ADULT HEALTH NURSING
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 EDITION
WITH INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
1.
A nurse is caring for an adult client with pneumonia who has an
oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Obtain a sputum culture
C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
D. Assist the client with ambulation
Rationale: Hypoxemia is an immediate priority because
inadequate oxygenation can rapidly compromise vital organs.
Supplemental oxygen should be provided as prescribed while
additional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are initiated.
2.
A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which assessment finding
is most concerning?
,A. Mild ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg over several days
C. Fatigue with activity
D. Crackles throughout both lung fields
Rationale: Diffuse crackles may indicate pulmonary congestion
caused by worsening left-sided heart failure. This finding suggests
impaired gas exchange and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
3.
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Maintain oxygen at the highest possible concentration
B. Encourage prolonged bed rest
C. Administer oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate and
monitor respiratory status
D. Discontinue oxygen if the client becomes drowsy
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated
oxygen therapy. The nurse should administer oxygen as
prescribed and monitor oxygenation, respiratory rate, mental
status, and other clinical indicators.
4.
A client with diabetes mellitus becomes pale, diaphoretic, and
confused. The blood glucose level is 52 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L), and
,the client is awake and able to swallow. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Encourage the client to exercise
C. Give approximately 15 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia.
A conscious client who can swallow should receive a rapid source
of glucose, followed by reassessment of blood glucose and
additional treatment if necessary.
5.
A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle
modification. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should eliminate all physical activity.”
B. “I should increase my sodium intake when I feel weak.”
C. “I should follow a heart-healthy diet and limit sodium.”
D. “I only need to monitor my blood pressure when I have
symptoms.”
Rationale: Sodium reduction, a heart-healthy diet, appropriate
physical activity, weight management, and adherence to
prescribed medications can help control hypertension.
Hypertension may be asymptomatic, so regular monitoring is
important.
6.
, A client with a suspected myocardial infarction reports severe
chest pressure. Which nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Offer a large meal
B. Encourage the client to walk
C. Assess the client promptly and initiate the prescribed acute
cardiac care
D. Delay treatment until laboratory results are available
Rationale: Suspected myocardial infarction is a time-sensitive
emergency. Rapid assessment and initiation of prescribed
interventions are essential to limit myocardial damage and
identify complications.
7.
A client receiving furosemide for heart failure is at greatest risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
excretion of sodium and water and can also cause potassium
loss. The nurse should monitor serum potassium and assess for
manifestations of hypokalemia.
8.
A client with chronic kidney disease is being assessed by the
nurse. Which finding is most consistent with fluid retention?
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 EDITION
WITH INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
1.
A nurse is caring for an adult client with pneumonia who has an
oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Obtain a sputum culture
C. Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
D. Assist the client with ambulation
Rationale: Hypoxemia is an immediate priority because
inadequate oxygenation can rapidly compromise vital organs.
Supplemental oxygen should be provided as prescribed while
additional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are initiated.
2.
A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which assessment finding
is most concerning?
,A. Mild ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg over several days
C. Fatigue with activity
D. Crackles throughout both lung fields
Rationale: Diffuse crackles may indicate pulmonary congestion
caused by worsening left-sided heart failure. This finding suggests
impaired gas exchange and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
3.
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Maintain oxygen at the highest possible concentration
B. Encourage prolonged bed rest
C. Administer oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate and
monitor respiratory status
D. Discontinue oxygen if the client becomes drowsy
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated
oxygen therapy. The nurse should administer oxygen as
prescribed and monitor oxygenation, respiratory rate, mental
status, and other clinical indicators.
4.
A client with diabetes mellitus becomes pale, diaphoretic, and
confused. The blood glucose level is 52 mg/dL (2.9 mmol/L), and
,the client is awake and able to swallow. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Encourage the client to exercise
C. Give approximately 15 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia.
A conscious client who can swallow should receive a rapid source
of glucose, followed by reassessment of blood glucose and
additional treatment if necessary.
5.
A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle
modification. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should eliminate all physical activity.”
B. “I should increase my sodium intake when I feel weak.”
C. “I should follow a heart-healthy diet and limit sodium.”
D. “I only need to monitor my blood pressure when I have
symptoms.”
Rationale: Sodium reduction, a heart-healthy diet, appropriate
physical activity, weight management, and adherence to
prescribed medications can help control hypertension.
Hypertension may be asymptomatic, so regular monitoring is
important.
6.
, A client with a suspected myocardial infarction reports severe
chest pressure. Which nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Offer a large meal
B. Encourage the client to walk
C. Assess the client promptly and initiate the prescribed acute
cardiac care
D. Delay treatment until laboratory results are available
Rationale: Suspected myocardial infarction is a time-sensitive
emergency. Rapid assessment and initiation of prescribed
interventions are essential to limit myocardial damage and
identify complications.
7.
A client receiving furosemide for heart failure is at greatest risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
excretion of sodium and water and can also cause potassium
loss. The nurse should monitor serum potassium and assess for
manifestations of hypokalemia.
8.
A client with chronic kidney disease is being assessed by the
nurse. Which finding is most consistent with fluid retention?
