Adult Health III Exam Questions 2026Comprehensive Nursing Study Pack
(Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor closely?
Answer: Potassium level
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss, increasing risk of
hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2. Which symptom is most indicative of left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary congestion causing shortness of breath.
3. A client with COPD should be positioned how during an exacerbation?
Answer: High Fowler’s position
Rationale: This position maximizes lung expansion and reduces work of breathing.
4. What is the priority action for a patient experiencing chest pain suggestive of MI?
Answer: Administer oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation and reduces ischemic damage.
5. Which ECG change is seen in acute myocardial infarction?
Answer: ST-segment elevation
Rationale: ST elevation indicates myocardial injury.
6. A patient with DKA is expected to have which lab finding?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Ketone production lowers blood pH.
7. What is the priority nursing intervention for hypoglycemia?
Answer: Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: Rapid glucose replacement reverses hypoglycemia.
8. Which sign indicates worsening chronic kidney disease?
Answer: Elevated creatinine
Rationale: Creatinine reflects declining kidney filtration.
9. A patient on warfarin should avoid which food?
, Answer: Spinach
Rationale: High vitamin K foods reduce anticoagulant effectiveness.
10. Which condition is associated with “tea-colored urine”?
Answer: Acute glomerulonephritis
Rationale: Blood leakage into urine causes dark coloration.
11. What is the first sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Answer: Change in level of consciousness
Rationale: LOC changes are earliest and most sensitive indicator.
12. Which medication is used to treat acute asthma attacks?
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilator provides rapid relief.
**13. A patient with peptic ulcer disease should avoid: **
Answer: NSAIDs
Rationale: NSAIDs increase gastric irritation and bleeding risk.
14. Which finding suggests deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Answer: Unilateral leg swelling
Rationale: DVT typically affects one limb.
15. What is the main complication of untreated hypertension?
Answer: Stroke
Rationale: Chronic high BP damages cerebral vessels.
16. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in Addison’s disease?
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency reduces potassium excretion.
17. What is the hallmark symptom of hyperthyroidism?
Answer: Weight loss despite increased appetite
Rationale: Increased metabolic rate causes catabolism.
18. Which sign indicates fluid overload?
Answer: Crackles in lungs
(Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor closely?
Answer: Potassium level
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss, increasing risk of
hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2. Which symptom is most indicative of left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary congestion causing shortness of breath.
3. A client with COPD should be positioned how during an exacerbation?
Answer: High Fowler’s position
Rationale: This position maximizes lung expansion and reduces work of breathing.
4. What is the priority action for a patient experiencing chest pain suggestive of MI?
Answer: Administer oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation and reduces ischemic damage.
5. Which ECG change is seen in acute myocardial infarction?
Answer: ST-segment elevation
Rationale: ST elevation indicates myocardial injury.
6. A patient with DKA is expected to have which lab finding?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Ketone production lowers blood pH.
7. What is the priority nursing intervention for hypoglycemia?
Answer: Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: Rapid glucose replacement reverses hypoglycemia.
8. Which sign indicates worsening chronic kidney disease?
Answer: Elevated creatinine
Rationale: Creatinine reflects declining kidney filtration.
9. A patient on warfarin should avoid which food?
, Answer: Spinach
Rationale: High vitamin K foods reduce anticoagulant effectiveness.
10. Which condition is associated with “tea-colored urine”?
Answer: Acute glomerulonephritis
Rationale: Blood leakage into urine causes dark coloration.
11. What is the first sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Answer: Change in level of consciousness
Rationale: LOC changes are earliest and most sensitive indicator.
12. Which medication is used to treat acute asthma attacks?
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilator provides rapid relief.
**13. A patient with peptic ulcer disease should avoid: **
Answer: NSAIDs
Rationale: NSAIDs increase gastric irritation and bleeding risk.
14. Which finding suggests deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Answer: Unilateral leg swelling
Rationale: DVT typically affects one limb.
15. What is the main complication of untreated hypertension?
Answer: Stroke
Rationale: Chronic high BP damages cerebral vessels.
16. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in Addison’s disease?
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency reduces potassium excretion.
17. What is the hallmark symptom of hyperthyroidism?
Answer: Weight loss despite increased appetite
Rationale: Increased metabolic rate causes catabolism.
18. Which sign indicates fluid overload?
Answer: Crackles in lungs
