NUR 231 EXAM 3 – ADULT NURSING II (2026) ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY | GUARANTEE PASS
NUR 231 Exam 3 – Adult Nursing II
2026/2027 Original Practice Exam & Answer Guide
Illinois State University
Mennonite College of Nursing
Course: NUR 231 – Adult Nursing II
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Table of Contents
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–80
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 81–140
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 141–180
5. Review Questions — Questions 181–200
Section I — Introduction
Questions 1–20
1. What is the primary nursing priority when caring for an adult with an acute change in
condition?
Answer: Assess airway, breathing, circulation, and immediate threats to life.
Rationale: ABC assessment identifies physiologic instability that requires immediate
intervention. Nurses should address life-threatening problems before less urgent concerns.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests impaired oxygenation?
A. Warm skin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
,Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the usual target for most acutely ill adults and
may indicate hypoxemia. The nurse should assess the patient and intervene according to the
clinical situation.
3. What is the purpose of prioritization in adult nursing?
Answer: To address the patient's most immediate threats and highest-priority needs first.
Rationale: Prioritization organizes nursing actions according to urgency, physiologic stability,
safety, and potential for deterioration.
4. A patient suddenly becomes confused. What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Assess the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, oxygenation, and glucose as
clinically indicated.
Rationale: Acute confusion can result from hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, infection, medication
effects, or other serious conditions. Physiologic causes should be evaluated promptly.
5. Which nursing action best demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A. Using only personal experience
B. Following an outdated procedure
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Choosing interventions based solely on convenience
Answer: C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence with professional
judgment and individual patient circumstances.
6. What is the purpose of a nursing assessment?
Answer: To collect and analyze information needed to identify patient problems and guide care.
Rationale: Assessment provides the foundation for nursing diagnoses, planning, implementation,
and evaluation.
7. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Mild chronic back pain
B. New-onset stridor
C. Difficulty sleeping
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B. New-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor may indicate upper-airway obstruction and therefore represents a potential
airway emergency.
8. Why should nurses reassess patients after an intervention?
, Answer: To determine whether the intervention produced the intended response.
Rationale: Evaluation determines effectiveness and identifies whether care needs to be
continued, modified, or escalated.
9. Which statement best describes a nursing intervention?
Answer: A planned nursing action intended to prevent complications, promote health, or address
an identified patient need.
Rationale: Interventions are purposeful actions based on assessment findings and the plan of
care.
10. A patient's condition changes unexpectedly. Which documentation is most appropriate?
Answer: Document objective findings, assessment, interventions, patient response, and
notifications according to policy.
Rationale: Accurate documentation communicates clinical status and establishes a record of
care.
11. Which vital-sign change is most concerning?
A. Heart rate from 72 to 76/min
B. Respiratory rate from 16 to 18/min
C. Respiratory rate from 18 to 32/min
D. Temperature from 36.8°C to 37.0°C
Answer: C. Respiratory rate from 18 to 32/min
Rationale: A substantial increase in respiratory rate may indicate respiratory distress, metabolic
compensation, infection, pain, or another acute problem.
12. What is the primary purpose of patient education?
Answer: To help patients acquire knowledge and skills needed to participate safely in their care.
Rationale: Effective education promotes informed decisions, self-management, adherence, and
prevention of complications.
13. Which teaching strategy is most effective for confirming understanding?
Answer: Teach-back.
Rationale: Asking the patient to explain or demonstrate the information reveals whether
teaching was understood rather than simply delivered.
14. What does informed consent require?
Answer: Adequate information, voluntary decision-making, and patient capacity to make the
decision.
Rationale: Consent is meaningful only when the patient understands relevant information and
makes the decision voluntarily.
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY | GUARANTEE PASS
NUR 231 Exam 3 – Adult Nursing II
2026/2027 Original Practice Exam & Answer Guide
Illinois State University
Mennonite College of Nursing
Course: NUR 231 – Adult Nursing II
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Table of Contents
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–80
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 81–140
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 141–180
5. Review Questions — Questions 181–200
Section I — Introduction
Questions 1–20
1. What is the primary nursing priority when caring for an adult with an acute change in
condition?
Answer: Assess airway, breathing, circulation, and immediate threats to life.
Rationale: ABC assessment identifies physiologic instability that requires immediate
intervention. Nurses should address life-threatening problems before less urgent concerns.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests impaired oxygenation?
A. Warm skin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
,Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the usual target for most acutely ill adults and
may indicate hypoxemia. The nurse should assess the patient and intervene according to the
clinical situation.
3. What is the purpose of prioritization in adult nursing?
Answer: To address the patient's most immediate threats and highest-priority needs first.
Rationale: Prioritization organizes nursing actions according to urgency, physiologic stability,
safety, and potential for deterioration.
4. A patient suddenly becomes confused. What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Assess the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, oxygenation, and glucose as
clinically indicated.
Rationale: Acute confusion can result from hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, infection, medication
effects, or other serious conditions. Physiologic causes should be evaluated promptly.
5. Which nursing action best demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A. Using only personal experience
B. Following an outdated procedure
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Choosing interventions based solely on convenience
Answer: C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence with professional
judgment and individual patient circumstances.
6. What is the purpose of a nursing assessment?
Answer: To collect and analyze information needed to identify patient problems and guide care.
Rationale: Assessment provides the foundation for nursing diagnoses, planning, implementation,
and evaluation.
7. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Mild chronic back pain
B. New-onset stridor
C. Difficulty sleeping
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B. New-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor may indicate upper-airway obstruction and therefore represents a potential
airway emergency.
8. Why should nurses reassess patients after an intervention?
, Answer: To determine whether the intervention produced the intended response.
Rationale: Evaluation determines effectiveness and identifies whether care needs to be
continued, modified, or escalated.
9. Which statement best describes a nursing intervention?
Answer: A planned nursing action intended to prevent complications, promote health, or address
an identified patient need.
Rationale: Interventions are purposeful actions based on assessment findings and the plan of
care.
10. A patient's condition changes unexpectedly. Which documentation is most appropriate?
Answer: Document objective findings, assessment, interventions, patient response, and
notifications according to policy.
Rationale: Accurate documentation communicates clinical status and establishes a record of
care.
11. Which vital-sign change is most concerning?
A. Heart rate from 72 to 76/min
B. Respiratory rate from 16 to 18/min
C. Respiratory rate from 18 to 32/min
D. Temperature from 36.8°C to 37.0°C
Answer: C. Respiratory rate from 18 to 32/min
Rationale: A substantial increase in respiratory rate may indicate respiratory distress, metabolic
compensation, infection, pain, or another acute problem.
12. What is the primary purpose of patient education?
Answer: To help patients acquire knowledge and skills needed to participate safely in their care.
Rationale: Effective education promotes informed decisions, self-management, adherence, and
prevention of complications.
13. Which teaching strategy is most effective for confirming understanding?
Answer: Teach-back.
Rationale: Asking the patient to explain or demonstrate the information reveals whether
teaching was understood rather than simply delivered.
14. What does informed consent require?
Answer: Adequate information, voluntary decision-making, and patient capacity to make the
decision.
Rationale: Consent is meaningful only when the patient understands relevant information and
makes the decision voluntarily.
