NURS 142 MIDTERM EXAM — 2026/2027 | 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | 100% PASS ASSURED | GRADED A+ | 100%
VERIFIED
NURS 142 Midterm Examination | Core Domains: Nursing Process, Clinical Judgment, Health Assessment, Medication
Administration, Infection Control, Safety, Positioning, Wound Care, Elimination, Oxygenation, Fluids & Electrolytes, Pain
Management, Perioperative Care, Legal/Ethical Principles, and Delegation.
Exam Structure: 100 multiple-choice questions | Single-best-answer format | NCLEX-style priority & safety frameworks.
Section A: Nursing Process, Clinical Judgment & Vital Signs
1. The nurse is preparing to assess a client’s vital signs. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure of 118/78 mm Hg
B. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
D. Oral temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute indicates bradypnea, which can signal respiratory depression or
neurological impairment. This finding requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation. Normal adult
respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
2. When using the nursing process, the nurse documents, “The patient’s skin integrity is impaired related to
prolonged bed rest as evidenced by a 2 cm diameter stage II pressure injury on the sacrum.” This statement
represents which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This is a nursing diagnosis statement. It identifies the patient's response to the health condition (impaired skin
integrity), the related factors (prolonged bed rest), and the defining characteristics (evidence of the pressure injury).
3. The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient’s pain level. The patient reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of
0 to 10. Which action demonstrates the nurse’s application of critical thinking?
A. Administering the prescribed PRN analgesic immediately.
B. Asking the patient to describe the quality and location of the pain.
C. Reassessing the pain level in 30 minutes.
D. Instructing the patient that movement exacerbates pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before intervening, the nurse must fully assess the nature of the pain. Understanding the quality and location
, provides critical data regarding the potential cause and efficacy of treatment options.
4. Which of the following is an objective finding the nurse would document during an admission assessment?
A. The patient states, “I feel nauseous.”
B. The patient’s skin is cool and diaphoretic.
C. The patient reports a history of hypertension.
D. The patient expresses anxiety about the upcoming surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective findings are observable and measurable signs identified by the nurse during the physical examination.
The other options are subjective data provided by the patient.
5. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of “Ineffective Airway Clearance.”
Which outcome is correctly written, measurable, and realistic?
A. The patient will breathe easier.
B. The patient will have clear lung sounds bilaterally within 24 hours.
C. The patient will cough more often.
D. The patient will not develop pneumonia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This outcome is specific (clear lung sounds), measurable (auscultation findings), and time-bound (within 24 hours).
It meets the SMART criteria for goal setting.
6. The nurse is performing a physical assessment. Which technique is used during the palpation phase?
A. Listening to heart sounds.
B. Looking at the color of the skin.
C. Tapping the chest to assess resonance.
D. Feeling the abdomen for masses.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Palpation involves using the hands to feel for texture, temperature, masses, or pulsations. Option A is auscultation,
B is inspection, and C is percussion.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation in the lower extremities?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Dorsalis Pedis
D. Brachial
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot and is the primary site for assessing peripheral circulation
in the lower limb.
, 8. The nurse assesses a patient's blood pressure as 150/90 mm Hg. Which term accurately describes this
finding?
A. Normotensive
B. Hypotensive
C. Hypertensive
D. Orthostatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A systolic pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg or higher generally indicates
hypertension according to ACC/AHA guidelines. 150/90 is elevated above normal range.
9. While assessing an elderly patient, the nurse notes that their temperature is 96.8°F (36°C). What is the
nurse's best action?
A. Apply a warming blanket immediately.
B. Document the finding as normal.
C. Notify the physician of hypothermia.
D. Reassess the temperature rectally.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults often have a lower baseline body temperature due to decreased metabolic rate and thermoregulation.
96.8°F is within the acceptable range for an elderly patient and does not require intervention.
10. The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a nursing intervention. Which phase of the nursing process is
the nurse performing?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process where the nurse compares the patient's current status with the
expected outcomes to determine if the goals have been met.
Section B: Infection Control, Safety & Medication Administration
11. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a patient on contact precautions for
MRSA. Which PPE is required before entering the room?
A. N95 respirator and eye protection.
B. Gown and gloves.
C. Surgical mask and shoe covers.
D. Goggles and face shield.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves to prevent the transmission of pathogens via direct
contact. An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions.
