NSG 3100 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PRACTICE QUESTIONS (2 LATEST VERSIONS)
WITH SOLUTIONS NEWEST COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS|
ALREADY GRADED A+
The client's temperature at 8:00 am using an oral electronic thermometer is 36.1°C
(97.2°F). If the respiration, pulse, and blood pressure were within normal range, what
would the nurse do next?
1. Wait 15 minutes and retake it.
2. Check what the client's temperature was the last time it was taken.
3. Retake it using a different thermometer.
4. Chart the temperature; it is normal
Answer: 2. Rationale: Although the temperature is slightly lower than expected for the morning,
it would be best to determine the client's previous temperature range next. This may be a normal
range for this client. Depending on that finding, the nurse might want to retake it in a few
minutes—no need to wait 15 minutes (option 3) or with another
thermometer to see if the initial thermometer was functioning properly. Chart after determining
that the temperature has been measured properly (option 4). Cognitive Level: Applying. Client
Need: Health Maintenance and Promotion. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-
4.
Which client meets the criteria for selection of the apical site for assessment of the pulse
rather than a radial pulse?
1. A client who is in shock
2. A client whose pulse changes with body position changes
3. A client with an arrhythmia
4. A client who had surgery less than 24 hours ago
Answer: 3. Rationale: The apical rate would confirm the rate and determine the actual cardiac
rhythm for a client with an abnormal rhythm; a radial pulse would only reveal the heart rate and
suggest an arrhythmia. For clients in shock, use the carotid or femoral pulse (option 1). The
radial pulse is adequate for determining a change in the orthostatic heart rate (option 2). The
radial pulse is appropriate for routine postoperative vital sign checks for clients with regular
pulses (option 4). Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Planning. Learning Outcome: 29-5
When the nurse enters a client's room to measure routine vital signs, the client is on the
phone. What technique should the nurse use to determine the respiratory rate?
1. Count the respirations during conversational pauses.
2. Ask the client to end the phone call now and resume it at a later time.
3. Wait at the client's bedside until the phone call is completed and then count respirations.
4. Since there is no evidence of distress or urgency, postpone the measurement until later.
Answer: 4. Rationale: Since the client's needs are always considered first, the measurement
should be delayed unless the client is in distress or there are other urgent reasons. Option 1:
, Page 2
Respirations should be measured for 30 seconds to 1 minute and are affected by talking. Option
2: There needs to be an important reason for interrupting the
client. Option 3: It is inappropriate to wait and listen to the client's conversation. Cognitive
Level: Understanding. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process:
Planning. Learning Outcome: 29-3d.
For a client with a previous blood pressure of 138/74 mmHg and pulse of 64 beats/min,
approximately how long should the nurse take to release the blood pressure cuff in order to
obtain an accurate reading?
1. 10-20 seconds
2. 30-45 seconds
3. 1-1.5 minutes
4. 3-3.5 minutes
Answer: 2. Rationale: If the cuff is inflated to about 30 mmHg over previous systolic pressure,
that would be 168. To ensure that the diastolic
has been determined, the cuff should be released slowly until the mid60s mmHg (and then
completely) for someone with a previous reading
of 74. The cuff should be deflated at a rate of 2 to 3 mm per second. Thus, a range of 90 mmHg
will require 30 to 45 seconds. Cognitive Level: Analyzing. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Implementation. Learning Outcome: 29-3e
It would be appropriate to delegate the taking of vital signs of which client to unlicensed
assistive personnel?
1. A client being prepared for elective facial surgery with a history of stable hypertension
2. A client receiving a blood transfusion with a history of transfusion reactions
3. A client recently started on a new antiarrhythmic agent
4. A client who is admitted frequently with asthma attacks
Answer: 1. Rationale: Vital signs measurement may be delegated to UAP if the client is in stable
condition, the findings are expected to be predictable, and the technique requires no
modification. Only the preoperative client meets these requirements. In addition, UAP are not
delegated to take apical pulse measurements for the client with an irregular pulse as would be the
case with the client newly started on antiarrhythmic medication (option 3). Cognitive Level:
Applying. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Planning.
Learning Outcome: 29-8.
An 85-year-old client has had a stroke resulting in right-sided facial drooping, difficulty
swallowing, and the inability to move self or maintain position unaided. The nurse
determines that which sites are most appropriate for taking the temperature?
Select all that apply.
