1. What is the main cause of liver cirrhosis?
A. Alcohol abuse
B. High-fat diet
C. Viral infections (e.g., hepatitis B or C)
D. Obesity
Answer: A) Alcohol abuse
Rationale: Chronic alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis,
leading to liver fibrosis and eventual liver failure.
2. A patient presents with a chronic cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C) Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by inflammation and
constriction of the airways, leading to symptoms like chronic
cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
3. A patient with acute blood loss from a traumatic injury may
experience which of the following?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute blood loss leads to a decrease in circulating
blood volume, which triggers compensatory tachycardia
(increased heart rate) to maintain cardiac output.
,4. A patient with COPD has developed a barrel chest. What does
this physical finding indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumonia
C. Asthma
D. Acute bronchitis
Answer: A) Emphysema
Rationale: A barrel chest is a physical characteristic seen in
emphysema, a type of COPD. It occurs due to the hyperinflation
of the lungs, which causes the chest to assume a rounded,
expanded shape.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperkalemia. What is the
most concerning sign of this condition?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Shortness of breath
C. Diarrhea
D. Nausea
Answer: A) Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness and
potentially life-threatening arrhythmias due to its effect on the
electrical conductivity of the heart.
6. What is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis?
A. Calcium deficiency
B. Hyperparathyroidism
C. Long-term use of corticosteroids
D. Vitamin D deficiency
Answer: C) Long-term use of corticosteroids
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use is a major cause of
secondary osteoporosis due to its effect on bone metabolism,
leading to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk.
, 7. A patient with an ileus will most likely experience which of the
following symptoms?
A. Increased appetite
B. Abdominal distention and nausea
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B) Abdominal distention and nausea
Rationale: An ileus occurs when there is a lack of peristalsis in the
intestines, leading to abdominal distention, nausea, and inability
to pass stool or gas.
8. A patient with acute bacterial meningitis is likely to experience
which of the following?
A. Increased thirst and urination
B. Severe headache and neck stiffness
C. Joint pain and swelling
D. Abdominal pain and bloating
Answer: B) Severe headache and neck stiffness
Rationale: Acute bacterial meningitis causes inflammation of the
meninges, leading to symptoms like severe headache, neck
stiffness, photophobia, and fever.
9. Which of the following is the primary treatment goal for a
patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Enhance gastrointestinal function
Answer: B) Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
Rationale: The primary goal in managing MI is to reduce the
heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and oxygen demand to
prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
A. Alcohol abuse
B. High-fat diet
C. Viral infections (e.g., hepatitis B or C)
D. Obesity
Answer: A) Alcohol abuse
Rationale: Chronic alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis,
leading to liver fibrosis and eventual liver failure.
2. A patient presents with a chronic cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C) Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by inflammation and
constriction of the airways, leading to symptoms like chronic
cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
3. A patient with acute blood loss from a traumatic injury may
experience which of the following?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D) Increased heart rate
Rationale: Acute blood loss leads to a decrease in circulating
blood volume, which triggers compensatory tachycardia
(increased heart rate) to maintain cardiac output.
,4. A patient with COPD has developed a barrel chest. What does
this physical finding indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumonia
C. Asthma
D. Acute bronchitis
Answer: A) Emphysema
Rationale: A barrel chest is a physical characteristic seen in
emphysema, a type of COPD. It occurs due to the hyperinflation
of the lungs, which causes the chest to assume a rounded,
expanded shape.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperkalemia. What is the
most concerning sign of this condition?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Shortness of breath
C. Diarrhea
D. Nausea
Answer: A) Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness and
potentially life-threatening arrhythmias due to its effect on the
electrical conductivity of the heart.
6. What is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis?
A. Calcium deficiency
B. Hyperparathyroidism
C. Long-term use of corticosteroids
D. Vitamin D deficiency
Answer: C) Long-term use of corticosteroids
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use is a major cause of
secondary osteoporosis due to its effect on bone metabolism,
leading to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk.
, 7. A patient with an ileus will most likely experience which of the
following symptoms?
A. Increased appetite
B. Abdominal distention and nausea
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B) Abdominal distention and nausea
Rationale: An ileus occurs when there is a lack of peristalsis in the
intestines, leading to abdominal distention, nausea, and inability
to pass stool or gas.
8. A patient with acute bacterial meningitis is likely to experience
which of the following?
A. Increased thirst and urination
B. Severe headache and neck stiffness
C. Joint pain and swelling
D. Abdominal pain and bloating
Answer: B) Severe headache and neck stiffness
Rationale: Acute bacterial meningitis causes inflammation of the
meninges, leading to symptoms like severe headache, neck
stiffness, photophobia, and fever.
9. Which of the following is the primary treatment goal for a
patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
C. Prevent deep vein thrombosis
D. Enhance gastrointestinal function
Answer: B) Reduce heart rate and oxygen demand
Rationale: The primary goal in managing MI is to reduce the
heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and oxygen demand to
prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
