NUR 3524 Adult Health: Chronic and Transitional
Care Exam Verified & Updated Questions and
Answers - Rasmussen University
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is being discharged home. Which
instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. Restrict fluid intake to 4 liters per day.
B. Weigh yourself daily at the same time and report a gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
C. Perform vigorous aerobic exercise daily.
D. Increase sodium intake to maintain blood pressure.
Answer: B
Explanation: Daily weight monitoring is the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status
changes in heart failure patients. A rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and the need
for medical intervention.
2. When assessing a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD), the nurse observes a barrel chest. This clinical finding is primarily
caused by:
A. Hyperinflation of the lungs and air trapping.
B. Chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
C. Hypertrophy of the accessory respiratory muscles.
D. Fluid accumulation in the pleural space.
Answer: A
Explanation: In COPD, specifically emphysema, the loss of elastic recoil and airway
collapse leads to air trapping and hyperinflation, which eventually changes the chest wall
shape to a barrel appearance.
,3. A patient with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a high potassium
level. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Blueberries
Answer: B
Explanation: Bananas are high in potassium. Patients with advanced CKD must limit
potassium-rich foods to prevent life-threatening hyperkalemia.
4. Which statement by a patient with type 2 diabetes indicates a need for
further teaching regarding foot care?
A. I will check my feet every night using a mirror.
B. I will wear well-fitting shoes at all times, even indoors.
C. I will soak my feet in hot water daily to improve circulation.
D. I will cut my toenails straight across.
Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetic patients often have neuropathy and may not feel the temperature of
the water, leading to burns. Soaking also increases the risk of skin breakdown and
infection.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a Transient Ischemic Attack
(TIA). What is the primary goal of medical management for this patient?
A. To reverse the brain damage caused by the TIA.
B. To prepare the patient for long-term rehabilitation.
C. To monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure.
D. To prevent a future stroke.
Answer: D
, Explanation: A TIA is a warning sign of an impending stroke. The primary goal is to
identify and manage risk factors to prevent a full ischemic event.
6. During the transition of care from hospital to home, what is the primary
purpose of medication reconciliation?
A. To reduce the cost of medications for the patient.
B. To prevent medication errors such as omissions, duplications, or dosing errors.
C. To ensure the patient knows the side effects of every drug.
D. To determine if the patient can afford the prescribed therapy.
Answer: B
Explanation: Medication reconciliation involves comparing the medications the patient is
currently taking with the newly prescribed medications to identify and resolve
discrepancies.
7. Which of the following is a key difference between palliative care and hospice
care?
A. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness.
B. Hospice care allows for aggressive curative treatments.
C. Palliative care is only for patients with a prognosis of less than 6 months.
D. Hospice care is focused only on the physical needs of the patient.
Answer: A
Explanation: Palliative care is focused on symptom management and quality of life at any
stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice is specifically for end-of-life care when curative
treatment is no longer pursued.
Care Exam Verified & Updated Questions and
Answers - Rasmussen University
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is being discharged home. Which
instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. Restrict fluid intake to 4 liters per day.
B. Weigh yourself daily at the same time and report a gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
C. Perform vigorous aerobic exercise daily.
D. Increase sodium intake to maintain blood pressure.
Answer: B
Explanation: Daily weight monitoring is the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status
changes in heart failure patients. A rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and the need
for medical intervention.
2. When assessing a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD), the nurse observes a barrel chest. This clinical finding is primarily
caused by:
A. Hyperinflation of the lungs and air trapping.
B. Chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
C. Hypertrophy of the accessory respiratory muscles.
D. Fluid accumulation in the pleural space.
Answer: A
Explanation: In COPD, specifically emphysema, the loss of elastic recoil and airway
collapse leads to air trapping and hyperinflation, which eventually changes the chest wall
shape to a barrel appearance.
,3. A patient with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a high potassium
level. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Blueberries
Answer: B
Explanation: Bananas are high in potassium. Patients with advanced CKD must limit
potassium-rich foods to prevent life-threatening hyperkalemia.
4. Which statement by a patient with type 2 diabetes indicates a need for
further teaching regarding foot care?
A. I will check my feet every night using a mirror.
B. I will wear well-fitting shoes at all times, even indoors.
C. I will soak my feet in hot water daily to improve circulation.
D. I will cut my toenails straight across.
Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetic patients often have neuropathy and may not feel the temperature of
the water, leading to burns. Soaking also increases the risk of skin breakdown and
infection.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a Transient Ischemic Attack
(TIA). What is the primary goal of medical management for this patient?
A. To reverse the brain damage caused by the TIA.
B. To prepare the patient for long-term rehabilitation.
C. To monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure.
D. To prevent a future stroke.
Answer: D
, Explanation: A TIA is a warning sign of an impending stroke. The primary goal is to
identify and manage risk factors to prevent a full ischemic event.
6. During the transition of care from hospital to home, what is the primary
purpose of medication reconciliation?
A. To reduce the cost of medications for the patient.
B. To prevent medication errors such as omissions, duplications, or dosing errors.
C. To ensure the patient knows the side effects of every drug.
D. To determine if the patient can afford the prescribed therapy.
Answer: B
Explanation: Medication reconciliation involves comparing the medications the patient is
currently taking with the newly prescribed medications to identify and resolve
discrepancies.
7. Which of the following is a key difference between palliative care and hospice
care?
A. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness.
B. Hospice care allows for aggressive curative treatments.
C. Palliative care is only for patients with a prognosis of less than 6 months.
D. Hospice care is focused only on the physical needs of the patient.
Answer: A
Explanation: Palliative care is focused on symptom management and quality of life at any
stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice is specifically for end-of-life care when curative
treatment is no longer pursued.
