NURA 1500 EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
REVIEWED
▶ You're caring for a 28 y.o. woman with hepatitis B. She's concerned
about the duration of her recovery. Which response isn't appropriate?
A. Encourage her to not worry about the future.
B. Encourage her to express her feelings about the illness.
C. Discuss the effects of hepatitis B on future health problems.
D. Provide avenues for financial counseling if she expresses the need. -
Answer: A
Explanation: Telling her not to worry minimizes her feelings.
▶ Gail is scheduled for a cholecystectomy. After completion of preoperative
teaching, Gail states,"If I lie still and avoid turning after the operation, I'll
avoid pain. Do you think this is a good idea?" What is the best response?
A. "You'll need to turn from side to side every 2 hours."
B. "It's always a good idea to rest quietly after surgery."
C. "The doctor will probably order you to lie flat for 24 hours."
D. "Why don't you decide about activity after you return from the recovery
room? - Answer: A
Explanation: To prevent venous stasis and improve muscle tone,
circulation, and respiratory function, encourage her to move after surgery.
▶ Rob is a 46 y.o. admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of
Hepatitis B. He's jaundiced and reports weakness. Which intervention will
you include in his care?
A. Regular exercise
B. A low-protein diet.
C. Allow patient to select his meals.
D. Rest period after small, frequent meals. - Answer: D
Explanation: Rest periods and small frequent meals is indicated during the
acute phase of hepatitis B.
▶ You're discharging Nathaniel with hepatitis B. Which statement suggests
understanding by the patient?
A. "Now I can never get hepatitis again."
,B. "I can safely give blood after 3 months."
C. "I'll never have a problem with my liver again, even if I drink alcohol."
D. "My family knows that if I get tired and start vomiting, I may be getting
sick again." - Answer: D
Explanation: Hepatitis B can recur. Patients who have had hepatitis are
permanently barred from donating blood. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver
and should be avoided by those who have or had hepatitis B
▶ Ralph has a history of alcohol abuse and has acute pancreatitis. Which
lab value is most likely to be elevated?
A. Calcium
B. Glucose
C. Magnesium
D. Potassium - Answer: B
Explanation: Glucose level increases and diabetes mellitus may result d/t
the pancreatic damage to the islets of Langerhans
▶ Sharon has cirrhosis of the liver and develops ascites. What intervention
is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in her
peritoneal cavity?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Increase sodium in the diet
D. Give antacids as prescribed - Answer: A
Explanation: Restricting fluids decrease the amount of body fluid and the
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space.
▶ Nathaniel has severe pruritus due to having hepatitis B. What is the best
intervention for his comfort?
A. Give tepid baths
B. Avoid lotions and creams
C. Use hot water to increase vasodilation
D. Use cold water to decrease the itching - Answer: A
Explanation: For pruritus, care should include tepid sponge baths and use
of emollient creams and lotions
▶ Brenda, a 36 y.o. patient is on your floor with acute pancreatitis.
Treatment for her includes:
A. Continuous peritoneal lavage
B. Regular diet with increased fat
,C. Nutritional support with TPN
D. Insertion of a T tube to drain the pancreas - Answer: C
Explanation: With acute pancreatitis, you need to rest the GI tract by TPN
as nutritional support.
▶ Glenda has cholelithiasis (gallstones). You expect her to complain of:
A. Pain in the right upper quadrant, radiating to the shoulder
B. Pain in the right lower quadrant, with rebound tenderness
C. Pain in the left upper quadrant, with shortness of breath
D. Pain in the left lower quadrant, with mild cramping - Answer: A
Explanation: The gallbladder is located in the RUQ and a frequent sign of
gallstones is pain radiating to the shoulder.
▶ Leigh Ann is receiving pancrelipase (Viokase) for chronic pancreatitis.
Which observation best indicates the treatment is effective?
A. There is no skin breakdown
B. Her appetite improves
C. She loses more than 10 lbs
D. Stools are less fatty and decreased in frequency - Answer: D
Explanation: Pancrelipase provides the exocrine pancreatic enzyme
necessary for proper protein, fat, and carb digestion. With increased fat
digestion and absorption, stools become less frequent and normal in
appearance.
▶ Britney, a 20 y.o. student is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which
laboratory findings do you expect to be abnormal for this patient?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN
B. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
C. Serum amylase and lipase
D. Cardiac enzymes - Answer: C
Explanation: Pancreatitis involves activation of pancreatic enzymes, such
as amylase and lipase. These levels are elevated in a patient with acute
pancreatitis.
