NSG 2600/2610 ADULT HEALTH NURSING I/II EXAM –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Fluid and Electrolyte Balance*
*Perioperative Nursing Care*
*Management of Cardiovascular Disorders*
*Respiratory System Interventions*
*Endocrine and Metabolic Health*
*Gastrointestinal and Renal Care*
*Musculoskeletal and Immune Function*
*Neurological Nursing Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the clinical competency and theoretical knowledge of
students transitioning into advanced medical-surgical nursing practice. The exam focuses on the holistic care of
the adult patient, emphasizing pathophysiology, pharmacological interventions, and evidence-based nursing
protocols. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-choice questions and complex scenario-based
items to simulate real-world clinical decision-making. Candidates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in
prioritizing patient needs, identifying critical changes in status, and applying ethical standards to diverse
healthcare environments. This tool serves as a rigorous benchmark for ensuring safety, accuracy, and
professional excellence in adult health nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis is prescribed total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
,A. Serum sodium
B. Serum glucose
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Platelet count
🟢 B. Serum glucose
🔴 RATIONALE: TPN solutions contain high concentrations of dextrose, placing the patient at risk for
hyperglycemia. Frequent blood glucose monitoring is required to adjust insulin coverage and prevent osmotic
diuresis.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient admitted with a suspected
diagnosis of Graves' disease?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
🟢 C. Heat intolerance
🔴 RATIONALE: Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism which increases the metabolic rate, leading to
symptoms such as heat intolerance, palpitations, weight loss, and tremors.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following a cholecystectomy. The patient
reports pain in the right shoulder. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic
B. Assist the patient to ambulate in the hallway
,C. Apply a heating pad to the abdominal incision
D. Place the patient in a prone position
🟢 B. Assist the patient to ambulate in the hallway
🔴 RATIONALE: Referred shoulder pain after laparoscopic surgery is usually caused by CO2 gas used during the
procedure. Ambulation promotes the absorption and passage of the gas.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2
L/min. Which finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A. PaCO2 of 55 mmHg
B. SaO2 of 91%
C. Bicarbonate level of 24 mEq/L
D. pH of 7.30
🟢 B. SaO2 of 91%
🔴 RATIONALE: For patients with COPD, the therapeutic goal for oxygen saturation is typically between 88% and
92% to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. The nurse
notes constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. There is an air leak in the system
C. The patient has a resolving pneumothorax
D. The suction pressure is set too high
, 🟢 B. There is an air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the patient and the
drainage system. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax.
6. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a patient experiencing an acute episode of
sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 38 bpm and hypotension?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Atropine
D. Metoprolol
🟢 C. Atropine
🔴 RATIONALE: Atropine is the primary anticholinergic medication used to increase heart rate in symptomatic
bradycardia by blocking vagal stimulation.
7. A patient is diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Pain in the suprapubic area
B. Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
C. Decreased urinary output
D. Hematuria with clots
🟢 B. Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Fluid and Electrolyte Balance*
*Perioperative Nursing Care*
*Management of Cardiovascular Disorders*
*Respiratory System Interventions*
*Endocrine and Metabolic Health*
*Gastrointestinal and Renal Care*
*Musculoskeletal and Immune Function*
*Neurological Nursing Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the clinical competency and theoretical knowledge of
students transitioning into advanced medical-surgical nursing practice. The exam focuses on the holistic care of
the adult patient, emphasizing pathophysiology, pharmacological interventions, and evidence-based nursing
protocols. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-choice questions and complex scenario-based
items to simulate real-world clinical decision-making. Candidates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in
prioritizing patient needs, identifying critical changes in status, and applying ethical standards to diverse
healthcare environments. This tool serves as a rigorous benchmark for ensuring safety, accuracy, and
professional excellence in adult health nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis is prescribed total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
,A. Serum sodium
B. Serum glucose
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Platelet count
🟢 B. Serum glucose
🔴 RATIONALE: TPN solutions contain high concentrations of dextrose, placing the patient at risk for
hyperglycemia. Frequent blood glucose monitoring is required to adjust insulin coverage and prevent osmotic
diuresis.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient admitted with a suspected
diagnosis of Graves' disease?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
🟢 C. Heat intolerance
🔴 RATIONALE: Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism which increases the metabolic rate, leading to
symptoms such as heat intolerance, palpitations, weight loss, and tremors.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following a cholecystectomy. The patient
reports pain in the right shoulder. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic
B. Assist the patient to ambulate in the hallway
,C. Apply a heating pad to the abdominal incision
D. Place the patient in a prone position
🟢 B. Assist the patient to ambulate in the hallway
🔴 RATIONALE: Referred shoulder pain after laparoscopic surgery is usually caused by CO2 gas used during the
procedure. Ambulation promotes the absorption and passage of the gas.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2
L/min. Which finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A. PaCO2 of 55 mmHg
B. SaO2 of 91%
C. Bicarbonate level of 24 mEq/L
D. pH of 7.30
🟢 B. SaO2 of 91%
🔴 RATIONALE: For patients with COPD, the therapeutic goal for oxygen saturation is typically between 88% and
92% to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. The nurse
notes constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. There is an air leak in the system
C. The patient has a resolving pneumothorax
D. The suction pressure is set too high
, 🟢 B. There is an air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the patient and the
drainage system. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax.
6. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a patient experiencing an acute episode of
sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 38 bpm and hypotension?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Atropine
D. Metoprolol
🟢 C. Atropine
🔴 RATIONALE: Atropine is the primary anticholinergic medication used to increase heart rate in symptomatic
bradycardia by blocking vagal stimulation.
7. A patient is diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Pain in the suprapubic area
B. Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
C. Decreased urinary output
D. Hematuria with clots
🟢 B. Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
