NSG 123 Exam 3 - (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Respiratory, Cardiovascular,
Endocrine & Pharmacology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
Source: NSG 123 Exam 3 – Comprehensive Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: The nurse knows the most serious complication of carotid artery disease is:
Correct Answer: Stroke (cerebrovascular accident).
1. Carotid artery stenosis causes emboli or thrombosis → stroke.
2. High-risk patients may need carotid endarterectomy or stenting.
3. TIA is warning sign; stroke is more serious.
2: A nurse is teaching a client who has a new script for beclomethasone. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A. Rinse mouth after each use (to prevent oral candidiasis/thrush).
1. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral fungal infection.
2. Rinsing reduces medication residue in mouth.
3. Also use spacer to reduce oropharyngeal deposition.
3: A patient with asthma presents with which symptoms?
Correct Answer: C. increased RR, wheezes.
1. Asthma causes bronchoconstriction → increased work of breathing, tachypnea.
2. Wheezing is hallmark expiratory sound.
3. Cough, chest tightness also common.
4: A 67 y/o man with peripheral artery disease is seen in primary care clinic. Which symptom
reported by the patient would indicate that he is experiencing intermittent claudication?
Correct Answer: B. says muscle leg pain occurs with continued exercise (reproducible pain relieved by
rest).
1. Claudication is ischemic muscle pain with exercise.
2. Relieved within 2-5 minutes of rest.
3. Location depends on level of arterial stenosis.
,5: Which medical treatment is recommended for the client diagnosed with mild intermittent
asthma?
Correct Answer: D. mild intermittent asthma treated on a PRN basis and no long-term control
medication is needed.
1. Step 1 asthma: SABA PRN only.
2. No daily controller medication.
3. Symptoms ≤2 days/week, ≤2 nights/month.
6: The nurse should teach the client with asthma to avoid which of the most common precipitating
factors of an acute asthma attack?
Correct Answer: C. exposure to cigarette smoke.
1. Tobacco smoke is a major trigger for asthma exacerbations.
2. Secondhand smoke also harmful.
3. Smoking cessation essential for asthma control.
7: The nurse is educating a client with new script for warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse knows client
needs further instruction when they state "I":
Correct Answer: D. don't need to have my blood drawn b/c my blood levels were therapeutic.
1. INR must be monitored regularly (weekly initially, then monthly).
2. Dietary changes, medications affect INR.
3. Life-threatening bleeding risk if not monitored.
8: The client dx with CAD is prescribed atorvastatin. Which statement by the client warrants the
nurse to notify HCP?
Correct Answer: B. I am feeling pretty good except I am having muscle pain all over my body.
1. Muscle pain may indicate rhabdomyolysis (CK elevation).
2. Statin-induced myopathy requires evaluation.
3. Severe cases cause kidney damage.
9: The nurse instructs the woman taking OCPs to report which possible side effects? SATA
Correct Answer: A. abd pain, C. HA, D. eye or visual problems, E. speech disturbances.
1. Abdominal pain may indicate liver/gallbladder problems or ectopic pregnancy.
2. Visual changes, HA may indicate vascular complications.
3. Speech disturbances suggest stroke/TIA.
10: The client with the flu is prescribed OTC cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Which info
should the nurse teach regarding this med?
Correct Answer: A. take every 4-8 hrs as needed for cough. (Note: dextromethorphan does not cause
drowsiness; codeine/hydrocodone does.)
1. Dextromethorphan is non-narcotic antitussive.
2. No CNS depression (unlike codeine).
3. Do not exceed recommended dose.
, 11: The nurse recognizes non-modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis include: SATA
Correct Answer: A. family hx, B. age.
1. Family history indicates genetic predisposition.
2. Age is non-modifiable (risk increases with age).
3. Smoking and diet are modifiable risk factors.
12: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following
indicates respiratory status is declining? SATA
Correct Answer: B. Wheezing, C. retraction of sternal muscles, E. tachycardia.
1. Wheezing indicates airflow obstruction.
2. Retractions indicate increased work of breathing.
3. Tachycardia is compensatory response to hypoxemia.
13: A nurse is caring for a client 2 hr after admission. The client has an O2 of 91%, exhibits audible
wheezes, and is using accessory muscles when breathing. Which of the following classes of meds
should the nurse expect to administer?
Correct Answer: D. beta 2 agonist (bronchodilator).
1. Beta-2 agonists (albuterol) are first-line for acute asthma.
2. Relax bronchial smooth muscle.
3. Rapid onset (5-15 minutes).
14: The nurse correlates an increase in the secretion of which hormone with the release of
thyrotropin-releasing hormone?
Correct Answer: C. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
1. TRH from hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary to release TSH.
2. TSH then stimulates thyroid to release T3/T4.
3. Negative feedback loop regulates thyroid function.
15: The nurse recognizes that which patient is at greatest risk for hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: B. 35 y/o female (Hashimoto's thyroiditis most common in middle-aged women).
1. Hypothyroidism more common in women (5-8x).
2. Hashimoto's is most common cause.
3. Age 30-50 years peak incidence.
16: The nurse correlates which clinical manifestation to the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: A. cold intolerance (decreased metabolic rate).
