NRSG 2350 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION | ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
Course Faculty/School of Nursing (NRSG 2350)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Cardiovascular Disorders
2. Respiratory Disorders
3. Renal and Urinary Disorders
4. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
5. Endocrine Disorders
6. Pharmacologic Management
7. Nursing Assessment and Clinical Judgment
8. Diagnostic and Laboratory Interpretation
9. Patient Safety and Prioritization
10. Interprofessional Care and Patient Education
DISCLAIMER
This material consists of original, high-level study questions created for exam
preparation based on common nursing curriculum topics, textbooks, study guides,
and subject areas frequently covered in comparable nursing courses. It is intended
solely as a learning resource and is not an actual examination or a reproduction of
any examination.
CARDIOVASCULAR || RESPIRATORY || RENAL || ENDOCRINE || FLUID BALANCE ||
ELECTROLYTES || ACID-BASE || PHARMACOLOGY || PRIORITIZATION || PATIENT
SAFETY || CLINICAL JUDGMENT || DIAGNOSTIC INTERPRETATION || EVIDENCE-
BASED PRACTICE || NURSING MANAGEMENT || ADVANCED REVIEW
QUESTION 1.
,A patient admitted with acute decompensated heart failure becomes increasingly
dyspneic despite receiving supplemental oxygen. Which nursing action should be
prioritized?
A. Position the patient in high Fowler's position and reassess oxygenation.
B. Encourage oral fluid intake.
C. Prepare the patient for discharge teaching.
D. Ambulate the patient to improve circulation.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Position the patient in high Fowler's position and reassess
oxygenation.
🔵 Explanation: Positioning the patient upright decreases venous return, improves lung
expansion, and can rapidly reduce respiratory distress while further interventions are
initiated. Encouraging fluids may worsen volume overload, discharge teaching is
inappropriate during instability, and ambulation increases oxygen demand.
QUESTION 2.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide develops generalized weakness. Which
laboratory value requires the most immediate nursing intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Chloride 101 mEq/L
D. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
🔵 Explanation: Severe hypokalemia significantly increases the risk for dysrhythmias
and muscle weakness, particularly in patients receiving loop diuretics. The remaining
laboratory values fall within or near expected ranges and are less immediately
concerning.
QUESTION 3.
,A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suddenly becomes restless and
confused. Which interpretation best reflects this assessment finding?
A. Improved cerebral perfusion
B. Early manifestation of hypoxemia
C. Resolution of respiratory distress
D. Expected effect of bronchodilator therapy
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Early manifestation of hypoxemia
🔵 Explanation: Restlessness and confusion are often early neurological manifestations
of inadequate oxygenation. They should prompt rapid reassessment of respiratory
status. The other options fail to recognize the potential deterioration in oxygen delivery.
QUESTION 4.
A nurse evaluates arterial blood gas results: pH 7.29, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 25
mEq/L. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation
D. Metabolic acidosis
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation
🔵 Explanation: The low pH and elevated PaCO₂ indicate respiratory acidosis. Because
the bicarbonate remains within the normal range, metabolic compensation has not yet
occurred. Fully compensated disorders have a near-normal pH.
QUESTION 5.
A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is receiving insulin therapy. Which finding
indicates the treatment is becoming effective?
, A. Increasing serum ketones
B. Blood glucose gradually decreasing with improving mental status
C. Progressive tachypnea
D. Worsening metabolic acidosis
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Blood glucose gradually decreasing with improving mental
status
🔵 Explanation: Effective treatment results in declining glucose levels, correction of
dehydration and acidosis, and improved neurological function. Persistent ketones,
worsening acidosis, and increasing respiratory distress suggest ongoing metabolic
instability.
QUESTION 6.
A nurse caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease notes peaked T waves on the
cardiac monitor. Which action has the highest priority?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Restrict dietary sodium.
D. Increase oral fluid intake.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
🔵 Explanation: Peaked T waves are a classic manifestation of hyperkalemia, which
can rapidly progress to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Immediate medical
evaluation and treatment are required. The remaining interventions do not address the
acute cardiac risk.
QUESTION 7.
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Stable heart failure patient requesting pain medication.