▶ Stephen is a 62 y.o. patient that has had a liver biopsy. Which of the
following groups of signs alert you to a possible pneumothorax?
A. Dyspnea and reduced or absent breath sounds over the right lung
B. Tachycardia, hypotension, and cool, clammy skin
C. Fever, rebound tenderness, and abdominal rigidity
D. Redness, warmth, and drainage at the biopsy site - Answer: A
, Explanation: Signs and Symptoms of pneumothorax include dyspnea and
decreased or absent breath sounds over the affected lung (right lung).
▶ Michael, a 42 y.o. man is admitted to the med-surg floor with a diagnosis
of acute pancreatitis. His BP is 136/76, pulse 96, Resps 22 and temp 101.
His past history includes hyperlipidemia and alcohol abuse. The doctor
prescribes an NG tube. Before inserting the tube, you explain the purpose
to patient. Which of the following is a most accurate explanation?
A. "It empties the stomach of fluids and gas."
B. "It prevents spasms at the sphincter of Oddi."
C. "It prevents air from forming in the small intestine and large intestine."
D. "It removes bile from the gallbladder." - Answer: A
Explanation: An NG tube is inserted into the patients stomach to drain fluid
and gas.
▶ You're caring for Jane, a 57 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who
developed ascites and requires paracentesis. Before her paracentesis, you
instruct her to:
A. Empty her bladder
B. Lie supine in bed
C. Remain NPO for 4 hours
D. Clean her bowels with an enema - Answer: A
Explanation: A full bladder can interfere with paracentesis and be
punctured inadvertently.
▶ You're caring for Betty with liver cirrhosis. Which of the following
assessment findings leads you to suspect hepatic encephalopathy in her?
A. Asterixis
B. Chvostek's sign
C. Trousseau's sign
D. Hepatojugular reflex - Answer: A
Explanation: Asterixis is an early neurologic sign of hepatic encephalopathy
elicited by asking the patient to hold her arms stretched out. Asterixis is
present if the hands rapidly extend and flex.
▶ You are developing a care plan on Sally, a 67 y.o. patient with hepatic
encephalopathy. Which of the following do you include?
A. Administering a lactulose enema as ordered
B. Encouraging a protein-rich diet
C. Administering sedatives, as necessary
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
REVIEWED
▶ You're caring for a 28 y.o. woman with hepatitis B. She's concerned
about the duration of her recovery. Which response isn't appropriate?
A. Encourage her to not worry about the future.
B. Encourage her to express her feelings about the illness.
C. Discuss the effects of hepatitis B on future health problems.
D. Provide avenues for financial counseling if she expresses the need. -
Answer: A
Explanation: Telling her not to worry minimizes her feelings.
▶ Gail is scheduled for a cholecystectomy. After completion of preoperative
teaching, Gail states,"If I lie still and avoid turning after the operation, I'll
avoid pain. Do you think this is a good idea?" What is the best response?
A. "You'll need to turn from side to side every 2 hours."
B. "It's always a good idea to rest quietly after surgery."
C. "The doctor will probably order you to lie flat for 24 hours."
D. "Why don't you decide about activity after you return from the recovery
room? - Answer: A
Explanation: To prevent venous stasis and improve muscle tone,
circulation, and respiratory function, encourage her to move after surgery.
▶ Rob is a 46 y.o. admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of
Hepatitis B. He's jaundiced and reports weakness. Which intervention will
you include in his care?
A. Regular exercise
B. A low-protein diet.
C. Allow patient to select his meals.
D. Rest period after small, frequent meals. - Answer: D
Explanation: Rest periods and small frequent meals is indicated during the
acute phase of hepatitis B.
▶ You're discharging Nathaniel with hepatitis B. Which statement suggests
understanding by the patient?
A. "Now I can never get hepatitis again."
,B. "I can safely give blood after 3 months."
C. "I'll never have a problem with my liver again, even if I drink alcohol."
D. "My family knows that if I get tired and start vomiting, I may be getting
sick again." - Answer: D
Explanation: Hepatitis B can recur. Patients who have had hepatitis are
permanently barred from donating blood. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver
and should be avoided by those who have or had hepatitis B
▶ Ralph has a history of alcohol abuse and has acute pancreatitis. Which
lab value is most likely to be elevated?