1. Hypothyroidism causes decreased BMR → heat production decreased.
2. Also weight gain, fatigue, constipation, bradycardia.
3. Cold intolerance is cardinal symptom.
Endocrine & Pharmacology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
Source: NSG 123 Exam 3 – Comprehensive Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: The nurse knows the most serious complication of carotid artery disease is:
Correct Answer: Stroke (cerebrovascular accident).
1. Carotid artery stenosis causes emboli or thrombosis → stroke.
2. High-risk patients may need carotid endarterectomy or stenting.
3. TIA is warning sign; stroke is more serious.
2: A nurse is teaching a client who has a new script for beclomethasone. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A. Rinse mouth after each use (to prevent oral candidiasis/thrush).
1. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral fungal infection.
2. Rinsing reduces medication residue in mouth.
3. Also use spacer to reduce oropharyngeal deposition.
3: A patient with asthma presents with which symptoms?
Correct Answer: C. increased RR, wheezes.
1. Asthma causes bronchoconstriction → increased work of breathing, tachypnea.
2. Wheezing is hallmark expiratory sound.
3. Cough, chest tightness also common.
4: A 67 y/o man with peripheral artery disease is seen in primary care clinic. Which symptom
reported by the patient would indicate that he is experiencing intermittent claudication?
Correct Answer: B. says muscle leg pain occurs with continued exercise (reproducible pain relieved by
rest).
1. Claudication is ischemic muscle pain with exercise.
2. Relieved within 2-5 minutes of rest.
3. Location depends on level of arterial stenosis.
,5: Which medical treatment is recommended for the client diagnosed with mild intermittent
asthma?
Correct Answer: D. mild intermittent asthma treated on a PRN basis and no long-term control
medication is needed.
1. Step 1 asthma: SABA PRN only.
2. No daily controller medication.
3. Symptoms ≤2 days/week, ≤2 nights/month.
6: The nurse should teach the client with asthma to avoid which of the most common precipitating
factors of an acute asthma attack?
Correct Answer: C. exposure to cigarette smoke.
1. Tobacco smoke is a major trigger for asthma exacerbations.
2. Secondhand smoke also harmful.
3. Smoking cessation essential for asthma control.
7: The nurse is educating a client with new script for warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse knows client
needs further instruction when they state "I":
Correct Answer: D. don't need to have my blood drawn b/c my blood levels were therapeutic.
1. INR must be monitored regularly (weekly initially, then monthly).
2. Dietary changes, medications affect INR.
3. Life-threatening bleeding risk if not monitored.
8: The client dx with CAD is prescribed atorvastatin. Which statement by the client warrants the
nurse to notify HCP?
Correct Answer: B. I am feeling pretty good except I am having muscle pain all over my body.
1. Muscle pain may indicate rhabdomyolysis (CK elevation).
2. Statin-induced myopathy requires evaluation.
3. Severe cases cause kidney damage.
9: The nurse instructs the woman taking OCPs to report which possible side effects? SATA
Correct Answer: A. abd pain, C. HA, D. eye or visual problems, E. speech disturbances.
1. Abdominal pain may indicate liver/gallbladder problems or ectopic pregnancy.
2. Visual changes, HA may indicate vascular complications.
3. Speech disturbances suggest stroke/TIA.
10: The client with the flu is prescribed OTC cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Which info
should the nurse teach regarding this med?
Correct Answer: A. take every 4-8 hrs as needed for cough. (Note: dextromethorphan does not cause
drowsiness; codeine/hydrocodone does.)
1. Dextromethorphan is non-narcotic antitussive.
2. No CNS depression (unlike codeine).
3. Do not exceed recommended dose.
, 11: The nurse recognizes non-modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis include: SATA
Correct Answer: A. family hx, B. age.
1. Family history indicates genetic predisposition.
2. Age is non-modifiable (risk increases with age).
3. Smoking and diet are modifiable risk factors.
12: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following
indicates respiratory status is declining? SATA
Correct Answer: B. Wheezing, C. retraction of sternal muscles, E. tachycardia.
1. Wheezing indicates airflow obstruction.
2. Retractions indicate increased work of breathing.
3. Tachycardia is compensatory response to hypoxemia.
13: A nurse is caring for a client 2 hr after admission. The client has an O2 of 91%, exhibits audible
wheezes, and is using accessory muscles when breathing. Which of the following classes of meds
should the nurse expect to administer?
Correct Answer: D. beta 2 agonist (bronchodilator).
1. Beta-2 agonists (albuterol) are first-line for acute asthma.
2. Relax bronchial smooth muscle.
3. Rapid onset (5-15 minutes).
14: The nurse correlates an increase in the secretion of which hormone with the release of
thyrotropin-releasing hormone?
Correct Answer: C. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
1. TRH from hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary to release TSH.
2. TSH then stimulates thyroid to release T3/T4.
3. Negative feedback loop regulates thyroid function.
15: The nurse recognizes that which patient is at greatest risk for hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: B. 35 y/o female (Hashimoto's thyroiditis most common in middle-aged women).
1. Hypothyroidism more common in women (5-8x).
2. Hashimoto's is most common cause.
3. Age 30-50 years peak incidence.
16: The nurse correlates which clinical manifestation to the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: A. cold intolerance (decreased metabolic rate).
1. Hypothyroidism causes decreased BMR → heat production decreased.
2. Also weight gain, fatigue, constipation, bradycardia.
3. Cold intolerance is cardinal symptom.
