NSG 300 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH
RATIONALES (2026 UPDATE) ⭐
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. Which assessment should be
completed first?
A. Nutritional history
B. Psychosocial assessment
C. Airway and breathing assessment
D. Family health history
Rationale: The ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) approach prioritizes airway
and breathing because they are essential for survival.
2. Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing patient falls?
A. Apply restraints routinely.
B. Keep all four side rails raised.
C. Ensure the call light is within the patient's reach.
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate independently.
Rationale: Easy access to the call light encourages patients to request assistance
before attempting to get out of bed.
3. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 126/78 mmHg
B. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
C. Heart rate 82 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression
requiring prompt evaluation.
, 4. Before administering medication, the nurse should first:
A. Explain possible side effects.
B. Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers.
C. Document the medication.
D. Record the patient's weight.
Rationale: Correct patient identification is a fundamental safety practice before
medication administration.
5. Which laboratory value is most important to review before administering
warfarin?
A. White blood cell count
B. Sodium level
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Blood glucose
Rationale: INR measures the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and guides safe
dosing.
6. Which assessment finding is consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Jugular vein distention
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of fluid volume deficit.
7. Which patient has the highest priority?
A. Patient requesting pain medication.
B. Patient with sudden onset chest pain.
C. Patient awaiting discharge.
D. Patient requesting assistance with meals.
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia and requires immediate
assessment.
, 8. Which nursing action helps prevent pressure injuries?
A. Massage reddened areas.
B. Reposition immobile patients at regular intervals.
C. Keep skin moist.
D. Limit protein intake.
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and promotes tissue perfusion.
9. Which action demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Giving personal opinions.
B. Changing the subject.
C. Using active listening techniques.
D. Interrupting frequently.
Rationale: Active listening encourages patients to express concerns openly.
10.A patient's oxygen saturation decreases to 86%. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Notify the provider.
B. Assess the patient and airway immediately.
C. Document the finding.
D. Encourage fluid intake.
Rationale: Assessment precedes intervention and identifies the cause of
hypoxemia.
11.Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes muscle weakness and
cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function.
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH
RATIONALES (2026 UPDATE) ⭐
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. Which assessment should be
completed first?
A. Nutritional history
B. Psychosocial assessment
C. Airway and breathing assessment
D. Family health history
Rationale: The ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) approach prioritizes airway
and breathing because they are essential for survival.
2. Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing patient falls?
A. Apply restraints routinely.
B. Keep all four side rails raised.
C. Ensure the call light is within the patient's reach.
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate independently.
Rationale: Easy access to the call light encourages patients to request assistance
before attempting to get out of bed.
3. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 126/78 mmHg
B. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
C. Heart rate 82 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression
requiring prompt evaluation.
, 4. Before administering medication, the nurse should first:
A. Explain possible side effects.
B. Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers.
C. Document the medication.
D. Record the patient's weight.
Rationale: Correct patient identification is a fundamental safety practice before
medication administration.
5. Which laboratory value is most important to review before administering
warfarin?
A. White blood cell count
B. Sodium level
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Blood glucose
Rationale: INR measures the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and guides safe
dosing.
6. Which assessment finding is consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Jugular vein distention
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of fluid volume deficit.
7. Which patient has the highest priority?
A. Patient requesting pain medication.
B. Patient with sudden onset chest pain.
C. Patient awaiting discharge.
D. Patient requesting assistance with meals.
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia and requires immediate
assessment.
, 8. Which nursing action helps prevent pressure injuries?
A. Massage reddened areas.
B. Reposition immobile patients at regular intervals.
C. Keep skin moist.
D. Limit protein intake.
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and promotes tissue perfusion.
9. Which action demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Giving personal opinions.
B. Changing the subject.
C. Using active listening techniques.
D. Interrupting frequently.
Rationale: Active listening encourages patients to express concerns openly.
10.A patient's oxygen saturation decreases to 86%. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Notify the provider.
B. Assess the patient and airway immediately.
C. Document the finding.
D. Encourage fluid intake.
Rationale: Assessment precedes intervention and identifies the cause of
hypoxemia.
11.Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes muscle weakness and
cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function.