B. COPD patient with oxygen saturation decreasing from 94% to 86%.
ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION | ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
Examiner:
Course Faculty/School of Nursing (NRSG 2350)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Cardiovascular Disorders
2. Respiratory Disorders
3. Renal and Urinary Disorders
4. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
5. Endocrine Disorders
6. Pharmacologic Management
7. Nursing Assessment and Clinical Judgment
8. Diagnostic and Laboratory Interpretation
9. Patient Safety and Prioritization
10. Interprofessional Care and Patient Education
DISCLAIMER
This material consists of original, high-level study questions created for exam
preparation based on common nursing curriculum topics, textbooks, study guides,
and subject areas frequently covered in comparable nursing courses. It is intended
solely as a learning resource and is not an actual examination or a reproduction of
any examination.
CARDIOVASCULAR || RESPIRATORY || RENAL || ENDOCRINE || FLUID BALANCE ||
ELECTROLYTES || ACID-BASE || PHARMACOLOGY || PRIORITIZATION || PATIENT
SAFETY || CLINICAL JUDGMENT || DIAGNOSTIC INTERPRETATION || EVIDENCE-
BASED PRACTICE || NURSING MANAGEMENT || ADVANCED REVIEW
QUESTION 1.
,A patient admitted with acute decompensated heart failure becomes increasingly
dyspneic despite receiving supplemental oxygen. Which nursing action should be
prioritized?
A. Position the patient in high Fowler's position and reassess oxygenation.
B. Encourage oral fluid intake.
C. Prepare the patient for discharge teaching.
D. Ambulate the patient to improve circulation.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Position the patient in high Fowler's position and reassess
oxygenation.
🔵 Explanation: Positioning the patient upright decreases venous return, improves lung
expansion, and can rapidly reduce respiratory distress while further interventions are
initiated. Encouraging fluids may worsen volume overload, discharge teaching is
inappropriate during instability, and ambulation increases oxygen demand.
QUESTION 2.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide develops generalized weakness. Which
laboratory value requires the most immediate nursing intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Chloride 101 mEq/L
D. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
🔵 Explanation: Severe hypokalemia significantly increases the risk for dysrhythmias
and muscle weakness, particularly in patients receiving loop diuretics. The remaining
laboratory values fall within or near expected ranges and are less immediately
concerning.
QUESTION 3.
,A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suddenly becomes restless and
confused. Which interpretation best reflects this assessment finding?
A. Improved cerebral perfusion
B. Early manifestation of hypoxemia
C. Resolution of respiratory distress
D. Expected effect of bronchodilator therapy
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Early manifestation of hypoxemia
🔵 Explanation: Restlessness and confusion are often early neurological manifestations
of inadequate oxygenation. They should prompt rapid reassessment of respiratory
status. The other options fail to recognize the potential deterioration in oxygen delivery.
QUESTION 4.
A nurse evaluates arterial blood gas results: pH 7.29, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 25
mEq/L. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation
D. Metabolic acidosis
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis without metabolic compensation
🔵 Explanation: The low pH and elevated PaCO₂ indicate respiratory acidosis. Because
the bicarbonate remains within the normal range, metabolic compensation has not yet
occurred. Fully compensated disorders have a near-normal pH.
QUESTION 5.
A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is receiving insulin therapy. Which finding
indicates the treatment is becoming effective?
, A. Increasing serum ketones
B. Blood glucose gradually decreasing with improving mental status
C. Progressive tachypnea
D. Worsening metabolic acidosis
🔴 Correct Answer: B. Blood glucose gradually decreasing with improving mental
status
🔵 Explanation: Effective treatment results in declining glucose levels, correction of
dehydration and acidosis, and improved neurological function. Persistent ketones,
worsening acidosis, and increasing respiratory distress suggest ongoing metabolic
instability.
QUESTION 6.
A nurse caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease notes peaked T waves on the
cardiac monitor. Which action has the highest priority?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Restrict dietary sodium.
D. Increase oral fluid intake.
🔴 Correct Answer: A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
🔵 Explanation: Peaked T waves are a classic manifestation of hyperkalemia, which
can rapidly progress to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Immediate medical
evaluation and treatment are required. The remaining interventions do not address the
acute cardiac risk.
QUESTION 7.
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Stable heart failure patient requesting pain medication.
B. COPD patient with oxygen saturation decreasing from 94% to 86%.