CORRECT ANSWERS | 100% PASS ASSURED | GRADED A+ | 100%
VERIFIED
NURS 142 Midterm Examination | Core Domains: Nursing Process, Clinical Judgment, Health Assessment, Medication
Administration, Infection Control, Safety, Positioning, Wound Care, Elimination, Oxygenation, Fluids & Electrolytes, Pain
Management, Perioperative Care, Legal/Ethical Principles, and Delegation.
Exam Structure: 100 multiple-choice questions | Single-best-answer format | NCLEX-style priority & safety frameworks.
Section A: Nursing Process, Clinical Judgment & Vital Signs
1. The nurse is preparing to assess a client’s vital signs. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure of 118/78 mm Hg
B. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
D. Oral temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute indicates bradypnea, which can signal respiratory depression or
neurological impairment. This finding requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation. Normal adult
respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
2. When using the nursing process, the nurse documents, “The patient’s skin integrity is impaired related to
prolonged bed rest as evidenced by a 2 cm diameter stage II pressure injury on the sacrum.” This statement
represents which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This is a nursing diagnosis statement. It identifies the patient's response to the health condition (impaired skin
integrity), the related factors (prolonged bed rest), and the defining characteristics (evidence of the pressure injury).
3. The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient’s pain level. The patient reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of
0 to 10. Which action demonstrates the nurse’s application of critical thinking?
A. Administering the prescribed PRN analgesic immediately.
B. Asking the patient to describe the quality and location of the pain.
C. Reassessing the pain level in 30 minutes.
D. Instructing the patient that movement exacerbates pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before intervening, the nurse must fully assess the nature of the pain. Understanding the quality and location
, provides critical data regarding the potential cause and efficacy of treatment options.
4. Which of the following is an objective finding the nurse would document during an admission assessment?
A. The patient states, “I feel nauseous.”
B. The patient’s skin is cool and diaphoretic.
C. The patient reports a history of hypertension.
D. The patient expresses anxiety about the upcoming surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective findings are observable and measurable signs identified by the nurse during the physical examination.
The other options are subjective data provided by the patient.
5. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of “Ineffective Airway Clearance.”
Which outcome is correctly written, measurable, and realistic?
A. The patient will breathe easier.
B. The patient will have clear lung sounds bilaterally within 24 hours.
C. The patient will cough more often.
D. The patient will not develop pneumonia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This outcome is specific (clear lung sounds), measurable (auscultation findings), and time-bound (within 24 hours).
It meets the SMART criteria for goal setting.
6. The nurse is performing a physical assessment. Which technique is used during the palpation phase?
A. Listening to heart sounds.
B. Looking at the color of the skin.
C. Tapping the chest to assess resonance.
D. Feeling the abdomen for masses.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Palpation involves using the hands to feel for texture, temperature, masses, or pulsations. Option A is auscultation,
B is inspection, and C is percussion.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation in the lower extremities?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Dorsalis Pedis
D. Brachial
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot and is the primary site for assessing peripheral circulation
in the lower limb.
, 8. The nurse assesses a patient's blood pressure as 150/90 mm Hg. Which term accurately describes this
finding?
A. Normotensive
B. Hypotensive
C. Hypertensive
D. Orthostatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A systolic pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg or higher generally indicates
hypertension according to ACC/AHA guidelines. 150/90 is elevated above normal range.
9. While assessing an elderly patient, the nurse notes that their temperature is 96.8°F (36°C). What is the
nurse's best action?
A. Apply a warming blanket immediately.
B. Document the finding as normal.
C. Notify the physician of hypothermia.
D. Reassess the temperature rectally.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults often have a lower baseline body temperature due to decreased metabolic rate and thermoregulation.
96.8°F is within the acceptable range for an elderly patient and does not require intervention.
10. The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a nursing intervention. Which phase of the nursing process is
the nurse performing?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process where the nurse compares the patient's current status with the
expected outcomes to determine if the goals have been met.
Section B: Infection Control, Safety & Medication Administration
11. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a patient on contact precautions for
MRSA. Which PPE is required before entering the room?
A. N95 respirator and eye protection.
B. Gown and gloves.
C. Surgical mask and shoe covers.
D. Goggles and face shield.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves to prevent the transmission of pathogens via direct
contact. An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions.
