NURS 1140 Foundational
Nursing Concepts: Complete
Practice 200 Exam Questions
with Correct Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The client is breathing
rapidly. What is the best response by the charge nurse when the nurse
asks why this is happening?
a) Anxiety is causing the client to breathe rapidly.
b) The client is trying to get rid of excess body acids.
c) The rapid respirations cause a buildup of bicarbonate.
d) An increased respiratory rate is due to increased metabolism.
☑ Correct Answer: b) The client is trying to get rid of excess
body acids.
Rationale: In a state of acidosis (high acid levels in the blood), the body
tries to compensate by increasing the respiratory rate to "blow off"
carbon dioxide, which is an acid. This is a compensatory mechanism,
1
,not anxiety or increased metabolism. The rapid breathing (Kussmaul
breathing) is a protective physiological response.
Question 2
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work that
requires frequent car and plane travel. What self-care measure does
the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting?
a) Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
b) Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor for safety.
c) Be sure to sit with the legs elevated as much as possible.
d) Increase fiber in the diet so as not to strain to move the bowels.
☑ Correct Answer: a) Get up and walk around at least every 2
hours while traveling.
Rationale: For a client with a history of a thromboembolism (blood
clot), preventing stasis of blood is key. Frequent ambulation promotes
venous return and reduces the risk of new clot formation. The other
options (soft toothbrush, electric razor, increased fiber) are for clients
at risk of bleeding, not clotting.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse
assess first for impaired cognition?
a) A 28-year-old client 2 days post-open cholecystectomy
b) An 88-year-old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
c) A 32-year-old client with a 20-pack-year history of smoking
d) A 42-year-old client with a serum sodium of 134 mEq/L (134 mmol/L)
2
,☑ Correct Answer: b) An 88-year-old client 3 days post-
hemorrhagic stroke.
Rationale: This client has two major risk factors for impaired cognition:
advanced age (88) and a neurological event (stroke). This places them
at the highest risk and therefore the priority for assessment. The other
clients have lower risk factors: mild hyponatremia (134 mEq/L is only
slightly low), smoking history, and postoperative status without
neurological involvement.
Question 4
The assistive personnel (AP) reports that a postoperative client has a
pulse of 132/min and a blood pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What is the
nurse's most appropriate response?
a) Ask the AP to repeat the client's vital signs in 15 minutes.
b) Assess the client for pain.
c) Ask the client if something is bothersome.
d) Instruct the AP to reposition the client.
☑ Correct Answer: b) Assess the client for pain.
Rationale: In a postoperative client, tachycardia and hypertension are
classic signs of sympathetic nervous system stimulation, often caused
by unmanaged pain ("fight-or-flight" response). Pain should be the first
suspicion and assessment before any other intervention. While asking if
something is bothersome (c) is similar, the most direct and appropriate
nursing action is to specifically assess for pain.
Question 5
3
, A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates
that outcomes for a priority nursing diagnosis have been met?
a) Client reports satisfaction with undergarments for incontinence.
b) Client reports drinking 8 to 9 glasses of water each day.
c) Skin in the perineal area is intact without redness on inspection.
d) Family states the client is more active and socializes more.
☑ Correct Answer: c) Skin in the perineal area is intact without
redness on inspection.
Rationale: While all options show positive outcomes,
the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with incontinence is risk for
impaired skin integrity. Physical signs of intact skin without redness
indicate the most critical goal has been met. Constant moisture from
urine can quickly lead to skin breakdown, pressure injuries, and
infection.
Question 6
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's
morning weight has not yet been done. The nursing assistant says, "I'll
get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond, the
nurse considers that weight is:
a) The basis on which most treatment decisions are made.
b) A task that the nursing assistant needs to ensure is done on time.
c) The most accurate noninvasive indicator of fluid status.
d) An indication for changing IV fluids.
☑ Correct Answer: c) The most accurate noninvasive indicator
of fluid status.
