NSG 4100 Exam 4 | Practice Questions And Answers
2026/2027 | Complete Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam Guide
2026&2027
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest
discomfort. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Ask about the client's family history
D. Schedule a routine follow-up appointment
The ABC assessment identifies immediate threats to life and guides rapid intervention when a
client presents with acute respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms.
2. A client receiving an intravenous medication develops flushing, wheezing, and
hypotension. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Document the reaction
C. Stop the medication infusion
D. Reassure the client that the symptoms are temporary
Stopping the suspected medication exposure prevents further administration while
emergency assessment and treatment are initiated.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a hospitalized client. Which action best
demonstrates safe medication practice?
A. Compare the medication with the prescription and verify the client's identity
B. Ask another client whether the medication looks familiar
C. Prepare medications for several clients simultaneously
D. Document administration before giving the medication
Medication safety requires verification of the prescription, medication, and correct client
before administration.
4. A client with diabetes is pale, diaphoretic, and confused. The nurse suspects
hypoglycemia. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
,C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Check the client's blood glucose level
A blood glucose assessment rapidly confirms suspected hypoglycemia and supports
appropriate treatment.
5. A postoperative client reports increasing pain despite prescribed analgesia. Which
assessment is most important before administering an additional dose?
A. Favorite foods
B. Pain characteristics and current level
C. Preferred sleeping position
D. Family visitation schedule
Assessing pain characteristics and severity helps determine whether additional analgesia is
appropriate and whether a new complication may be developing.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at increased risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep frequently used items within reach
B. Encourage the client to walk independently
C. Keep the bed elevated for convenience
D. Limit all activity for the duration of hospitalization
Keeping needed items accessible reduces unnecessary reaching and unassisted movement
while promoting safe mobility.
7. A client refuses a prescribed treatment after receiving an explanation of its purpose and
risks. Which ethical principle primarily supports the client's decision?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Autonomy recognizes a competent client's right to make informed decisions about personal
healthcare.
8. A nurse notices that a client's medication dose appears substantially higher than usual.
What is the best action?
A. Administer it because it was prescribed
B. Ask the client whether the dose is correct
,C. Omit the dose without documentation
D. Clarify the prescription before administration
Questioning an unusually high dose before administration is a key medication-safety practice.
9. A client develops redness and swelling around a peripheral IV site. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Atelectasis
D. Constipation
Redness, warmth, tenderness, and swelling along a vein are characteristic findings associated
with phlebitis.
10. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer after surgery. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Use it only when experiencing severe pain
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Exhale forcefully into the device
D. Use it only immediately before sleeping
Slow, deep inhalation with an incentive spirometer promotes alveolar expansion and helps
reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.
11. A client with chronic respiratory disease becomes increasingly restless and confused.
Which finding should concern the nurse most?
A. Mild thirst
B. Decreased appetite
C. New alteration in mental status
D. Request for an additional pillow
A new mental-status change can indicate worsening oxygenation or carbon dioxide retention
and requires prompt assessment.
12. A nurse is teaching infection prevention to a client. Which statement demonstrates
correct understanding?
A. "I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty."
B. "Hand hygiene is unnecessary after removing gloves."
C. "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer replaces all handwashing."
D. "I should perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact."
, Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is a fundamental measure for preventing
transmission of microorganisms.
13. A nurse receives a verbal prescription that is difficult to understand. What should the
nurse do?
A. Clarify the prescription with the prescriber
B. Select the most likely interpretation
C. Ask another nurse to guess the intended medication
D. Administer the medication at half the prescribed dose
Ambiguous prescriptions must be clarified rather than interpreted independently to prevent
medication errors.
14. A client receiving opioid analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of
7/min. Which action is the priority?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Encourage the client to sleep
C. Assess airway and breathing and initiate appropriate emergency intervention
D. Document the finding and reassess in one hour
Severe respiratory depression is an emergency requiring immediate airway and breathing
assessment and intervention.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected fluid volume deficit. Which finding supports
this concern?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Moist mucous membranes
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension commonly occurs when circulating volume is insufficient to maintain
blood pressure during position changes.
16. A client asks why two identifiers are required before medication administration. What
is the best response?
A. "It is mainly required for documentation."
B. "It helps prevent treatment from being given to the wrong client."
C. "It allows medications to be administered faster."
D. "It is only necessary for controlled substances."
Answer: B
2026/2027 | Complete Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam Guide
2026&2027
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest
discomfort. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Ask about the client's family history
D. Schedule a routine follow-up appointment
The ABC assessment identifies immediate threats to life and guides rapid intervention when a
client presents with acute respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms.
2. A client receiving an intravenous medication develops flushing, wheezing, and
hypotension. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Document the reaction
C. Stop the medication infusion
D. Reassure the client that the symptoms are temporary
Stopping the suspected medication exposure prevents further administration while
emergency assessment and treatment are initiated.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a hospitalized client. Which action best
demonstrates safe medication practice?
A. Compare the medication with the prescription and verify the client's identity
B. Ask another client whether the medication looks familiar
C. Prepare medications for several clients simultaneously
D. Document administration before giving the medication
Medication safety requires verification of the prescription, medication, and correct client
before administration.
4. A client with diabetes is pale, diaphoretic, and confused. The nurse suspects
hypoglycemia. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
,C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Check the client's blood glucose level
A blood glucose assessment rapidly confirms suspected hypoglycemia and supports
appropriate treatment.
5. A postoperative client reports increasing pain despite prescribed analgesia. Which
assessment is most important before administering an additional dose?
A. Favorite foods
B. Pain characteristics and current level
C. Preferred sleeping position
D. Family visitation schedule
Assessing pain characteristics and severity helps determine whether additional analgesia is
appropriate and whether a new complication may be developing.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at increased risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep frequently used items within reach
B. Encourage the client to walk independently
C. Keep the bed elevated for convenience
D. Limit all activity for the duration of hospitalization
Keeping needed items accessible reduces unnecessary reaching and unassisted movement
while promoting safe mobility.
7. A client refuses a prescribed treatment after receiving an explanation of its purpose and
risks. Which ethical principle primarily supports the client's decision?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Autonomy recognizes a competent client's right to make informed decisions about personal
healthcare.
8. A nurse notices that a client's medication dose appears substantially higher than usual.
What is the best action?
A. Administer it because it was prescribed
B. Ask the client whether the dose is correct
,C. Omit the dose without documentation
D. Clarify the prescription before administration
Questioning an unusually high dose before administration is a key medication-safety practice.
9. A client develops redness and swelling around a peripheral IV site. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Atelectasis
D. Constipation
Redness, warmth, tenderness, and swelling along a vein are characteristic findings associated
with phlebitis.
10. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer after surgery. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Use it only when experiencing severe pain
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Exhale forcefully into the device
D. Use it only immediately before sleeping
Slow, deep inhalation with an incentive spirometer promotes alveolar expansion and helps
reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.
11. A client with chronic respiratory disease becomes increasingly restless and confused.
Which finding should concern the nurse most?
A. Mild thirst
B. Decreased appetite
C. New alteration in mental status
D. Request for an additional pillow
A new mental-status change can indicate worsening oxygenation or carbon dioxide retention
and requires prompt assessment.
12. A nurse is teaching infection prevention to a client. Which statement demonstrates
correct understanding?
A. "I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty."
B. "Hand hygiene is unnecessary after removing gloves."
C. "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer replaces all handwashing."
D. "I should perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact."
, Hand hygiene before and after patient contact is a fundamental measure for preventing
transmission of microorganisms.
13. A nurse receives a verbal prescription that is difficult to understand. What should the
nurse do?
A. Clarify the prescription with the prescriber
B. Select the most likely interpretation
C. Ask another nurse to guess the intended medication
D. Administer the medication at half the prescribed dose
Ambiguous prescriptions must be clarified rather than interpreted independently to prevent
medication errors.
14. A client receiving opioid analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of
7/min. Which action is the priority?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Encourage the client to sleep
C. Assess airway and breathing and initiate appropriate emergency intervention
D. Document the finding and reassess in one hour
Severe respiratory depression is an emergency requiring immediate airway and breathing
assessment and intervention.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected fluid volume deficit. Which finding supports
this concern?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Moist mucous membranes
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension commonly occurs when circulating volume is insufficient to maintain
blood pressure during position changes.
16. A client asks why two identifiers are required before medication administration. What
is the best response?
A. "It is mainly required for documentation."
B. "It helps prevent treatment from being given to the wrong client."
C. "It allows medications to be administered faster."
D. "It is only necessary for controlled substances."
Answer: B