NURS 3632 UTA EXAM 2 2026/2027 | Questions with
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Foundations of Adult Health / Med-Surg Nursing – 12 questions
Q1: A 68-year-old patient is admitted with exacerbation of chronic heart failure. The
nurse is reviewing the morning lab results and notes a BNP of 850 pg/mL. Which
interpretation is most accurate?
A. This is within normal limits and indicates stable heart function
B. This suggests mild fluid retention but does not require intervention
C. This indicates significant ventricular wall stress and worsening heart failure
[CORRECT]
D. This is an expected finding in a patient taking ACE inhibitors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BNP levels above 400 pg/mL typically indicate significant heart failure and
ventricular wall stress, supporting the admission diagnosis. Distractor A is
incorrect—normal BNP is <100 pg/mL. Distractor B understates the clinical significance.
Distractor D confuses BNP with other markers; ACE inhibitors don't cause elevated BNP.
Q2: During morning assessment, the nurse notes a postoperative patient's surgical
wound with well-approximated edges, slight erythema extending 1 cm from the incision,
and no purulent drainage. Which documentation is most appropriate?
,A. Signs of wound infection requiring immediate antibiotic therapy
B. Wound dehiscence with evidence of poor healing
C. Normal inflammatory response expected 2-3 days postoperatively [CORRECT]
D. Evidence of hematoma formation under the incision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erythema within 1-2 cm of incision without purulence, warmth, or systemic
signs represents normal inflammatory healing phase (inflammatory phase days 1-4).
Distractor A overstates findings—infection would show purulence, warmth, systemic
signs. Distractor B describes wound separation, not present. Distractor D would show
ecchymosis, swelling, or fluctuance.
Q3: A patient with type 2 diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 142 mg/dL at 0600.
Which nursing action takes priority?
A. Administer sliding scale insulin per protocol [CORRECT]
B. Notify the provider immediately for critical value
C. Recheck the glucose in 4 hours without intervention
D. Restrict the patient's breakfast tray until glucose normalizes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fasting glucose 142 mg/dL is elevated but not critical; standard nursing
practice is to follow established sliding scale or correction protocols. Distractor B
overreacts—critical values are typically <70 or >400 mg/dL. Distractor C delays
, appropriate intervention. Distractor D is inappropriate—patients need consistent
carbohydrate intake.
Q4: The nurse is teaching a patient about home management of heart failure. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of daily self-monitoring?
A. "I should weigh myself once weekly and call if I gain 5 pounds"
B. "I need to check my weight every morning and report a 2-3 pound gain in one day"
[CORRECT]
C. "Daily weights aren't necessary unless I feel short of breath"
D. "I can wait until my ankles swell before calling my doctor"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heart failure patients should weigh daily (same time, same scale, after
voiding) and report 2-3 lb gain in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week, indicating fluid retention.
Distractor A delays detection—weekly is insufficient. Distractors C and D describe
reactive rather than proactive monitoring that could prevent decompensation.
Q5: Which lab value would the nurse expect to be elevated in a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains CO2?
A. pH 7.48
B. PaCO2 32 mmHg
C. HCO3- 32 mEq/L [CORRECT]
D. PaO2 95 mmHg
Complete Solutions | University of Texas Arlington Nursing |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Foundations of Adult Health / Med-Surg Nursing – 12 questions
Q1: A 68-year-old patient is admitted with exacerbation of chronic heart failure. The
nurse is reviewing the morning lab results and notes a BNP of 850 pg/mL. Which
interpretation is most accurate?
A. This is within normal limits and indicates stable heart function
B. This suggests mild fluid retention but does not require intervention
C. This indicates significant ventricular wall stress and worsening heart failure
[CORRECT]
D. This is an expected finding in a patient taking ACE inhibitors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BNP levels above 400 pg/mL typically indicate significant heart failure and
ventricular wall stress, supporting the admission diagnosis. Distractor A is
incorrect—normal BNP is <100 pg/mL. Distractor B understates the clinical significance.
Distractor D confuses BNP with other markers; ACE inhibitors don't cause elevated BNP.
Q2: During morning assessment, the nurse notes a postoperative patient's surgical
wound with well-approximated edges, slight erythema extending 1 cm from the incision,
and no purulent drainage. Which documentation is most appropriate?
,A. Signs of wound infection requiring immediate antibiotic therapy
B. Wound dehiscence with evidence of poor healing
C. Normal inflammatory response expected 2-3 days postoperatively [CORRECT]
D. Evidence of hematoma formation under the incision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erythema within 1-2 cm of incision without purulence, warmth, or systemic
signs represents normal inflammatory healing phase (inflammatory phase days 1-4).
Distractor A overstates findings—infection would show purulence, warmth, systemic
signs. Distractor B describes wound separation, not present. Distractor D would show
ecchymosis, swelling, or fluctuance.
Q3: A patient with type 2 diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 142 mg/dL at 0600.
Which nursing action takes priority?
A. Administer sliding scale insulin per protocol [CORRECT]
B. Notify the provider immediately for critical value
C. Recheck the glucose in 4 hours without intervention
D. Restrict the patient's breakfast tray until glucose normalizes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fasting glucose 142 mg/dL is elevated but not critical; standard nursing
practice is to follow established sliding scale or correction protocols. Distractor B
overreacts—critical values are typically <70 or >400 mg/dL. Distractor C delays
, appropriate intervention. Distractor D is inappropriate—patients need consistent
carbohydrate intake.
Q4: The nurse is teaching a patient about home management of heart failure. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of daily self-monitoring?
A. "I should weigh myself once weekly and call if I gain 5 pounds"
B. "I need to check my weight every morning and report a 2-3 pound gain in one day"
[CORRECT]
C. "Daily weights aren't necessary unless I feel short of breath"
D. "I can wait until my ankles swell before calling my doctor"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heart failure patients should weigh daily (same time, same scale, after
voiding) and report 2-3 lb gain in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week, indicating fluid retention.
Distractor A delays detection—weekly is insufficient. Distractors C and D describe
reactive rather than proactive monitoring that could prevent decompensation.
Q5: Which lab value would the nurse expect to be elevated in a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains CO2?
A. pH 7.48
B. PaCO2 32 mmHg
C. HCO3- 32 mEq/L [CORRECT]
D. PaO2 95 mmHg
