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NSG 6998 APEA PRE-PREDICTOR EXAM – SOUTH UNIVERSITY
2025/2026 | 100% VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, ALREADY
GRADED A+
Q1.
A 42-year-old patient with a history of asthma presents with wheezing and
shortness of breath. Which finding indicates status asthmaticus requiring
immediate intervention?
A. Mild expiratory wheezes and O₂ sat of 95%
B. Use of accessory muscles and O₂ sat of 88%
C. Improvement after albuterol nebulizer
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: B. Use of accessory muscles and O₂ sat of 88%
Rationale: Status asthmaticus is a life-threatening asthma exacerbation
characterized by severe dyspnea, hypoxemia, and use of accessory muscles. Mild
wheezing with normal O₂ (A) and improvement with treatment (C) are expected
responses. Cough (D) does not indicate impending respiratory failure.
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Q2.
A patient with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Persistent cough
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C. Persistent cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril) commonly cause a dry, persistent cough
due to bradykinin accumulation. They may also cause hyperkalemia, not
hypokalemia. Bradycardia is linked to beta blockers, not ACE inhibitors.
Q3.
Which patient is the highest priority for the nurse?
A. A 26-year-old with Crohn’s disease reporting 5 loose stools today
B. A 60-year-old with chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. A 44-year-old with cellulitis and fever of 100.8°F
D. A 70-year-old with constipation after opioid use
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Answer: B. A 60-year-old with chest pain radiating to the jaw
Rationale: Chest pain with radiation suggests acute coronary syndrome, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. The other cases are important
but not as urgent.
Q4.
A 30-year-old female on isotretinoin for severe acne is counseled. Which teaching
is most important?
A. “Take this medication with food.”
B. “You must avoid pregnancy while taking this drug.”
C. “Limit intake of dairy products.”
D. “You may have sun sensitivity; use sunscreen.”
Answer: B. “You must avoid pregnancy while taking this drug.”
Rationale: Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic. Pregnancy must be strictly avoided.
Sunscreen and food intake are important, but preventing fetal harm is the priority
teaching point.
Q5.
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A 55-year-old male presents with left-sided weakness and slurred speech for 2
hours. Which order should the nurse question?
A. Head CT without contrast
B. IV alteplase (tPA)
C. Aspirin 325 mg PO
D. IM heparin injection
Answer: D. IM heparin injection
Rationale: IM anticoagulants increase bleeding risk and are contraindicated in
acute stroke care. CT scan (A) rules out hemorrhage, tPA (B) is indicated within
4.5 hours for ischemic stroke, and aspirin (C) is appropriate.
Q6.
Which finding is expected in a patient with Addison’s disease?
A. Hypertension and fluid overload
B. Hyperpigmentation and hypotension
C. Weight gain and moon face
D. Hypernatremia and bradycardia
Answer: B. Hyperpigmentation and hypotension
Rationale: Addison’s (adrenal insufficiency) causes low cortisol/aldosterone,
NSG 6998 APEA PRE-PREDICTOR EXAM – SOUTH UNIVERSITY
2025/2026 | 100% VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, ALREADY
GRADED A+
Q1.
A 42-year-old patient with a history of asthma presents with wheezing and
shortness of breath. Which finding indicates status asthmaticus requiring
immediate intervention?
A. Mild expiratory wheezes and O₂ sat of 95%
B. Use of accessory muscles and O₂ sat of 88%
C. Improvement after albuterol nebulizer
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: B. Use of accessory muscles and O₂ sat of 88%
Rationale: Status asthmaticus is a life-threatening asthma exacerbation
characterized by severe dyspnea, hypoxemia, and use of accessory muscles. Mild
wheezing with normal O₂ (A) and improvement with treatment (C) are expected
responses. Cough (D) does not indicate impending respiratory failure.
,2 | Page
Q2.
A patient with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Persistent cough
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C. Persistent cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril) commonly cause a dry, persistent cough
due to bradykinin accumulation. They may also cause hyperkalemia, not
hypokalemia. Bradycardia is linked to beta blockers, not ACE inhibitors.
Q3.
Which patient is the highest priority for the nurse?
A. A 26-year-old with Crohn’s disease reporting 5 loose stools today
B. A 60-year-old with chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. A 44-year-old with cellulitis and fever of 100.8°F
D. A 70-year-old with constipation after opioid use
,3 | Page
Answer: B. A 60-year-old with chest pain radiating to the jaw
Rationale: Chest pain with radiation suggests acute coronary syndrome, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. The other cases are important
but not as urgent.
Q4.
A 30-year-old female on isotretinoin for severe acne is counseled. Which teaching
is most important?
A. “Take this medication with food.”
B. “You must avoid pregnancy while taking this drug.”
C. “Limit intake of dairy products.”
D. “You may have sun sensitivity; use sunscreen.”
Answer: B. “You must avoid pregnancy while taking this drug.”
Rationale: Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic. Pregnancy must be strictly avoided.
Sunscreen and food intake are important, but preventing fetal harm is the priority
teaching point.
Q5.
, 4 | Page
A 55-year-old male presents with left-sided weakness and slurred speech for 2
hours. Which order should the nurse question?
A. Head CT without contrast
B. IV alteplase (tPA)
C. Aspirin 325 mg PO
D. IM heparin injection
Answer: D. IM heparin injection
Rationale: IM anticoagulants increase bleeding risk and are contraindicated in
acute stroke care. CT scan (A) rules out hemorrhage, tPA (B) is indicated within
4.5 hours for ischemic stroke, and aspirin (C) is appropriate.
Q6.
Which finding is expected in a patient with Addison’s disease?
A. Hypertension and fluid overload
B. Hyperpigmentation and hypotension
C. Weight gain and moon face
D. Hypernatremia and bradycardia
Answer: B. Hyperpigmentation and hypotension
Rationale: Addison’s (adrenal insufficiency) causes low cortisol/aldosterone,
