Exam 2 NRSG 3320 Nursing Care of Adults 1- real
250+ exam questions and correct answers with
rationales/ NRSG 3320 Exam 2 Review 2026-2027/
Adult Health Exam 2/ Northeastern University
Which of the following is the most common type of seizure in adults?
A. Focal seizures
B. Generalized seizures
C. Absence seizures
D. Myoclonic seizures
-ANSWER- A
Rationale: Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, are the most common
type of seizure in adults. They originate in one specific area of the brain.
Generalized seizures, absence seizures, and myoclonic seizures are less common in
adults; absence seizures in particular are more common in children.
A nurse is teaching a patient with epilepsy about safety precautions during a
seizure. Which of the following should the nurse emphasize?
A. Place the patient in a high position to avoid injury
B. Never restrain the patient during a seizure
C. Provide oral fluids during the seizure
D. Use a tongue depressor to prevent biting the tongue
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Restraining a patient during a seizure can cause injury to both the
patient and the caregiver and may aggravate the seizure. The nurse should instead
focus on protecting the patient from injury by clearing the surrounding area and
cushioning the head. Placing the patient in a high position, giving oral fluids during
a seizure, and inserting a tongue depressor are all unsafe practices.
What is the primary purpose of administering an anticonvulsant medication such as
phenytoin to a patient with a seizure disorder?
1
,A. To increase seizure frequency
B. To reduce the risk of injury during a seizure
C. To prevent or control seizures
D. To stimulate the central nervous system
-ANSWER- C
Rationale: Anticonvulsant medications are used to prevent or control seizures by
stabilizing electrical activity in the brain. They do not increase seizure frequency,
stimulate the central nervous system, or directly reduce injury risk, although
preventing seizures indirectly reduces injury risk.
A patient is admitted with status epilepticus. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer anticonvulsant medication
B. Perform a full neurological assessment
C. Establish an airway and provide oxygen
D. Place the patient in a side-lying position
-ANSWER- C
Rationale: The priority action for a patient experiencing status epilepticus is to
secure the airway and ensure adequate oxygenation, as prolonged seizures can lead
to respiratory compromise and hypoxia. Administering anticonvulsants,
performing a full neurological assessment, and positioning the patient are
important but come after airway and breathing are addressed.
Which of the following would most likely trigger a seizure in a patient with a
known seizure disorder?
A. Consuming a large meal
B. Sleep deprivation
C. Drinking water
D. Resting in a quiet environment
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Sleep deprivation is a common seizure trigger because it alters brain
function and lowers the seizure threshold. Consuming a large meal, drinking water,
and resting in a quiet environment are not recognized seizure triggers.
2
,Which of the following interventions should be prioritized during the postictal
phase of a seizure?
A. Provide fluids and food immediately
B. Place the patient in a side-lying position to maintain an open airway
C. Perform a full physical exam
D. Document the event immediately
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: During the postictal phase, placing the patient in a side-lying position
helps prevent aspiration and maintains an open airway as the patient recovers.
Providing fluids and food immediately increases aspiration risk, and performing a
full physical exam or documenting the event can wait until the patient is stable.
A nurse is providing care for a patient experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which
of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer anticonvulsant medication
B. Protect the patient's head and airway
C. Perform a thorough neurological assessment
D. Insert a nasal airway
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority is to protect the patient's head
and airway to prevent injury and ensure adequate breathing. Administering
medication may be needed if the seizure is prolonged, but protecting the airway
and head comes first. Performing a neurological assessment and inserting a nasal
airway are not priority actions during an active seizure.
Which of the following describes a characteristic of absence seizures?
A. Prolonged muscle contractions
B. Sudden loss of consciousness with a brief staring episode
C. Severe, rhythmic muscle contractions
D. Repetitive movements or vocalizations
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness and
staring spells, often lasting only a few seconds. They are most common in children.
Prolonged muscle contractions and severe rhythmic contractions describe other
3
, seizure types, and repetitive movements or vocalizations describe focal seizures
with automatisms.
Which of the following is a common side effect of anticonvulsant medication?
A. Diarrhea
B. Drowsiness or sedation
C. Increased appetite
D. Insomnia
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Anticonvulsant medications commonly cause drowsiness or sedation,
especially when the patient is adjusting to the medication. Diarrhea, increased
appetite, and insomnia are not typical side effects of anticonvulsants.
A patient with asthma presents to the emergency department with dyspnea, audible
wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer albuterol via nebulizer
B. Obtain a peak expiratory flow reading
C. Perform chest physiotherapy
D. Encourage pursed-lip breathing - ANSWER-Answer: A. Administer albuterol
via nebulizer
Explanation: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), is the first-line
treatment for an acute asthma exacerbation to promote bronchodilation. The other
options may be helpful later but do not immediately resolve bronchoconstriction.
The nurse is educating a patient with asthma about the proper use of an inhaler.
Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "I should breathe in quickly and forcefully when I use the inhaler."
