NUR 253 EXAM 3 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
* Pharmacology and Medication Administration
* Advanced Pathophysiology
* Legal and Ethical Nursing Standards
* Critical Care Nursing Foundations
* Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Compliance
* Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Decision-Making
* Nursing Leadership and Health Systems
INTRODUCTION
*The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the student's mastery of clinical know
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing an acute hypertensive crisis. Which
medication is most appropriate for rapid reduction of blood pressure?
A. Lisinopril
B. Sodium nitroprusside
, C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
🟢 B. Sodium nitroprusside
🔴 Explanation: Sodium nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used in hypertensive
emergencies for rapid, controlled reduction of blood pressure.
2. Which ethical principle is primarily demonstrated when a nurse supports a patient’s
right to refuse a recommended blood transfusion?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
🟢 C. Autonomy
🔴 Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions, even if the nurse disagrees with the choice.
3. A patient develops respiratory distress and is placed on a mechanical ventilator. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. High-pressure alarm sounding
B. Low-pressure alarm sounding
C. Oxygen saturation of 94%
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
🟢 A. High-pressure alarm sounding
, 🔴 Explanation: A high-pressure alarm indicates airway obstruction, secretions, or
patient-ventilator asynchrony, requiring immediate clinical assessment.
4. When preparing to administer a concentrated electrolyte solution via IV, what is the
nurse's priority?
A. Ensuring the patient has a patent peripheral IV
B. Verifying the dilution and infusion rate per facility policy
C. Checking the patient's most recent serum creatinine level
D. Educating the patient on potential side effects
🟢 B. Verifying the dilution and infusion rate per facility policy
🔴 Explanation: Concentrated electrolytes (e.g., potassium) carry high risks of severe
adverse events if administered incorrectly; verification is the highest safety priority.
5. A nurse observes a colleague documenting a medication as "given" before it has been
administered. This action is a violation of:
A. The Joint Commission safety standards
B. HIPAA privacy regulations
C. Institutional resource management
D. Patient confidentiality
🟢 A. The Joint Commission safety standards
🔴 Explanation: Documenting medication before administration is a major patient
safety violation that can lead to medication errors.
6. Which laboratory value is most indicative of impaired renal function in a patient
receiving nephrotoxic medications?
, A. Elevated serum potassium
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
D. Elevated serum sodium
🟢 C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
🔴 Explanation: Concurrent elevation of BUN and serum creatinine typically reflects a
decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and impaired kidney function.
7. A patient with sepsis is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. What is the initial nursing
priority?
A. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Initiating fluid resuscitation
C. Drawing blood cultures
D. Applying warm blankets
🟢 B. Initiating fluid resuscitation
🔴 Explanation: In hypovolemic shock, restoring intravascular volume is the immediate
priority to maintain tissue perfusion and hemodynamic stability.
8. A nurse is providing care to a patient who has been declared brain dead. Which action
is appropriate?
A. Discussing organ donation options with the family
B. Maintaining ventilator support until the heart stops
C. Removing all invasive lines immediately
D. Notifying the hospital administrator to start billing
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
* Pharmacology and Medication Administration
* Advanced Pathophysiology
* Legal and Ethical Nursing Standards
* Critical Care Nursing Foundations
* Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Compliance
* Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Decision-Making
* Nursing Leadership and Health Systems
INTRODUCTION
*The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the student's mastery of clinical know
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing an acute hypertensive crisis. Which
medication is most appropriate for rapid reduction of blood pressure?
A. Lisinopril
B. Sodium nitroprusside
, C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
🟢 B. Sodium nitroprusside
🔴 Explanation: Sodium nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used in hypertensive
emergencies for rapid, controlled reduction of blood pressure.
2. Which ethical principle is primarily demonstrated when a nurse supports a patient’s
right to refuse a recommended blood transfusion?
A. Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
🟢 C. Autonomy
🔴 Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make their own healthcare
decisions, even if the nurse disagrees with the choice.
3. A patient develops respiratory distress and is placed on a mechanical ventilator. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. High-pressure alarm sounding
B. Low-pressure alarm sounding
C. Oxygen saturation of 94%
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
🟢 A. High-pressure alarm sounding
, 🔴 Explanation: A high-pressure alarm indicates airway obstruction, secretions, or
patient-ventilator asynchrony, requiring immediate clinical assessment.
4. When preparing to administer a concentrated electrolyte solution via IV, what is the
nurse's priority?
A. Ensuring the patient has a patent peripheral IV
B. Verifying the dilution and infusion rate per facility policy
C. Checking the patient's most recent serum creatinine level
D. Educating the patient on potential side effects
🟢 B. Verifying the dilution and infusion rate per facility policy
🔴 Explanation: Concentrated electrolytes (e.g., potassium) carry high risks of severe
adverse events if administered incorrectly; verification is the highest safety priority.
5. A nurse observes a colleague documenting a medication as "given" before it has been
administered. This action is a violation of:
A. The Joint Commission safety standards
B. HIPAA privacy regulations
C. Institutional resource management
D. Patient confidentiality
🟢 A. The Joint Commission safety standards
🔴 Explanation: Documenting medication before administration is a major patient
safety violation that can lead to medication errors.
6. Which laboratory value is most indicative of impaired renal function in a patient
receiving nephrotoxic medications?
, A. Elevated serum potassium
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
D. Elevated serum sodium
🟢 C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
🔴 Explanation: Concurrent elevation of BUN and serum creatinine typically reflects a
decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and impaired kidney function.
7. A patient with sepsis is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. What is the initial nursing
priority?
A. Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Initiating fluid resuscitation
C. Drawing blood cultures
D. Applying warm blankets
🟢 B. Initiating fluid resuscitation
🔴 Explanation: In hypovolemic shock, restoring intravascular volume is the immediate
priority to maintain tissue perfusion and hemodynamic stability.
8. A nurse is providing care to a patient who has been declared brain dead. Which action
is appropriate?
A. Discussing organ donation options with the family
B. Maintaining ventilator support until the heart stops
C. Removing all invasive lines immediately
D. Notifying the hospital administrator to start billing
