NU 136 COMPREHENSIVE NURSING
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45)
suggests the cause is respiratory, while the normal HCO3 indicates no compensation has
occurred yet.
2. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of Cardiac Tamponade?
A. Widened pulse pressure
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Beck’s Triad (Muffled heart sounds, JVD, hypotension)
D. Increased urine output
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s Triad is the classic clinical sign of cardiac tamponade,
resulting from fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac preventing heart expansion.
3. When administering Lisinopril, which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril can lead to potassium retention by
blocking aldosterone, necessitating monitoring for hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Assess pupil reaction
B. Check blood glucose
C. Prepare for immediate intubation
D. Administer IV pain medication
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates a severe brain injury and
usually requires an advanced airway (intubation) to protect the patient from aspiration
and respiratory failure.
5. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Lay the patient flat
B. Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Administer a beta-blocker immediately
D. Increase IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Raising the head of the bed is the first action to help lower blood
pressure via orthostatic effect before identifying the noxious stimulus.
6. A patient is prescribed Warfarin. Which lab value is most critical to monitor?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: A
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45)
suggests the cause is respiratory, while the normal HCO3 indicates no compensation has
occurred yet.
2. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of Cardiac Tamponade?
A. Widened pulse pressure
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Beck’s Triad (Muffled heart sounds, JVD, hypotension)
D. Increased urine output
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s Triad is the classic clinical sign of cardiac tamponade,
resulting from fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac preventing heart expansion.
3. When administering Lisinopril, which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril can lead to potassium retention by
blocking aldosterone, necessitating monitoring for hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Assess pupil reaction
B. Check blood glucose
C. Prepare for immediate intubation
D. Administer IV pain medication
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates a severe brain injury and
usually requires an advanced airway (intubation) to protect the patient from aspiration
and respiratory failure.
5. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Lay the patient flat
B. Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Administer a beta-blocker immediately
D. Increase IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Raising the head of the bed is the first action to help lower blood
pressure via orthostatic effect before identifying the noxious stimulus.
6. A patient is prescribed Warfarin. Which lab value is most critical to monitor?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: A
