Nursing Test Bank — Comprehensive Practice
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted
nasogastric tube. Before administering a prescribed medication
through the tube, which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Verify correct tube placement according to facility policy
D. Crush all medications together and dilute them
Correct answer: C. Verify correct tube placement according to
facility policy
Verifying placement is the priority because medication
administration through a misplaced nasogastric tube can result
in aspiration or direct administration into the respiratory tract.
Placement verification methods vary according to institutional
policy and the type of tube. The nurse should not assume that
external tube markings alone confirm safe placement.
,Positioning the client appropriately and flushing the tube may
be necessary, but these actions occur after safe placement has
been established.
Question 2
A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which assessment
finding requires the nurse's most immediate attention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg over one week
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Fatigue when performing activities
Correct answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia
and requires immediate assessment and intervention. The nurse
should assess respiratory status, position the client to maximize
ventilation, provide oxygen as prescribed or according to
protocol, and promptly notify the appropriate provider.
Peripheral edema, weight gain, and fatigue are important
manifestations of worsening heart failure, but the immediate
threat to oxygenation takes priority.
Question 3
,A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with
diabetes mellitus. Which insulin can be administered
intravenously in appropriate clinical situations?
A. Insulin glargine
B. Insulin lispro
C. Regular insulin
D. NPH insulin
Correct answer: C. Regular insulin
Regular insulin is the insulin preparation commonly
administered intravenously, particularly in situations such as
diabetic ketoacidosis when rapid titration is required. Insulin
glargine is a long-acting preparation and should not be
administered intravenously. Lispro is rapid acting and is
generally administered subcutaneously, while NPH is an
intermediate-acting preparation intended for subcutaneous
administration.
Question 4
A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless, anxious, and
confused. The client's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to
30 breaths/minute. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Assess the client's oxygen saturation
, C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Reassure the client that anxiety is expected
Correct answer: B. Assess the client's oxygen saturation
Restlessness, anxiety, and confusion can be early manifestations
of hypoxia. The increased respiratory rate further supports the
need to assess oxygenation immediately. The nurse should
rapidly evaluate the airway and breathing, obtain oxygen
saturation, and intervene as indicated. Administering an
analgesic or assuming anxiety is the cause could delay
recognition of a potentially serious respiratory complication.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin therapy. Which
laboratory value is most important for evaluating the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Serum potassium
D. Platelet count
Correct answer: B. INR
The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin. The target range depends on the
client's indication for anticoagulation. An elevated INR indicates
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted
nasogastric tube. Before administering a prescribed medication
through the tube, which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Verify correct tube placement according to facility policy
D. Crush all medications together and dilute them
Correct answer: C. Verify correct tube placement according to
facility policy
Verifying placement is the priority because medication
administration through a misplaced nasogastric tube can result
in aspiration or direct administration into the respiratory tract.
Placement verification methods vary according to institutional
policy and the type of tube. The nurse should not assume that
external tube markings alone confirm safe placement.
,Positioning the client appropriately and flushing the tube may
be necessary, but these actions occur after safe placement has
been established.
Question 2
A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which assessment
finding requires the nurse's most immediate attention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg over one week
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Fatigue when performing activities
Correct answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia
and requires immediate assessment and intervention. The nurse
should assess respiratory status, position the client to maximize
ventilation, provide oxygen as prescribed or according to
protocol, and promptly notify the appropriate provider.
Peripheral edema, weight gain, and fatigue are important
manifestations of worsening heart failure, but the immediate
threat to oxygenation takes priority.
Question 3
,A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with
diabetes mellitus. Which insulin can be administered
intravenously in appropriate clinical situations?
A. Insulin glargine
B. Insulin lispro
C. Regular insulin
D. NPH insulin
Correct answer: C. Regular insulin
Regular insulin is the insulin preparation commonly
administered intravenously, particularly in situations such as
diabetic ketoacidosis when rapid titration is required. Insulin
glargine is a long-acting preparation and should not be
administered intravenously. Lispro is rapid acting and is
generally administered subcutaneously, while NPH is an
intermediate-acting preparation intended for subcutaneous
administration.
Question 4
A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless, anxious, and
confused. The client's respiratory rate has increased from 18 to
30 breaths/minute. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Assess the client's oxygen saturation
, C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Reassure the client that anxiety is expected
Correct answer: B. Assess the client's oxygen saturation
Restlessness, anxiety, and confusion can be early manifestations
of hypoxia. The increased respiratory rate further supports the
need to assess oxygenation immediately. The nurse should
rapidly evaluate the airway and breathing, obtain oxygen
saturation, and intervene as indicated. Administering an
analgesic or assuming anxiety is the cause could delay
recognition of a potentially serious respiratory complication.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin therapy. Which
laboratory value is most important for evaluating the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Serum potassium
D. Platelet count
Correct answer: B. INR
The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin. The target range depends on the
client's indication for anticoagulation. An elevated INR indicates
