Fitzgerald Exit Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions
And Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A client with newly diagnosed heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which additional finding should the nurse recognize as most concerning for
worsening fluid overload?
A. Dry oral mucous membranes
B. Weight gain of 2.5 kg over 3 days
C. Heart rate of 68 beats/min
D. Urine specific gravity of 1.010
Answer: B
A rapid increase in weight reflects fluid retention and is an important early indicator of
worsening heart failure.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride to a client with hypokalemia.
Which action is essential?
A. Administer the medication by IV push
B. Dilute the medication and administer it using an infusion pump
C. Mix potassium chloride with insulin only
D. Administer the medication undiluted through a peripheral IV
Answer: B
IV potassium must be diluted and administered at a controlled rate because rapid
administration can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90% with prescribed oxygen
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min
C. New onset of increasing confusion and somnolence
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: C
New confusion and somnolence can indicate worsening carbon dioxide retention and
respiratory compromise in a client with COPD.
4. A client receiving warfarin asks why regular laboratory testing is necessary. Which
response is most appropriate?
A. "The test determines whether your kidneys are functioning."
,B. "The test measures the therapeutic effect of the medication and helps reduce bleeding risk."
C. "The test determines whether you are developing an infection."
D. "The test measures your serum potassium level."
Answer: B
Warfarin therapy is monitored primarily with the INR, which helps determine whether
anticoagulation is within the prescribed therapeutic range.
5. A postoperative client suddenly develops dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and
anxiety. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B
The sudden onset of dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and anxiety is highly
concerning for pulmonary embolism and requires urgent evaluation.
6. A client with diabetes mellitus is awake, diaphoretic, shaky, and has a blood glucose level
of 54 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer the client's scheduled long-acting insulin
C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Recheck the glucose in 2 hours
Answer: A
A conscious client with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of
rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, followed by reassessment.
7. A nurse is assessing a client after a stroke. Which finding is most important to report
immediately?
A. Mild weakness of the affected arm
B. Difficulty identifying familiar objects
C. Sudden decline in level of consciousness
D. Mild expressive aphasia
Answer: C
A sudden decline in consciousness may indicate increased intracranial pressure, cerebral
edema, hemorrhage, or another acute neurologic complication.
,8. A client taking lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and tongue. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Document the finding as an expected adverse effect
C. Hold the medication and obtain immediate medical assistance
D. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Answer: C
Facial, lip, or tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a potentially life-threatening adverse
reaction to an ACE inhibitor.
9. A client with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted to the emergency department.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Place the client on appropriate transmission-based precautions
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Restrict all oral fluids
D. Delay assessment until laboratory results are available
Answer: A
Suspected bacterial meningitis requires prompt implementation of appropriate infection-
control precautions while diagnostic and therapeutic measures proceed.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine after surgery. Which finding requires
the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Pain rating of 5/10
C. Mild nausea
D. Blood pressure of 128/74 mmHg
Answer: A
Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect. A respiratory rate of 8/min requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
11. A client with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.3 mEq/L. Which
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Severe hyporeflexia caused by hypocalcemia
C. Increased bowel sounds caused by hypokalemia
D. Narrowed QRS complexes caused by dehydration
Answer: A
, Hyperkalemia can produce characteristic ECG changes, including peaked T waves, and may
progress to life-threatening dysrhythmias.
12. A nurse is teaching a client newly prescribed insulin glargine. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I can mix it with regular insulin in the same syringe."
B. "I should use it as prescribed for basal glucose control."
C. "I should take it only when my blood glucose is high."
D. "I should expect it to peak rapidly after injection."
Answer: B
Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin and is not intended for mixing with other insulins
or for treatment of acute hyperglycemia.
13. A client with a central venous catheter develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea during
catheter manipulation. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Air embolism
B. Constipation
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: A
Sudden respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms associated with central-line manipulation
may indicate an air embolism and require emergency intervention.
14. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 32/min, oxygen saturation of 86%,
and increasing confusion. Which action has priority?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Initiate appropriate oxygen therapy and escalate respiratory support as indicated
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Teach incentive spirometry
Answer: B
Severe hypoxemia and altered mental status indicate impaired oxygenation requiring
immediate respiratory support.
15. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops fever, chills, and flank pain 15 minutes
after initiation. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Administer acetaminophen and continue
D. Increase the transfusion rate
And Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A client with newly diagnosed heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which additional finding should the nurse recognize as most concerning for
worsening fluid overload?
A. Dry oral mucous membranes
B. Weight gain of 2.5 kg over 3 days
C. Heart rate of 68 beats/min
D. Urine specific gravity of 1.010
Answer: B
A rapid increase in weight reflects fluid retention and is an important early indicator of
worsening heart failure.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride to a client with hypokalemia.
Which action is essential?
A. Administer the medication by IV push
B. Dilute the medication and administer it using an infusion pump
C. Mix potassium chloride with insulin only
D. Administer the medication undiluted through a peripheral IV
Answer: B
IV potassium must be diluted and administered at a controlled rate because rapid
administration can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90% with prescribed oxygen
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min
C. New onset of increasing confusion and somnolence
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: C
New confusion and somnolence can indicate worsening carbon dioxide retention and
respiratory compromise in a client with COPD.
4. A client receiving warfarin asks why regular laboratory testing is necessary. Which
response is most appropriate?
A. "The test determines whether your kidneys are functioning."
,B. "The test measures the therapeutic effect of the medication and helps reduce bleeding risk."
C. "The test determines whether you are developing an infection."
D. "The test measures your serum potassium level."
Answer: B
Warfarin therapy is monitored primarily with the INR, which helps determine whether
anticoagulation is within the prescribed therapeutic range.
5. A postoperative client suddenly develops dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and
anxiety. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B
The sudden onset of dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and anxiety is highly
concerning for pulmonary embolism and requires urgent evaluation.
6. A client with diabetes mellitus is awake, diaphoretic, shaky, and has a blood glucose level
of 54 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer the client's scheduled long-acting insulin
C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Recheck the glucose in 2 hours
Answer: A
A conscious client with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of
rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, followed by reassessment.
7. A nurse is assessing a client after a stroke. Which finding is most important to report
immediately?
A. Mild weakness of the affected arm
B. Difficulty identifying familiar objects
C. Sudden decline in level of consciousness
D. Mild expressive aphasia
Answer: C
A sudden decline in consciousness may indicate increased intracranial pressure, cerebral
edema, hemorrhage, or another acute neurologic complication.
,8. A client taking lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and tongue. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Document the finding as an expected adverse effect
C. Hold the medication and obtain immediate medical assistance
D. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Answer: C
Facial, lip, or tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a potentially life-threatening adverse
reaction to an ACE inhibitor.
9. A client with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted to the emergency department.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Place the client on appropriate transmission-based precautions
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Restrict all oral fluids
D. Delay assessment until laboratory results are available
Answer: A
Suspected bacterial meningitis requires prompt implementation of appropriate infection-
control precautions while diagnostic and therapeutic measures proceed.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine after surgery. Which finding requires
the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Pain rating of 5/10
C. Mild nausea
D. Blood pressure of 128/74 mmHg
Answer: A
Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect. A respiratory rate of 8/min requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
11. A client with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.3 mEq/L. Which
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Severe hyporeflexia caused by hypocalcemia
C. Increased bowel sounds caused by hypokalemia
D. Narrowed QRS complexes caused by dehydration
Answer: A
, Hyperkalemia can produce characteristic ECG changes, including peaked T waves, and may
progress to life-threatening dysrhythmias.
12. A nurse is teaching a client newly prescribed insulin glargine. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I can mix it with regular insulin in the same syringe."
B. "I should use it as prescribed for basal glucose control."
C. "I should take it only when my blood glucose is high."
D. "I should expect it to peak rapidly after injection."
Answer: B
Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin and is not intended for mixing with other insulins
or for treatment of acute hyperglycemia.
13. A client with a central venous catheter develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea during
catheter manipulation. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Air embolism
B. Constipation
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: A
Sudden respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms associated with central-line manipulation
may indicate an air embolism and require emergency intervention.
14. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 32/min, oxygen saturation of 86%,
and increasing confusion. Which action has priority?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Initiate appropriate oxygen therapy and escalate respiratory support as indicated
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Teach incentive spirometry
Answer: B
Severe hypoxemia and altered mental status indicate impaired oxygenation requiring
immediate respiratory support.
15. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops fever, chills, and flank pain 15 minutes
after initiation. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Administer acetaminophen and continue
D. Increase the transfusion rate
