Medical-Surgical LPN/RN Assessment:
Comprehensive Practice Exam Questions &
Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
A postoperative patient reports sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and anxiety.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
a. Atelectasis
b. Pulmonary embolism
c. Pneumonia
d. Fluid overload
☑ b. Pulmonary embolism
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving opioid analgesics?
a. Constipation
b. Nausea
c. Respiratory rate of 8/min
d. Pruritus
☑ c. Respiratory rate of 8/min
,________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is awake but confused.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Administer IV regular insulin
b. Give 15 g rapid-acting carbohydrate
c. Give glucagon IM and keep NPO
d. Recheck glucose in 1 hour
☑ b. Give 15 g rapid-acting carbohydrate
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
Which patient is at highest risk for developing a pressure injury?
a. Ambulatory patient with mild arthritis
b. Patient with fever and diaphoresis
c. Patient who is immobile and malnourished
d. Patient with controlled hypertension
☑ c. Patient who is immobile and malnourished
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient
becomes drowsy and the RR decreases. What should the nurse do first?
a. Discontinue oxygen immediately
, b. Assess for CO₂ retention and notify the provider
c. Increase oxygen to 10 L/min
d. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
☑ b. Assess for CO₂ retention and notify the provider
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
Which finding is most consistent with hypovolemia?
a. Bounding pulses
b. Jugular venous distention
c. Decreased urine output
d. Crackles in both lungs
☑ c. Decreased urine output
________________________________________________
**Question 7**
A patient has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which assessment is the priority?
a. Lung sounds
b. ECG rhythm
c. Skin turgor
d. Abdominal distention
☑ b. ECG rhythm
________________________________________________
Comprehensive Practice Exam Questions &
Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
A postoperative patient reports sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and anxiety.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
a. Atelectasis
b. Pulmonary embolism
c. Pneumonia
d. Fluid overload
☑ b. Pulmonary embolism
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving opioid analgesics?
a. Constipation
b. Nausea
c. Respiratory rate of 8/min
d. Pruritus
☑ c. Respiratory rate of 8/min
,________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is awake but confused.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Administer IV regular insulin
b. Give 15 g rapid-acting carbohydrate
c. Give glucagon IM and keep NPO
d. Recheck glucose in 1 hour
☑ b. Give 15 g rapid-acting carbohydrate
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
Which patient is at highest risk for developing a pressure injury?
a. Ambulatory patient with mild arthritis
b. Patient with fever and diaphoresis
c. Patient who is immobile and malnourished
d. Patient with controlled hypertension
☑ c. Patient who is immobile and malnourished
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient
becomes drowsy and the RR decreases. What should the nurse do first?
a. Discontinue oxygen immediately
, b. Assess for CO₂ retention and notify the provider
c. Increase oxygen to 10 L/min
d. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
☑ b. Assess for CO₂ retention and notify the provider
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
Which finding is most consistent with hypovolemia?
a. Bounding pulses
b. Jugular venous distention
c. Decreased urine output
d. Crackles in both lungs
☑ c. Decreased urine output
________________________________________________
**Question 7**
A patient has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which assessment is the priority?
a. Lung sounds
b. ECG rhythm
c. Skin turgor
d. Abdominal distention
☑ b. ECG rhythm
________________________________________________
