Exit Exam Practice Questions AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2026
A client in the terminal stage of cancer is receiving a continuous infusion of morphine for pain
management. Which data collection finding suggests that the client is experiencing an adverse
effect of the drug?
○ A. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
○ B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
○ C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
○ D. Heart rate of 100 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
RATIONALE: Morphine is a potent opioid that causes respiratory depression as a significant
adverse effect. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min is below the normal range (12-20
breaths/min) and indicates severe respiratory depression, which is a life-threatening adverse
effect requiring immediate intervention such as administration of naloxone. A rate of 20
breaths/min is within normal limits. Hypertension and tachycardia are not typical adverse
effects of morphine; hypotension and bradycardia are more common.
The nurse is working with an adolescent female diagnosed with scoliosis. What problem is
commonly encountered by this group?
○ A. Poor self-esteem
○ B. Hypertension
○ C. Hyperglycemia
○ D. Respiratory alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Poor self-esteem
RATIONALE: Adolescents with scoliosis often experience poor self-esteem due to body image
disturbances, especially during a developmental stage when physical appearance is highly
significant. The condition can affect their social interactions and psychological well-being.
Hypertension, hyperglycemia, and respiratory alkalosis are not commonly associated with
scoliosis.
,A client is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
○ A. Apples
○ B. Bananas
○ C. Aged cheese
○ D. White bread
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Aged cheese
RATIONALE: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine, which is found in aged cheeses, cured
meats, and fermented products. Consuming these foods can lead to a hypertensive crisis, a
life-threatening elevation in blood pressure. Apples, bananas, and white bread are low in
tyramine and are safe to consume.
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
○ A. Heart rate of 72 beats/min
○ B. Yellow-green halos around lights
○ C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
○ D. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Yellow-green halos around lights
RATIONALE: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos around lights, are classic
signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and cardiac
arrhythmias. A heart rate of 72 beats/min is normal. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg is normal.
Weight gain may indicate worsening heart failure, not digoxin toxicity.
A client is receiving IV heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
○ A. Prothrombin time (PT)
○ B. International normalized ratio (INR)
○ C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
○ D. Platelet count
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial thromboplastin time
(aPTT), with the therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT and INR
,are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count should also be monitored for heparin-
induced thrombocytopenia, but aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter for heparin.
A client with diabetes mellitus type 1 has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which symptom
would the nurse expect to find?
○ A. Polyuria
○ B. Polydipsia
○ C. Diaphoresis
○ D. Kussmaul respirations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Diaphoresis
RATIONALE: A blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia. Symptoms of
hypoglycemia include diaphoresis (sweating), tremors, confusion, palpitations, and hunger.
Polyuria and polydipsia are symptoms of hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations are seen in
diabetic ketoacidosis, not hypoglycemia.
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding
indicates the client is experiencing hypoxia?
○ A. Clubbing of the fingers
○ B. Pink, moist skin
○ C. Elevated blood pressure
○ D. Bradypnea
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Clubbing of the fingers
RATIONALE: Clubbing of the fingers is a late sign of chronic hypoxia seen in clients with COPD
and other chronic respiratory conditions. It results from chronic low oxygen levels over time.
Pink, moist skin is not associated with hypoxia. Elevated blood pressure can occur with hypoxia
but is not a classic finding. Bradypnea is not a typical sign of hypoxia; tachypnea is more
common initially.
A client with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed omeprazole. What is the therapeutic action of
this medication?
, ○ A. Neutralizes gastric acid
○ B. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
○ C. Inhibits the proton pump in gastric parietal cells
○ D. Blocks histamine-2 receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Inhibits the proton pump in gastric parietal cells
RATIONALE: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that works by irreversibly inhibiting
the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme (proton pump) in gastric parietal cells, thereby
reducing gastric acid secretion. Antacids neutralize gastric acid. Sucralfate forms a protective
barrier. Histamine-2 receptor blockers (like ranitidine) block histamine-2 receptors.
A client is exhibiting signs of hypovolemic shock after a motor vehicle accident. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
○ A. Bounding pulses
○ B. Decreased urine output
○ C. Warm, flushed skin
○ D. Elevated central venous pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Decreased urine output
RATIONALE: Hypovolemic shock results in decreased perfusion to vital organs, leading to
decreased urine output (oliguria) due to reduced renal blood flow. Pulses become weak and
thready, not bounding. Skin becomes cool and clammy, not warm and flushed. Central venous
pressure is decreased, not elevated.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension.
Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend?
○ A. Increase intake of red meat
○ B. Decrease intake of sodium
○ C. Increase intake of processed foods
○ D. Decrease intake of fruits and vegetables
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Decrease intake of sodium
RATIONALE: Decreasing sodium intake is a key dietary modification for managing
hypertension, as sodium contributes to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. The DASH
diet recommends reducing sodium and increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Red
meat and processed foods are high in sodium and should be limited.
