NUR 272 BUNDLED EXAM 1,2,3 AND FINAL QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE COMPLETE NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
95 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply the nursing process to prioritize care for patients with complex multisystem health alterations
2 Analyze medication administration principles and prevent adverse drug events using current safety
standards
3 Interpret diagnostic data and assessment findings to formulate evidence-based nursing interventions
4 NUR 272 BUNDLED Exam 1
5 3 and Final Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales New 2026
6 2027 Update Complete Nursing Exam Study Guide
7 Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
8 Applied Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
9 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
10 Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 95 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NUR 272
BUNDLED Exam 1,2,3 and Final Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales New
2026-2027 Update Complete Nursing Exam Study Guide, with the strongest emphasis placed on
Apply the nursing process to prioritize care for patients with complex multisystem health
alterations, Analyze medication administration principles and prevent adverse drug events using
current safety standards and Interpret diagnostic data and assessment findings to formulate
evidence-based nursing interventions. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient with acute decompensated heart failure is prescribed IV furosemide.
Which assessment finding most urgently indicates a need to withhold the dose
and notify the provider?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L CORRECT
B. Blood pressure of 92/58 mm Hg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Serum sodium of 134 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Loop diuretics like furosemide can cause severe hypokalemia, which increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity and fatal dysrhythmias; a potassium of 3.2 mEq/L is critically low and
warrants withholding. Blood pressure of 92/58 may be acceptable if the patient is asymptomatic,
and urine output and sodium are within expected ranges.
Q2 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
Which arterial blood gas value is most consistent with a diagnosis of metabolic
alkalosis with partial respiratory compensation?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 26 mEq/L
C. pH 7.50, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, HCO3- 32 mEq/L CORRECT
D. pH 7.28, PaCO2 28 mm Hg, HCO3- 16 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH and elevated bicarbonate;
partial respiratory compensation involves hypoventilation to retain CO2, raising PaCO2 above
normal. Option A shows respiratory alkalosis, B shows respiratory acidosis, and D shows
metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation.
Page 2
,Q3 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient receiving continuous IV heparin for venous thromboembolism has an
aPTT of 95 seconds (therapeutic range 60-80 seconds). Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer protamine sulfate IV push
B. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the provider CORRECT
C. Decrease the infusion rate by 2 units/kg/hr
D. Recheck the aPTT in 6 hours
RATIONALE: An aPTT of 95 seconds indicates supratherapeutic anticoagulation, increasing
bleeding risk; the nurse should stop the infusion immediately and notify the provider. Protamine
sulfate is the antidote but is not given without a provider order, and simply decreasing the rate or
rechecking later delays necessary intervention.
Q4 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
Which assessment finding in a patient with a new below-the-knee cast is most
indicative of acute compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the toes
B. Pain that intensifies with passive dorsiflexion of the foot CORRECT
C. Mild swelling at the cast edges
D. Report of itching under the cast
RATIONALE: Pain with passive stretch of the muscles in the affected compartment is an early
and highly specific sign of compartment syndrome. Capillary refill of 3 seconds is borderline but
not definitive, and swelling and itching are expected cast-related findings.
Page 3
, Q5 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient with type 1 diabetes is found unresponsive with a blood glucose of 42
mg/dL. After administering glucagon, which assessment finding best indicates the
medication has been effective?
A. Blood glucose of 78 mg/dL CORRECT
B. Heart rate decrease from 120 to 90 beats/min
C. Return of gag reflex
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
RATIONALE: Glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis to raise blood glucose; a rise to 78 mg/dL
demonstrates therapeutic effect. Heart rate changes, gag reflex, and urine output are not direct
indicators of glucagon effectiveness.
Q6 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A nurse is reviewing a medication prescription for a patient with a new ileostomy.
Which order should the nurse question?
A. Loperamide 4 mg PO after each loose stool
B. Omeprazole 20 mg PO daily
C. Potassium chloride 40 mEq PO daily
D. Polyethylene glycol 17 g PO daily CORRECT
RATIONALE: Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic laxative and is contraindicated in patients with an
ileostomy due to the risk of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Loperamide is used to
manage high-output ileostomies, omeprazole is safe, and potassium supplementation may be
necessary.
