NUR 511 EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY GRADED
A+ | LATEST EXAM
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate first intervention for a patient
experiencing acute shortness of breath?
A) Administer a sedative
B) Place the patient in a supine position
C) Administer oxygen
D) Call for laboratory tests
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen administration is the immediate priority to improve oxygenation in acute
respiratory distress.
2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What electrolyte imbalance is the
nurse most concerned about?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia.
3. Which lab value indicates effective treatment of diabetes mellitus with insulin?
A) Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B) HbA1c 6.5%
C) Random glucose 250 mg/dL
D) Postprandial glucose 200 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: An HbA1c of 6.5% indicates good long-term glucose control according to ADA
guidelines.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic
reaction?
A) Start IV fluids
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Obtain a detailed allergy history
D) Apply a cool compress
,Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis to reverse airway constriction
and hypotension.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient taking warfarin?
A) Mild headache
B) Bruising on the arms
C) Dark tarry stools
D) Mild fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Dark tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious complication of
anticoagulation therapy.
6. A patient is receiving morphine for pain management. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Mild sedation
B) Respiratory rate 8 breaths per minute
C) Patient reports pain 5/10
D) Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10/min is life-threatening and indicates opioid-induced
respiratory depression.
7. Which teaching point is essential for a patient prescribed metformin?
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Avoid alcohol due to risk of lactic acidosis
C) Stop medication if nausea occurs
D) Expect rapid weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin.
8. Which finding best indicates effective treatment of hypertension?
A) BP 130/85 mmHg
B) BP 120/78 mmHg
C) BP 140/90 mmHg
D) BP 150/95 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: BP < 130/80 mmHg is considered controlled according to current hypertension
guidelines.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which intervention will most improve
oxygenation?
,A) Encourage fluid restriction
B) Administer a beta-blocker
C) Encourage pursed-lip breathing
D) Place patient in a supine position
Answer: C
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent airway collapse and improves gas exchange in
COPD patients.
10. Which lab value indicates renal impairment in a patient on long-term NSAID therapy?
A) BUN 25 mg/dL
B) Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL
C) GFR 60 mL/min
D) BUN 10 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated BUN can indicate impaired kidney function due to prolonged NSAID use.
11. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria
B) Sweating and tremors
C) Weight gain
D) Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Adrenergic symptoms like sweating and tremors are early signs of hypoglycemia.
12. A patient with chronic kidney disease is on a low-protein diet. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A) “I will avoid all vegetables.”
B) “I will limit meat to small portions.”
C) “I will increase dairy intake substantially.”
D) “I will double my protein intake.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Limiting high-protein foods helps reduce nitrogenous waste accumulation in CKD.
13. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with suspected stroke?
A) Administer aspirin
B) Obtain CT scan immediately
C) Start physical therapy
D) Monitor urine output
Answer: B
Rationale: CT scan differentiates ischemic vs. hemorrhagic stroke and guides immediate
treatment.
, 14. Which ECG change is most indicative of myocardial infarction?
A) Sinus bradycardia
B) ST-segment elevation
C) T-wave inversion only
D) Normal sinus rhythm
Answer: B
Rationale: ST-segment elevation is a hallmark of acute myocardial infarction.
15. The nurse is caring for a patient with an NG tube. Which intervention prevents
complications?
A) Keep the head flat
B) Irrigate with large amounts of water hourly
C) Verify tube placement before feeding
D) Disconnect suction continuously
Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying placement prevents aspiration and other complications.
16. Which statement by a patient on corticosteroids indicates understanding of long-term
side effects?
A) “I can stop taking the medication abruptly.”
B) “I may develop high blood sugar and weight gain.”
C) “I do not need to monitor my blood pressure.”
D) “I should double the dose when I feel ill.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use can cause hyperglycemia, weight gain, and
hypertension.
17. Which patient is at highest risk for pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory patient with diabetes
B) Bed-bound patient with incontinence
C) Outpatient with a cold
D) Patient walking post-surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility and moisture are key risk factors for pressure ulcer development.
18. Which symptom suggests lithium toxicity?
A) Fine tremor
B) Nausea, vomiting, and confusion
C) Mild headache
D) Mild polyuria
Answer: B
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY GRADED
A+ | LATEST EXAM
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate first intervention for a patient
experiencing acute shortness of breath?
