N170
Practice Exam 2026–2027
100 Original Questions and Answers | General Nursing Review
Educational practice resource • Not an official or verified course examination
Instructions
Choose the single best answer for each question. Complete the exam before reviewing the answers and rationales. Use
your current N170 syllabus and instructor guidance to confirm the topics and emphasis required for your specific course.
Course-scope note: N170 is used by different institutions for different courses. Because the institution-specific N170 title
and syllabus were not supplied, this exam is a broad nursing review emphasizing safety, prioritization, assessment,
medication safety, infection prevention, and clinical judgment.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A patient suddenly develops stridor after extubation. What is the priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess airway immediately and activate urgent help
C. Offer water
D. Document and return in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway immediately and activate urgent help
Rationale: Stridor can signal upper-airway obstruction. Airway assessment and urgent escalation take priority.
Why the other options are incorrect: Water may be unsafe; documentation cannot delay care; ambulation is unsafe
during respiratory distress.
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Question 2. A patient is difficult to arouse after an opioid and has respirations of 7/min. What should the nurse do?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Wait for the next routine round
C. Support airway and breathing, summon help, and follow the respiratory-depression protocol
D. Give another opioid dose
Correct Answer: C. Support airway and breathing, summon help, and follow the respiratory-depression protocol
Rationale: Marked sedation with slow breathing may be life-threatening and requires immediate response.
Why the other options are incorrect: More opioid may worsen respiratory depression; oral fluids risk aspiration; waiting
delays lifesaving care.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 3. A patient’s wristband does not match the medication administration record. What is safest?
A. Use the room number to identify the patient
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
, B. Ask a visitor to confirm and administer
C. Give it and document later
D. Hold the medication and resolve the identity discrepancy
Correct Answer: D. Hold the medication and resolve the identity discrepancy
Rationale: Patient identity must be verified using approved identifiers before medication administration.
Why the other options are incorrect: Room number and visitor confirmation are insufficient; documentation does not
correct an unsafe administration.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which patient should be assessed first?
A. A patient with new chest pressure, diaphoresis, and shortness of breath
B. A patient requesting a warm pack for chronic back pain
C. A patient awaiting discharge paperwork
D. A patient with stable mild nausea
Correct Answer: A. A patient with new chest pressure, diaphoresis, and shortness of breath
Rationale: This symptom cluster may indicate acute coronary syndrome and requires prompt assessment.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other needs are less immediately life-threatening.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A patient with diabetes is shaky and confused; glucose is 48 mg/dL and the patient can swallow safely.
What is the first action?
A. Wait for a laboratory result
B. Give a rapid-acting carbohydrate according to protocol and reassess
C. Administer insulin
D. Encourage exercise
Correct Answer: B. Give a rapid-acting carbohydrate according to protocol and reassess
Rationale: Symptomatic hypoglycemia should be treated promptly when oral intake is safe.
Why the other options are incorrect: Insulin and exercise may lower glucose further; treatment should not be delayed for
a confirmatory lab.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 6. An unconscious patient has suspected severe hypoglycemia. What should the nurse do?
A. Give juice by straw
B. Wait until the patient wakes
C. Activate emergency help and follow protocol for glucagon or IV dextrose
D. Put candy in the mouth
Correct Answer: C. Activate emergency help and follow protocol for glucagon or IV dextrose
Rationale: An unconscious patient cannot swallow safely; emergency treatment is required.
Why the other options are incorrect: Oral items create aspiration risk, and waiting can cause serious harm.
──────────────────────────────────────────
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
, Question 7. Which finding may indicate dehydration?
A. Moist mucosa and pale urine
B. Crackles and peripheral edema
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Orthostatic dizziness and concentrated urine
Correct Answer: D. Orthostatic dizziness and concentrated urine
Rationale: Orthostatic symptoms and concentrated urine may reflect reduced circulating volume.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other options are more consistent with hydration or possible fluid excess.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 8. A patient has potassium of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the priority assessment?
A. Cardiac rhythm and muscle weakness
B. Hair texture
C. Hearing acuity
D. Visual acuity
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac rhythm and muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness and dangerous dysrhythmias.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other assessments do not address the major immediate risks.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 9. Which statement about IV potassium is correct?
A. It can be mixed with any medication
B. It must be diluted and infused at a controlled rate according to protocol
C. It may be given by IV push
D. Renal function need not be checked
Correct Answer: B. It must be diluted and infused at a controlled rate according to protocol
Rationale: IV potassium must never be administered by IV push; safe rate and monitoring are essential.
Why the other options are incorrect: IV push can cause fatal dysrhythmias; renal function and compatibility affect safety.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 10. A patient taking warfarin reports black, tarry stools. What should the nurse do?
A. Recommend an extra dose
B. Restrict all fluids
C. Promptly assess and report possible gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Reassure the patient this is expected
Correct Answer: C. Promptly assess and report possible gastrointestinal bleeding
Rationale: Melena may indicate bleeding, a serious complication of anticoagulation.
Why the other options are incorrect: It is not harmless; extra warfarin increases risk; fluid restriction does not address
bleeding.
