NSG 7624 Clinical Practicum IV
Comprehensive Practice Exam 1
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient presents with shortness of breath, frothy sputum, and
bilateral crackles. The priority nursing intervention is:
a. Insert a Foley catheter
b. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
c. Administer oral fluids
d. Apply compression stockings
Rationale: High Fowler’s maximizes lung expansion and eases
dyspnea in pulmonary edema.
2. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. The patient’s apical heart rate
is 52 bpm. The best action is:
, a. Give the dose and monitor
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider
c. Double-check blood pressure
d. Reassess after 30 minutes
Rationale: Digoxin is held if HR <60 to avoid bradycardia.
3. Which lab finding is most concerning in a patient receiving heparin
therapy?
a. Hematocrit 40%
b. Platelets 45,000/mm³
c. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
d. aPTT 65 seconds
Rationale: Platelets <50,000 indicates heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
4. The most reliable indicator of fluid status in a patient with heart
failure is:
a. Blood pressure
b. Heart rate
c. Skin turgor
d. Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weights reflect true fluid balance changes.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Oxygen is prescribed at 4
L/min nasal cannula. The correct action is:
a. Start O2 as ordered
, b. Question the order and start 1–2 L/min
c. Hold O2 until ABG results
d. Apply non-rebreather mask
Rationale: High O2 can blunt hypoxic drive in COPD. Start low flow.
6. In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which intervention is the
priority?
a. Start insulin drip
b. Administer sodium bicarbonate
c. Begin IV fluid resuscitation
d. Give potassium supplement
Rationale: Volume resuscitation comes first to restore perfusion.
7. Which assessment finding suggests hypocalcemia?
a. Bounding pulses
b. Positive Chvostek’s sign
c. Bradycardia
d. Polyuria
Rationale: Neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek’s sign) is classic for
hypocalcemia.
8. A patient on furosemide presents with weakness and irregular pulse.
Which lab result supports the cause?
a. Sodium 140 mEq/L
b. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
c. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
Comprehensive Practice Exam 1
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient presents with shortness of breath, frothy sputum, and
bilateral crackles. The priority nursing intervention is:
a. Insert a Foley catheter
b. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
c. Administer oral fluids
d. Apply compression stockings
Rationale: High Fowler’s maximizes lung expansion and eases
dyspnea in pulmonary edema.
2. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. The patient’s apical heart rate
is 52 bpm. The best action is:
, a. Give the dose and monitor
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider
c. Double-check blood pressure
d. Reassess after 30 minutes
Rationale: Digoxin is held if HR <60 to avoid bradycardia.
3. Which lab finding is most concerning in a patient receiving heparin
therapy?
a. Hematocrit 40%
b. Platelets 45,000/mm³
c. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
d. aPTT 65 seconds
Rationale: Platelets <50,000 indicates heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
4. The most reliable indicator of fluid status in a patient with heart
failure is:
a. Blood pressure
b. Heart rate
c. Skin turgor
d. Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weights reflect true fluid balance changes.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Oxygen is prescribed at 4
L/min nasal cannula. The correct action is:
a. Start O2 as ordered
, b. Question the order and start 1–2 L/min
c. Hold O2 until ABG results
d. Apply non-rebreather mask
Rationale: High O2 can blunt hypoxic drive in COPD. Start low flow.
6. In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which intervention is the
priority?
a. Start insulin drip
b. Administer sodium bicarbonate
c. Begin IV fluid resuscitation
d. Give potassium supplement
Rationale: Volume resuscitation comes first to restore perfusion.
7. Which assessment finding suggests hypocalcemia?
a. Bounding pulses
b. Positive Chvostek’s sign
c. Bradycardia
d. Polyuria
Rationale: Neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek’s sign) is classic for
hypocalcemia.
8. A patient on furosemide presents with weakness and irregular pulse.
Which lab result supports the cause?
a. Sodium 140 mEq/L
b. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
c. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
