NR 324 Adult Health II Final Exam Practice Questions 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following symptoms?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Dependent edema
C. Splenomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which medication is the priority for a patient experiencing ventricular
fibrillation?
A. Epinephrine
B. Amiodarone
C. Lidocaine
D. Atropine
Answer: A
Rationale: According to ACLS guidelines, while defibrillation is the first action,
Epinephrine is the primary vasopressor used during resuscitation to increase coronary and
cerebral perfusion.
,3. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L. Which order should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer IV Regular Insulin and Dextrose
B. Prepare the patient for dialysis
C. Administer Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Provide a low-potassium diet meal tray
Answer: A
Rationale: IV Regular Insulin with Dextrose is the fastest way to shift potassium from the
extracellular fluid into the cells to prevent cardiac arrest. Kayexalate and dialysis take
longer to work.
4. Which of the following is a component of Cushing’s Triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Widening pulse pressure
D. Tachypnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad consists of bradycardia, widening pulse pressure (increased
systolic BP), and irregular respirations.
5. An ABG result shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
, Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory), while the HCO3 is
normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
6. What is the primary goal of using a PEEP setting on a mechanical ventilator?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To deliver a set volume of air
C. To decrease the workload of the heart
D. To prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration
Answer: D
Rationale: Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) keeps the alveoli open at the end of
expiration to improve gas exchange and oxygenation.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. What does continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicate?
A. An air leak in the system
B. Normal functioning of the system
C. The lung has fully re-expanded
D. The suction is turned up too high
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is normal with coughing or sneezing, but continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates a leak in the system or at the insertion site.
8. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Improvement in O2 saturation with increased FiO2
B. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure
C. Presence of a friction rub
D. Hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy
Answer: D
|Chamberlain College
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following symptoms?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Dependent edema
C. Splenomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which medication is the priority for a patient experiencing ventricular
fibrillation?
A. Epinephrine
B. Amiodarone
C. Lidocaine
D. Atropine
Answer: A
Rationale: According to ACLS guidelines, while defibrillation is the first action,
Epinephrine is the primary vasopressor used during resuscitation to increase coronary and
cerebral perfusion.
,3. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L. Which order should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer IV Regular Insulin and Dextrose
B. Prepare the patient for dialysis
C. Administer Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Provide a low-potassium diet meal tray
Answer: A
Rationale: IV Regular Insulin with Dextrose is the fastest way to shift potassium from the
extracellular fluid into the cells to prevent cardiac arrest. Kayexalate and dialysis take
longer to work.
4. Which of the following is a component of Cushing’s Triad, indicating increased
intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Widening pulse pressure
D. Tachypnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad consists of bradycardia, widening pulse pressure (increased
systolic BP), and irregular respirations.
5. An ABG result shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, and HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
, Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory), while the HCO3 is
normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
6. What is the primary goal of using a PEEP setting on a mechanical ventilator?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To deliver a set volume of air
C. To decrease the workload of the heart
D. To prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration
Answer: D
Rationale: Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) keeps the alveoli open at the end of
expiration to improve gas exchange and oxygenation.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. What does continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicate?
A. An air leak in the system
B. Normal functioning of the system
C. The lung has fully re-expanded
D. The suction is turned up too high
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is normal with coughing or sneezing, but continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates a leak in the system or at the insertion site.
8. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Improvement in O2 saturation with increased FiO2
B. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure
C. Presence of a friction rub
D. Hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy
Answer: D
