Pneumonia NCLEX practice questions Med Surg I,
questions and answers review 2026
A nurse is caring for an 89-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. He has an IV of normal
saline running at 100 mL/hr and antibiotics that were initiated in the emergency department 3
hours ago. He has oxygen at 2 liters/nasal cannula. What assessment finding by the nurse
indicates that goals for a priority diagnosis have been met for this client?
A) The client is alert and oriented to person, place, and time.
B) Blood pressure is within normal limits and client's baseline.
C) Skin behind the ears demonstrates no redness or irritation.
D) Urine output has been >30 mL/hr per Foley catheter - Correct Answers A) The client is alert
and oriented to person, place, and time.
A client with pneumonia caused by aspiration after alcohol intoxication has just been admitted.
The client is febrile and agitated. Which health care provider order should the nurse implement
first?
A) Administer levofloxacin (Levaquin) 500 mg IV.
B) Draw aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures.
C) Give lorazepam (Ativan) as needed for agitation.
D) Refer to social worker for alcohol counseling. - Correct Answers B) Draw aerobic and
anaerobic blood cultures.
, An older adult resident in a long-term-care facility becomes confused and agitated, telling the
nurse, "Get out of here! You're going to kill me!" Which action will the nurse take first?
A) Check the resident's oxygen saturation.
B) Do a complete neurologic assessment.
C) Give the prescribed PRN lorazepam (Ativan).
D) Notify the resident's primary care provider. - Correct Answers A) Check the resident's oxygen
saturation.
An older client presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of cough, pain on
inspiration, shortness of breath, and dyspnea. The client never had a pneumococcal vaccine.
The client's chest x-ray shows density in both bases. The client has wheezing upon auscultation
of both lungs. Would a bronchodilator be beneficial for this client?
A) It would not be beneficial for this client.
B) It would help decrease the bronchospasm.
C) It would clear up the density in the bases of the client's lungs.
D) It would decrease the client's pain on inspiration. - Correct Answers B) It would help decrease
the bronchospasm.
pneumonia may present differently in the older adult than in the younger adult?
A) Crackles on auscultation
B) Fever
C) Headache
D) Wheezing - Correct Answers B) Fever
Which pt is at higher risk for developing pneumonia?
questions and answers review 2026
A nurse is caring for an 89-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. He has an IV of normal
saline running at 100 mL/hr and antibiotics that were initiated in the emergency department 3
hours ago. He has oxygen at 2 liters/nasal cannula. What assessment finding by the nurse
indicates that goals for a priority diagnosis have been met for this client?
A) The client is alert and oriented to person, place, and time.
B) Blood pressure is within normal limits and client's baseline.
C) Skin behind the ears demonstrates no redness or irritation.
D) Urine output has been >30 mL/hr per Foley catheter - Correct Answers A) The client is alert
and oriented to person, place, and time.
A client with pneumonia caused by aspiration after alcohol intoxication has just been admitted.
The client is febrile and agitated. Which health care provider order should the nurse implement
first?
A) Administer levofloxacin (Levaquin) 500 mg IV.
B) Draw aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures.
C) Give lorazepam (Ativan) as needed for agitation.
D) Refer to social worker for alcohol counseling. - Correct Answers B) Draw aerobic and
anaerobic blood cultures.
, An older adult resident in a long-term-care facility becomes confused and agitated, telling the
nurse, "Get out of here! You're going to kill me!" Which action will the nurse take first?
A) Check the resident's oxygen saturation.
B) Do a complete neurologic assessment.
C) Give the prescribed PRN lorazepam (Ativan).
D) Notify the resident's primary care provider. - Correct Answers A) Check the resident's oxygen
saturation.
An older client presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of cough, pain on
inspiration, shortness of breath, and dyspnea. The client never had a pneumococcal vaccine.
The client's chest x-ray shows density in both bases. The client has wheezing upon auscultation
of both lungs. Would a bronchodilator be beneficial for this client?
A) It would not be beneficial for this client.
B) It would help decrease the bronchospasm.
C) It would clear up the density in the bases of the client's lungs.
D) It would decrease the client's pain on inspiration. - Correct Answers B) It would help decrease
the bronchospasm.
pneumonia may present differently in the older adult than in the younger adult?
A) Crackles on auscultation
B) Fever
C) Headache
D) Wheezing - Correct Answers B) Fever
Which pt is at higher risk for developing pneumonia?
