1. In assessing a patient with acute heart failure, which clinical finding
would be most indicative of decreased cardiac output?
 A. Hypertension
 B. Bradycardia
 C. Tachypnea
 D. Jugular venous distention
 **Answer: C. Tachypnea**
 Rationale: Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, is a common sign of
decreased cardiac output as the body attempts to compensate for
inadequate perfusion.
2. A nurse is evaluating a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers in an
acute care setting. Which factor is most significant?
 A. Age of the patient
 B. Mobility status
 C. Nutritional intake
 D. Skin moisture level
 **Answer: B. Mobility status**
 Rationale: Immobility or limited mobility greatly increases the risk of
pressure ulcer development due to prolonged pressure on the skin.
3. When creating evidence-based guidelines for pain management in
adults with chronic arthritis, which source of evidence should be
prioritized?
 A. Expert opinion
 B. Randomized controlled trials
 C. Case studies
 D. Qualitative research
 **Answer: B. Randomized controlled trials**
 Rationale: Randomized controlled trials provide high-level evidence due
to their design, which minimizes bias and provides reliable data for
guideline development.
4. In managing a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),
which intervention should be initiated first?
 A. High-flow oxygen therapy
 B. Intravenous corticosteroids
 C. Prone positioning