NUR 254
PEDIATRIC NURSING
EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE
2026 EDITION
Galen College of Nursing
High-Yield | NCLEX-Style | Clinical Scenario–Based
✔ Pediatric respiratory disorders (asthma, bronchiolitis, croup)
✔ Pediatric gastrointestinal conditions (dehydration, diarrhea,
vomiting)
✔ Fluid & electrolyte imbalances in children
✔ Pediatric infectious diseases & isolation precautions
✔ Fever management & pediatric safety considerations
✔ Age-appropriate nursing interventions
✔ Family-centered pediatric care
✔ Clinical scenario–based questions
✔ NCLEX-style exam questions
NUR 254 EXAM III (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING) 1
This study guide is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any academic institution. It is intended for exam
preparation purposes only.
, GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING EXAM
___QUESTION(1). The nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. The client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. The nurse
assesses the client and notes oxygen saturation is 88% on room temperature air, heart rate
is 118 beats per minute, and respirations are 28 breaths per minute. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A) Administer a prescribed analgesic for the chest pain
B) Raise the head of the bed to 45 degrees
C) Apply supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula – Correct answer
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
___QUESTION(2). A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the medical unit with
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS). The client reports increased thirst and frequent
urination over the past week. Which laboratory result should the nurse expect to find in this
client?
A) Serum bicarbonate of 12 mEq/L
B) Blood glucose level of 850 mg/dL – Correct answer
C) Presence of serum ketones
D) Arterial pH of 7.28
___QUESTION(3). The nurse is assessing a client with suspected left-sided heart failure. Which clinical
manifestation is most indicative of this condition?
A) Jugular vein distention
B) Hepatomegaly
C) Bilateral crackles in the lung bases – Correct answer
D) Dependent edema in the lower extremities
___QUESTION(4). Which client statement indicates an understanding of the teaching regarding the
collection of a clean-catch midstream urine specimen?
A) I will wipe from back to front before voiding
B) I will collect the first part of the urine stream
C) I will cleanse the perineal area before collecting the specimen – Correct answer
D) I will stop the stream of urine halfway through
___QUESTION(5). A client with chronic kidney disease is scheduled for the initiation of hemodialysis.
The nurse recognizes that which of the following is the most common cause of death in
clients with end-stage renal disease?
A) Infection
B) Cardiovascular disease – Correct answer
C) Uremic poisoning
D) Stroke
NUR 254 EXAM III (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING) 2
This study guide is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any academic institution. It is intended for exam
preparation purposes only.
, GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING EXAM
___QUESTION(6). The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate
antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Which laboratory finding is consistent with this
diagnosis?
A) Serum sodium 125 mEq/L – Correct answer
B) Serum potassium 5.5 mEq/L
C) Serum osmolality 300 mOsm/kg
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 8 mg/dL
___QUESTION(7). A client is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected acute myocardial
infarction. The nurse should prepare to administer which medication to reduce myocardial
oxygen demand?
A) Atropine sulfate
B) Morphine sulfate – Correct answer
C) Dobutamine hydrochloride
D) Furosemide
___QUESTION(8). The nurse is teaching a client with a new prescription for digoxin. Which statement
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) I will take my pulse before taking the medication
B) I will eat foods high in potassium
C) I may take the medication with an antacid if I have stomach upset – Correct answer
D) I will report visual disturbances such as yellow halos
___QUESTION(9). Which assessment finding is most concerning for a client who is 2 days
postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy?
A) Abdominal dressing dry and intact
B) Pain level of 4 out of 10
C) Redness and warmth along the left calf – Correct answer
D) Oral temperature of 99.4°F (37.4°C)
___QUESTION(10). The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a water-seal
drainage system. During assessment, the nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Clamp the chest tube near the insertion site
B) Check the system for any air leaks – Correct answer
C) Encourage the client to deep breathe and cough
D) Document the finding as normal
___QUESTION(11). A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client complains of increased
shortness of breath. The nurse checks the pulse oximeter and notes an oxygen saturation of
94%. Which action is most appropriate?
NUR 254 EXAM III (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING) 3
This study guide is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any academic institution. It is intended for exam
preparation purposes only.
, GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING EXAM
A) Increase the oxygen flow to 4 L/min
B) Instruct the client to perform pursed-lip breathing – Correct answer
C) Administer a dose of albuterol
D) Position the client in high Fowler's position
___QUESTION(12). The nurse is monitoring a client receiving a blood transfusion. Ten minutes
after the initiation of the transfusion, the client reports flank pain and chills. The nurse
notes the urine output is dark and reddish. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Slow the rate of the infusion
B) Stop the transfusion immediately – Correct answer
C) Administer diphenhydramine
D) Obtain a urine specimen
___QUESTION(13). A client with adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) is scheduled for
discharge. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan regarding
medication management?
A) Double the dose of hydrocortisone during periods of stress – Correct answer
B) Take the medication only when experiencing symptoms
C) Stop the medication if weight gain occurs
D) Take the medication on an empty stomach
___QUESTION(14). The nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Which joint deformity is characteristic of this condition?
A) Swan-neck deformity – Correct answer
B) Boutonniere deformity
C) Ulnar drift
D) Bouchard's nodes
___QUESTION(15). A client is admitted with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is
started on intravenous heparin therapy. Which laboratory test is used to monitor the
effectiveness of heparin therapy?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) International normalized ratio (INR)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) – Correct answer
D) Platelet count
___QUESTION(16). The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Paralysis ascending to the trunk – Correct answer
B) Complaints of tingling in the fingers
C) Difficulty articulating words
NUR 254 EXAM III (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING) 4
This study guide is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any academic institution. It is intended for exam
preparation purposes only.