A. Calcium
B. Glucose
C. Magnesium
D. Potassium - Answer: B
Explanation: Glucose level increases and diabetes mellitus may result d/t
the pancreatic damage to the islets of Langerhans
▶ Sharon has cirrhosis of the liver and develops ascites. What intervention
is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in her
peritoneal cavity?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Increase sodium in the diet
D. Give antacids as prescribed - Answer: A
Explanation: Restricting fluids decrease the amount of body fluid and the
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space.
▶ Nathaniel has severe pruritus due to having hepatitis B. What is the best
intervention for his comfort?
A. Give tepid baths
B. Avoid lotions and creams
C. Use hot water to increase vasodilation
D. Use cold water to decrease the itching - Answer: A
Explanation: For pruritus, care should include tepid sponge baths and use
of emollient creams and lotions
▶ Brenda, a 36 y.o. patient is on your floor with acute pancreatitis.
Treatment for her includes:
A. Continuous peritoneal lavage
B. Regular diet with increased fat
,C. Nutritional support with TPN
D. Insertion of a T tube to drain the pancreas - Answer: C
Explanation: With acute pancreatitis, you need to rest the GI tract by TPN
as nutritional support.
▶ Glenda has cholelithiasis (gallstones). You expect her to complain of:
A. Pain in the right upper quadrant, radiating to the shoulder
B. Pain in the right lower quadrant, with rebound tenderness
C. Pain in the left upper quadrant, with shortness of breath
D. Pain in the left lower quadrant, with mild cramping - Answer: A
Explanation: The gallbladder is located in the RUQ and a frequent sign of
gallstones is pain radiating to the shoulder.
▶ Leigh Ann is receiving pancrelipase (Viokase) for chronic pancreatitis.
Which observation best indicates the treatment is effective?
A. There is no skin breakdown
B. Her appetite improves
C. She loses more than 10 lbs
D. Stools are less fatty and decreased in frequency - Answer: D
Explanation: Pancrelipase provides the exocrine pancreatic enzyme
necessary for proper protein, fat, and carb digestion. With increased fat
digestion and absorption, stools become less frequent and normal in
appearance.
▶ Britney, a 20 y.o. student is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which
laboratory findings do you expect to be abnormal for this patient?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN
B. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
C. Serum amylase and lipase
D. Cardiac enzymes - Answer: C
Explanation: Pancreatitis involves activation of pancreatic enzymes, such
as amylase and lipase. These levels are elevated in a patient with acute
pancreatitis.
▶ Stephen is a 62 y.o. patient that has had a liver biopsy. Which of the
following groups of signs alert you to a possible pneumothorax?
A. Dyspnea and reduced or absent breath sounds over the right lung
B. Tachycardia, hypotension, and cool, clammy skin
C. Fever, rebound tenderness, and abdominal rigidity
D. Redness, warmth, and drainage at the biopsy site - Answer: A
, Explanation: Signs and Symptoms of pneumothorax include dyspnea and
decreased or absent breath sounds over the affected lung (right lung).
▶ Michael, a 42 y.o. man is admitted to the med-surg floor with a diagnosis
of acute pancreatitis. His BP is 136/76, pulse 96, Resps 22 and temp 101.
His past history includes hyperlipidemia and alcohol abuse. The doctor
prescribes an NG tube. Before inserting the tube, you explain the purpose
to patient. Which of the following is a most accurate explanation?
A. "It empties the stomach of fluids and gas."
B. "It prevents spasms at the sphincter of Oddi."
C. "It prevents air from forming in the small intestine and large intestine."
D. "It removes bile from the gallbladder." - Answer: A
Explanation: An NG tube is inserted into the patients stomach to drain fluid
and gas.
▶ You're caring for Jane, a 57 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who
developed ascites and requires paracentesis. Before her paracentesis, you
instruct her to:
A. Empty her bladder
B. Lie supine in bed
C. Remain NPO for 4 hours
D. Clean her bowels with an enema - Answer: A
Explanation: A full bladder can interfere with paracentesis and be
punctured inadvertently.
▶ You're caring for Betty with liver cirrhosis. Which of the following
assessment findings leads you to suspect hepatic encephalopathy in her?
A. Asterixis
B. Chvostek's sign
C. Trousseau's sign
D. Hepatojugular reflex - Answer: A
Explanation: Asterixis is an early neurologic sign of hepatic encephalopathy
elicited by asking the patient to hold her arms stretched out. Asterixis is
present if the hands rapidly extend and flex.
▶ You are developing a care plan on Sally, a 67 y.o. patient with hepatic
encephalopathy. Which of the following do you include?
A. Administering a lactulose enema as ordered
B. Encouraging a protein-rich diet
C. Administering sedatives, as necessary
