1. A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Which
of the following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
B. Morning dizziness and fatigue
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Chest pain
Answer: A) Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes symmetrical joint
pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly in the hands and feet.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Tachycardia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overproduction
of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like tachycardia, heat
intolerance, and weight loss.
3. What is the most common cause of peptic ulcers?
A. Stress
B. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Excessive alcohol consumption
Answer: C) Helicobacter pylori infection
Rationale: H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers
due to its ability to disrupt the mucosal lining of the stomach.
4. A patient with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) is at increased risk for which of the following?
,A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Stroke
Answer: A) Infection
Rationale: SLE is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune
system, leaving the patient at higher risk for infections due to
immunosuppressive therapy and the disease itself.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. A patient with COPD has developed a barrel chest. What does
this physical finding indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumonia
of the following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
B. Morning dizziness and fatigue
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Chest pain
Answer: A) Symmetrical joint pain and swelling
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes symmetrical joint
pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly in the hands and feet.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Tachycardia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overproduction
of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like tachycardia, heat
intolerance, and weight loss.
3. What is the most common cause of peptic ulcers?
A. Stress
B. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Excessive alcohol consumption
Answer: C) Helicobacter pylori infection
Rationale: H. pylori infection is the leading cause of peptic ulcers
due to its ability to disrupt the mucosal lining of the stomach.
4. A patient with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) is at increased risk for which of the following?
,A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Stroke
Answer: A) Infection
Rationale: SLE is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune
system, leaving the patient at higher risk for infections due to
immunosuppressive therapy and the disease itself.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. A patient with COPD has developed a barrel chest. What does
this physical finding indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumonia
