NUR 254 EXAM 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS WITH
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. A patient with heart failure has crackles, jugular venous distention, and 3+
peripheral edema. Which medication is the priority?
A. Digoxin
B. Furosemide
C. Metoprolol D. Lisinopril
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that rapidly reduces fluid overload and preload,
improving symptoms of congestion.
2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in crackles and
dyspnea.
3. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea and yellow-green vision. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Check serum digoxin level
C. Give potassium supplement
D. Hold the beta blocker
,Answer: B
Rationale: Visual changes and GI symptoms are classic signs of digoxin toxicity and require
immediate level monitoring.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low potassium enhances digoxin’s effects, increasing the risk of toxicity.
5. Which medication class reduces afterload in patients with heart failure?
A. Diuretics
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Antiarrhythmics
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors decrease systemic vascular resistance, low ering afterload and
improving cardiac output.
6. Which symptom is most concerning in a patient experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction?
A. Mild chest discomfort
B. Diaphoresis and nausea
C. Fatigue
D. Anxiety
,Answer: B
Rationale: Diaphoresis and nausea are classic signs of acute MI and indicate sympathetic
activation.
7. Which intervention should be performed first for a patient with suspected
MI?
A. Administer morphine
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Give aspirin
D. Start IV fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin should be given immediately to inhibit platelet aggregation unless
contraindicated.
8. Which medication decreases heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand
after an MI? A. Nitroglycerin
B. Beta blocker
C. Diuretic
D. ACE inhibitor
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta blockers reduce heart rate and contractility, decreasing oxygen demand.
9. A patient receiving nitroglycerin complains of headache. What is the best
response?
A. Stop the medication
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Reduce the dose immediately
D. Notify the provider
, Answer: B
Rationale: Headache is a common side effect of nitroglycerin due to vasodilation and is
treated with mild analgesics.
10. Which lab value is most important before administering heparin? A.
Platelet count
B. INR
C. Hemoglobin
D. Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia; platelets must be monitored.
11. Which assessment finding indicates decreased cardiac output?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Increased urine output
C. Altered mental status
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased cardiac output reduces cerebral perfusion, leading to confusion or
altered mental status.
12. A patient with hypertension is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which lab
value should be monitored closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS WITH
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. A patient with heart failure has crackles, jugular venous distention, and 3+
peripheral edema. Which medication is the priority?
A. Digoxin
B. Furosemide
C. Metoprolol D. Lisinopril
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that rapidly reduces fluid overload and preload,
improving symptoms of congestion.
2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in crackles and
dyspnea.
3. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea and yellow-green vision. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Check serum digoxin level
C. Give potassium supplement
D. Hold the beta blocker
,Answer: B
Rationale: Visual changes and GI symptoms are classic signs of digoxin toxicity and require
immediate level monitoring.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low potassium enhances digoxin’s effects, increasing the risk of toxicity.
5. Which medication class reduces afterload in patients with heart failure?
A. Diuretics
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Antiarrhythmics
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors decrease systemic vascular resistance, low ering afterload and
improving cardiac output.
6. Which symptom is most concerning in a patient experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction?
A. Mild chest discomfort
B. Diaphoresis and nausea
C. Fatigue
D. Anxiety
,Answer: B
Rationale: Diaphoresis and nausea are classic signs of acute MI and indicate sympathetic
activation.
7. Which intervention should be performed first for a patient with suspected
MI?
A. Administer morphine
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Give aspirin
D. Start IV fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin should be given immediately to inhibit platelet aggregation unless
contraindicated.
8. Which medication decreases heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand
after an MI? A. Nitroglycerin
B. Beta blocker
C. Diuretic
D. ACE inhibitor
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta blockers reduce heart rate and contractility, decreasing oxygen demand.
9. A patient receiving nitroglycerin complains of headache. What is the best
response?
A. Stop the medication
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Reduce the dose immediately
D. Notify the provider
, Answer: B
Rationale: Headache is a common side effect of nitroglycerin due to vasodilation and is
treated with mild analgesics.
10. Which lab value is most important before administering heparin? A.
Platelet count
B. INR
C. Hemoglobin
D. Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia; platelets must be monitored.
11. Which assessment finding indicates decreased cardiac output?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Increased urine output
C. Altered mental status
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased cardiac output reduces cerebral perfusion, leading to confusion or
altered mental status.
12. A patient with hypertension is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which lab
value should be monitored closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
