NUR176/NUR 176 Exam 3 V1 | Concepts of
Adult Health Nursing for the Practical
Nurse I Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular vein distension (JVD)
B. Crackles upon auscultation of the lungs
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatomegaly and abdominal girth increase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure primarily affects the pulmonary system because the left
ventricle cannot pump blood efficiently to the body, causing fluid to back up into the lungs.
This backup results in respiratory symptoms such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. In
contrast, JVD and peripheral edema are classic signs of right-sided heart failure.
2. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix) for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
Which laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor?
A. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
B. Serum Sodium level
,C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum Potassium level
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the body to excrete excess water along
with sodium and potassium. Low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, can lead to dangerous
cardiac dysrhythmias and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must monitor
these levels closely and educate the patient on consuming potassium-rich foods.
3. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to a patient newly prescribed
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Discard the tablets if they produce a tingling sensation under the tongue.
C. Store the medication in a clear plastic container in the refrigerator.
D. Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses if chest pain persists.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain,
with subsequent doses every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses. If pain is not
relieved after the first dose, the patient should call emergency services. The medication
should be kept in its original dark glass bottle to prevent degradation by light.
, 4. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is using pursed-lip breathing.
What is the primary purpose of this technique?
A. To increase the rate of respirations to clear CO2
B. To decrease the amount of oxygen required by the tissues
C. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
D. To promote carbon dioxide elimination by preventing airway collapse
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing creates positive pressure within the airways, which helps
keep them open during exhalation. This allows for more effective elimination of trapped
carbon dioxide, which is common in patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This
technique also helps the patient gain control over their breathing pattern during episodes
of dyspnea.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient on heparin therapy for a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Which laboratory test is used to monitor the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Platelet Count
Correct Answer: A
Adult Health Nursing for the Practical
Nurse I Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular vein distension (JVD)
B. Crackles upon auscultation of the lungs
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatomegaly and abdominal girth increase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure primarily affects the pulmonary system because the left
ventricle cannot pump blood efficiently to the body, causing fluid to back up into the lungs.
This backup results in respiratory symptoms such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. In
contrast, JVD and peripheral edema are classic signs of right-sided heart failure.
2. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix) for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
Which laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor?
A. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
B. Serum Sodium level
,C. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum Potassium level
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the body to excrete excess water along
with sodium and potassium. Low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, can lead to dangerous
cardiac dysrhythmias and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must monitor
these levels closely and educate the patient on consuming potassium-rich foods.
3. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to a patient newly prescribed
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Discard the tablets if they produce a tingling sensation under the tongue.
C. Store the medication in a clear plastic container in the refrigerator.
D. Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses if chest pain persists.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain,
with subsequent doses every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses. If pain is not
relieved after the first dose, the patient should call emergency services. The medication
should be kept in its original dark glass bottle to prevent degradation by light.
, 4. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is using pursed-lip breathing.
What is the primary purpose of this technique?
A. To increase the rate of respirations to clear CO2
B. To decrease the amount of oxygen required by the tissues
C. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
D. To promote carbon dioxide elimination by preventing airway collapse
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing creates positive pressure within the airways, which helps
keep them open during exhalation. This allows for more effective elimination of trapped
carbon dioxide, which is common in patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This
technique also helps the patient gain control over their breathing pattern during episodes
of dyspnea.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient on heparin therapy for a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Which laboratory test is used to monitor the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Platelet Count
Correct Answer: A
