1
NSC EXAM ACTUAL EXAM ALL 60 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A patient presents to the clinic with several weeks of progressive fatigue,
exertional shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and a history of heavy
menstrual bleeding. Laboratory results show a decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit with small, pale red blood cells and a reduced mean corpuscular
volume. Which diagnosis best explains these findings?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
B. Iron-deficiency anemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Answer: B
2. A hospitalized adult patient suddenly develops unilateral weakness, facial
drooping, difficulty speaking, and confusion. The symptoms began approximately
30 minutes before arrival. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Give the patient oral fluids
B. Obtain an immediate neurological assessment and activate the stroke protocol
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus becomes diaphoretic, shaky, confused,
and irritable shortly after receiving insulin but before eating breakfast. The
patient's blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. Which intervention is most appropriate if the
patient is awake and able to swallow?
A. Administer rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer additional insulin
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Administer a high-protein meal only
Answer: A
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increasing dyspnea,
wheezing, and difficulty completing sentences. Oxygen saturation is 84% on room
air. Which intervention should be initiated first?
A. Encourage complete bed rest without oxygen
B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
,2
C. Give a large amount of oral fluid immediately
D. Place the patient flat on the back
Answer: B
5. A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, lower-back pain,
and anxiety approximately 15 minutes after the transfusion begins. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Continue the transfusion and administer acetaminophen
D. Flush the blood tubing with additional blood
Answer: B
6. A patient with heart failure reports worsening shortness of breath, difficulty
sleeping while lying flat, and a rapid increase in body weight over several days.
Which finding most strongly suggests fluid retention?
A. Decreased appetite
B. Sudden weight gain
C. Dry skin
D. Reduced respiratory rate
Answer: B
7. A patient with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted with severe headache,
fever, neck stiffness, photophobia, and altered mental status. Which precaution is
most appropriate initially?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Protective isolation only
D. Contact precautions only
Answer: B
8. A patient taking warfarin for prevention of thromboembolic complications has
an elevated INR significantly above the prescribed therapeutic range. Which
assessment finding would concern the nurse most?
A. Mild hunger
B. Bleeding gums and dark stools
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry lips
Answer: B
, 3
9. A patient with chronic kidney disease has laboratory results showing elevated
serum potassium. Which assessment finding should be reported immediately?
A. Mild thirst
B. Cardiac rhythm abnormalities
C. Dry hair
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
10. A patient presents with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm,
diaphoresis, nausea, and shortness of breath. Which diagnostic test is generally
prioritized to rapidly evaluate suspected acute coronary syndrome?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Colonoscopy
C. Bone scan
D. Pulmonary function test
Answer: A
11. A patient with asthma develops acute wheezing and difficulty breathing after
exposure to an environmental trigger. Which medication is generally used as a
rapid-relief bronchodilator?
A. Albuterol
B. Warfarin
C. Levothyroxine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
12. A patient with hypothyroidism reports fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation,
dry skin, and unexplained weight gain. Which laboratory abnormality would most
likely accompany primary hypothyroidism?
A. Decreased TSH
B. Increased TSH
C. Increased insulin
D. Decreased potassium
Answer: B
13. A patient with hyperthyroidism presents with weight loss, heat intolerance,
tremors, anxiety, diarrhea, and tachycardia. Which finding would require
especially urgent attention?
A. Mild hand tremor
B. Tachycardia with high fever and altered mental status
NSC EXAM ACTUAL EXAM ALL 60 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A patient presents to the clinic with several weeks of progressive fatigue,
exertional shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and a history of heavy
menstrual bleeding. Laboratory results show a decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit with small, pale red blood cells and a reduced mean corpuscular
volume. Which diagnosis best explains these findings?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
B. Iron-deficiency anemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Answer: B
2. A hospitalized adult patient suddenly develops unilateral weakness, facial
drooping, difficulty speaking, and confusion. The symptoms began approximately
30 minutes before arrival. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Give the patient oral fluids
B. Obtain an immediate neurological assessment and activate the stroke protocol
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus becomes diaphoretic, shaky, confused,
and irritable shortly after receiving insulin but before eating breakfast. The
patient's blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. Which intervention is most appropriate if the
patient is awake and able to swallow?
A. Administer rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer additional insulin
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Administer a high-protein meal only
Answer: A
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increasing dyspnea,
wheezing, and difficulty completing sentences. Oxygen saturation is 84% on room
air. Which intervention should be initiated first?
A. Encourage complete bed rest without oxygen
B. Administer prescribed supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
,2
C. Give a large amount of oral fluid immediately
D. Place the patient flat on the back
Answer: B
5. A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, lower-back pain,
and anxiety approximately 15 minutes after the transfusion begins. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Continue the transfusion and administer acetaminophen
D. Flush the blood tubing with additional blood
Answer: B
6. A patient with heart failure reports worsening shortness of breath, difficulty
sleeping while lying flat, and a rapid increase in body weight over several days.
Which finding most strongly suggests fluid retention?
A. Decreased appetite
B. Sudden weight gain
C. Dry skin
D. Reduced respiratory rate
Answer: B
7. A patient with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted with severe headache,
fever, neck stiffness, photophobia, and altered mental status. Which precaution is
most appropriate initially?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Protective isolation only
D. Contact precautions only
Answer: B
8. A patient taking warfarin for prevention of thromboembolic complications has
an elevated INR significantly above the prescribed therapeutic range. Which
assessment finding would concern the nurse most?
A. Mild hunger
B. Bleeding gums and dark stools
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry lips
Answer: B
, 3
9. A patient with chronic kidney disease has laboratory results showing elevated
serum potassium. Which assessment finding should be reported immediately?
A. Mild thirst
B. Cardiac rhythm abnormalities
C. Dry hair
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
10. A patient presents with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm,
diaphoresis, nausea, and shortness of breath. Which diagnostic test is generally
prioritized to rapidly evaluate suspected acute coronary syndrome?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Colonoscopy
C. Bone scan
D. Pulmonary function test
Answer: A
11. A patient with asthma develops acute wheezing and difficulty breathing after
exposure to an environmental trigger. Which medication is generally used as a
rapid-relief bronchodilator?
A. Albuterol
B. Warfarin
C. Levothyroxine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
12. A patient with hypothyroidism reports fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation,
dry skin, and unexplained weight gain. Which laboratory abnormality would most
likely accompany primary hypothyroidism?
A. Decreased TSH
B. Increased TSH
C. Increased insulin
D. Decreased potassium
Answer: B
13. A patient with hyperthyroidism presents with weight loss, heat intolerance,
tremors, anxiety, diarrhea, and tachycardia. Which finding would require
especially urgent attention?
A. Mild hand tremor
B. Tachycardia with high fever and altered mental status