LATEST UPDATE 2026
A client in the terminal stage of cancer is receiving a continuous infusion of morphine for pain
management. Which data collection finding suggests that the client is experiencing an adverse
effect of the drug?
○ A. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
○ B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
○ C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
○ D. Heart rate of 100 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
RATIONALE: Morphine is a potent opioid that causes respiratory depression as a significant
adverse effect. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min is below the normal range (12-20
breaths/min) and indicates severe respiratory depression, which is a life-threatening adverse
effect requiring immediate intervention such as administration of naloxone. A rate of 20
breaths/min is within normal limits. Hypertension and tachycardia are not typical adverse
effects of morphine; hypotension and bradycardia are more common.
The nurse is working with an adolescent female diagnosed with scoliosis. What problem is
commonly encountered by this group?
○ A. Poor self-esteem
○ B. Hypertension
○ C. Hyperglycemia
○ D. Respiratory alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Poor self-esteem
RATIONALE: Adolescents with scoliosis often experience poor self-esteem due to body image
disturbances, especially during a developmental stage when physical appearance is highly
significant. The condition can affect their social interactions and psychological well-being.
Hypertension, hyperglycemia, and respiratory alkalosis are not commonly associated with
scoliosis.
,A client is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
○ A. Apples
○ B. Bananas
○ C. Aged cheese
○ D. White bread
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Aged cheese
RATIONALE: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine, which is found in aged cheeses, cured
meats, and fermented products. Consuming these foods can lead to a hypertensive crisis, a
life-threatening elevation in blood pressure. Apples, bananas, and white bread are low in
tyramine and are safe to consume.
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
○ A. Heart rate of 72 beats/min
○ B. Yellow-green halos around lights
○ C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
○ D. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Yellow-green halos around lights
RATIONALE: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos around lights, are classic
signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and cardiac
arrhythmias. A heart rate of 72 beats/min is normal. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg is normal.
Weight gain may indicate worsening heart failure, not digoxin toxicity.
A client is receiving IV heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
○ A. Prothrombin time (PT)
○ B. International normalized ratio (INR)
○ C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
○ D. Platelet count
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial thromboplastin time
(aPTT), with the therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT and INR
,are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count should also be monitored for heparin-
induced thrombocytopenia, but aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter for heparin.
A client with diabetes mellitus type 1 has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which symptom
would the nurse expect to find?
○ A. Polyuria
○ B. Polydipsia
○ C. Diaphoresis
○ D. Kussmaul respirations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Diaphoresis
RATIONALE: A blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia. Symptoms of
hypoglycemia include diaphoresis (sweating), tremors, confusion, palpitations, and hunger.
Polyuria and polydipsia are symptoms of hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations are seen in
diabetic ketoacidosis, not hypoglycemia.
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding
indicates the client is experiencing hypoxia?
○ A. Clubbing of the fingers
○ B. Pink, moist skin
○ C. Elevated blood pressure
○ D. Bradypnea
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Clubbing of the fingers
RATIONALE: Clubbing of the fingers is a late sign of chronic hypoxia seen in clients with COPD
and other chronic respiratory conditions. It results from chronic low oxygen levels over time.
Pink, moist skin is not associated with hypoxia. Elevated blood pressure can occur with hypoxia
but is not a classic finding. Bradypnea is not a typical sign of hypoxia; tachypnea is more
common initially.
A client with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed omeprazole. What is the therapeutic action of
this medication?
, ○ A. Neutralizes gastric acid
○ B. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
○ C. Inhibits the proton pump in gastric parietal cells
○ D. Blocks histamine-2 receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Inhibits the proton pump in gastric parietal cells
RATIONALE: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that works by irreversibly inhibiting
the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme (proton pump) in gastric parietal cells, thereby
reducing gastric acid secretion. Antacids neutralize gastric acid. Sucralfate forms a protective
barrier. Histamine-2 receptor blockers (like ranitidine) block histamine-2 receptors.
A client is exhibiting signs of hypovolemic shock after a motor vehicle accident. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
○ A. Bounding pulses
○ B. Decreased urine output
○ C. Warm, flushed skin
○ D. Elevated central venous pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Decreased urine output
RATIONALE: Hypovolemic shock results in decreased perfusion to vital organs, leading to
decreased urine output (oliguria) due to reduced renal blood flow. Pulses become weak and
thready, not bounding. Skin becomes cool and clammy, not warm and flushed. Central venous
pressure is decreased, not elevated.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension.
Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend?
○ A. Increase intake of red meat
○ B. Decrease intake of sodium
○ C. Increase intake of processed foods
○ D. Decrease intake of fruits and vegetables
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Decrease intake of sodium
RATIONALE: Decreasing sodium intake is a key dietary modification for managing
hypertension, as sodium contributes to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. The DASH
diet recommends reducing sodium and increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Red
meat and processed foods are high in sodium and should be limited.
