NUR 250 Final Study Guide |
Excelsior University Nursing
Exam Prep 2026/2027 –
Practice Questions, Answers &
Rationales Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of
patient-centered care?
A. Following the standard treatment plan without modification
B. Making decisions based solely on the nurse's preferences
C. Incorporating the patient's values and preferences into the
plan of care
D. Asking the patient's family to make all healthcare decisions
Answer: C. Incorporating the patient's values and preferences
into the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the individual's
preferences, values, needs, and participation in healthcare
decisions.
,2. Which assessment finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Pulse rate of 78 beats/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Rationale: Bradypnea may indicate respiratory depression and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
3. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing
pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the patient regularly
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Keep the head of the bed elevated continuously
Answer: B. Reposition the patient regularly
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves prolonged pressure
and helps maintain tissue perfusion.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which
action is most important for preventing medication errors?
,A. Administering medications quickly
B. Verifying the medication against the prescription and patient
identifiers
C. Asking another patient to confirm the medication
D. Documenting the medication before administration
Answer: B. Verifying the medication against the prescription
and patient identifiers
Rationale: Medication verification and use of appropriate
patient identifiers are essential components of medication safety.
5. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Increased urine output
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Dehydration can cause decreased skin elasticity, dry
mucous membranes, concentrated urine, and other signs of fluid
deficit.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness
and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypochloremia
Answer: A. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and
cardiac electrical activity. Low potassium levels can produce
weakness and dysrhythmias.
7. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient
experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Place the patient flat in bed
B. Encourage the patient to lie prone
C. Position the patient upright
D. Restrict oxygen administration
Answer: C. Position the patient upright
Rationale: An upright or semi-Fowler position promotes lung
expansion and can decrease the work of breathing.
8. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of infection?
A. Decreased temperature
B. Elevated white blood cell count
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: B. Elevated white blood cell count
Excelsior University Nursing
Exam Prep 2026/2027 –
Practice Questions, Answers &
Rationales Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of
patient-centered care?
A. Following the standard treatment plan without modification
B. Making decisions based solely on the nurse's preferences
C. Incorporating the patient's values and preferences into the
plan of care
D. Asking the patient's family to make all healthcare decisions
Answer: C. Incorporating the patient's values and preferences
into the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the individual's
preferences, values, needs, and participation in healthcare
decisions.
,2. Which assessment finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Pulse rate of 78 beats/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Rationale: Bradypnea may indicate respiratory depression and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
3. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing
pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the patient regularly
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Keep the head of the bed elevated continuously
Answer: B. Reposition the patient regularly
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves prolonged pressure
and helps maintain tissue perfusion.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which
action is most important for preventing medication errors?
,A. Administering medications quickly
B. Verifying the medication against the prescription and patient
identifiers
C. Asking another patient to confirm the medication
D. Documenting the medication before administration
Answer: B. Verifying the medication against the prescription
and patient identifiers
Rationale: Medication verification and use of appropriate
patient identifiers are essential components of medication safety.
5. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Increased urine output
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Dehydration can cause decreased skin elasticity, dry
mucous membranes, concentrated urine, and other signs of fluid
deficit.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness
and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypochloremia
Answer: A. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and
cardiac electrical activity. Low potassium levels can produce
weakness and dysrhythmias.
7. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient
experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Place the patient flat in bed
B. Encourage the patient to lie prone
C. Position the patient upright
D. Restrict oxygen administration
Answer: C. Position the patient upright
Rationale: An upright or semi-Fowler position promotes lung
expansion and can decrease the work of breathing.
8. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of infection?
A. Decreased temperature
B. Elevated white blood cell count
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: B. Elevated white blood cell count