1. Oral
2. Rectal
, Page 3
3. Axillary
4. Tympanic
5. Temporal artery
Answer: 3, 4, and 5. Rationale: For this client, the nurse could take an axillary, tympanic, or
temporal artery temperature. Due to the facial drooping and difficulty swallowing, the oral route
is not recommended (option 1). Although the rectal route could be used, it would require
unnecessary moving and positioning of a client who cannot assist, and it would not provide a
significant advantage over the other routes (option 2). Cognitive Level: Applying. Client Need:
Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-1.
A nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Peripheral Tissue Perfusion would be validated by which
one of the following?
1. Bounding radial pulse
2. Irregular apical pulse
3. Carotid pulse stronger on the left side than the right
4. Absent posterior tibial and pedal pulses
Answer: 4. Rationale: The posterior tibial and pedal pulses in the foot are considered peripheral
and at least one of them should be palpable in normal individuals. Option 1: A bounding radial
pulse is more indicative that perfusion exists. Options 2 and 3: Apical and carotid pulses are
central and not peripheral. Cognitive Level: Analyzing. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Diagnosing. Learning Outcome: 29-9.
The nurse reports that the client has dyspnea when ambulating. The nurse is most likely to
have assessed which of the following?
1. Shallow respirations
2. Wheezing
3. Shortness of breath
4. Coughing up blood
Answer: 3. Rationale: Dyspnea, difficult or labored breathing, is commonly related to inadequate
oxygenation. Therefore, the client is likely to experience shortness of breath, that is, a sense that
none of the breaths provide enough oxygen and an immediate second breath is needed. Option 1:
Shallow respirations are seen in tachypnea (rapid
breathing). Option 2: Wheezing is a high-pitched breathing sound that may or may not occur
with dyspnea. Option 4: The medical term for coughing up blood is hemoptysis and is unrelated
to dyspnea. Cognitive Level: Applying. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance.
Nursing Process: Evaluation. Learning Outcome: 29-7
When auscultating the blood pressure, the nurse hears:
From 200 to 180 mmHg: silence; then: a thumping sound continuing down to 150 mmHg:
muffled sounds continuing down to 130 mmHg; soft thumping sounds continuing down to
, Page 4
105 mmHg; muffled sounds continuing down to 95 mmHg; then silence.
The nurse records the blood pressure as _____________.
Answer: This blood pressure should be recorded as 180/105/95 mmHg using the systolic/1st
diastolic/2nd diastolic convention. Rationale: Phase 1 first sound is a clear tapping when
deflation of the cuff begins. Phase 2 has a muffled, swishing sound. In phase 3, blood is flowing
freely via an increasingly open artery; sounds are more crisp and more intense but softer than
phase 1. Phase 4 sounds become muffled and have a soft blowing quality. In phase 5 the last
sound is heard followed by silence. Cognitive Level: Analyzing Client Need: Health Promotion
and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-9.
In Figure 29-28 •, which number indicates the client's oxygen saturation as measured by
pulse oximetry? _____________
Answer: 4. Rationale: The SpO2 in this case is 97%. Option 1 indicates the systolic blood
pressure of 121 mmHg, option 2 the mean arterial pressure of 95 mmHg, option 3 the pulse of 87
beats/min, and option 5 the diastolic blood pressure of 84 mmHg. In addition, the client's
temperature is shown. Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need:
Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-3f.
The client is a chronic carrier of infection. To prevent the spread of the infection to other
clients or health care providers, the nurse emphasizes interventions that do which of the
following?
1. Eliminate the reservoir.
2. Block the portal of exit from the reservoir.
3. Block the portal of entry into the host.
4. Decrease the susceptibility of the host.
Answer: 2. Rationale: Blocking the movement of the organism from the reservoir will succeed in
preventing the infection of any other individuals. Since the carrier individual is the reservoir and
the condition is chronic, it is not possible to eliminate the reservoir (option 1). Blocking the entry
into a host (option 3) or decreasing the susceptibility of the host (option 4) will be effective for
only that one single individual and, thus, is not as effective as blocking exit from the reservoir.
Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need: Safe, Effective Care Environment. Nursing
Process: Planning. Learning Outcome: 31-9
Which is the most effective nursing action for preventing and controlling the spread of
infection?
