MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY NUR 303 ADULT HEALTH I –
EXAM 2 |QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|GRADED
A+|2026 UPDATE
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with increased
dyspnea and cyanosis. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Position the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths
D. Call the physician immediately
Rationale: High Fowler’s position helps maximize lung expansion and improves oxygenation in
patients with respiratory distress. Oxygen administration should be controlled in COPD patients
to prevent CO₂ retention.
3. A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory finding is most
consistent with DKA?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyponatremia
Rationale: DKA typically presents with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and initial
hyperkalemia due to the shift of potassium from cells into the bloodstream.
,4. A patient with a gastrointestinal bleed is showing hypotension and tachycardia. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Prepare the patient for endoscopy
B. Start intravenous fluids
C. Administer a proton pump inhibitor
D. Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia indicate hypovolemic shock from blood loss. Immediate
IV fluid resuscitation is critical to restore circulating volume.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Prepare for dialysis
B. Encourage potassium-rich foods
C. Administer furosemide
D. Monitor the patient
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (>5.0 mEq/L) in CKD is life-threatening and may require dialysis if
severe. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has ascites. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Encourage high-protein diet
C. Administer loop diuretics
D. Promote bed rest
Rationale: Ascites is often caused by fluid accumulation due to liver dysfunction. Fluid restriction
and diuretics are standard interventions to manage fluid overload.
7. A patient is being evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD). Which symptom is most
indicative of angina?
A. Sharp, localized chest pain
B. Chest pain that improves with rest
C. Chest pain with deep inspiration
D. Constant dull pain
, Rationale: Angina is typically described as pressure or tightness in the chest that worsens with
activity and improves with rest or nitroglycerin.
8. A patient has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is expected?
A. Hypertension
B. Confusion
C. Polyuria
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Hyponatremia can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, and
seizures due to cellular swelling in the brain.
9. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which adverse effect should the nurse teach
the patient to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause tremors, tachycardia, and nervousness
due to sympathetic stimulation.
10. A patient is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Warfarin affects the extrinsic clotting pathway. Monitoring PT/INR ensures
therapeutic anticoagulation and reduces the risk of bleeding.
11. A patient with left-sided heart failure presents with pulmonary edema. Which clinical
manifestation is expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
EXAM 2 |QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|GRADED
A+|2026 UPDATE
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with increased
dyspnea and cyanosis. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Position the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths
D. Call the physician immediately
Rationale: High Fowler’s position helps maximize lung expansion and improves oxygenation in
patients with respiratory distress. Oxygen administration should be controlled in COPD patients
to prevent CO₂ retention.
3. A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory finding is most
consistent with DKA?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyponatremia
Rationale: DKA typically presents with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and initial
hyperkalemia due to the shift of potassium from cells into the bloodstream.
,4. A patient with a gastrointestinal bleed is showing hypotension and tachycardia. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Prepare the patient for endoscopy
B. Start intravenous fluids
C. Administer a proton pump inhibitor
D. Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia indicate hypovolemic shock from blood loss. Immediate
IV fluid resuscitation is critical to restore circulating volume.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Prepare for dialysis
B. Encourage potassium-rich foods
C. Administer furosemide
D. Monitor the patient
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (>5.0 mEq/L) in CKD is life-threatening and may require dialysis if
severe. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has ascites. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Encourage high-protein diet
C. Administer loop diuretics
D. Promote bed rest
Rationale: Ascites is often caused by fluid accumulation due to liver dysfunction. Fluid restriction
and diuretics are standard interventions to manage fluid overload.
7. A patient is being evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD). Which symptom is most
indicative of angina?
A. Sharp, localized chest pain
B. Chest pain that improves with rest
C. Chest pain with deep inspiration
D. Constant dull pain
, Rationale: Angina is typically described as pressure or tightness in the chest that worsens with
activity and improves with rest or nitroglycerin.
8. A patient has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is expected?
A. Hypertension
B. Confusion
C. Polyuria
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Hyponatremia can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, and
seizures due to cellular swelling in the brain.
9. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which adverse effect should the nurse teach
the patient to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause tremors, tachycardia, and nervousness
due to sympathetic stimulation.
10. A patient is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Warfarin affects the extrinsic clotting pathway. Monitoring PT/INR ensures
therapeutic anticoagulation and reduces the risk of bleeding.
11. A patient with left-sided heart failure presents with pulmonary edema. Which clinical
manifestation is expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
