Nursing MCQ & Answers [PDF Download]
A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which laboratory value would be the MOST critical for the nurse to monitor before administering this medication?
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical ventilation with the following settings: FiO₂ 80%, PEEP 12 cmH₂O, Tidal Volume 6 mL/kg. The nurse notes the peak airway pressure has increased from 35 cmH₂O to 50 cmH₂O. What is the MOST likely cause?
A pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation presents with severe headache, visual disturbances, and blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg. Her 24-hour urine protein is 3.2 grams. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A patient with chronic kidney disease stage 4 (GFR 25 mL/min/1.73m²) is being prepared for hemodialysis access creation. Which type of vascular access would be the BEST long-term option?
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy with cisplatin. Which assessment finding would indicate a serious adverse reaction requiring immediate intervention?
A patient with acute pancreatitis has a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction. The nurse notes that 300 mL of gastric contents have been removed in the past 4 hours. Which electrolyte imbalance is the patient MOST at risk for developing?
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected compartment syndrome of the forearm following a fracture. Which assessment finding would be the EARLIEST and most reliable indicator of this condition?
A patient with bipolar disorder is being started on lithium therapy. Which baseline assessment is MOST critical before initiating this medication?
A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Laboratory results show: glucose 480 mg/dL, pH 7.25, HCO₃⁻ 12 mEq/L, ketones 4+. Which initial nursing intervention has the HIGHEST priority?
A nurse is caring for a patient who underwent a craniotomy 6 hours ago. Which assessment finding would indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and require immediate notification of the physician?
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse notes the patient's oxygen saturation has improved from 88% to 96% on 4L nasal cannula. What is the nurse's MOST appropriate action?
A nurse is preparing to administer blood products to a patient with severe anemia (Hgb 6.2 g/dL). Which action demonstrates the MOST important safety measure during blood transfusion?
A patient with acute myocardial infarction is receiving alteplase (tPA). Which assessment finding would require the nurse to IMMEDIATELY discontinue the infusion?
A nurse is caring for a patient with multiple myeloma who has developed tumor lysis syndrome. Which laboratory finding would the nurse expect to see?
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is experiencing ascending paralysis that has reached the level of the diaphragm. Which intervention is the nurse's HIGHEST priority?
A nurse is assessing a patient who received spinal anesthesia 4 hours ago for a cesarean section. The patient reports severe headache that worsens when sitting up. What is the MOST likely cause of this symptom?
A patient with chronic liver disease presents with ascites and peripheral edema. The physician orders spironolactone 100 mg daily. Which laboratory value requires the MOST frequent monitoring with this medication?
A patient with septic shock is receiving norepinephrine via central line. The nurse notes the current dose is 15 mcg/min and the patient's blood pressure is 85/50 mmHg. What is the nurse's MOST appropriate action?
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute stroke who is receiving tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The patient suddenly develops slurred speech and right-sided weakness worsening. What is the nurse's IMMEDIATE priority action?
A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed carvedilol. The nurse understands this medication provides benefit through which primary mechanism?
A patient with ulcerative colitis is experiencing a severe flare with 8-10 bloody stools per day, fever, and tachycardia. Which complication should the nurse monitor for MOST closely?
A patient with Addison's disease is scheduled for major surgery. Which perioperative intervention is MOST critical for this patient?
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation with PEEP of 15 cmH₂O. The patient develops sudden hypotension and distended neck veins. Which condition should the nurse suspect FIRST?
A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develops lupus nephritis. Which laboratory finding would indicate the MOST severe form of kidney involvement?
A patient with cirrhosis develops hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse expects which medication to be ordered to reduce ammonia levels?
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing dawn phenomenon. Which intervention would be MOST effective in managing this condition?
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is starting methotrexate therapy. Which intervention is MOST important for the nurse to include in patient education?
A patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis develops severe muscle cramps during treatment. Which intervention should the nurse implement FIRST?
A patient with acute pancreatitis has developed a pancreatic pseudocyst. Which complication would indicate the need for urgent surgical intervention?
A patient with severe burns covering 40% total body surface area is in the acute phase. Which intervention is the nurse's HIGHEST priority during this phase?
A patient with atrial fibrillation has a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 4. Which medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed for stroke prevention?