NUR2790 Exam 1 V1 | NUR 2790 Professional
Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
advanced nursing concepts, clinical judgment, and evidence-based nursing interventions
used in complex patient care settings. The material emphasizes patient safety, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and professional nursing responsibilities in acute and chronic healthcare
environments.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve clinical
reasoning, nursing prioritization, and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Advanced nursing assessment
• Clinical judgment and prioritization
• Nursing process application
• Patient safety initiatives
• Evidence-based nursing practice
• Interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration
• Ethical and legal nursing concepts
• Professional nursing responsibilities
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for four patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which patient should the
nurse assess first?
A. A patient who had a hip replacement 2 days ago and is requesting pain medication.
B. A patient who is scheduled for discharge and is waiting for their prescriptions.
,C. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose level was 150 mg/dL before breakfast.
D. A patient with a history of heart failure who has developed new-onset shortness of
breath and audible crackles.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The nurse should prioritize the patient with new-onset shortness of
breath and crackles because these signs indicate potential pulmonary edema or worsening
heart failure. Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, breathing takes
precedence over pain management or discharge planning. Immediate intervention is
required to ensure respiratory stability and prevent further complications.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notices that the dose is higher than
the usual recommended range. What should be the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider.
B. Contact the pharmacist to see if the dose is available in that strength.
C. Verify the order and call the prescribing healthcare provider to clarify the dose.
D. Ask another nurse if they have administered that dose before.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Safety is a primary nursing responsibility, and the nurse must clarify
any order that appears incorrect or unsafe. Administering a medication with an unusually
high dose without verification could lead to patient harm and legal liability. The nurse acts
as a final safeguard in the medication administration process to ensure patient safety.
,3. Which ethical principle is being applied when a nurse supports a patient’s decision to
refuse a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own
decisions regarding their healthcare. Even if the decision conflicts with medical advice, the
nurse must respect the patient’s self-determination. Supporting this choice demonstrates
the nurse’s commitment to individual rights and ethical practice.
4. A nurse is using the SBAR tool to communicate with a physician. In which section should
the nurse include the patient’s current vital signs and mental status?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Explanation: The Assessment portion of SBAR involves reporting the nurse’s
clinical findings and the patient’s current status, such as vital signs. Situation describes why
the call is being made, while Background provides relevant history. Clear communication
through this structured tool reduces errors and improves patient outcomes.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1. Which intervention is the best
example of evidence-based practice to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Massaging the patient’s calves twice daily.
B. Keeping the patient on strict bed rest for the first 48 hours.
C. Limiting fluid intake to prevent edema in the lower extremities.
D. Encouraging early ambulation and the use of sequential compression devices.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Evidence-based practice identifies early ambulation and sequential
compression devices (SCDs) as effective methods for preventing venous stasis and DVT.
Massaging the calves is contraindicated because it could dislodge a pre-existing clot. These
interventions are supported by clinical research as the standard of care for post-operative
recovery.
6. When applying the nursing process, which activity occurs during the evaluation phase?
A. Collecting a comprehensive health history and physical assessment.
B. Comparing the patient’s current health status with the desired outcomes.
C. Establishing short-term and long-term patient goals.
Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
advanced nursing concepts, clinical judgment, and evidence-based nursing interventions
used in complex patient care settings. The material emphasizes patient safety, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and professional nursing responsibilities in acute and chronic healthcare
environments.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve clinical
reasoning, nursing prioritization, and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Advanced nursing assessment
• Clinical judgment and prioritization
• Nursing process application
• Patient safety initiatives
• Evidence-based nursing practice
• Interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration
• Ethical and legal nursing concepts
• Professional nursing responsibilities
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for four patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which patient should the
nurse assess first?
A. A patient who had a hip replacement 2 days ago and is requesting pain medication.
B. A patient who is scheduled for discharge and is waiting for their prescriptions.
,C. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose level was 150 mg/dL before breakfast.
D. A patient with a history of heart failure who has developed new-onset shortness of
breath and audible crackles.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The nurse should prioritize the patient with new-onset shortness of
breath and crackles because these signs indicate potential pulmonary edema or worsening
heart failure. Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, breathing takes
precedence over pain management or discharge planning. Immediate intervention is
required to ensure respiratory stability and prevent further complications.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notices that the dose is higher than
the usual recommended range. What should be the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider.
B. Contact the pharmacist to see if the dose is available in that strength.
C. Verify the order and call the prescribing healthcare provider to clarify the dose.
D. Ask another nurse if they have administered that dose before.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Safety is a primary nursing responsibility, and the nurse must clarify
any order that appears incorrect or unsafe. Administering a medication with an unusually
high dose without verification could lead to patient harm and legal liability. The nurse acts
as a final safeguard in the medication administration process to ensure patient safety.
,3. Which ethical principle is being applied when a nurse supports a patient’s decision to
refuse a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own
decisions regarding their healthcare. Even if the decision conflicts with medical advice, the
nurse must respect the patient’s self-determination. Supporting this choice demonstrates
the nurse’s commitment to individual rights and ethical practice.
4. A nurse is using the SBAR tool to communicate with a physician. In which section should
the nurse include the patient’s current vital signs and mental status?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Correct Answer: C
, Expert Explanation: The Assessment portion of SBAR involves reporting the nurse’s
clinical findings and the patient’s current status, such as vital signs. Situation describes why
the call is being made, while Background provides relevant history. Clear communication
through this structured tool reduces errors and improves patient outcomes.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative day 1. Which intervention is the best
example of evidence-based practice to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Massaging the patient’s calves twice daily.
B. Keeping the patient on strict bed rest for the first 48 hours.
C. Limiting fluid intake to prevent edema in the lower extremities.
D. Encouraging early ambulation and the use of sequential compression devices.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Evidence-based practice identifies early ambulation and sequential
compression devices (SCDs) as effective methods for preventing venous stasis and DVT.
Massaging the calves is contraindicated because it could dislodge a pre-existing clot. These
interventions are supported by clinical research as the standard of care for post-operative
recovery.
6. When applying the nursing process, which activity occurs during the evaluation phase?
A. Collecting a comprehensive health history and physical assessment.
B. Comparing the patient’s current health status with the desired outcomes.
C. Establishing short-term and long-term patient goals.
