NUR 3275 Exam comprehensive Study Guide |Practice Question
&Complete Solution |2026 Update
1. A nurse assesses a patient with cellulitis. Which assessment finding is most consistent
with acute inflammation?
A. Cool, pale skin
B. Localized redness, warmth, swelling, and pain
C. Decreased capillary refill without edema
D. Generalized muscle weakness
Answer: B. Localized redness, warmth, swelling, and pain
Rationale: The cardinal signs of acute inflammation include redness (rubor), heat (calor),
swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function. These occur because of vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability.
2. Which white blood cell is the first responder during an acute bacterial infection?
A. Eosinophil
B. Basophil
C. Neutrophil
D. Monocyte
Answer: C. Neutrophil
Rationale: Neutrophils rapidly migrate to sites of bacterial infection where they engulf and
destroy pathogens through phagocytosis.
3. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which finding requires immediate
nursing attention?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Confusion and seizures
D. Elevated blood pressure
Answer: C. Confusion and seizures
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema, which can lead to altered mental status,
seizures, coma, and death if untreated.
,4. Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for long-term immunity after infection?
A. IgA
B. IgE
C. IgG
D. IgM
Answer: C. IgG
Rationale: IgG is the most abundant antibody in circulation and provides long-term immunity
through memory responses.
5. Which patient is at the greatest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection?
A. Healthy adolescent with seasonal allergies
B. Older adult receiving chemotherapy
C. Young adult with controlled asthma
D. Middle-aged patient with hypertension
Answer: B. Older adult receiving chemotherapy
Rationale: Chemotherapy suppresses immune function, making patients highly susceptible to
opportunistic infections.
6. Which assessment finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Weight gain
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased body water, resulting in dry mucous membranes,
tachycardia, hypotension, and concentrated urine.
7. Which fluid is considered hypertonic?
,A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. Lactated Ringer's
C. 3% Normal Saline
D. D5W after metabolism
Answer: C. 3% Normal Saline
Rationale: Hypertonic saline draws water from the intracellular space into the vascular
compartment, shrinking cells.
8. What is the primary function of macrophages?
A. Produce antibodies
B. Release insulin
C. Present antigens to lymphocytes
D. Produce erythrocytes
Answer: C. Present antigens to lymphocytes
Rationale: Macrophages phagocytose pathogens and present antigens to T cells, initiating
adaptive immunity.
9. A patient experiences an anaphylactic reaction after receiving penicillin. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Prednisone
Answer: B. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment because it reverses airway edema,
bronchospasm, and hypotension.
10. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
, C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular electrolyte and is essential for nerve conduction
and muscle contraction.
11. Which laboratory value indicates leukocytosis?
A. WBC 3,500/mm³
B. WBC 6,000/mm³
C. WBC 12,500/mm³
D. WBC 4,800/mm³
Answer: C. WBC 12,500/mm³
Rationale: A white blood cell count greater than approximately 11,000/mm³ suggests
leukocytosis, commonly associated with infection or inflammation.
12. Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Insulin
C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D. Cortisol
Answer: C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH promotes water reabsorption in the renal collecting ducts, helping maintain
fluid balance.
13. Which patient demonstrates active immunity?
A. Received immune globulin injection
B. Received childhood vaccinations
C. Received monoclonal antibodies
D. Received antivenom
Answer: B. Received childhood vaccinations
&Complete Solution |2026 Update
1. A nurse assesses a patient with cellulitis. Which assessment finding is most consistent
with acute inflammation?
A. Cool, pale skin
B. Localized redness, warmth, swelling, and pain
C. Decreased capillary refill without edema
D. Generalized muscle weakness
Answer: B. Localized redness, warmth, swelling, and pain
Rationale: The cardinal signs of acute inflammation include redness (rubor), heat (calor),
swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function. These occur because of vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability.
2. Which white blood cell is the first responder during an acute bacterial infection?
A. Eosinophil
B. Basophil
C. Neutrophil
D. Monocyte
Answer: C. Neutrophil
Rationale: Neutrophils rapidly migrate to sites of bacterial infection where they engulf and
destroy pathogens through phagocytosis.
3. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which finding requires immediate
nursing attention?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Confusion and seizures
D. Elevated blood pressure
Answer: C. Confusion and seizures
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema, which can lead to altered mental status,
seizures, coma, and death if untreated.
,4. Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for long-term immunity after infection?
A. IgA
B. IgE
C. IgG
D. IgM
Answer: C. IgG
Rationale: IgG is the most abundant antibody in circulation and provides long-term immunity
through memory responses.
5. Which patient is at the greatest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection?
A. Healthy adolescent with seasonal allergies
B. Older adult receiving chemotherapy
C. Young adult with controlled asthma
D. Middle-aged patient with hypertension
Answer: B. Older adult receiving chemotherapy
Rationale: Chemotherapy suppresses immune function, making patients highly susceptible to
opportunistic infections.
6. Which assessment finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Weight gain
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased body water, resulting in dry mucous membranes,
tachycardia, hypotension, and concentrated urine.
7. Which fluid is considered hypertonic?
,A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. Lactated Ringer's
C. 3% Normal Saline
D. D5W after metabolism
Answer: C. 3% Normal Saline
Rationale: Hypertonic saline draws water from the intracellular space into the vascular
compartment, shrinking cells.
8. What is the primary function of macrophages?
A. Produce antibodies
B. Release insulin
C. Present antigens to lymphocytes
D. Produce erythrocytes
Answer: C. Present antigens to lymphocytes
Rationale: Macrophages phagocytose pathogens and present antigens to T cells, initiating
adaptive immunity.
9. A patient experiences an anaphylactic reaction after receiving penicillin. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Prednisone
Answer: B. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment because it reverses airway edema,
bronchospasm, and hypotension.
10. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
, C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular electrolyte and is essential for nerve conduction
and muscle contraction.
11. Which laboratory value indicates leukocytosis?
A. WBC 3,500/mm³
B. WBC 6,000/mm³
C. WBC 12,500/mm³
D. WBC 4,800/mm³
Answer: C. WBC 12,500/mm³
Rationale: A white blood cell count greater than approximately 11,000/mm³ suggests
leukocytosis, commonly associated with infection or inflammation.
12. Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Insulin
C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D. Cortisol
Answer: C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH promotes water reabsorption in the renal collecting ducts, helping maintain
fluid balance.
13. Which patient demonstrates active immunity?
A. Received immune globulin injection
B. Received childhood vaccinations
C. Received monoclonal antibodies
D. Received antivenom
Answer: B. Received childhood vaccinations
