NSG 320 Exam #1 Blueprint - (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Prioritization,
Diabetes, Thyroid, Fluids/Electrolytes, & Respiratory Disorders | Q&A |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Adult Health
Source: NSG 320 Exam #1 – Comprehensive Blueprint Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is prioritization in nursing?
Correct Answer: Ranking client problems by urgency to address immediate vs delayed
needs.
1. Prioritization ensures life-threatening issues are addressed first.
2. Use ABCs, Maslow, and safety as frameworks.
3. Reassess priorities as patient condition changes.
2: What are the ABCs of prioritization?
Correct Answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation are addressed before all other needs.
1. Airway is always first priority.
2. Breathing second (oxygenation, ventilation).p>
3. Circulation third (pulse, BP, perfusion).
3: How does Maslow's Hierarchy apply to nursing prioritization?
Correct Answer: Physiological needs first, then safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-
actualization.
1. Basic physiological needs include oxygen, food, water, shelter.
2. Safety needs include physical and psychological safety.
3. Higher-level needs addressed after basic needs met.
4: What is the RN scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Performs full nursing process, initial assessments, clinical judgment,
teaching, and care planning.
1. RN performs comprehensive assessments and care planning.
2. Delegates tasks appropriately to LPNs and UAPs.
3. Evaluates effectiveness of interventions.
5: What is the LPN scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Provides routine care to stable clients, administers meds, reinforces
teaching under RN supervision.
1. LPNs care for stable patients with predictable outcomes.
2. Cannot perform initial assessments or care planning.
3. Works under supervision of RN.
,6: What is the UAP scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Assists with basic care (ADLs, vital signs) for stable clients only.
1. UAPs perform tasks under RN delegation.
2. Cannot assess, plan, or evaluate care.
3. Report abnormal findings to RN.
7: What task is appropriate for LPN?
Correct Answer: Administer oral medications to a stable client.
1. LPNs can administer PO, IM, SQ medications.
2. Patient must be stable with predictable outcomes.
3. RN supervises and evaluates response.
8: What tasks are NOT delegated by RN?
Correct Answer: Initial assessment, care planning, evaluation of interventions.
1. Initial assessment requires RN clinical judgment.
2. Care planning is RN responsibility.
3. Evaluation of patient outcomes cannot be delegated.
9: Which client has highest priority?
Correct Answer: Client with airway compromise, hypoglycemia, or unstable vital signs.
1. Airway compromise is life-threatening.
2. Hypoglycemia <70 requires immediate treatment.
3. Unstable vital signs indicate deterioration.
10: What is the priority for hypoglycemia?
Correct Answer: Blood glucose < 70 mg/dL requires immediate intervention.
1. Hypoglycemia can progress to unconsciousness and seizures.
2. Treat with Rule of 15: 15g carbs, recheck in 15 minutes.
3. Unconscious patient requires IV dextrose or glucagon.
11: What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Correct Answer: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells → absolute insulin deficiency.
1. Usually presents in childhood/young adulthood.
2. Requires lifelong insulin therapy.
3. Prone to DKA.
12: What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Correct Answer: Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency.
1. Associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyle.
2. Managed with lifestyle, oral medications, possibly insulin.
3. Insulin resistance is hallmark.
, 13: What is normal fasting blood glucose?
Correct Answer: 70-99 mg/dL.
1. Fasting = no caloric intake for at least 8 hours.
2. 100-125 mg/dL = prediabetes.
3. ≥126 mg/dL = diabetes.
14: What is the diabetes diagnosis criteria for fasting glucose?
Correct Answer: ≥ 126 mg/dL on two occasions.
1. Requires confirmatory testing.
2. Also A1C ≥6.5% or random glucose ≥200 with symptoms.
3. Oral glucose tolerance test 2-hour ≥200.
15: What is the Hemoglobin A1C goal for most adults?
Correct Answer: Less than 7%.
1. A1C reflects 3-month average glucose.
2. Individualized goals for older adults or comorbidities.
3. Lower targets may increase hypoglycemia risk.
16: What are hyperglycemia manifestations?
Correct Answer: Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, blurred vision.
1. Polyuria from osmotic diuresis.
2. Polydipsia from dehydration response.
3. Polyphagia from cellular starvation.
17: What are hypoglycemia manifestations?
Correct Answer: Shakiness, diaphoresis, confusion, tachycardia, headache.
1. Autonomic symptoms: sweating, tremor, palpitations.
2. Neuroglycopenic symptoms: confusion, weakness, seizures.
3. Blood glucose <70 mg/dL.
18: What is the Rule of 15?
Correct Answer: Give 15 g carbs → recheck glucose in 15 min → repeat if <70.
1. 15g carbs = 4 oz juice, 3-4 glucose tablets, 1 tbsp honey.
2. Recheck after 15 minutes.
3. If still <70, repeat cycle.
19: What is treatment for conscious hypoglycemia?
Correct Answer: 15 g fast-acting carbohydrates ( juice, glucose tabs).