4
Nursing Concepts: Complete
Practice 200 Exam Questions
with Correct Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The client is breathing
rapidly. What is the best response by the charge nurse when the nurse
asks why this is happening?
a) Anxiety is causing the client to breathe rapidly.
b) The client is trying to get rid of excess body acids.
c) The rapid respirations cause a buildup of bicarbonate.
d) An increased respiratory rate is due to increased metabolism.
☑ Correct Answer: b) The client is trying to get rid of excess
body acids.
Rationale: In a state of acidosis (high acid levels in the blood), the body
tries to compensate by increasing the respiratory rate to "blow off"
carbon dioxide, which is an acid. This is a compensatory mechanism,
1
,not anxiety or increased metabolism. The rapid breathing (Kussmaul
breathing) is a protective physiological response.
Question 2
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work that
requires frequent car and plane travel. What self-care measure does
the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting?
a) Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
b) Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor for safety.
c) Be sure to sit with the legs elevated as much as possible.
d) Increase fiber in the diet so as not to strain to move the bowels.
☑ Correct Answer: a) Get up and walk around at least every 2
hours while traveling.
Rationale: For a client with a history of a thromboembolism (blood
clot), preventing stasis of blood is key. Frequent ambulation promotes
venous return and reduces the risk of new clot formation. The other
options (soft toothbrush, electric razor, increased fiber) are for clients
at risk of bleeding, not clotting.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse
assess first for impaired cognition?
a) A 28-year-old client 2 days post-open cholecystectomy
b) An 88-year-old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
c) A 32-year-old client with a 20-pack-year history of smoking
d) A 42-year-old client with a serum sodium of 134 mEq/L (134 mmol/L)
2
,☑ Correct Answer: b) An 88-year-old client 3 days post-
hemorrhagic stroke.
Rationale: This client has two major risk factors for impaired cognition:
advanced age (88) and a neurological event (stroke). This places them
at the highest risk and therefore the priority for assessment. The other
clients have lower risk factors: mild hyponatremia (134 mEq/L is only
slightly low), smoking history, and postoperative status without
neurological involvement.
Question 4
The assistive personnel (AP) reports that a postoperative client has a
pulse of 132/min and a blood pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What is the
nurse's most appropriate response?
a) Ask the AP to repeat the client's vital signs in 15 minutes.
b) Assess the client for pain.
c) Ask the client if something is bothersome.
d) Instruct the AP to reposition the client.
☑ Correct Answer: b) Assess the client for pain.
Rationale: In a postoperative client, tachycardia and hypertension are
classic signs of sympathetic nervous system stimulation, often caused
by unmanaged pain ("fight-or-flight" response). Pain should be the first
suspicion and assessment before any other intervention. While asking if
something is bothersome (c) is similar, the most direct and appropriate
nursing action is to specifically assess for pain.
Question 5
3
, A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates
that outcomes for a priority nursing diagnosis have been met?
a) Client reports satisfaction with undergarments for incontinence.
b) Client reports drinking 8 to 9 glasses of water each day.
c) Skin in the perineal area is intact without redness on inspection.
d) Family states the client is more active and socializes more.
☑ Correct Answer: c) Skin in the perineal area is intact without
redness on inspection.
Rationale: While all options show positive outcomes,
the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with incontinence is risk for
impaired skin integrity. Physical signs of intact skin without redness
indicate the most critical goal has been met. Constant moisture from
urine can quickly lead to skin breakdown, pressure injuries, and
infection.
Question 6
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's
morning weight has not yet been done. The nursing assistant says, "I'll
get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond, the
nurse considers that weight is:
a) The basis on which most treatment decisions are made.
b) A task that the nursing assistant needs to ensure is done on time.
c) The most accurate noninvasive indicator of fluid status.
d) An indication for changing IV fluids.
☑ Correct Answer: c) The most accurate noninvasive indicator
of fluid status.
4