C. "I will rinse my mouth after using a corticosteroid inhaler."
4
250+ exam questions and correct answers with
rationales/ NRSG 3320 Exam 2 Review 2026-2027/
Adult Health Exam 2/ Northeastern University
Which of the following is the most common type of seizure in adults?
A. Focal seizures
B. Generalized seizures
C. Absence seizures
D. Myoclonic seizures
-ANSWER- A
Rationale: Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, are the most common
type of seizure in adults. They originate in one specific area of the brain.
Generalized seizures, absence seizures, and myoclonic seizures are less common in
adults; absence seizures in particular are more common in children.
A nurse is teaching a patient with epilepsy about safety precautions during a
seizure. Which of the following should the nurse emphasize?
A. Place the patient in a high position to avoid injury
B. Never restrain the patient during a seizure
C. Provide oral fluids during the seizure
D. Use a tongue depressor to prevent biting the tongue
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Restraining a patient during a seizure can cause injury to both the
patient and the caregiver and may aggravate the seizure. The nurse should instead
focus on protecting the patient from injury by clearing the surrounding area and
cushioning the head. Placing the patient in a high position, giving oral fluids during
a seizure, and inserting a tongue depressor are all unsafe practices.
What is the primary purpose of administering an anticonvulsant medication such as
phenytoin to a patient with a seizure disorder?
1
,A. To increase seizure frequency
B. To reduce the risk of injury during a seizure
C. To prevent or control seizures
D. To stimulate the central nervous system
-ANSWER- C
Rationale: Anticonvulsant medications are used to prevent or control seizures by
stabilizing electrical activity in the brain. They do not increase seizure frequency,
stimulate the central nervous system, or directly reduce injury risk, although
preventing seizures indirectly reduces injury risk.
A patient is admitted with status epilepticus. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer anticonvulsant medication
B. Perform a full neurological assessment
C. Establish an airway and provide oxygen
D. Place the patient in a side-lying position
-ANSWER- C
Rationale: The priority action for a patient experiencing status epilepticus is to
secure the airway and ensure adequate oxygenation, as prolonged seizures can lead
to respiratory compromise and hypoxia. Administering anticonvulsants,
performing a full neurological assessment, and positioning the patient are
important but come after airway and breathing are addressed.
Which of the following would most likely trigger a seizure in a patient with a
known seizure disorder?
A. Consuming a large meal
B. Sleep deprivation
C. Drinking water
D. Resting in a quiet environment
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Sleep deprivation is a common seizure trigger because it alters brain
function and lowers the seizure threshold. Consuming a large meal, drinking water,
and resting in a quiet environment are not recognized seizure triggers.
2
,Which of the following interventions should be prioritized during the postictal
phase of a seizure?
A. Provide fluids and food immediately
B. Place the patient in a side-lying position to maintain an open airway
C. Perform a full physical exam
D. Document the event immediately
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: During the postictal phase, placing the patient in a side-lying position
helps prevent aspiration and maintains an open airway as the patient recovers.
Providing fluids and food immediately increases aspiration risk, and performing a
full physical exam or documenting the event can wait until the patient is stable.
A nurse is providing care for a patient experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which
of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer anticonvulsant medication
B. Protect the patient's head and airway
C. Perform a thorough neurological assessment
D. Insert a nasal airway
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority is to protect the patient's head
and airway to prevent injury and ensure adequate breathing. Administering
medication may be needed if the seizure is prolonged, but protecting the airway
and head comes first. Performing a neurological assessment and inserting a nasal
airway are not priority actions during an active seizure.
Which of the following describes a characteristic of absence seizures?
A. Prolonged muscle contractions
B. Sudden loss of consciousness with a brief staring episode
C. Severe, rhythmic muscle contractions
D. Repetitive movements or vocalizations
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness and
staring spells, often lasting only a few seconds. They are most common in children.
Prolonged muscle contractions and severe rhythmic contractions describe other
3
, seizure types, and repetitive movements or vocalizations describe focal seizures
with automatisms.
Which of the following is a common side effect of anticonvulsant medication?
A. Diarrhea
B. Drowsiness or sedation
C. Increased appetite
D. Insomnia
-ANSWER- B
Rationale: Anticonvulsant medications commonly cause drowsiness or sedation,
especially when the patient is adjusting to the medication. Diarrhea, increased
appetite, and insomnia are not typical side effects of anticonvulsants.
A patient with asthma presents to the emergency department with dyspnea, audible
wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer albuterol via nebulizer
B. Obtain a peak expiratory flow reading
C. Perform chest physiotherapy
D. Encourage pursed-lip breathing - ANSWER-Answer: A. Administer albuterol
via nebulizer
Explanation: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), is the first-line
treatment for an acute asthma exacerbation to promote bronchodilation. The other
options may be helpful later but do not immediately resolve bronchoconstriction.
The nurse is educating a patient with asthma about the proper use of an inhaler.
Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "I should breathe in quickly and forcefully when I use the inhaler."
C. "I will rinse my mouth after using a corticosteroid inhaler."
4