1. Follow with complex carb and protein once stable.
2. Avoid chocolate (fat slows absorption).
3. If next meal >1 hour away, give snack.
Diabetes, Thyroid, Fluids/Electrolytes, & Respiratory Disorders | Q&A |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Adult Health
Source: NSG 320 Exam #1 – Comprehensive Blueprint Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is prioritization in nursing?
Correct Answer: Ranking client problems by urgency to address immediate vs delayed
needs.
1. Prioritization ensures life-threatening issues are addressed first.
2. Use ABCs, Maslow, and safety as frameworks.
3. Reassess priorities as patient condition changes.
2: What are the ABCs of prioritization?
Correct Answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation are addressed before all other needs.
1. Airway is always first priority.
2. Breathing second (oxygenation, ventilation).p>
3. Circulation third (pulse, BP, perfusion).
3: How does Maslow's Hierarchy apply to nursing prioritization?
Correct Answer: Physiological needs first, then safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-
actualization.
1. Basic physiological needs include oxygen, food, water, shelter.
2. Safety needs include physical and psychological safety.
3. Higher-level needs addressed after basic needs met.
4: What is the RN scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Performs full nursing process, initial assessments, clinical judgment,
teaching, and care planning.
1. RN performs comprehensive assessments and care planning.
2. Delegates tasks appropriately to LPNs and UAPs.
3. Evaluates effectiveness of interventions.
5: What is the LPN scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Provides routine care to stable clients, administers meds, reinforces
teaching under RN supervision.
1. LPNs care for stable patients with predictable outcomes.
2. Cannot perform initial assessments or care planning.
3. Works under supervision of RN.
,6: What is the UAP scope of practice?
Correct Answer: Assists with basic care (ADLs, vital signs) for stable clients only.
1. UAPs perform tasks under RN delegation.
2. Cannot assess, plan, or evaluate care.
3. Report abnormal findings to RN.
7: What task is appropriate for LPN?
Correct Answer: Administer oral medications to a stable client.
1. LPNs can administer PO, IM, SQ medications.
2. Patient must be stable with predictable outcomes.
3. RN supervises and evaluates response.
8: What tasks are NOT delegated by RN?
Correct Answer: Initial assessment, care planning, evaluation of interventions.
1. Initial assessment requires RN clinical judgment.
2. Care planning is RN responsibility.
3. Evaluation of patient outcomes cannot be delegated.
9: Which client has highest priority?
Correct Answer: Client with airway compromise, hypoglycemia, or unstable vital signs.
1. Airway compromise is life-threatening.
2. Hypoglycemia <70 requires immediate treatment.
3. Unstable vital signs indicate deterioration.
10: What is the priority for hypoglycemia?
Correct Answer: Blood glucose < 70 mg/dL requires immediate intervention.
1. Hypoglycemia can progress to unconsciousness and seizures.
2. Treat with Rule of 15: 15g carbs, recheck in 15 minutes.
3. Unconscious patient requires IV dextrose or glucagon.
11: What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Correct Answer: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells → absolute insulin deficiency.
1. Usually presents in childhood/young adulthood.
2. Requires lifelong insulin therapy.
3. Prone to DKA.
12: What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Correct Answer: Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency.
1. Associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyle.
2. Managed with lifestyle, oral medications, possibly insulin.
3. Insulin resistance is hallmark.
, 13: What is normal fasting blood glucose?
Correct Answer: 70-99 mg/dL.
1. Fasting = no caloric intake for at least 8 hours.
2. 100-125 mg/dL = prediabetes.
3. ≥126 mg/dL = diabetes.
14: What is the diabetes diagnosis criteria for fasting glucose?
Correct Answer: ≥ 126 mg/dL on two occasions.
1. Requires confirmatory testing.
2. Also A1C ≥6.5% or random glucose ≥200 with symptoms.
3. Oral glucose tolerance test 2-hour ≥200.
15: What is the Hemoglobin A1C goal for most adults?
Correct Answer: Less than 7%.
1. A1C reflects 3-month average glucose.
2. Individualized goals for older adults or comorbidities.
3. Lower targets may increase hypoglycemia risk.
16: What are hyperglycemia manifestations?
Correct Answer: Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, blurred vision.
1. Polyuria from osmotic diuresis.
2. Polydipsia from dehydration response.
3. Polyphagia from cellular starvation.
17: What are hypoglycemia manifestations?
Correct Answer: Shakiness, diaphoresis, confusion, tachycardia, headache.
1. Autonomic symptoms: sweating, tremor, palpitations.
2. Neuroglycopenic symptoms: confusion, weakness, seizures.
3. Blood glucose <70 mg/dL.
18: What is the Rule of 15?
Correct Answer: Give 15 g carbs → recheck glucose in 15 min → repeat if <70.
1. 15g carbs = 4 oz juice, 3-4 glucose tablets, 1 tbsp honey.
2. Recheck after 15 minutes.
3. If still <70, repeat cycle.
19: What is treatment for conscious hypoglycemia?
Correct Answer: 15 g fast-acting carbohydrates ( juice, glucose tabs).
1. Follow with complex carb and protein once stable.
2. Avoid chocolate (fat slows absorption).
3. If next meal >1 hour away, give snack.
