. NUR 215 Comprehensive Final Review 2026/2027 | Nursing Practice
Questions, Answer Key & Detailed Explanations
Question 1
A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) panel for a client who
has been taking excessive oral antacid tablets for severe heartburn:
pH = 7.51, PaCO2 = 46 mmHg, HCO− 3 = 34 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these findings?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.51(> 7.45, alkalotic).
HCO−3 = 34 mEq/L(> 26 mEq/L, primary metabolic cause due to base
ingestion).
PaCO2 = 46 mmHg(> 45 mmHg, lungs compensating by
hypoventilating to retain CO2 ). Because all three parameters are
abnormal and the pHremains elevated outside normal limits
(7.35--7.45), this represents partially compensated metabolic
alkalosis.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection of
iron dextran to an adult client. Which technique should the nurse use to
prevent staining of the subcutaneous tissue?
A. Subcutaneous injection at a 45∘ angle
B. Z-track method
C. Intradermal injection producing a bleb
D. Standard IM injection followed by vigorous site rubbing
Correct Answer: B. Z-track method
Detailed Rationale: The Z-track method is indicated for intramuscular
injections of irritating or skin-staining medications (e.g., iron dextran).
Pulling the skin and subcutaneous tissue laterally prior to insertion and
releasing it after needle withdrawal seals the track, preventing
medication leakage into subcutaneous tissues.
Question 3
A nurse is reviewing a prescription: "Infuse 1,000 mL𝐷5 WIV over 8
hours." What rate should the nurse program into the electronic infusion
pump in mL/hr?
A. 62.5 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 250 mL/hr
D. 500 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B. 125 mL/hr
Detailed Rationale:
, Total Volume (mL) 1,000 mL
Pump Rate (mL/hr) = = = 125 mL/hr
Total Time (hours) 8 hours
Question 4
A nurse is caring for an immobile client and planning interventions to
prevent footdrop (plantar flexion contracture). Which item is most
effective for this purpose?
A. Trochanter roll
B. Footboard or padded foot boots
C. Abduction pillow
D. Hand roll
Correct Answer: B. Footboard or padded foot boots
Detailed Rationale: A footboard or padded foot boots maintain the
feet in a functional dorsiflexion position (90∘ angle relative to the lower
leg), preventing muscle shortening and permanent footdrop
contractures caused by prolonged immobility.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. What
action should the nurse take to obtain a sterile urine specimen for
culture and sensitivity?
A. Disconnect the catheter tubing from the drainage bag and drain
urine into a sterile cup.
B. Drain 30 mLdirectly from the bottom emptying port of the collection
bag.
, C. Cleanse the dedicated needleless sampling port with disinfectant and
aspirate urine using a sterile syringe.
D. Send the entire collection bag to the laboratory.
Correct Answer: C. Cleanse the dedicated needleless sampling port
with disinfectant and aspirate urine using a sterile syringe.
Detailed Rationale: A sterile urine sample from an established
indwelling catheter must be collected by cleansing the dedicated
sampling port on the tubing with an antiseptic swab and aspirating
urine with a sterile syringe. Urine from the collection bag is non-sterile
due to rapid bacterial colonization.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a surgical wound and observes thick, opaque,
yellow-green exudate with a foul odor. How should this drainage be
documented?
A. Serous
B. Sanguineous
C. Serosanguineous
D. Purulent
Correct Answer: D. Purulent
Detailed Rationale: Purulent drainage consists of dead white blood
cells, cellular debris, and bacteria; it is thick, opaque, yellow, green, or
brown, and often foul-smelling, indicating localized or systemic
infection.
Question 7
Questions, Answer Key & Detailed Explanations
Question 1
A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) panel for a client who
has been taking excessive oral antacid tablets for severe heartburn:
pH = 7.51, PaCO2 = 46 mmHg, HCO− 3 = 34 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these findings?
A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
Detailed Rationale:
pH = 7.51(> 7.45, alkalotic).
HCO−3 = 34 mEq/L(> 26 mEq/L, primary metabolic cause due to base
ingestion).
PaCO2 = 46 mmHg(> 45 mmHg, lungs compensating by
hypoventilating to retain CO2 ). Because all three parameters are
abnormal and the pHremains elevated outside normal limits
(7.35--7.45), this represents partially compensated metabolic
alkalosis.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection of
iron dextran to an adult client. Which technique should the nurse use to
prevent staining of the subcutaneous tissue?
A. Subcutaneous injection at a 45∘ angle
B. Z-track method
C. Intradermal injection producing a bleb
D. Standard IM injection followed by vigorous site rubbing
Correct Answer: B. Z-track method
Detailed Rationale: The Z-track method is indicated for intramuscular
injections of irritating or skin-staining medications (e.g., iron dextran).
Pulling the skin and subcutaneous tissue laterally prior to insertion and
releasing it after needle withdrawal seals the track, preventing
medication leakage into subcutaneous tissues.
Question 3
A nurse is reviewing a prescription: "Infuse 1,000 mL𝐷5 WIV over 8
hours." What rate should the nurse program into the electronic infusion
pump in mL/hr?
A. 62.5 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 250 mL/hr
D. 500 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B. 125 mL/hr
Detailed Rationale:
, Total Volume (mL) 1,000 mL
Pump Rate (mL/hr) = = = 125 mL/hr
Total Time (hours) 8 hours
Question 4
A nurse is caring for an immobile client and planning interventions to
prevent footdrop (plantar flexion contracture). Which item is most
effective for this purpose?
A. Trochanter roll
B. Footboard or padded foot boots
C. Abduction pillow
D. Hand roll
Correct Answer: B. Footboard or padded foot boots
Detailed Rationale: A footboard or padded foot boots maintain the
feet in a functional dorsiflexion position (90∘ angle relative to the lower
leg), preventing muscle shortening and permanent footdrop
contractures caused by prolonged immobility.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. What
action should the nurse take to obtain a sterile urine specimen for
culture and sensitivity?
A. Disconnect the catheter tubing from the drainage bag and drain
urine into a sterile cup.
B. Drain 30 mLdirectly from the bottom emptying port of the collection
bag.
, C. Cleanse the dedicated needleless sampling port with disinfectant and
aspirate urine using a sterile syringe.
D. Send the entire collection bag to the laboratory.
Correct Answer: C. Cleanse the dedicated needleless sampling port
with disinfectant and aspirate urine using a sterile syringe.
Detailed Rationale: A sterile urine sample from an established
indwelling catheter must be collected by cleansing the dedicated
sampling port on the tubing with an antiseptic swab and aspirating
urine with a sterile syringe. Urine from the collection bag is non-sterile
due to rapid bacterial colonization.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a surgical wound and observes thick, opaque,
yellow-green exudate with a foul odor. How should this drainage be
documented?
A. Serous
B. Sanguineous
C. Serosanguineous
D. Purulent
Correct Answer: D. Purulent
Detailed Rationale: Purulent drainage consists of dead white blood
cells, cellular debris, and bacteria; it is thick, opaque, yellow, green, or
brown, and often foul-smelling, indicating localized or systemic
infection.
Question 7
