NUR 2502 | Multidimensional Care III
Exam-Style Practice Questions With
Answers And Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing acute shortness of breath.
Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess nutritional intake
B. Assess airway and breathing
C. Obtain the patient's social history
D. Determine the patient's usual sleep pattern
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities because
impaired oxygenation can rapidly become life-threatening.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 20/min
B. Mild anxiety
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Occasional cough
Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygenation
and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
3. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which term describes this finding?
A. Hemoptysis
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
,Correct Answer: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is
commonly associated with heart failure.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with fluid volume
overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Poor skin turgor
C. Peripheral edema
D. Concentrated urine
Correct Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Excess fluid can move into the interstitial space, producing
peripheral edema.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure injuries
in an immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the patient regularly
C. Restrict protein intake
D. Keep the skin continuously moist
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the patient regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps
maintain tissue perfusion.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a pressure injury?
A. Independent ambulatory adult
B. Patient who changes position independently
C. Immobile patient with poor nutritional intake
D. Patient with normal sensation and intact mobility
Correct Answer: C. Immobile patient with poor nutritional intake
,Rationale: Immobility and inadequate nutrition are important risk factors
for impaired tissue integrity.
7. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A. Mild incisional discomfort
B. Temperature of 37.2°C
C. Sudden difficulty breathing
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C. Sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden respiratory difficulty may indicate a serious
complication such as pulmonary embolism and requires immediate
assessment.
8. Which nursing action best reduces the risk of postoperative pulmonary
complications?
A. Encourage early ambulation as appropriate
B. Maintain strict bed rest
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Avoid coughing
Correct Answer: A. Encourage early ambulation as appropriate
Rationale: Early mobility improves ventilation, circulation, and secretion
clearance and reduces postoperative complications.
9. Which intervention is appropriate when teaching a patient to use an
incentive spirometer?
A. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
B. Exhale forcefully into the device
C. Use the device only when short of breath
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Correct Answer: A. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
, Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with an incentive spirometer promotes
lung expansion and helps prevent atelectasis.
10. Which symptom is commonly associated with anemia?
A. Increased energy
B. Fatigue
C. Bradycardia with hypertension
D. Increased oxygen-carrying capacity
Correct Answer: B. Fatigue
Rationale: Reduced hemoglobin decreases oxygen delivery to tissues and
commonly causes fatigue and weakness.
11. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with the oxygen-
carrying capacity of blood?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: A. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds oxygen in red blood cells and is essential for
oxygen transport.
12. A patient taking an anticoagulant should be taught to report which
finding?
A. Mild hunger
B. Unusual bleeding
C. Increased thirst after exercise
D. Occasional sneezing
Correct Answer: B. Unusual bleeding
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk, so unusual bleeding or
bruising should be reported promptly.
Exam-Style Practice Questions With
Answers And Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing acute shortness of breath.
Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess nutritional intake
B. Assess airway and breathing
C. Obtain the patient's social history
D. Determine the patient's usual sleep pattern
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities because
impaired oxygenation can rapidly become life-threatening.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 20/min
B. Mild anxiety
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Occasional cough
Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygenation
and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
3. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which term describes this finding?
A. Hemoptysis
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
,Correct Answer: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is
commonly associated with heart failure.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with fluid volume
overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Poor skin turgor
C. Peripheral edema
D. Concentrated urine
Correct Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Excess fluid can move into the interstitial space, producing
peripheral edema.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure injuries
in an immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the patient regularly
C. Restrict protein intake
D. Keep the skin continuously moist
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the patient regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps
maintain tissue perfusion.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a pressure injury?
A. Independent ambulatory adult
B. Patient who changes position independently
C. Immobile patient with poor nutritional intake
D. Patient with normal sensation and intact mobility
Correct Answer: C. Immobile patient with poor nutritional intake
,Rationale: Immobility and inadequate nutrition are important risk factors
for impaired tissue integrity.
7. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A. Mild incisional discomfort
B. Temperature of 37.2°C
C. Sudden difficulty breathing
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C. Sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden respiratory difficulty may indicate a serious
complication such as pulmonary embolism and requires immediate
assessment.
8. Which nursing action best reduces the risk of postoperative pulmonary
complications?
A. Encourage early ambulation as appropriate
B. Maintain strict bed rest
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Avoid coughing
Correct Answer: A. Encourage early ambulation as appropriate
Rationale: Early mobility improves ventilation, circulation, and secretion
clearance and reduces postoperative complications.
9. Which intervention is appropriate when teaching a patient to use an
incentive spirometer?
A. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
B. Exhale forcefully into the device
C. Use the device only when short of breath
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Correct Answer: A. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
, Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with an incentive spirometer promotes
lung expansion and helps prevent atelectasis.
10. Which symptom is commonly associated with anemia?
A. Increased energy
B. Fatigue
C. Bradycardia with hypertension
D. Increased oxygen-carrying capacity
Correct Answer: B. Fatigue
Rationale: Reduced hemoglobin decreases oxygen delivery to tissues and
commonly causes fatigue and weakness.
11. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with the oxygen-
carrying capacity of blood?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: A. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds oxygen in red blood cells and is essential for
oxygen transport.
12. A patient taking an anticoagulant should be taught to report which
finding?
A. Mild hunger
B. Unusual bleeding
C. Increased thirst after exercise
D. Occasional sneezing
Correct Answer: B. Unusual bleeding
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk, so unusual bleeding or
bruising should be reported promptly.
