NR 324 Adult Health II - Week 1 Study Guide Comprehensive Quiz
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to present with which
clinical manifestation?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Hepatosplenomegaly
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Crackles and wheezing in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
cannot effectively pump blood into systemic circulation, causing fluid to back up into the
lungs.
2. Which lab value is most specific for diagnosing and monitoring the severity of
heart failure?
A. Creatinine kinase (CK-MB)
B. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
C. Troponin I
D. C-reactive protein (CRP)
Answer: B
Rationale: BNP is a hormone secreted by the ventricles in response to increased stretching
(pressure); levels above 100 pg/mL are indicative of heart failure.
,3. When teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet for hypertension, which
food should the nurse advise the patient to avoid?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Fresh steamed broccoli
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Fresh sliced apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Canned products, particularly soups, are notoriously high in sodium used for
preservation. Patients with hypertension should choose fresh or frozen alternatives.
4. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium along with
water and sodium, frequently leading to hypokalemia.
5. What is the priority nursing action for a patient complaining of ‘tearing’ chest
pain radiating to the back?
A. Check bilateral blood pressures and call the provider
B. Administer aspirin 325 mg orally
C. Encourage the patient to deep breathe and cough
D. Start a nebulizer treatment
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tearing pain radiating to the back is a classic sign of an aortic dissection, a life-
threatening emergency. Checking bilateral BPs helps confirm the diagnosis before notifying
the physician.
6. A patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) complains of pain while
walking that stops with rest. This is known as:
A. Rest pain
B. Paresthesia
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Venous insufficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain that is caused by a constant
level of exercise and is resolved within 10 minutes or less with rest.
7. Which positioning is most appropriate for a patient with Chronic Venous
Insufficiency to reduce edema?
A. Elevating the legs above the level of the heart
B. Keeping the legs in a dependent position
C. Dangling the legs over the side of the bed
D. Crossing the legs at the knees
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevation uses gravity to assist venous return to the heart, reducing the
hydrostatic pressure that causes edema in venous disease.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to present with which
clinical manifestation?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Hepatosplenomegaly
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Crackles and wheezing in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
cannot effectively pump blood into systemic circulation, causing fluid to back up into the
lungs.
2. Which lab value is most specific for diagnosing and monitoring the severity of
heart failure?
A. Creatinine kinase (CK-MB)
B. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
C. Troponin I
D. C-reactive protein (CRP)
Answer: B
Rationale: BNP is a hormone secreted by the ventricles in response to increased stretching
(pressure); levels above 100 pg/mL are indicative of heart failure.
,3. When teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet for hypertension, which
food should the nurse advise the patient to avoid?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Fresh steamed broccoli
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Fresh sliced apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Canned products, particularly soups, are notoriously high in sodium used for
preservation. Patients with hypertension should choose fresh or frozen alternatives.
4. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium along with
water and sodium, frequently leading to hypokalemia.
5. What is the priority nursing action for a patient complaining of ‘tearing’ chest
pain radiating to the back?
A. Check bilateral blood pressures and call the provider
B. Administer aspirin 325 mg orally
C. Encourage the patient to deep breathe and cough
D. Start a nebulizer treatment
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tearing pain radiating to the back is a classic sign of an aortic dissection, a life-
threatening emergency. Checking bilateral BPs helps confirm the diagnosis before notifying
the physician.
6. A patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) complains of pain while
walking that stops with rest. This is known as:
A. Rest pain
B. Paresthesia
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Venous insufficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain that is caused by a constant
level of exercise and is resolved within 10 minutes or less with rest.
7. Which positioning is most appropriate for a patient with Chronic Venous
Insufficiency to reduce edema?
A. Elevating the legs above the level of the heart
B. Keeping the legs in a dependent position
C. Dangling the legs over the side of the bed
D. Crossing the legs at the knees
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevation uses gravity to assist venous return to the heart, reducing the
hydrostatic pressure that causes edema in venous disease.
