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NURS 1160 Midterm 2 Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive
Practice Test | Questions with Correct Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: VITAL SIGNS & PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT (15 Questions)
Q1: When assessing an adult patient's blood pressure, the nurse inflates the cuff and hears the
first Korotkoff sound at 138 mmHg and the sound disappears at 82 mmHg. How should the
nurse document this reading?
A. 138/82
B. 138/80
C. 140/82
D. 138/78
Correct Answer: A. [CORRECT]
Rationale: The systolic pressure is recorded at the first Korotkoff sound (138 mmHg) and
diastolic at the point where sounds disappear (82 mmHg), documenting as 138/82.
Q2: A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a healthy 6-year-old child. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 22 breaths/min
C. Blood pressure 95/60 mmHg
D. Temperature 39.4°C (103°F)
Correct Answer: D. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Normal temperature for a 6-year-old ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to
99.5°F). A temperature of 39.4°C (103°F) indicates significant hyperthermia requiring immediate
intervention.
Q3: Which technique should the nurse use when measuring the apical pulse of an adult patient?
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A. Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space right sternal border
B. Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space midclavicular line
C. Place the stethoscope at the third intercostal space left sternal border
D. Place the stethoscope at the xiphoid process
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: The apical pulse is best auscultated at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular
line (the point of maximal impulse), which corresponds to the apex of the heart.
Q4: A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute with shallow depth. Which term
should the nurse use to document this finding?
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Hyperpnea
D. Apnea
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Tachypnea is defined as a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in
adults. The patient's rate of 28 breaths per minute qualifies as tachypnea regardless of depth.
Q5: A patient's temperature is 38.9°C (102°F). Which term should the nurse use to document this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Hyperthermia (pyrexia)
C. Normothermia
D. Hyperpyrexia
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Temperature above normal (fever) is termed hyperthermia or pyrexia. Hyperpyrexia
refers to extremely high fever (>41.5°C). Temperature 38.9°C indicates fever/pyrexia.
Q6: When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse notes a regular rhythm with a rate of 72 beats per
minute but feels a forceful beat every third cardiac cycle. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Regular rhythm with pulse deficit
B. Irregular rhythm with bigeminy
, 3
C. Regular rhythm with trigeminy
D. Irregular rhythm with bradycardia
Correct Answer: C. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Trigeminy is a pattern where every third beat is premature or accentuated. The
underlying rhythm is regular with a pattern occurring every third beat, which is characteristic of
trigeminy.
Q7: A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry. Which
action is essential for accurate measurement?
A. Place the probe on the patient's earlobe regardless of peripheral perfusion
B. Remove nail polish from the measurement site if present
C. Keep the patient's hand below heart level during measurement
D. Ensure the patient has been exercising for at least 5 minutes prior
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Nail polish, particularly dark colors, can interfere with the light transmission of the
pulse oximeter probe, leading to inaccurate SpO2 readings. The probe site should have good
perfusion and nail polish should be removed.
Q8: During physical assessment, the nurse uses the technique of percussion. What is the primary
purpose of this assessment technique?
A. To detect temperature variations in body tissues
B. To produce sound vibrations that reveal underlying tissue density
C. To assess texture and moisture of the skin
D. To evaluate joint range of motion
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Percussion involves striking the body surface to produce sound vibrations. The
quality of the sound (resonant, dull, flat, tympanic) reveals information about the density of
underlying tissues and organs.
Q9: A 78-year-old patient has a blood pressure reading of 148/92 mmHg during a routine clinic
visit. Based on current guidelines, how should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal blood pressure for the patient's age
B. Stage 1 hypertension
NURS 1160 Midterm 2 Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive
Practice Test | Questions with Correct Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: VITAL SIGNS & PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT (15 Questions)
Q1: When assessing an adult patient's blood pressure, the nurse inflates the cuff and hears the
first Korotkoff sound at 138 mmHg and the sound disappears at 82 mmHg. How should the
nurse document this reading?
A. 138/82
B. 138/80
C. 140/82
D. 138/78
Correct Answer: A. [CORRECT]
Rationale: The systolic pressure is recorded at the first Korotkoff sound (138 mmHg) and
diastolic at the point where sounds disappear (82 mmHg), documenting as 138/82.
Q2: A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a healthy 6-year-old child. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 22 breaths/min
C. Blood pressure 95/60 mmHg
D. Temperature 39.4°C (103°F)
Correct Answer: D. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Normal temperature for a 6-year-old ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to
99.5°F). A temperature of 39.4°C (103°F) indicates significant hyperthermia requiring immediate
intervention.
Q3: Which technique should the nurse use when measuring the apical pulse of an adult patient?
,2
A. Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space right sternal border
B. Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space midclavicular line
C. Place the stethoscope at the third intercostal space left sternal border
D. Place the stethoscope at the xiphoid process
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: The apical pulse is best auscultated at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular
line (the point of maximal impulse), which corresponds to the apex of the heart.
Q4: A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute with shallow depth. Which term
should the nurse use to document this finding?
A. Bradypnea
B. Tachypnea
C. Hyperpnea
D. Apnea
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Tachypnea is defined as a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in
adults. The patient's rate of 28 breaths per minute qualifies as tachypnea regardless of depth.
Q5: A patient's temperature is 38.9°C (102°F). Which term should the nurse use to document this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Hyperthermia (pyrexia)
C. Normothermia
D. Hyperpyrexia
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Temperature above normal (fever) is termed hyperthermia or pyrexia. Hyperpyrexia
refers to extremely high fever (>41.5°C). Temperature 38.9°C indicates fever/pyrexia.
Q6: When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse notes a regular rhythm with a rate of 72 beats per
minute but feels a forceful beat every third cardiac cycle. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Regular rhythm with pulse deficit
B. Irregular rhythm with bigeminy
, 3
C. Regular rhythm with trigeminy
D. Irregular rhythm with bradycardia
Correct Answer: C. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Trigeminy is a pattern where every third beat is premature or accentuated. The
underlying rhythm is regular with a pattern occurring every third beat, which is characteristic of
trigeminy.
Q7: A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry. Which
action is essential for accurate measurement?
A. Place the probe on the patient's earlobe regardless of peripheral perfusion
B. Remove nail polish from the measurement site if present
C. Keep the patient's hand below heart level during measurement
D. Ensure the patient has been exercising for at least 5 minutes prior
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Nail polish, particularly dark colors, can interfere with the light transmission of the
pulse oximeter probe, leading to inaccurate SpO2 readings. The probe site should have good
perfusion and nail polish should be removed.
Q8: During physical assessment, the nurse uses the technique of percussion. What is the primary
purpose of this assessment technique?
A. To detect temperature variations in body tissues
B. To produce sound vibrations that reveal underlying tissue density
C. To assess texture and moisture of the skin
D. To evaluate joint range of motion
Correct Answer: B. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Percussion involves striking the body surface to produce sound vibrations. The
quality of the sound (resonant, dull, flat, tympanic) reveals information about the density of
underlying tissues and organs.
Q9: A 78-year-old patient has a blood pressure reading of 148/92 mmHg during a routine clinic
visit. Based on current guidelines, how should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal blood pressure for the patient's age
B. Stage 1 hypertension