──────────────────────────────────────────
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
Practice Exam 2026–2027
100 Original Questions and Answers | General Nursing Review
Educational practice resource • Not an official or verified course examination
Instructions
Choose the single best answer for each question. Complete the exam before reviewing the answers and rationales. Use
your current N170 syllabus and instructor guidance to confirm the topics and emphasis required for your specific course.
Course-scope note: N170 is used by different institutions for different courses. Because the institution-specific N170 title
and syllabus were not supplied, this exam is a broad nursing review emphasizing safety, prioritization, assessment,
medication safety, infection prevention, and clinical judgment.
Practice Questions
Question 1. A patient suddenly develops stridor after extubation. What is the priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess airway immediately and activate urgent help
C. Offer water
D. Document and return in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B. Assess airway immediately and activate urgent help
Rationale: Stridor can signal upper-airway obstruction. Airway assessment and urgent escalation take priority.
Why the other options are incorrect: Water may be unsafe; documentation cannot delay care; ambulation is unsafe
during respiratory distress.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 2. A patient is difficult to arouse after an opioid and has respirations of 7/min. What should the nurse do?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Wait for the next routine round
C. Support airway and breathing, summon help, and follow the respiratory-depression protocol
D. Give another opioid dose
Correct Answer: C. Support airway and breathing, summon help, and follow the respiratory-depression protocol
Rationale: Marked sedation with slow breathing may be life-threatening and requires immediate response.
Why the other options are incorrect: More opioid may worsen respiratory depression; oral fluids risk aspiration; waiting
delays lifesaving care.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 3. A patient’s wristband does not match the medication administration record. What is safest?
A. Use the room number to identify the patient
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
, B. Ask a visitor to confirm and administer
C. Give it and document later
D. Hold the medication and resolve the identity discrepancy
Correct Answer: D. Hold the medication and resolve the identity discrepancy
Rationale: Patient identity must be verified using approved identifiers before medication administration.
Why the other options are incorrect: Room number and visitor confirmation are insufficient; documentation does not
correct an unsafe administration.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 4. Which patient should be assessed first?
A. A patient with new chest pressure, diaphoresis, and shortness of breath
B. A patient requesting a warm pack for chronic back pain
C. A patient awaiting discharge paperwork
D. A patient with stable mild nausea
Correct Answer: A. A patient with new chest pressure, diaphoresis, and shortness of breath
Rationale: This symptom cluster may indicate acute coronary syndrome and requires prompt assessment.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other needs are less immediately life-threatening.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 5. A patient with diabetes is shaky and confused; glucose is 48 mg/dL and the patient can swallow safely.
What is the first action?
A. Wait for a laboratory result
B. Give a rapid-acting carbohydrate according to protocol and reassess
C. Administer insulin
D. Encourage exercise
Correct Answer: B. Give a rapid-acting carbohydrate according to protocol and reassess
Rationale: Symptomatic hypoglycemia should be treated promptly when oral intake is safe.
Why the other options are incorrect: Insulin and exercise may lower glucose further; treatment should not be delayed for
a confirmatory lab.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 6. An unconscious patient has suspected severe hypoglycemia. What should the nurse do?
A. Give juice by straw
B. Wait until the patient wakes
C. Activate emergency help and follow protocol for glucagon or IV dextrose
D. Put candy in the mouth
Correct Answer: C. Activate emergency help and follow protocol for glucagon or IV dextrose
Rationale: An unconscious patient cannot swallow safely; emergency treatment is required.
Why the other options are incorrect: Oral items create aspiration risk, and waiting can cause serious harm.
──────────────────────────────────────────
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
, Question 7. Which finding may indicate dehydration?
A. Moist mucosa and pale urine
B. Crackles and peripheral edema
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Orthostatic dizziness and concentrated urine
Correct Answer: D. Orthostatic dizziness and concentrated urine
Rationale: Orthostatic symptoms and concentrated urine may reflect reduced circulating volume.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other options are more consistent with hydration or possible fluid excess.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 8. A patient has potassium of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the priority assessment?
A. Cardiac rhythm and muscle weakness
B. Hair texture
C. Hearing acuity
D. Visual acuity
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac rhythm and muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness and dangerous dysrhythmias.
Why the other options are incorrect: The other assessments do not address the major immediate risks.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 9. Which statement about IV potassium is correct?
A. It can be mixed with any medication
B. It must be diluted and infused at a controlled rate according to protocol
C. It may be given by IV push
D. Renal function need not be checked
Correct Answer: B. It must be diluted and infused at a controlled rate according to protocol
Rationale: IV potassium must never be administered by IV push; safe rate and monitoring are essential.
Why the other options are incorrect: IV push can cause fatal dysrhythmias; renal function and compatibility affect safety.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Question 10. A patient taking warfarin reports black, tarry stools. What should the nurse do?
A. Recommend an extra dose
B. Restrict all fluids
C. Promptly assess and report possible gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Reassure the patient this is expected
Correct Answer: C. Promptly assess and report possible gastrointestinal bleeding
Rationale: Melena may indicate bleeding, a serious complication of anticoagulation.
Why the other options are incorrect: It is not harmless; extra warfarin increases risk; fluid restriction does not address
bleeding.
──────────────────────────────────────────
N170 Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Original Educational Practice Material
