NURA 1500 FINAL STUDY SHEET 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS MASTER FILE
▶ 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
D. Encouraging ambulation at least four times a day - Answer: A
Explanation: You may administer the laxative lactulose to reduce ammonia
levels in the colon.
▶ The client with leukemia is receiving busulfan (Myleran) and allopurinol
(Zyloprim). The nurse tells the client that the purpose if the allopurinol is to
prevent:
A. Nausea
B. Alopecia
C. Vomiting
D. Hyperuricemia - Answer: D
Explanation: Allopurinol decreases uric acid production and reduces uric
acid concentrations in serum and urine. In the client receiving
chemotherapy, uric acid levels increase as a result of the massive cell
destruction that occurs from the chemotherapy. This medication prevents
or treats hyperuricemia caused by chemotherapy. Allopurinol is not used to
prevent alopecia, nausea, or vomiting
▶ A patient with chronic alcohol abuse is admitted with liver failure. You
closely monitor the patient's blood pressure because of which change that
is associated with the liver failure?
A. Hypoalbuminemia
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Abnormal peripheral vasodilation
D. Excess rennin release from the kidneys - Answer: A
Explanation: Blood pressure decreases as the body is unable to maintain
normal oncotic pressure with liver failure, so patients with liver failure
require close blood pressure monitoring. Increased capillary permeability,
abnormal peripheral vasodilation, and excess rennin released from the
kidneys aren't direct ramifications of liver failure.
, ▶ You're caring for Lewis, a 67 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who
developed ascites and requires paracentesis. Relief of which symptom
indicated that the paracentesis was effective?
A. Pruritus
B. Dyspnea
C. Jaundice
D. Peripheral Neuropathy - Answer: B
Explanation: Ascites puts pressure on the diaphragm. Paracentesis is done
to remove fluid and reducing pressure on the diaphragm. The goal is to
improve the patient's breathing. The others are signs of cirrhosis that aren't
relieved by paracentesis
▶ The nurse is admitting a male client with laryngeal cancer to the nursing
unit. The nurse assesses for which most common risk factor for this type of
cancer?
A. Alcohol abuse
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Use of chewing tobacco
D. Exposure to air pollutants - Answer: B
Explanation: The most common risk factor associated with laryngeal cancer
is cigarette smoking. Heavy alcohol use and the combined use of tobacco
increase the risk. Another risk factor is exposure to environmental
pollutants.
▶ The female client who has been receiving radiation therapy for bladder
cancer tells the nurse that it feels as if she is voiding through the vagina.
The nurse interprets that the client may be experiencing:
A. Rupture of the bladder
B. The development of a vesicovaginal fistula
C. Extreme stress caused by the diagnosis of cancer
D. Altered perineal sensation as a side effect of radiation therapy - Answer:
B
Explanation: A vesicovaginal fistula is a genital fistula that occurs between
the bladder and vagina. The fistula is an abnormal opening between these
two body parts and, if this occurs, the client may experience drainage of
urine through the vagina. The client's complaint is not associated with
options A, C, and D.
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS MASTER FILE
▶ 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
D. Encouraging ambulation at least four times a day - Answer: A
Explanation: You may administer the laxative lactulose to reduce ammonia
levels in the colon.
▶ The client with leukemia is receiving busulfan (Myleran) and allopurinol
(Zyloprim). The nurse tells the client that the purpose if the allopurinol is to
prevent:
A. Nausea
B. Alopecia
C. Vomiting
D. Hyperuricemia - Answer: D
Explanation: Allopurinol decreases uric acid production and reduces uric
acid concentrations in serum and urine. In the client receiving
chemotherapy, uric acid levels increase as a result of the massive cell
destruction that occurs from the chemotherapy. This medication prevents
or treats hyperuricemia caused by chemotherapy. Allopurinol is not used to
prevent alopecia, nausea, or vomiting
▶ A patient with chronic alcohol abuse is admitted with liver failure. You
closely monitor the patient's blood pressure because of which change that
is associated with the liver failure?
A. Hypoalbuminemia
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Abnormal peripheral vasodilation
D. Excess rennin release from the kidneys - Answer: A
Explanation: Blood pressure decreases as the body is unable to maintain
normal oncotic pressure with liver failure, so patients with liver failure
require close blood pressure monitoring. Increased capillary permeability,
abnormal peripheral vasodilation, and excess rennin released from the
kidneys aren't direct ramifications of liver failure.
, ▶ You're caring for Lewis, a 67 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who
developed ascites and requires paracentesis. Relief of which symptom
indicated that the paracentesis was effective?
A. Pruritus
B. Dyspnea
C. Jaundice
D. Peripheral Neuropathy - Answer: B
Explanation: Ascites puts pressure on the diaphragm. Paracentesis is done
to remove fluid and reducing pressure on the diaphragm. The goal is to
improve the patient's breathing. The others are signs of cirrhosis that aren't
relieved by paracentesis
▶ The nurse is admitting a male client with laryngeal cancer to the nursing
unit. The nurse assesses for which most common risk factor for this type of
cancer?
A. Alcohol abuse
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Use of chewing tobacco
D. Exposure to air pollutants - Answer: B
Explanation: The most common risk factor associated with laryngeal cancer
is cigarette smoking. Heavy alcohol use and the combined use of tobacco
increase the risk. Another risk factor is exposure to environmental
pollutants.
▶ The female client who has been receiving radiation therapy for bladder
cancer tells the nurse that it feels as if she is voiding through the vagina.
The nurse interprets that the client may be experiencing:
A. Rupture of the bladder
B. The development of a vesicovaginal fistula
C. Extreme stress caused by the diagnosis of cancer
D. Altered perineal sensation as a side effect of radiation therapy - Answer:
B
Explanation: A vesicovaginal fistula is a genital fistula that occurs between
the bladder and vagina. The fistula is an abnormal opening between these
two body parts and, if this occurs, the client may experience drainage of
urine through the vagina. The client's complaint is not associated with
options A, C, and D.
