Galen NSG 3100 Exams 1, 2 & 3 | Nursing Practice
Actual Questions & Answers Bank
EXAM 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE
QUESTION 1
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notes the patient has a productive
cough with yellow-green sputum, fever, and crackles in the right lower lobe. Which nursing diagnosis is
the priority?
A. Impaired gas exchange
B. Ineffective airway clearance
C. Hyperthermia
D. Activity intolerance
ANSWER: B. Ineffective airway clearance
Rationale: Ineffective airway clearance is the priority diagnosis because the patient has a productive
cough with secretions that need to be cleared to maintain a patent airway. While impaired gas exchange
and hyperthermia are also concerns, airway clearance must be addressed first to prevent respiratory
compromise. Activity intolerance is a later concern.
QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. After verifying the blood product with another
nurse, which action should the nurse take next?
,A. Start the transfusion at a slow rate
B. Check the patient's vital signs
C. Prime the tubing with 0.9% normal saline
D. Obtain a signed consent form
ANSWER: B. Check the patient's vital signs
Rationale: Baseline vital signs must be obtained before starting a blood transfusion to monitor for
transfusion reactions. The tubing should be primed with normal saline. Vital signs are checked, then the
transfusion is started slowly, and the patient is monitored closely for the first 15 minutes.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
C. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
ANSWER: B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is gown first, then mask, then eye protection, and
gloves last. This sequence ensures proper coverage and reduces the risk of contamination. Removing
PPE follows a different sequence: gloves, eye protection, gown, mask.
QUESTION 4
,A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
ANSWER: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss through increased
urinary excretion. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and other
complications. Serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium may also be affected but potassium is the most
critical electrolyte to monitor.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube connected to continuous suction. Which
assessment finding indicates the tube is functioning properly?
A. Patient reports no nausea
B. Drainage is bright red
C. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber
D. Tube is taped securely to the nose
ANSWER: C. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber confirms that suction is being applied and the
tube is functioning properly. Absence of bubbling may indicate an obstruction or improper placement.
Bright red drainage indicates active bleeding and requires immediate notification of the provider.
, QUESTION 6
A patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which intervention should the nurse
implement to prevent skin breakdown?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Place gauze between the tubing and the ears
C. Change to a non-rebreather mask
D. Decrease the oxygen flow rate
ANSWER: B. Place gauze between the tubing and the ears
Rationale: Placing gauze or padding between the tubing and the patient's ears helps prevent pressure
injury and skin breakdown. Petroleum jelly should not be used with oxygen as it is flammable. A non-
rebreather mask is used for higher oxygen concentrations.
QUESTION 7
Which vital sign measurement requires the nurse to notify the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
B. Pulse 72 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate 28 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
ANSWER: C. Respiratory rate 28 breaths per minute
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute is tachypneic and may indicate respiratory
distress, hypoxia, or an underlying condition. The normal range is 12-20 breaths per minute. The other
vital signs listed are within normal limits.
Actual Questions & Answers Bank
EXAM 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE
QUESTION 1
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notes the patient has a productive
cough with yellow-green sputum, fever, and crackles in the right lower lobe. Which nursing diagnosis is
the priority?
A. Impaired gas exchange
B. Ineffective airway clearance
C. Hyperthermia
D. Activity intolerance
ANSWER: B. Ineffective airway clearance
Rationale: Ineffective airway clearance is the priority diagnosis because the patient has a productive
cough with secretions that need to be cleared to maintain a patent airway. While impaired gas exchange
and hyperthermia are also concerns, airway clearance must be addressed first to prevent respiratory
compromise. Activity intolerance is a later concern.
QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. After verifying the blood product with another
nurse, which action should the nurse take next?
,A. Start the transfusion at a slow rate
B. Check the patient's vital signs
C. Prime the tubing with 0.9% normal saline
D. Obtain a signed consent form
ANSWER: B. Check the patient's vital signs
Rationale: Baseline vital signs must be obtained before starting a blood transfusion to monitor for
transfusion reactions. The tubing should be primed with normal saline. Vital signs are checked, then the
transfusion is started slowly, and the patient is monitored closely for the first 15 minutes.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
C. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
ANSWER: B. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is gown first, then mask, then eye protection, and
gloves last. This sequence ensures proper coverage and reduces the risk of contamination. Removing
PPE follows a different sequence: gloves, eye protection, gown, mask.
QUESTION 4
,A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
ANSWER: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss through increased
urinary excretion. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and other
complications. Serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium may also be affected but potassium is the most
critical electrolyte to monitor.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube connected to continuous suction. Which
assessment finding indicates the tube is functioning properly?
A. Patient reports no nausea
B. Drainage is bright red
C. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber
D. Tube is taped securely to the nose
ANSWER: C. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber confirms that suction is being applied and the
tube is functioning properly. Absence of bubbling may indicate an obstruction or improper placement.
Bright red drainage indicates active bleeding and requires immediate notification of the provider.
, QUESTION 6
A patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which intervention should the nurse
implement to prevent skin breakdown?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Place gauze between the tubing and the ears
C. Change to a non-rebreather mask
D. Decrease the oxygen flow rate
ANSWER: B. Place gauze between the tubing and the ears
Rationale: Placing gauze or padding between the tubing and the patient's ears helps prevent pressure
injury and skin breakdown. Petroleum jelly should not be used with oxygen as it is flammable. A non-
rebreather mask is used for higher oxygen concentrations.
QUESTION 7
Which vital sign measurement requires the nurse to notify the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
B. Pulse 72 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate 28 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
ANSWER: C. Respiratory rate 28 breaths per minute
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute is tachypneic and may indicate respiratory
distress, hypoxia, or an underlying condition. The normal range is 12-20 breaths per minute. The other
vital signs listed are within normal limits.
