NUR 257 / NUR257 Final Exam: Integrated Concepts in Adult
Health I - Galen College of Nursing – Updated Questions
And Answers With Rationales
Ascorers Stuvia
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NUR 257 / NUR257 Final Exam
NUR257 Final Exam: Integrated Concepts in Adult Health I
Galen College of Nursing NUR 257 Exam
Questions And Answers With Rationales
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, NUR 257 / NUR257 Final Exam: Integrated Concepts in
Adult Health I - Galen College of Nursing – Updated
Questions And Answers With Rationales
1. The nurse is caring for an adult patient with HF who is prescribed
digoxin. When assessing the patient for adverse effects, the nurse should
assess for which of the following signs and symptoms?
A) Confusion and bradycardia
B) Uncontrolled diuresis and tachycardia
C) Numbness and tingling in the extremities
D) Chest pain and shortness of breath
Answer: A) Confusion and bradycardia
Expert Rationale:
Digoxin toxicity is a major concern with digitalis therapy and commonly
presents with confusion, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
such as yellow halos. Digoxin slows AV conduction, making bradycardia a classic
toxic response. Neurologic changes like confusion occur due to altered
electrolyte balance, especially potassium. The other options do not reflect typical
digoxin toxicity patterns. Prompt identification prevents progression to life-
threatening arrhythmias.
,2. The nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a patient
diagnosed with systolic HF. What medication should the nurse anticipate
administering to this patient?
A) A beta-adrenergic blocker
B) An antiplatelet aggregator
C) A calcium channel blocker
D) A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Answer: A) A beta-adrenergic blocker
Expert Rationale:
Evidence-based guidelines recommend ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics,
and sometimes digoxin for systolic heart failure because they improve mortality
and ventricular remodeling. Beta-blockers decrease sympathetic stimulation,
reduce myocardial oxygen demand, and improve ejection fraction over time.
NSAIDs cause sodium and fluid retention, worsening HF. Calcium channel
blockers are not first-line due to potential negative inotropic effects.
Antiplatelets have no therapeutic role in HF management.
3. The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a client diagnosed with
HF. The nurse also assesses the patient’s sensorium and LOC. Why is the
, assessment of the patient’s sensorium and LOC important in patients with
HF?
A) HF ultimately affects oxygen transportation to the brain.
B) Patients with HF are susceptible to overstimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system.
C) Decreased LOC causes an exacerbation of the signs and symptoms of HF.
D) The most significant adverse effect of medications used for HF treatment is
altered LOC.
Answer: A) HF ultimately affects oxygen transportation to the brain.
Expert Rationale:
As cardiac output decreases, less oxygenated blood reaches the brain, leading to
decreased LOC, confusion, or irritability. Neurologic changes can be an early
indicator of worsening HF. Although sympathetic stimulation increases with HF,
it is not the primary cause of altered LOC. Medications for HF may have CNS
effects, but they are not the most common or significant. Monitoring sensorium
provides important insight into cerebral perfusion and disease progression.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient scheduled for a colonoscopy whose bowel
preparation includes polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage. The presence of
what health problem would contraindicate this form of bowel preparation?