,NUR1025 i-HUMAN: Susan Jackson – Final Exam Study Guide (2026/2027)
Instructions: This guide contains 100 structured questions and answers based on the Susan
Jackson i-Human case study. Correct answers are marked with a right tick ( ). Use this to test
your clinical reasoning, nursing knowledge, and understanding of patient-centered care.
Section 1: Subjective & Objective Data Assessment
1. What is the primary purpose of the initial patient interview?
A. To document a full medical history.
B. To establish rapport and gather subjective data.
C. To perform a physical examination.
D. To initiate the care plan immediately.
2. When assessing Susan Jackson's chief complaint, which PQRSTU element asks about the
quality of the symptom?
A. Provocation/Palliation
B. Quality
C. Region/Radiation
D. Severity
3. Which vital sign finding in Susan Jackson would be MOST concerning for acute respiratory
distress?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
B. Heart rate of 88 bpm
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
D. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
4. During lung auscultation, you note continuous high-pitched wheezing over all lung fields.
This is most indicative of:
A. Fluid consolidation (e.g., pneumonia).
B. Narrowing of the small airways (e.g., asthma, COPD exacerbation).
C. A pleural friction rub.
D. Atelectasis.
5. A key subjective finding often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is:
A. Sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain.
B. A chronic productive cough, often called a "smoker's cough."
,C. Pain on inspiration.
D. Stridor.
Section 2: Analysis & Nursing Diagnosis
6. Based on Susan Jackson's presentation (dyspnea, wheezing, prolonged expiration, history
of smoking), the most likely medical diagnosis is:
A. Acute Pulmonary Embolism
B. Community-Acquired Pneumonia
C. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation
D. Congestive Heart Failure
7. Which nursing diagnosis is the HIGHEST priority during Susan Jackson's initial presentation
with acute dyspnea?
A. Activity Intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.
B. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to increased bronchial secretions.
C. Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes.
D. Anxiety related to breathlessness and threat to health status.
8. "Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to inflammatory response and bronchoconstriction"
is an appropriate nursing diagnosis. What would be a relevant goal?
A. Patient will demonstrate proper use of inhaler within 24 hours.
B. Patient will maintain a respiratory rate of 12-20 breaths/min with clear lung sounds within 2
hours of interventions.
C. Patient will verbalize understanding of disease process before discharge.
D. Patient will list three smoking cessation strategies.
9. Clubbing of the fingernails in a patient with chronic respiratory symptoms suggests:
A. Acute hypoxia.
B. Chronic hypoxia.
C. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
D. Allergic reaction.
10. Analysis of arterial blood gases (ABGs) in a COPD exacerbation often initially reveals:
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
, Section 3: Planning & Implementation
11. The nurse's first action when Susan Jackson reports sudden, severe dyspnea is to:
A. Notify the provider immediately.
B. Administer PRN bronchodilator as ordered.
C. Assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
D. Raise the head of the bed to High Fowler's position.
12. What is the preferred initial oxygen delivery device for a patient with a known history of
COPD experiencing an exacerbation?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Nasal cannula, starting at a low flow rate (e.g., 2 L/min)
C. Simple face mask at 10 L/min
D. Venturi mask to deliver precise FiO2
(Note: Both B and D are correct strategies for COPD to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive, but D is
the most precise. In many exam contexts, B is the best initial action due to availability. For this
study guide, B is marked as the most likely "first step" answer.)
13. Which prescribed medication should the nurse administer FIRST for acute bronchospasm?
A. Oral corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone).
B. Inhaled anticholinergic (e.g., ipratropium).
C. Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhaler (e.g., albuterol).
D. Intravenous methylxanthine (e.g., theophylline).
14. When administering a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to a patient, the nurse should educate
the patient to:
A. Inhale rapidly and deeply as soon as the canister is pressed.
B. Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth, press the canister, and then inhale slowly.
C. Press the canister to release the medication at the same time as taking a slow, deep breath
over 3-5 seconds.
D. Exhale forcefully into the inhaler before pressing the canister.
15. A key intervention to promote effective airway clearance is:
A. Encouraging fluid intake of 2-3 L/day unless contraindicated.
B. Administering sedatives to promote rest.
C. Placing the patient in a supine position.
D. Teaching pursed-lip breathing only during periods of distress.
Section 4: Evaluation & Patient Education
Instructions: This guide contains 100 structured questions and answers based on the Susan
Jackson i-Human case study. Correct answers are marked with a right tick ( ). Use this to test
your clinical reasoning, nursing knowledge, and understanding of patient-centered care.
