NYU Meyers College of Nursing AE3 Exam 1
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
AE 3
Question 1 – Neuro Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Which finding is the earliest sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension)
B. Dilated fixed pupil
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Seizure activity
Answer: C
Rationale: The earliest sign of increased ICP is a change in level of consciousness due to
decreased cerebral perfusion. Cushing’s triad and fixed pupils are late signs.
Question 2 – Stroke Care
A patient with acute ischemic stroke is being evaluated for alteplase therapy. Which condition is
a contraindication?
A. Onset of symptoms 2 hours ago
B. Blood pressure 180/100 mmHg
C. Platelet count of 50,000/mm³
D. History of hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in patients with active bleeding risk,
including platelet count <100,000.
Question 3 – Respiratory
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse should
monitor for which complication?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypoventilation and CO₂ retention
C. Hyperventilation and alkalosis
D. Pneumothorax
,Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients rely partly on hypoxic drive to breathe. High O₂ flow can suppress
this, leading to CO₂ retention and respiratory acidosis.
Question 4 – Cardiac
A patient is admitted with chest pain and diagnosed with an acute MI. Which medication should
be administered first?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Aspirin
C. Morphine
D. Beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin is given immediately to inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing clot formation.
Nitroglycerin and morphine follow for pain/vasodilation.
Question 5 – Endocrine
A patient with SIADH is admitted. Which lab result does the nurse expect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH leads to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Key nursing
intervention: fluid restriction and sodium monitoring.
Question 6 – Seizures
During a tonic-clonic seizure, which action is priority?
A. Restrain the patient to prevent injury
B. Insert an oral airway immediately
C. Place the patient on their side
D. Give IV lorazepam immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Protect the airway first. Side-lying prevents aspiration. Do not restrain or insert
objects during active seizure. Medication follows if ordered.
,Question 7 – Post-op Nursing
A patient 8 hours post-thyroidectomy reports tingling in lips and fingers. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroidectomy can damage parathyroid glands → decreased PTH → hypocalcemia.
Tingling, tetany, and Chvostek’s/Trousseau’s signs are key findings.
Question 8 – Heart Failure
Which finding indicates effective therapy in a patient with heart failure on furosemide?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Reduced crackles in lungs
C. Weight gain of 2 lbs in 24 hrs
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics relieve pulmonary congestion → fewer crackles. Weight gain and
oliguria suggest worsening HF.
Question 9 – Shock
A trauma patient presents with cool, clammy skin, tachycardia, and hypotension. The nurse
identifies this as which type of shock?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Hypovolemic
C. Septic
D. Neurogenic
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia, hypotension, cool clammy skin due to
low circulating volume.
, Question 10 – Pain Management
A post-op patient reports severe pain despite IV morphine. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A. Request a higher dose opioid order
B. Assess the patient’s surgical site and vital signs
C. Document the pain and reassess in 2 hours
D. Offer non-pharmacologic therapy only
Answer: B
Rationale: Before escalating opioid therapy, assess for complications (e.g., hemorrhage,
infection) that could cause uncontrolled pain.
Question 11 – Renal
A patient with chronic kidney disease is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which pre-dialysis lab
result is most concerning?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. Serum potassium 6.2 mEq/L
C. BUN 40 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 4.0 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is life-threatening because of risk of arrhythmias. Dialysis is often
initiated urgently for high potassium.
Question 12 – Electrolytes
Which ECG change is most associated with hypokalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. U waves and flattened T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. Wide QRS complexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes U waves, ST depression, and flattened T waves. Peaked T
waves occur in hyperkalemia.
Question 13 – Diabetes
A nurse finds a type 1 diabetic patient confused and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Give IV regular insulin
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
AE 3
Question 1 – Neuro Assessment
A nurse is assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Which finding is the earliest sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension)
B. Dilated fixed pupil
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Seizure activity
Answer: C
Rationale: The earliest sign of increased ICP is a change in level of consciousness due to
decreased cerebral perfusion. Cushing’s triad and fixed pupils are late signs.
Question 2 – Stroke Care
A patient with acute ischemic stroke is being evaluated for alteplase therapy. Which condition is
a contraindication?
A. Onset of symptoms 2 hours ago
B. Blood pressure 180/100 mmHg
C. Platelet count of 50,000/mm³
D. History of hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in patients with active bleeding risk,
including platelet count <100,000.
Question 3 – Respiratory
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse should
monitor for which complication?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypoventilation and CO₂ retention
C. Hyperventilation and alkalosis
D. Pneumothorax
,Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients rely partly on hypoxic drive to breathe. High O₂ flow can suppress
this, leading to CO₂ retention and respiratory acidosis.
Question 4 – Cardiac
A patient is admitted with chest pain and diagnosed with an acute MI. Which medication should
be administered first?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Aspirin
C. Morphine
D. Beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin is given immediately to inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing clot formation.
Nitroglycerin and morphine follow for pain/vasodilation.
Question 5 – Endocrine
A patient with SIADH is admitted. Which lab result does the nurse expect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH leads to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Key nursing
intervention: fluid restriction and sodium monitoring.
Question 6 – Seizures
During a tonic-clonic seizure, which action is priority?
A. Restrain the patient to prevent injury
B. Insert an oral airway immediately
C. Place the patient on their side
D. Give IV lorazepam immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Protect the airway first. Side-lying prevents aspiration. Do not restrain or insert
objects during active seizure. Medication follows if ordered.
,Question 7 – Post-op Nursing
A patient 8 hours post-thyroidectomy reports tingling in lips and fingers. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroidectomy can damage parathyroid glands → decreased PTH → hypocalcemia.
Tingling, tetany, and Chvostek’s/Trousseau’s signs are key findings.
Question 8 – Heart Failure
Which finding indicates effective therapy in a patient with heart failure on furosemide?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Reduced crackles in lungs
C. Weight gain of 2 lbs in 24 hrs
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics relieve pulmonary congestion → fewer crackles. Weight gain and
oliguria suggest worsening HF.
Question 9 – Shock
A trauma patient presents with cool, clammy skin, tachycardia, and hypotension. The nurse
identifies this as which type of shock?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Hypovolemic
C. Septic
D. Neurogenic
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia, hypotension, cool clammy skin due to
low circulating volume.
, Question 10 – Pain Management
A post-op patient reports severe pain despite IV morphine. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A. Request a higher dose opioid order
B. Assess the patient’s surgical site and vital signs
C. Document the pain and reassess in 2 hours
D. Offer non-pharmacologic therapy only
Answer: B
Rationale: Before escalating opioid therapy, assess for complications (e.g., hemorrhage,
infection) that could cause uncontrolled pain.
Question 11 – Renal
A patient with chronic kidney disease is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which pre-dialysis lab
result is most concerning?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. Serum potassium 6.2 mEq/L
C. BUN 40 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 4.0 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is life-threatening because of risk of arrhythmias. Dialysis is often
initiated urgently for high potassium.
Question 12 – Electrolytes
Which ECG change is most associated with hypokalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. U waves and flattened T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. Wide QRS complexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes U waves, ST depression, and flattened T waves. Peaked T
waves occur in hyperkalemia.
Question 13 – Diabetes
A nurse finds a type 1 diabetic patient confused and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Give IV regular insulin
