NU 136 FINAL EXAM – FUNDAMENTALS
OF NURSING QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a stage 3 pressure injury.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat.
B. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness.
C. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer.
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or tendon.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss where subcutaneous
fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. Stage 4 involves exposed
bone or muscle.
,2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the patient’s SpO2 is 89%. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Continue to monitor as this is an expected range for COPD.
B. Change to a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min.
C. Increase oxygen flow to 6 L/min immediately.
D. Prepare for emergency endotracheal intubation.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For patients with COPD, a target SpO2 range of 88% to 92% is
often acceptable to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
3. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action by the nurse would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile gloved hands above the waist level.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up a gauze pad.
D. Pouring sterile saline into a basin without splashing.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of sterile technique
because microorganisms can fall from the nurse’s sleeves or arms onto the field.
, 4. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. These results indicate which acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
with a normal HCO3 indicates that the cause is respiratory.
5. Which of the following is the highest priority when a nurse is planning care for a patient
with severe hypokalemia?
A. Assessing for muscle weakness.
B. Implementing fall precautions.
C. Encouraging intake of high-potassium foods.
D. Monitoring cardiac rhythm.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring the cardiac rhythm is the priority intervention.
OF NURSING QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a stage 3 pressure injury.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat.
B. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness.
C. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer.
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or tendon.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss where subcutaneous
fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. Stage 4 involves exposed
bone or muscle.
,2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the patient’s SpO2 is 89%. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Continue to monitor as this is an expected range for COPD.
B. Change to a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min.
C. Increase oxygen flow to 6 L/min immediately.
D. Prepare for emergency endotracheal intubation.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For patients with COPD, a target SpO2 range of 88% to 92% is
often acceptable to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
3. When performing a sterile dressing change, which action by the nurse would contaminate
the sterile field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile gloved hands above the waist level.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up a gauze pad.
D. Pouring sterile saline into a basin without splashing.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field is a breach of sterile technique
because microorganisms can fall from the nurse’s sleeves or arms onto the field.
, 4. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. These results indicate which acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
with a normal HCO3 indicates that the cause is respiratory.
5. Which of the following is the highest priority when a nurse is planning care for a patient
with severe hypokalemia?
A. Assessing for muscle weakness.
B. Implementing fall precautions.
C. Encouraging intake of high-potassium foods.
D. Monitoring cardiac rhythm.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring the cardiac rhythm is the priority intervention.