Section 1: Subjective & Objective Data Assessment
1. What is the primary purpose of the initial patient interview?
A. To document a full medical history.
B. To establish rapport and gather subjective data.
C. To perform a physical examination.
D. To initiate the care plan immediately.
2. When assessing Susan Jackson's chief complaint, which PQRSTU element asks about the
quality of the symptom?
A. Provocation/Palliation
B. Quality
C. Region/Radiation
D. Severity
3. Which vital sign finding in Susan Jackson would be MOST concerning for acute respiratory
distress?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
B. Heart rate of 88 bpm
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min
D. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
4. During lung auscultation, you note continuous high-pitched wheezing over all lung fields.
This is most indicative of:
A. Fluid consolidation (e.g., pneumonia).
B. Narrowing of the small airways (e.g., asthma, COPD exacerbation).
C. A pleural friction rub.
D. Atelectasis.
5. A key subjective finding often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is:
A. Sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain.
B. A chronic productive cough, often called a "smoker's cough."
,C. Pain on inspiration.
D. Stridor.
Section 2: Analysis & Nursing Diagnosis
6. Based on Susan Jackson's presentation (dyspnea, wheezing, prolonged expiration, history
of smoking), the most likely medical diagnosis is:
A. Acute Pulmonary Embolism
B. Community-Acquired Pneumonia
C. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation
D. Congestive Heart Failure
7. Which nursing diagnosis is the HIGHEST priority during Susan Jackson's initial presentation
with acute dyspnea?
A. Activity Intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.
B. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to increased bronchial secretions.
C. Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes.
D. Anxiety related to breathlessness and threat to health status.
8. "Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to inflammatory response and bronchoconstriction"
is an appropriate nursing diagnosis. What would be a relevant goal?
A. Patient will demonstrate proper use of inhaler within 24 hours.
B. Patient will maintain a respiratory rate of 12-20 breaths/min with clear lung sounds within 2
hours of interventions.
C. Patient will verbalize understanding of disease process before discharge.
D. Patient will list three smoking cessation strategies.
9. Clubbing of the fingernails in a patient with chronic respiratory symptoms suggests:
A. Acute hypoxia.
B. Chronic hypoxia.
C. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
D. Allergic reaction.
10. Analysis of arterial blood gases (ABGs) in a COPD exacerbation often initially reveals:
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
, Section 3: Planning & Implementation
11. The nurse's first action when Susan Jackson reports sudden, severe dyspnea is to:
A. Notify the provider immediately.
B. Administer PRN bronchodilator as ordered.
C. Assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
D. Raise the head of the bed to High Fowler's position.
12. What is the preferred initial oxygen delivery device for a patient with a known history of
COPD experiencing an exacerbation?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Nasal cannula, starting at a low flow rate (e.g., 2 L/min)
C. Simple face mask at 10 L/min
D. Venturi mask to deliver precise FiO2
(Note: Both B and D are correct strategies for COPD to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive, but D is
the most precise. In many exam contexts, B is the best initial action due to availability. For this
study guide, B is marked as the most likely "first step" answer.)
13. Which prescribed medication should the nurse administer FIRST for acute bronchospasm?
A. Oral corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone).
B. Inhaled anticholinergic (e.g., ipratropium).
C. Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhaler (e.g., albuterol).
D. Intravenous methylxanthine (e.g., theophylline).
14. When administering a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to a patient, the nurse should educate
the patient to:
A. Inhale rapidly and deeply as soon as the canister is pressed.
B. Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth, press the canister, and then inhale slowly.
C. Press the canister to release the medication at the same time as taking a slow, deep breath
over 3-5 seconds.
D. Exhale forcefully into the inhaler before pressing the canister.
15. A key intervention to promote effective airway clearance is:
A. Encouraging fluid intake of 2-3 L/day unless contraindicated.
B. Administering sedatives to promote rest.
C. Placing the patient in a supine position.
D. Teaching pursed-lip breathing only during periods of distress.
Section 4: Evaluation & Patient Education