Page 4
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE COMPLETE NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
95 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply the nursing process to prioritize care for patients with complex multisystem health alterations
2 Analyze medication administration principles and prevent adverse drug events using current safety
standards
3 Interpret diagnostic data and assessment findings to formulate evidence-based nursing interventions
4 NUR 272 BUNDLED Exam 1
5 3 and Final Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales New 2026
6 2027 Update Complete Nursing Exam Study Guide
7 Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
8 Applied Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
9 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals
10 Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Nursing Fundamentals Review
ABSTRACT
This study document brings together 95 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NUR 272
BUNDLED Exam 1,2,3 and Final Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales New
2026-2027 Update Complete Nursing Exam Study Guide, with the strongest emphasis placed on
Apply the nursing process to prioritize care for patients with complex multisystem health
alterations, Analyze medication administration principles and prevent adverse drug events using
current safety standards and Interpret diagnostic data and assessment findings to formulate
evidence-based nursing interventions. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Page 1
,Q1 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient with acute decompensated heart failure is prescribed IV furosemide.
Which assessment finding most urgently indicates a need to withhold the dose
and notify the provider?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L CORRECT
B. Blood pressure of 92/58 mm Hg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Serum sodium of 134 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Loop diuretics like furosemide can cause severe hypokalemia, which increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity and fatal dysrhythmias; a potassium of 3.2 mEq/L is critically low and
warrants withholding. Blood pressure of 92/58 may be acceptable if the patient is asymptomatic,
and urine output and sodium are within expected ranges.
Q2 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
Which arterial blood gas value is most consistent with a diagnosis of metabolic
alkalosis with partial respiratory compensation?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 26 mEq/L
C. pH 7.50, PaCO2 48 mm Hg, HCO3- 32 mEq/L CORRECT
D. pH 7.28, PaCO2 28 mm Hg, HCO3- 16 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH and elevated bicarbonate;
partial respiratory compensation involves hypoventilation to retain CO2, raising PaCO2 above
normal. Option A shows respiratory alkalosis, B shows respiratory acidosis, and D shows
metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation.
Page 2
,Q3 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient receiving continuous IV heparin for venous thromboembolism has an
aPTT of 95 seconds (therapeutic range 60-80 seconds). Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer protamine sulfate IV push
B. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the provider CORRECT
C. Decrease the infusion rate by 2 units/kg/hr
D. Recheck the aPTT in 6 hours
RATIONALE: An aPTT of 95 seconds indicates supratherapeutic anticoagulation, increasing
bleeding risk; the nurse should stop the infusion immediately and notify the provider. Protamine
sulfate is the antidote but is not given without a provider order, and simply decreasing the rate or
rechecking later delays necessary intervention.
Q4 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
Which assessment finding in a patient with a new below-the-knee cast is most
indicative of acute compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the toes
B. Pain that intensifies with passive dorsiflexion of the foot CORRECT
C. Mild swelling at the cast edges
D. Report of itching under the cast
RATIONALE: Pain with passive stretch of the muscles in the affected compartment is an early
and highly specific sign of compartment syndrome. Capillary refill of 3 seconds is borderline but
not definitive, and swelling and itching are expected cast-related findings.
Page 3
, Q5 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A patient with type 1 diabetes is found unresponsive with a blood glucose of 42
mg/dL. After administering glucagon, which assessment finding best indicates the
medication has been effective?
A. Blood glucose of 78 mg/dL CORRECT
B. Heart rate decrease from 120 to 90 beats/min
C. Return of gag reflex
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
RATIONALE: Glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis to raise blood glucose; a rise to 78 mg/dL
demonstrates therapeutic effect. Heart rate changes, gag reflex, and urine output are not direct
indicators of glucagon effectiveness.
Q6 APPLY THE NURSING PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX
MULTISYSTEM HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A nurse is reviewing a medication prescription for a patient with a new ileostomy.
Which order should the nurse question?
A. Loperamide 4 mg PO after each loose stool
B. Omeprazole 20 mg PO daily
C. Potassium chloride 40 mEq PO daily
D. Polyethylene glycol 17 g PO daily CORRECT
RATIONALE: Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic laxative and is contraindicated in patients with an
ileostomy due to the risk of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Loperamide is used to
manage high-output ileostomies, omeprazole is safe, and potassium supplementation may be
necessary.
Page 4