A) Administer a sedative
B) Place the patient in a supine position
C) Administer oxygen
D) Call for laboratory tests
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen administration is the immediate priority to improve oxygenation in acute
respiratory distress.
2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What electrolyte imbalance is the
nurse most concerned about?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia.
3. Which lab value indicates effective treatment of diabetes mellitus with insulin?
A) Fasting blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B) HbA1c 6.5%
C) Random glucose 250 mg/dL
D) Postprandial glucose 200 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: An HbA1c of 6.5% indicates good long-term glucose control according to ADA
guidelines.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic
reaction?
A) Start IV fluids
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Obtain a detailed allergy history
D) Apply a cool compress
,Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis to reverse airway constriction
and hypotension.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient taking warfarin?
A) Mild headache
B) Bruising on the arms
C) Dark tarry stools
D) Mild fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Dark tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious complication of
anticoagulation therapy.
6. A patient is receiving morphine for pain management. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Mild sedation
B) Respiratory rate 8 breaths per minute
C) Patient reports pain 5/10
D) Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10/min is life-threatening and indicates opioid-induced
respiratory depression.
7. Which teaching point is essential for a patient prescribed metformin?
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Avoid alcohol due to risk of lactic acidosis
C) Stop medication if nausea occurs
D) Expect rapid weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin.
8. Which finding best indicates effective treatment of hypertension?
A) BP 130/85 mmHg
B) BP 120/78 mmHg
C) BP 140/90 mmHg
D) BP 150/95 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: BP < 130/80 mmHg is considered controlled according to current hypertension
guidelines.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which intervention will most improve
oxygenation?
,A) Encourage fluid restriction
B) Administer a beta-blocker
C) Encourage pursed-lip breathing
D) Place patient in a supine position
Answer: C
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent airway collapse and improves gas exchange in
COPD patients.
10. Which lab value indicates renal impairment in a patient on long-term NSAID therapy?
A) BUN 25 mg/dL
B) Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL
C) GFR 60 mL/min
D) BUN 10 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated BUN can indicate impaired kidney function due to prolonged NSAID use.
11. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria
B) Sweating and tremors
C) Weight gain
D) Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Adrenergic symptoms like sweating and tremors are early signs of hypoglycemia.
12. A patient with chronic kidney disease is on a low-protein diet. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A) “I will avoid all vegetables.”
B) “I will limit meat to small portions.”
C) “I will increase dairy intake substantially.”
D) “I will double my protein intake.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Limiting high-protein foods helps reduce nitrogenous waste accumulation in CKD.
13. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with suspected stroke?
A) Administer aspirin
B) Obtain CT scan immediately
C) Start physical therapy
D) Monitor urine output
Answer: B
Rationale: CT scan differentiates ischemic vs. hemorrhagic stroke and guides immediate
treatment.
, 14. Which ECG change is most indicative of myocardial infarction?
A) Sinus bradycardia
B) ST-segment elevation
C) T-wave inversion only
D) Normal sinus rhythm
Answer: B
Rationale: ST-segment elevation is a hallmark of acute myocardial infarction.
15. The nurse is caring for a patient with an NG tube. Which intervention prevents
complications?
A) Keep the head flat
B) Irrigate with large amounts of water hourly
C) Verify tube placement before feeding
D) Disconnect suction continuously
Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying placement prevents aspiration and other complications.
16. Which statement by a patient on corticosteroids indicates understanding of long-term
side effects?
A) “I can stop taking the medication abruptly.”
B) “I may develop high blood sugar and weight gain.”
C) “I do not need to monitor my blood pressure.”
D) “I should double the dose when I feel ill.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use can cause hyperglycemia, weight gain, and
hypertension.
17. Which patient is at highest risk for pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory patient with diabetes
B) Bed-bound patient with incontinence
C) Outpatient with a cold
D) Patient walking post-surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility and moisture are key risk factors for pressure ulcer development.
18. Which symptom suggests lithium toxicity?
A) Fine tremor
B) Nausea, vomiting, and confusion
C) Mild headache
D) Mild polyuria
Answer: B
