Page 1 of 101
APEX COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
APEX COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1
Exam Coverage
Foundational nursing concepts, clinical judgment, prioritization, and patient safety
Health assessment, vital signs, physical examination, and diagnostic findings
Pharmacology, medication administration, adverse effects, and nursing responsibilities
Cardiovascular disorders, hemodynamics, hypertension, and cardiac emergencies
Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, ventilation, and respiratory emergencies
Neurologic disorders, altered consciousness, seizures, and stroke
Renal, urinary, gastrointestinal, and hepatic disorders
Endocrine and metabolic disorders, including diabetes and thyroid disease
Infection prevention, immune disorders, inflammation, and complications
Fluid, electrolyte, acid-base balance, perioperative care, and emergency nursing
Questions
1. Which nursing action should occur first when a newly admitted patient reports severe
shortness of breath?
A. Obtain a complete medication history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation
C. Ask the patient about previous hospitalizations
D. Complete the admission documentation
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities under the ABC framework. Oxygen
saturation and respiratory status must be assessed before less urgent admission tasks.
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2. What finding most strongly indicates that a patient's airway may be becoming obstructed?
A. Mild peripheral edema
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Inspiratory stridor
D. Warm, dry skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by upper-airway narrowing and can indicate
impending airway obstruction.
3. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate nursing intervention in a
postoperative patient?
A. Oxygen saturation of 86% with increasing respiratory distress
B. Incisional pain rated 6 out of 10
C. Temperature of 37.6°C
D. Urine output of 45 mL during the previous hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia with respiratory distress threatens life and takes priority over
pain, mild temperature elevation, or adequate urine output.
4. Why should a nurse compare a patient's current neurological assessment with previous
findings?
A. Neurological findings normally remain unchanged
B. Comparison eliminates the need for vital signs
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C. Baseline comparison helps identify subtle deterioration
D. Previous assessments determine medication doses
Answer: C
Rationale: Trends and changes from baseline are particularly important when monitoring
neurological status because deterioration can occur before obvious physical changes appear.
5. Which patient should the nurse assess first after receiving handoff reports on four patients?
A. A patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. A patient with new-onset chest pressure and diaphoresis
C. A patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. A patient reporting chronic back pain
Answer: B
Rationale: New chest pressure accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute coronary
syndrome and requires immediate assessment.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a patient's baseline vital signs?
A. To determine the patient's insurance eligibility
B. To establish values for comparison during subsequent care
C. To determine which medications the patient prefers
D. To eliminate the need for physical assessment
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline vital signs provide reference values that help clinicians identify clinically
meaningful changes during hospitalization.
, Page 4 of 101
7. Which statement best demonstrates appropriate therapeutic communication with an
anxious patient?
A. "You should not worry because everything will be fine."
B. "Why are you making yourself so anxious?"
C. "Tell me what concerns you most right now."
D. "Other patients have much more serious problems."
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended communication encourages the patient to express concerns without
judgment and allows the nurse to identify specific sources of anxiety.
8. Which intervention most effectively reduces the risk of a hospital-associated fall?
A. Keeping the patient's bed in the highest position
B. Placing frequently used items within easy reach
C. Encouraging the patient to ambulate independently
D. Turning off the room lighting at night
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping needed items within reach reduces unnecessary attempts to get out of bed
and decreases fall risk.
9. When should a nurse question a medication order before administration?
A. When the medication is available in the pharmacy
B. When the patient recognizes the medication
APEX COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
APEX COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1
Exam Coverage
Foundational nursing concepts, clinical judgment, prioritization, and patient safety
Health assessment, vital signs, physical examination, and diagnostic findings
Pharmacology, medication administration, adverse effects, and nursing responsibilities
Cardiovascular disorders, hemodynamics, hypertension, and cardiac emergencies
Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, ventilation, and respiratory emergencies
Neurologic disorders, altered consciousness, seizures, and stroke
Renal, urinary, gastrointestinal, and hepatic disorders
Endocrine and metabolic disorders, including diabetes and thyroid disease
Infection prevention, immune disorders, inflammation, and complications
Fluid, electrolyte, acid-base balance, perioperative care, and emergency nursing
Questions
1. Which nursing action should occur first when a newly admitted patient reports severe
shortness of breath?
A. Obtain a complete medication history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation
C. Ask the patient about previous hospitalizations
D. Complete the admission documentation
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities under the ABC framework. Oxygen
saturation and respiratory status must be assessed before less urgent admission tasks.
, Page 2 of 101
2. What finding most strongly indicates that a patient's airway may be becoming obstructed?
A. Mild peripheral edema
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Inspiratory stridor
D. Warm, dry skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by upper-airway narrowing and can indicate
impending airway obstruction.
3. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate nursing intervention in a
postoperative patient?
A. Oxygen saturation of 86% with increasing respiratory distress
B. Incisional pain rated 6 out of 10
C. Temperature of 37.6°C
D. Urine output of 45 mL during the previous hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia with respiratory distress threatens life and takes priority over
pain, mild temperature elevation, or adequate urine output.
4. Why should a nurse compare a patient's current neurological assessment with previous
findings?
A. Neurological findings normally remain unchanged
B. Comparison eliminates the need for vital signs
, Page 3 of 101
C. Baseline comparison helps identify subtle deterioration
D. Previous assessments determine medication doses
Answer: C
Rationale: Trends and changes from baseline are particularly important when monitoring
neurological status because deterioration can occur before obvious physical changes appear.
5. Which patient should the nurse assess first after receiving handoff reports on four patients?
A. A patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. A patient with new-onset chest pressure and diaphoresis
C. A patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. A patient reporting chronic back pain
Answer: B
Rationale: New chest pressure accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute coronary
syndrome and requires immediate assessment.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a patient's baseline vital signs?
A. To determine the patient's insurance eligibility
B. To establish values for comparison during subsequent care
C. To determine which medications the patient prefers
D. To eliminate the need for physical assessment
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline vital signs provide reference values that help clinicians identify clinically
meaningful changes during hospitalization.
, Page 4 of 101
7. Which statement best demonstrates appropriate therapeutic communication with an
anxious patient?
A. "You should not worry because everything will be fine."
B. "Why are you making yourself so anxious?"
C. "Tell me what concerns you most right now."
D. "Other patients have much more serious problems."
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended communication encourages the patient to express concerns without
judgment and allows the nurse to identify specific sources of anxiety.
8. Which intervention most effectively reduces the risk of a hospital-associated fall?
A. Keeping the patient's bed in the highest position
B. Placing frequently used items within easy reach
C. Encouraging the patient to ambulate independently
D. Turning off the room lighting at night
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping needed items within reach reduces unnecessary attempts to get out of bed
and decreases fall risk.
9. When should a nurse question a medication order before administration?
A. When the medication is available in the pharmacy
B. When the patient recognizes the medication
