NRSG 3420 Exam Practice Questions &
[Verified Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2027 Latest Update| Instant
Download PDF
1.
A nurse is preparing a client for elective surgery. Which action is the
priority before the client is transported to the operating room?
A. Administer the prescribed postoperative analgesic
B. Verify that informed consent has been signed and is appropriate
C. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
D. Provide a high-protein meal
Answer: B. Verify that informed consent has been signed and is
appropriate
Rationale: Verification of informed consent is a critical preoperative
safety responsibility. The nurse should confirm that the correct
procedure and client are identified and that the consent process has
been completed before surgery.
2.
During the immediate postoperative period, a client develops muscle
rigidity, rapidly increasing temperature, tachycardia, and rising carbon
dioxide levels. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Malignant hyperthermia
1|Page
,C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction
associated with certain anesthetic agents. Early findings include
muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia, increased carbon dioxide
production, and metabolic abnormalities.
3.
A client with coronary artery disease asks which risk factors can be
modified. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Age and genetic history
B. Gender and age
C. Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia
D. Family history and gender
Answer: C. Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia
Rationale: Hypertension, tobacco use, dyslipidemia, obesity, physical
inactivity, and diabetes are modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Age, sex, and family history cannot be changed.
4.
A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea, crackles
throughout both lung fields, and pink, frothy sputum. What should the
nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Pleural effusion
C. Stable angina
D. Pneumothorax
2|Page
,Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Severe left-sided heart failure can cause fluid to
accumulate rapidly in the pulmonary circulation. Pink, frothy sputum,
severe dyspnea, crackles, and hypoxemia are classic findings of acute
pulmonary edema.
5.
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding requires
the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Heart rate of 58/min
B. Mild ankle edema
C. Increased appetite
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: A. Heart rate of 58/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and cardiac dysrhythmias. A
significant decrease in heart rate may indicate excessive drug effect
and requires assessment before further administration.
6.
A client taking digoxin reports nausea, decreased appetite, and yellow-
green visual disturbances. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Acute renal failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Digoxin toxicity
3|Page
, Rationale: Gastrointestinal symptoms and visual disturbances such as
blurred or yellow-green vision are characteristic manifestations of
digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia and dysrhythmias may also occur.
7.
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed an anticoagulant. What is
the primary purpose of this therapy?
A. Increase cardiac contractility
B. Prevent thromboembolic stroke
C. Reduce pulmonary secretions
D. Increase ventricular filling
Answer: B. Prevent thromboembolic stroke
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation promotes blood stasis in the atria,
particularly the left atrial appendage. Anticoagulation reduces the risk
of thrombus formation and subsequent systemic embolization.
8.
A client experiencing an acute myocardial infarction reports crushing
substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which nursing action
has the highest priority?
A. Encourage the client to walk
B. Obtain and evaluate cardiac monitoring data
C. Provide a large meal
D. Place the client in a prone position
Answer: B. Obtain and evaluate cardiac monitoring data
Rationale: Acute myocardial infarction can cause life-threatening
dysrhythmias. Continuous cardiac assessment and prompt recognition
of rhythm changes are essential while definitive treatment is initiated.
4|Page
[Verified Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2027 Latest Update| Instant
Download PDF
1.
A nurse is preparing a client for elective surgery. Which action is the
priority before the client is transported to the operating room?
A. Administer the prescribed postoperative analgesic
B. Verify that informed consent has been signed and is appropriate
C. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
D. Provide a high-protein meal
Answer: B. Verify that informed consent has been signed and is
appropriate
Rationale: Verification of informed consent is a critical preoperative
safety responsibility. The nurse should confirm that the correct
procedure and client are identified and that the consent process has
been completed before surgery.
2.
During the immediate postoperative period, a client develops muscle
rigidity, rapidly increasing temperature, tachycardia, and rising carbon
dioxide levels. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Malignant hyperthermia
1|Page
,C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction
associated with certain anesthetic agents. Early findings include
muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia, increased carbon dioxide
production, and metabolic abnormalities.
3.
A client with coronary artery disease asks which risk factors can be
modified. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Age and genetic history
B. Gender and age
C. Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia
D. Family history and gender
Answer: C. Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia
Rationale: Hypertension, tobacco use, dyslipidemia, obesity, physical
inactivity, and diabetes are modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Age, sex, and family history cannot be changed.
4.
A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea, crackles
throughout both lung fields, and pink, frothy sputum. What should the
nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Pleural effusion
C. Stable angina
D. Pneumothorax
2|Page
,Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Severe left-sided heart failure can cause fluid to
accumulate rapidly in the pulmonary circulation. Pink, frothy sputum,
severe dyspnea, crackles, and hypoxemia are classic findings of acute
pulmonary edema.
5.
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding requires
the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Heart rate of 58/min
B. Mild ankle edema
C. Increased appetite
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: A. Heart rate of 58/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and cardiac dysrhythmias. A
significant decrease in heart rate may indicate excessive drug effect
and requires assessment before further administration.
6.
A client taking digoxin reports nausea, decreased appetite, and yellow-
green visual disturbances. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Acute renal failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Digoxin toxicity
3|Page
, Rationale: Gastrointestinal symptoms and visual disturbances such as
blurred or yellow-green vision are characteristic manifestations of
digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia and dysrhythmias may also occur.
7.
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed an anticoagulant. What is
the primary purpose of this therapy?
A. Increase cardiac contractility
B. Prevent thromboembolic stroke
C. Reduce pulmonary secretions
D. Increase ventricular filling
Answer: B. Prevent thromboembolic stroke
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation promotes blood stasis in the atria,
particularly the left atrial appendage. Anticoagulation reduces the risk
of thrombus formation and subsequent systemic embolization.
8.
A client experiencing an acute myocardial infarction reports crushing
substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which nursing action
has the highest priority?
A. Encourage the client to walk
B. Obtain and evaluate cardiac monitoring data
C. Provide a large meal
D. Place the client in a prone position
Answer: B. Obtain and evaluate cardiac monitoring data
Rationale: Acute myocardial infarction can cause life-threatening
dysrhythmias. Continuous cardiac assessment and prompt recognition
of rhythm changes are essential while definitive treatment is initiated.
4|Page