1. Thorough hand hygiene
2. Wearing gloves and masks when providing direct client care
3. Implementing appropriate isolation precautions
4. Administering broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics
WITH SOLUTIONS NEWEST COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS|
ALREADY GRADED A+
The client's temperature at 8:00 am using an oral electronic thermometer is 36.1°C
(97.2°F). If the respiration, pulse, and blood pressure were within normal range, what
would the nurse do next?
1. Wait 15 minutes and retake it.
2. Check what the client's temperature was the last time it was taken.
3. Retake it using a different thermometer.
4. Chart the temperature; it is normal
Answer: 2. Rationale: Although the temperature is slightly lower than expected for the morning,
it would be best to determine the client's previous temperature range next. This may be a normal
range for this client. Depending on that finding, the nurse might want to retake it in a few
minutes—no need to wait 15 minutes (option 3) or with another
thermometer to see if the initial thermometer was functioning properly. Chart after determining
that the temperature has been measured properly (option 4). Cognitive Level: Applying. Client
Need: Health Maintenance and Promotion. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-
4.
Which client meets the criteria for selection of the apical site for assessment of the pulse
rather than a radial pulse?
1. A client who is in shock
2. A client whose pulse changes with body position changes
3. A client with an arrhythmia
4. A client who had surgery less than 24 hours ago
Answer: 3. Rationale: The apical rate would confirm the rate and determine the actual cardiac
rhythm for a client with an abnormal rhythm; a radial pulse would only reveal the heart rate and
suggest an arrhythmia. For clients in shock, use the carotid or femoral pulse (option 1). The
radial pulse is adequate for determining a change in the orthostatic heart rate (option 2). The
radial pulse is appropriate for routine postoperative vital sign checks for clients with regular
pulses (option 4). Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Planning. Learning Outcome: 29-5
When the nurse enters a client's room to measure routine vital signs, the client is on the
phone. What technique should the nurse use to determine the respiratory rate?
1. Count the respirations during conversational pauses.
2. Ask the client to end the phone call now and resume it at a later time.
3. Wait at the client's bedside until the phone call is completed and then count respirations.
4. Since there is no evidence of distress or urgency, postpone the measurement until later.
Answer: 4. Rationale: Since the client's needs are always considered first, the measurement
should be delayed unless the client is in distress or there are other urgent reasons. Option 1:
, Page 2
Respirations should be measured for 30 seconds to 1 minute and are affected by talking. Option
2: There needs to be an important reason for interrupting the
client. Option 3: It is inappropriate to wait and listen to the client's conversation. Cognitive
Level: Understanding. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process:
Planning. Learning Outcome: 29-3d.
For a client with a previous blood pressure of 138/74 mmHg and pulse of 64 beats/min,
approximately how long should the nurse take to release the blood pressure cuff in order to
obtain an accurate reading?
1. 10-20 seconds
2. 30-45 seconds
3. 1-1.5 minutes
4. 3-3.5 minutes
Answer: 2. Rationale: If the cuff is inflated to about 30 mmHg over previous systolic pressure,
that would be 168. To ensure that the diastolic
has been determined, the cuff should be released slowly until the mid60s mmHg (and then
completely) for someone with a previous reading
of 74. The cuff should be deflated at a rate of 2 to 3 mm per second. Thus, a range of 90 mmHg
will require 30 to 45 seconds. Cognitive Level: Analyzing. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Implementation. Learning Outcome: 29-3e
It would be appropriate to delegate the taking of vital signs of which client to unlicensed
assistive personnel?
1. A client being prepared for elective facial surgery with a history of stable hypertension
2. A client receiving a blood transfusion with a history of transfusion reactions
3. A client recently started on a new antiarrhythmic agent
4. A client who is admitted frequently with asthma attacks
Answer: 1. Rationale: Vital signs measurement may be delegated to UAP if the client is in stable
condition, the findings are expected to be predictable, and the technique requires no
modification. Only the preoperative client meets these requirements. In addition, UAP are not
delegated to take apical pulse measurements for the client with an irregular pulse as would be the
case with the client newly started on antiarrhythmic medication (option 3). Cognitive Level:
Applying. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Planning.
Learning Outcome: 29-8.
An 85-year-old client has had a stroke resulting in right-sided facial drooping, difficulty
swallowing, and the inability to move self or maintain position unaided. The nurse
determines that which sites are most appropriate for taking the temperature?
Select all that apply.
