NSG 2600/2610 – Adult Health Nursing
Clinical Practicum Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and crackles
are heard bilaterally. What is the FIRST action by the nurse?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document the findings
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and reduces
pulmonary congestion.
2. A postoperative patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min after opioid
administration. What is the priority action?
A. Give next opioid dose
B. Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
C. Encourage deep breathing only
D. Document as expected
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression requires immediate
intervention.
3. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is conscious.
What should the nurse do FIRST?
A. Administer IV insulin
B. Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
, C. Restrict oral intake
D. Notify provider before action
Answer: B
Rationale: Conscious hypoglycemia is treated immediately with fast-acting
glucose.
4. A client with chest pain is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Mild anxiety
B. ST elevation on ECG
C. Heart rate 88 bpm
D. Blood pressure 130/80
Answer: B
Rationale: ST elevation indicates acute coronary occlusion.
5. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, and
hypotensive. What complication is MOST likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hemorrhage
C. Fluid overload
D. Anxiety disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness and hypotension suggest internal bleeding.
6. A patient with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. What
is the nurse’s PRIORITY action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply oxygen therapy
C. Give antibiotics
D. Obtain sputum sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia requires immediate oxygen support.
7. A patient receiving heparin develops sudden hematuria. What is the nurse’s
BEST action?
A. Continue infusion
B. Hold medication and notify provider
, C. Increase dose
D. Encourage fluids only
Answer: B
Rationale: Hematuria may indicate bleeding complication.
8. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen. What is the safest oxygen delivery
consideration?
A. High-flow oxygen at 10 L/min
B. Maintain lowest effective oxygen level
C. Remove oxygen if CO₂ rises
D. Use 100% oxygen continuously
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients require controlled oxygen to prevent CO₂
retention.
9. A patient with heart failure gains 3 kg in 2 days. This indicates:
A. Normal fluctuation
B. Fluid retention
C. Muscle gain
D. Improved cardiac output
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid overload.
10.A nurse hears gurgling lung sounds in a post-op patient. First action:
A. Document
B. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
C. Restrict fluids
D. Notify dietitian
Answer: B
Rationale: Gurgling indicates secretions requiring clearance.
11.A patient with hyperkalemia shows peaked T waves. Priority intervention:
A. Administer potassium
B. Prepare calcium gluconate
C. Encourage bananas
D. Restrict IV access
, Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membranes.
12.A patient becomes confused and diaphoretic with diabetes. What should
nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Stroke
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuro changes + sweating suggest low glucose.
13.A post-op patient has absent bowel sounds for 6 hours. This indicates:
A. Normal finding
B. Possible ileus
C. Improved digestion
D. Hyperactive GI function
Answer: B
Rationale: Absence suggests bowel paralysis.
14.A patient with stroke suddenly develops dysphagia. Priority action:
A. Give oral fluids
B. Keep NPO
C. Encourage swallowing
D. Offer solid food
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia increases aspiration risk.
15.A patient receiving morphine develops pinpoint pupils and respiratory
depression. Nurse should:
A. Increase dose
B. Administer naloxone
C. Encourage sleep
D. Continue monitoring only
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid toxicity.
Clinical Practicum Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and crackles
are heard bilaterally. What is the FIRST action by the nurse?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document the findings
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and reduces
pulmonary congestion.
2. A postoperative patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min after opioid
administration. What is the priority action?
A. Give next opioid dose
B. Stimulate the patient and prepare naloxone
C. Encourage deep breathing only
D. Document as expected
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression requires immediate
intervention.
3. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is conscious.
What should the nurse do FIRST?
A. Administer IV insulin
B. Give 15g fast-acting carbohydrates
, C. Restrict oral intake
D. Notify provider before action
Answer: B
Rationale: Conscious hypoglycemia is treated immediately with fast-acting
glucose.
4. A client with chest pain is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Mild anxiety
B. ST elevation on ECG
C. Heart rate 88 bpm
D. Blood pressure 130/80
Answer: B
Rationale: ST elevation indicates acute coronary occlusion.
5. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, and
hypotensive. What complication is MOST likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hemorrhage
C. Fluid overload
D. Anxiety disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness and hypotension suggest internal bleeding.
6. A patient with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. What
is the nurse’s PRIORITY action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply oxygen therapy
C. Give antibiotics
D. Obtain sputum sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia requires immediate oxygen support.
7. A patient receiving heparin develops sudden hematuria. What is the nurse’s
BEST action?
A. Continue infusion
B. Hold medication and notify provider
, C. Increase dose
D. Encourage fluids only
Answer: B
Rationale: Hematuria may indicate bleeding complication.
8. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen. What is the safest oxygen delivery
consideration?
A. High-flow oxygen at 10 L/min
B. Maintain lowest effective oxygen level
C. Remove oxygen if CO₂ rises
D. Use 100% oxygen continuously
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD patients require controlled oxygen to prevent CO₂
retention.
9. A patient with heart failure gains 3 kg in 2 days. This indicates:
A. Normal fluctuation
B. Fluid retention
C. Muscle gain
D. Improved cardiac output
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid overload.
10.A nurse hears gurgling lung sounds in a post-op patient. First action:
A. Document
B. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
C. Restrict fluids
D. Notify dietitian
Answer: B
Rationale: Gurgling indicates secretions requiring clearance.
11.A patient with hyperkalemia shows peaked T waves. Priority intervention:
A. Administer potassium
B. Prepare calcium gluconate
C. Encourage bananas
D. Restrict IV access
, Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membranes.
12.A patient becomes confused and diaphoretic with diabetes. What should
nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Stroke
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuro changes + sweating suggest low glucose.
13.A post-op patient has absent bowel sounds for 6 hours. This indicates:
A. Normal finding
B. Possible ileus
C. Improved digestion
D. Hyperactive GI function
Answer: B
Rationale: Absence suggests bowel paralysis.
14.A patient with stroke suddenly develops dysphagia. Priority action:
A. Give oral fluids
B. Keep NPO
C. Encourage swallowing
D. Offer solid food
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia increases aspiration risk.
15.A patient receiving morphine develops pinpoint pupils and respiratory
depression. Nurse should:
A. Increase dose
B. Administer naloxone
C. Encourage sleep
D. Continue monitoring only
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid toxicity.
