NUR176/NUR 176 Exam 4 V1 | Concepts of
Adult Health Nursing for the Practical
Nurse I Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. A patient is recovering from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which assessment finding should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Tingling in the fingers and toes
B. Sore throat when swallowing
C. Pain at the incision site
D. Hoarseness while speaking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tingling in the extremities may indicate hypocalcemia, which is a potential
complication if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or damaged during
surgery. The nurse must monitor for Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs to assess for
neuromuscular irritability. Immediate intervention is required to prevent tetany and
respiratory distress.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of a patient diagnosed with Cushing’s
syndrome?
A. Weight loss and hypotension
,B. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
C. Heat intolerance and tachycardia
D. Truncated obesity and moon face
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome results from an excess of corticosteroids, particularly
glucocorticoids. This leads to a redistribution of fat resulting in a moon face, buffalo hump,
and central obesity. The nurse should also monitor for high blood pressure and
hyperglycemia in these patients.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus about the peak action of
Humalog (Lispro) insulin. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A. You should expect the peak effect in 2 to 4 hours.
B. The insulin will peak in about 30 to 90 minutes.
C. This insulin does not have a peak time.
D. The peak will occur 6 to 10 hours after injection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that has an onset of 15 minutes and peaks
between 30 and 90 minutes. It is essential for the patient to eat a meal shortly after
administration to prevent hypoglycemia. Understanding peak times helps the nurse and
patient coordinate meal timing effectively.
, 4. A patient with cirrhosis of the liver has developed hepatic encephalopathy. Which
medication does the nurse expect to administer to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Propranolol
C. Lactulose
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that works by trapping ammonia in the gut and
expelling it through the stool. The nurse should monitor the patient for frequent bowel
movements as this indicates the medication is effective. Reducing ammonia levels is critical
for improving the mental status of patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
5. When caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis, which laboratory value would the nurse
expect to be significantly elevated?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Amylase
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Adult Health Nursing for the Practical
Nurse I Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. A patient is recovering from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which assessment finding should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Tingling in the fingers and toes
B. Sore throat when swallowing
C. Pain at the incision site
D. Hoarseness while speaking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tingling in the extremities may indicate hypocalcemia, which is a potential
complication if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or damaged during
surgery. The nurse must monitor for Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs to assess for
neuromuscular irritability. Immediate intervention is required to prevent tetany and
respiratory distress.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of a patient diagnosed with Cushing’s
syndrome?
A. Weight loss and hypotension
,B. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
C. Heat intolerance and tachycardia
D. Truncated obesity and moon face
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome results from an excess of corticosteroids, particularly
glucocorticoids. This leads to a redistribution of fat resulting in a moon face, buffalo hump,
and central obesity. The nurse should also monitor for high blood pressure and
hyperglycemia in these patients.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus about the peak action of
Humalog (Lispro) insulin. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A. You should expect the peak effect in 2 to 4 hours.
B. The insulin will peak in about 30 to 90 minutes.
C. This insulin does not have a peak time.
D. The peak will occur 6 to 10 hours after injection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that has an onset of 15 minutes and peaks
between 30 and 90 minutes. It is essential for the patient to eat a meal shortly after
administration to prevent hypoglycemia. Understanding peak times helps the nurse and
patient coordinate meal timing effectively.
, 4. A patient with cirrhosis of the liver has developed hepatic encephalopathy. Which
medication does the nurse expect to administer to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Propranolol
C. Lactulose
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that works by trapping ammonia in the gut and
expelling it through the stool. The nurse should monitor the patient for frequent bowel
movements as this indicates the medication is effective. Reducing ammonia levels is critical
for improving the mental status of patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
5. When caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis, which laboratory value would the nurse
expect to be significantly elevated?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Amylase
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Sodium
Correct Answer: B
