infection more devastating than
any other infection?
1.) Pain (present on passive movement and out of proportion to injury)
2.) Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, decreased sensation)
3.) Pallor (or cyanosis)
4.) Pressure (firm feeling muscle compartment, elevated pressure reading)
5.) Paralysis (late, ominous sign)
6.) Pulselessness (very late, ominous sign) - correct answer ✔✔What are the 6 P's of compartment
syndrome?
Contact physician
Cut cast or bandages
Decrease traction weight if applicable - correct answer ✔✔What should a nurse do if they suspect
compartment syndrome?
- Fluid resuscitation
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
Elevating extremity
Applying ice - correct answer ✔✔2 things to avoid when caring for compartment syndrome
Active viruses (active herpes, active/latent TB). Live-virus vaccines. If patient is prone to infections. -
correct answer ✔✔What is contraindicated with use of Biologics?
1-2 hours after a meal - correct answer ✔✔The physician orders chest physiotherapy on your patient
with cystic fibrosis. This is best performed:
A. immediately after a meal
B. right before a meal
C. 1-2 hours after a meal
D. only at bedtime
Huff cough - correct answer ✔✔You're assisting a patient with performing chest physiotherapy. It is very
important you have the patient ___________ during the therapy sessions.
A. bear down
B. use the incentive spirometer
C. huff cough
D. use a peak flow meter
Flutter valve - correct answer ✔✔The physician gives an order for a patient with cystic fibrosis to use a
positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device to help with airway clearance. As the nurse you will order
which device from supply:
A. Incentive spirometer
B. Bipap
C. Peak flow meter
D. Flutter valve
B. "Complications from this condition can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure" -
correct answer ✔✔A patient is newly diagnosed with COPD due to chronic bronchitis. Which statement
by the patient indicates they understood your teaching about this condition?
A. "If I stop smoking, it will cure my condition."
B. "Complications from this condition can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure."
C. "I'm at risk for low levels of red blood cells due to hypoxia and may require blood transfusions during
acute illnesses."
D. "My respiratory system is stimulated to breathe due to high carbon dioxide levels rather than low
oxygen levels
Continue monitoring the patient. - correct answer ✔✔An alarm beeps notifying you that one of your
patient's oxygen saturation is reading 89%. You arrive to the patient's room, and see the patient
comfortably resting in bed. The patient is already on 2 L of oxygen via nasal cannula. The patient is
admitted for COPD exacerbation. Your next nursing action would be:
, A. Continue to monitor the patient
B. Increase the patient's oxygen level to 3 L
C. Notify the doctor for further orders
D. Turn off the alarm settings
The patient should use Spiriva first and then 5 minutes later the Pulmicort.
Using the inhalers in this order will allow the corticosteroid to work properly after the lung fields are
opened due to bronchodilation. - correct answer ✔✔A patient is ordered by the physician to take
Pulmicort and Spiriva via inhaler. How should the patient take this medication?
A. The patient should use the medications every 2 hours for acute episodes of shortness of breath.
B. The patient should use the Spiriva first and then 5 minutes later the Pulmicort.
C. The patient should use the Pulmicort first and then the Spiriva 5 minutes later.
D. The patient should use the medications at the same exact time, regardless of the order.
To prevent or reduce muscle spasm
Immobilize joint.
Decrease a fracture or dislocation
Treat a pathological joint condition - correct answer ✔✔What is the purpose of traction for MSK?
Ensure the weights hang freely
Do not interrupt weights
Ensure the weight range is between 2-20 kg
Assess pin or wire insertion site
Assess for bedsores or pneumonia as the patient is on bedrest. - correct answer ✔✔What are some
things a nurse should ensure when caring for a patient with skeletal traction?
- Harder to treat due to less blood supply to bones
- Lengthy treatment with antibiotics
- Months of IV and PO antibiotics
- Costly to healthcare system and patient due to unemployment.
- Osteomyelitis can become chronic - correct answer ✔✔Why is bone infection more devastating than
any other infection?
1.) Pain (present on passive movement and out of proportion to injury)
2.) Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, decreased sensation)
3.) Pallor (or cyanosis)
4.) Pressure (firm feeling muscle compartment, elevated pressure reading)
5.) Paralysis (late, ominous sign)
6.) Pulselessness (very late, ominous sign) - correct answer ✔✔What are the 6 P's of compartment
syndrome?
Contact physician
Cut cast or bandages
Decrease traction weight if applicable - correct answer ✔✔What should a nurse do if they suspect
compartment syndrome?
- Fluid resuscitation
