HANDBOOK 2026 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
◉ a pt is experiencing SOB, fatigue, JVD, the nurse auscultates a third
heart sound (S3), what should the nurse anticipate as the cause of
these s/s.
Answer: HF
◉ a nurse is administering potassium chloride elixer 40mEq divided
into 2 equal doses every 12 hours, available is 6.7 mEq/5mL. how
many mL should the nurse administer per dose?.
Answer: 30mL
◉ a nurse is caring for a pt in the ED who was just admitted with
chest pain, possible acute coronary syndrome. what should the
nurse do first?.
Answer: administer sublingual nitroglycerin
(treat chest pain to reduce cardiac tissue damage)
,◉ a nurse is caring for pt who is experiencing ventricular
tachycardia with a pulse, the RRT is at the bedside. what electrical
intervention should be used to correct this dysrhythmia?.
Answer: synchronized cardioversion
(tx for afib, SVT, and v tach with a pulse)
◉ a nurse is caring for an adult pt who is experiencing delayed
wound healing, which of the following interventions should the
nurse take?.
Answer: monitor serum albumin levels and notify provider if below
3.5g/dL
(lack of protein increases the risk for a delay in wound healing and
infection)
◉ a nurse is teaching a client who has pre-dialysis ESKD about diet,
what should be included?.
Answer: reduce intake of foods high in potassium
(potassium clearance is impaired in ESKD)
◉ a nurse is caring for a client who has T1DM, the nurse misread the
client's morning BG level as 210mg/dL, instead of 120mg/dL and
, administered the insulin dose appropriate for a reading over
200mg/dL before the client's breakfast, what action is the nurse's
priority?.
Answer: monitor the client for hypoglycemia
◉ a nurse is planning care for a pt who has a new diagnosis of DI,
which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the
plan of care?.
Answer: check urine specific gravity
◉ a nurse is caring for a pt admitted with wheezing and coughing
due to an allergic reaction to a newly prescribed medication, what
medication should be administered first?.
Answer: albuterol 3mL via nebulizer
◉ a nurse is caring for a female client in the ED who reports SOB and
pain in the lung area, she states that she started taking BC pills 3
weeks ago and that she smokes, her heart rate is 110/min, RR
40/min, and BP 140/80, her ABGs are pH 7.50, PaCO2 29, PaO2 60,
HCO3 20, SaO2 86%, what is the priority of nursing interventions.
Answer: administer oxygen via face mask
◉ a nurse is caring for a pt following repair of a fracture, what
finding should alert the nurse that the pt is experiencing
compartment syndrome?.