Top 25 Most Important Nursing Exam Questions with Answers and Explanations (2025 Update)

 


1. What is the normal range of serum sodium?

  • Answer: 135–145 mEq/L

  • Explanation: Sodium regulates fluid balance and is essential for muscle and nerve function. Abnormal levels may lead to confusion, seizures, or coma.


2. Which vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy?

  • Answer: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

  • Explanation: MMR is a live attenuated vaccine, and live vaccines can harm the fetus, so it's contraindicated in pregnancy.


3. What is the antidote for Heparin overdose?

  • Answer: Protamine sulfate

  • Explanation: Protamine sulfate neutralizes the anticoagulant effect of heparin, preventing excessive bleeding.


4. What is the normal fetal heart rate?

  • Answer: 110–160 beats per minute

  • Explanation: Monitoring fetal heart rate helps assess fetal well-being during pregnancy and labor.


5. What does the APGAR score assess?

  • Answer: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration

  • Explanation: It's used to assess a newborn's health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to determine if immediate care is needed.


6. Which is the best position for a patient with dyspnea?

  • Answer: Fowler’s position

  • Explanation: Sitting up helps expand the lungs, making it easier to breathe in patients with respiratory distress.


7. What is the causative organism of Tuberculosis?

  • Answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  • Explanation: It's a slow-growing bacterium that primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other organs.


8. What is the first step in CPR for an unresponsive adult?

  • Answer: Check responsiveness and call for help

  • Explanation: Quick assessment and activation of emergency response are crucial for survival.


9. Which electrolyte imbalance is seen in Addison’s disease?

  • Answer: Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia

  • Explanation: Due to aldosterone deficiency, sodium is lost, and potassium is retained.


10. What is the preferred IM injection site for infants?

  • Answer: Vastus lateralis

  • Explanation: This muscle is well-developed in infants and avoids major nerves or blood vessels.


11. What is the normal range of hemoglobin in females?

  • Answer: 12–16 g/dL

  • Explanation: Hemoglobin carries oxygen; low levels indicate anemia, common in females due to menstruation and pregnancy.


12. What is the incubation period of Hepatitis B?

  • Answer: 45–180 days (average 90 days)

  • Explanation: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Long incubation means it can spread unknowingly.


13. Which isolation precaution is required for TB patients?

  • Answer: Airborne precautions

  • Explanation: TB spreads through tiny airborne droplets; N95 masks and negative pressure rooms are used.


14. Which hormone is secreted by the corpus luteum?

  • Answer: Progesterone

  • Explanation: Maintains uterine lining for implantation and early pregnancy support.


15. What is the first sign of hypoglycemia?

  • Answer: Sweating and shakiness

  • Explanation: These are early adrenergic symptoms as the body reacts to low blood sugar.


16. Which cranial nerve is affected in Bell’s palsy?

  • Answer: Facial nerve (7th cranial nerve)

  • Explanation: Causes sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.


17. Which vitamin prevents neural tube defects?

  • Answer: Folic acid (Vitamin B9)

  • Explanation: Supplementation before and during early pregnancy reduces birth defects like spina bifida.


18. What is a common side effect of furosemide?

  • Answer: Hypokalemia (low potassium)

  • Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion.


19. Which color code is used for a biohazard bag for infectious waste?

  • Answer: Yellow

  • Explanation: Used for anatomical waste, soiled waste, and microbiology lab waste.


20. What is the GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) used for?

  • Answer: To assess level of consciousness

  • Explanation: It evaluates eye, verbal, and motor responses; score ranges from 3 (deep coma) to 15 (fully awake).


21. Which is the universal donor blood group?

  • Answer: O negative (O⁻)

  • Explanation: O⁻ has no A, B, or Rh antigens, so it can be given to anyone in emergencies when blood typing isn’t available.


22. What is the normal intracranial pressure (ICP)?

  • Answer: 5–15 mmHg

  • Explanation: Elevated ICP can lead to brain herniation and death. Monitoring is crucial in head injury patients.


23. Which electrolyte is most affected in diarrhea?

  • Answer: Potassium (K⁺)

  • Explanation: Diarrhea causes significant potassium loss, leading to muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.


24. What is the ideal time to administer insulin before meals?

  • Answer: 30 minutes before meals (for regular insulin)

  • Explanation: This timing allows insulin to act when blood glucose rises after eating.


25. Which heart sound is associated with heart failure?

  • Answer: S3 (third heart sound)

  • Explanation: S3 is a low-frequency sound after S2, often heard in volume overload states like left ventricular failure.

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