© 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Adult Health Nursing Exam I – Practice
Exam Questions And 100% Correct Answers
With Verified Rationales | Instant Pdf Download
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
B. Mild fatigue after activity
C. Crackles in the lower lung fields
D. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg
Answer: C. Crackles in the lower lung fields
Rationale: Crackles may indicate pulmonary edema caused by worsening
heart failure and fluid overload, requiring prompt intervention.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase myocardial irritability and can
lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
1
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should
receive oxygen therapy cautiously because:
A. Oxygen causes lung fibrosis
B. High oxygen levels may suppress respiratory drive
C. COPD patients do not tolerate oxygen
D. Oxygen worsens airway inflammation
Answer: B. High oxygen levels may suppress respiratory drive
Rationale: Some COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive for breathing;
excessive oxygen can decrease respiratory effort.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bounding pulse
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes due to
reduced body fluid volume.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus. Which symptom
indicates hypoglycemia?
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, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Increased thirst
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Deep respirations
Answer: C. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing sweating, shakiness, and clammy skin.
6. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in a
patient receiving warfarin?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. White blood cell count
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
7. A patient reports chest pain relieved by rest. This finding is most
consistent with:
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Stable angina
C. Pericarditis
D. Heart failure
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, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina usually occurs with exertion and is relieved by
rest or nitroglycerin.
8. Which nursing intervention is priority for a patient experiencing an
asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Place the patient flat in bed
C. Administer bronchodilator medication
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours
Answer: C. Administer bronchodilator medication
Rationale: Bronchodilators rapidly open airways and improve breathing
during acute asthma exacerbations.
9. Which assessment finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Ascites
D. Pulmonary congestion
Answer: D. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into the lungs,
leading to pulmonary congestion.
4
Adult Health Nursing Exam I – Practice
Exam Questions And 100% Correct Answers
With Verified Rationales | Instant Pdf Download
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
B. Mild fatigue after activity
C. Crackles in the lower lung fields
D. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg
Answer: C. Crackles in the lower lung fields
Rationale: Crackles may indicate pulmonary edema caused by worsening
heart failure and fluid overload, requiring prompt intervention.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase myocardial irritability and can
lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
1
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should
receive oxygen therapy cautiously because:
A. Oxygen causes lung fibrosis
B. High oxygen levels may suppress respiratory drive
C. COPD patients do not tolerate oxygen
D. Oxygen worsens airway inflammation
Answer: B. High oxygen levels may suppress respiratory drive
Rationale: Some COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive for breathing;
excessive oxygen can decrease respiratory effort.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bounding pulse
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes due to
reduced body fluid volume.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus. Which symptom
indicates hypoglycemia?
2
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Increased thirst
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Deep respirations
Answer: C. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing sweating, shakiness, and clammy skin.
6. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in a
patient receiving warfarin?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. White blood cell count
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
7. A patient reports chest pain relieved by rest. This finding is most
consistent with:
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Stable angina
C. Pericarditis
D. Heart failure
3
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina usually occurs with exertion and is relieved by
rest or nitroglycerin.
8. Which nursing intervention is priority for a patient experiencing an
asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Place the patient flat in bed
C. Administer bronchodilator medication
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours
Answer: C. Administer bronchodilator medication
Rationale: Bronchodilators rapidly open airways and improve breathing
during acute asthma exacerbations.
9. Which assessment finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Ascites
D. Pulmonary congestion
Answer: D. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into the lungs,
leading to pulmonary congestion.
4
