NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease experiences a decrease in
SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of
the nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - correct answer b
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action
should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. - correct
answer b
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis.
How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - correct answer d
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg;
PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - correct answer b
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document
this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - correct answer a
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which statement, if
made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - correct answer c
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which action by
the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the lung bases.
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth.
- correct answer b
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was
hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of
89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most
effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the admission process. - correct
answer c
A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset
shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the
nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale forcefully. - correct
answer b
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent
fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. - correct answer d
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease experiences a decrease in
SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of
the nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - correct answer b
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action
should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. - correct
answer b
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis.
How should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - correct answer d
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg;
PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - correct answer b
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document
this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - correct answer a
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which statement, if
made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - correct answer c
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which action by
the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the lung bases.
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth.
- correct answer b
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was
hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of
89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most
effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
, NUR 201 Exam 3 – Medical Surgical
Nursing (2026/2027 Latest Update)
Verified Questions & Answers 100%
Correct Grade A - WCU
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the admission process. - correct
answer c
A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset
shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the
nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale forcefully. - correct
answer b
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent
fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. - correct answer d