1. Oral
2. Rectal
, Page 3
3. Axillary
4. Tympanic
5. Temporal artery
Answer: 3, 4, and 5. Rationale: For this client, the nurse could take an axillary, tympanic, or
temporal artery temperature. Due to the facial drooping and difficulty swallowing, the oral route
is not recommended (option 1). Although the rectal route could be used, it would require
unnecessary moving and positioning of a client who cannot assist, and it would not provide a
significant advantage over the other routes (option 2). Cognitive Level: Applying. Client Need:
Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-1.
A nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Peripheral Tissue Perfusion would be validated by which
one of the following?
1. Bounding radial pulse
2. Irregular apical pulse
3. Carotid pulse stronger on the left side than the right
4. Absent posterior tibial and pedal pulses
Answer: 4. Rationale: The posterior tibial and pedal pulses in the foot are considered peripheral
and at least one of them should be palpable in normal individuals. Option 1: A bounding radial
pulse is more indicative that perfusion exists. Options 2 and 3: Apical and carotid pulses are
central and not peripheral. Cognitive Level: Analyzing. Client Need: Health Promotion and
Maintenance. Nursing Process: Diagnosing. Learning Outcome: 29-9.
The nurse reports that the client has dyspnea when ambulating. The nurse is most likely to
have assessed which of the following?
1. Shallow respirations
2. Wheezing
3. Shortness of breath
4. Coughing up blood
Answer: 3. Rationale: Dyspnea, difficult or labored breathing, is commonly related to inadequate
oxygenation. Therefore, the client is likely to experience shortness of breath, that is, a sense that
none of the breaths provide enough oxygen and an immediate second breath is needed. Option 1:
Shallow respirations are seen in tachypnea (rapid
breathing). Option 2: Wheezing is a high-pitched breathing sound that may or may not occur
with dyspnea. Option 4: The medical term for coughing up blood is hemoptysis and is unrelated
to dyspnea. Cognitive Level: Applying. Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance.
Nursing Process: Evaluation. Learning Outcome: 29-7
When auscultating the blood pressure, the nurse hears:
From 200 to 180 mmHg: silence; then: a thumping sound continuing down to 150 mmHg:
muffled sounds continuing down to 130 mmHg; soft thumping sounds continuing down to
, Page 4
105 mmHg; muffled sounds continuing down to 95 mmHg; then silence.
The nurse records the blood pressure as _____________.
Answer: This blood pressure should be recorded as 180/105/95 mmHg using the systolic/1st
diastolic/2nd diastolic convention. Rationale: Phase 1 first sound is a clear tapping when
deflation of the cuff begins. Phase 2 has a muffled, swishing sound. In phase 3, blood is flowing
freely via an increasingly open artery; sounds are more crisp and more intense but softer than
phase 1. Phase 4 sounds become muffled and have a soft blowing quality. In phase 5 the last
sound is heard followed by silence. Cognitive Level: Analyzing Client Need: Health Promotion
and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-9.
In Figure 29-28 •, which number indicates the client's oxygen saturation as measured by
pulse oximetry? _____________
Answer: 4. Rationale: The SpO2 in this case is 97%. Option 1 indicates the systolic blood
pressure of 121 mmHg, option 2 the mean arterial pressure of 95 mmHg, option 3 the pulse of 87
beats/min, and option 5 the diastolic blood pressure of 84 mmHg. In addition, the client's
temperature is shown. Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need:
Health Promotion and Maintenance. Nursing Process: Assessment. Learning Outcome: 29-3f.
The client is a chronic carrier of infection. To prevent the spread of the infection to other
clients or health care providers, the nurse emphasizes interventions that do which of the
following?
1. Eliminate the reservoir.
2. Block the portal of exit from the reservoir.
3. Block the portal of entry into the host.
4. Decrease the susceptibility of the host.
Answer: 2. Rationale: Blocking the movement of the organism from the reservoir will succeed in
preventing the infection of any other individuals. Since the carrier individual is the reservoir and
the condition is chronic, it is not possible to eliminate the reservoir (option 1). Blocking the entry
into a host (option 3) or decreasing the susceptibility of the host (option 4) will be effective for
only that one single individual and, thus, is not as effective as blocking exit from the reservoir.
Cognitive Level: Understanding. Client Need: Safe, Effective Care Environment. Nursing
Process: Planning. Learning Outcome: 31-9
Which is the most effective nursing action for preventing and controlling the spread of
infection?
1. Thorough hand hygiene
2. Wearing gloves and masks when providing direct client care
3. Implementing appropriate isolation precautions
4. Administering broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics
