NRSG 3320 EXAM 1 NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM | NRSG 3320
NURSING CARE OF ADULTS 1 EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH
COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS / ALREADY GRADED A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Respiratory Disorders
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances
• Perioperative Nursing Care
• Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Disorders
• Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
• Neurological and Sensory Disorders
• Renal and Urinary Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Disorders
• Infection Control, Safety, and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the clinical judgment and
medical-surgical nursing knowledge required of baccalaureate nursing students.
The assessment covers the essential concepts of cardiovascular, respiratory, fluid
and electrolyte, perioperative, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and renal disorders,
along with infection control and professional standards. The multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application and decision-making,
requiring candidates to demonstrate competency in prioritization, patient safety,
and the application of nursing knowledge to ensure readiness for professional
practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
1. A client with chronic heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea,
bilateral crackles, and pink frothy sputum. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Place the client upright.
B. Encourage oral fluids.
C. Obtain a daily weight.
D. Place the client supine.
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of acute pulmonary edema. Placing
the client upright (high-Fowler's position) reduces venous return (preload) and
uses gravity to help move fluid out of the lungs, easing dyspnea. Supine
positioning would worsen pulmonary congestion. Encouraging oral fluids and
obtaining a daily weight are not immediate priorities.
2. A client taking furosemide for heart failure has a potassium level of 2.8
mEq/L. Which finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Fatigue
C. Irregular pulse
D. Increased urination
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia,
which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias. An irregular pulse is a sign of cardiac
instability and requires immediate intervention. Muscle cramps and fatigue are
also symptoms of hypokalemia but are less immediately life-threatening than an
irregular pulse. Increased urination is an expected effect of furosemide.
,3. A client with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg over 3 days. Which finding best
explains the weight gain?
A. Increased muscle mass
B. Fluid retention
C. Increased bone density
D. Reduced metabolic rate
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: A weight gain of 2.5 kg (about 5.5 pounds) over 3 days is a clear
indicator of fluid retention, which is a hallmark of worsening heart failure. This
amount of weight gain cannot be attributed to muscle mass, bone density, or
metabolic rate changes.
4. A client with hypertension has a blood pressure of 186/118 mm Hg and
reports new blurred vision and severe headache. Which action is the priority?
A. Recheck the pressure tomorrow.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Assess for target-organ injury.
D. Offer a low-sodium meal.
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 186/118 mm Hg with new blurred vision and
severe headache indicates a hypertensive emergency. The priority is to assess for
target-organ injury (e.g., stroke, retinal damage, cardiac ischemia). Rechecking
the pressure tomorrow, encouraging ambulation, or offering a meal are
inappropriate and delay necessary intervention.
5. A postoperative client becomes restless and confused 30 minutes after
returning to the unit. Respirations are shallow at 9/min. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Assess oxygenation and airway.
, B. Administer prescribed analgesic.
C. Encourage oral fluids.
D. Assist the client to ambulate.
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The client is showing signs of respiratory depression (shallow
respirations at 9/min) and hypoxia (restlessness, confusion). The first action is to
assess the airway and oxygenation status. Administering an analgesic could
worsen respiratory depression. Encouraging fluids and ambulation are not
immediate priorities.
6. Before surgery, which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Allergy to latex
C. Request for family visitation
D. Question about postoperative pain
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: A latex allergy is a critical safety concern that must be reported
immediately to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction during surgery. Mild
anxiety, requests for family visitation, and questions about pain are common and
can be addressed without delaying surgery.
7. A postoperative client suddenly reports unilateral calf pain and shortness of
breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Constipation
D. Urinary retention
Correct answer: B
NURSING CARE OF ADULTS 1 EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH
COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS / ALREADY GRADED A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Respiratory Disorders
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances
• Perioperative Nursing Care
• Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Disorders
• Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
• Neurological and Sensory Disorders
• Renal and Urinary Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Disorders
• Infection Control, Safety, and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the clinical judgment and
medical-surgical nursing knowledge required of baccalaureate nursing students.
The assessment covers the essential concepts of cardiovascular, respiratory, fluid
and electrolyte, perioperative, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and renal disorders,
along with infection control and professional standards. The multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application and decision-making,
requiring candidates to demonstrate competency in prioritization, patient safety,
and the application of nursing knowledge to ensure readiness for professional
practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
1. A client with chronic heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea,
bilateral crackles, and pink frothy sputum. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Place the client upright.
B. Encourage oral fluids.
C. Obtain a daily weight.
D. Place the client supine.
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of acute pulmonary edema. Placing
the client upright (high-Fowler's position) reduces venous return (preload) and
uses gravity to help move fluid out of the lungs, easing dyspnea. Supine
positioning would worsen pulmonary congestion. Encouraging oral fluids and
obtaining a daily weight are not immediate priorities.
2. A client taking furosemide for heart failure has a potassium level of 2.8
mEq/L. Which finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Fatigue
C. Irregular pulse
D. Increased urination
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia,
which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias. An irregular pulse is a sign of cardiac
instability and requires immediate intervention. Muscle cramps and fatigue are
also symptoms of hypokalemia but are less immediately life-threatening than an
irregular pulse. Increased urination is an expected effect of furosemide.
,3. A client with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg over 3 days. Which finding best
explains the weight gain?
A. Increased muscle mass
B. Fluid retention
C. Increased bone density
D. Reduced metabolic rate
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: A weight gain of 2.5 kg (about 5.5 pounds) over 3 days is a clear
indicator of fluid retention, which is a hallmark of worsening heart failure. This
amount of weight gain cannot be attributed to muscle mass, bone density, or
metabolic rate changes.
4. A client with hypertension has a blood pressure of 186/118 mm Hg and
reports new blurred vision and severe headache. Which action is the priority?
A. Recheck the pressure tomorrow.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Assess for target-organ injury.
D. Offer a low-sodium meal.
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 186/118 mm Hg with new blurred vision and
severe headache indicates a hypertensive emergency. The priority is to assess for
target-organ injury (e.g., stroke, retinal damage, cardiac ischemia). Rechecking
the pressure tomorrow, encouraging ambulation, or offering a meal are
inappropriate and delay necessary intervention.
5. A postoperative client becomes restless and confused 30 minutes after
returning to the unit. Respirations are shallow at 9/min. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Assess oxygenation and airway.
, B. Administer prescribed analgesic.
C. Encourage oral fluids.
D. Assist the client to ambulate.
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: The client is showing signs of respiratory depression (shallow
respirations at 9/min) and hypoxia (restlessness, confusion). The first action is to
assess the airway and oxygenation status. Administering an analgesic could
worsen respiratory depression. Encouraging fluids and ambulation are not
immediate priorities.
6. Before surgery, which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Allergy to latex
C. Request for family visitation
D. Question about postoperative pain
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: A latex allergy is a critical safety concern that must be reported
immediately to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction during surgery. Mild
anxiety, requests for family visitation, and questions about pain are common and
can be addressed without delaying surgery.
7. A postoperative client suddenly reports unilateral calf pain and shortness of
breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Constipation
D. Urinary retention
Correct answer: B
