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Physiological Adaptation — NCLEX-PN practice questions

24 multiple-choice questions and 8 flashcards on Physiological Adaptation, about 15% of the NCLEX-PN bank. Every one carries a written rationale.

Written and maintained by Nick Burton · last updated 2026-08-22 · how we write and review questions

What this chapter covers

Physiological Adaptation is one of 8 chapters in CoStudy's NCLEX-PN bank, and it holds 24 of the bank's 162 multiple-choice questions — roughly 15% of the total. That proportion is not arbitrary: chapters follow the certifying body's published exam outline, and the number of questions in each is set by that domain's published weight, so the share of your practice time this chapter takes matches the share of the real exam it accounts for.

Studying by chapter is worth doing once you have a diagnostic score. A single overall percentage tells you whether you are close; it does not tell you which domain is dragging. Working a weak chapter in isolation, and re-testing it in isolation, is the fastest way to move a score that has stalled — and it is why the mock exams in CoStudy report by domain rather than as one number.

Free Physiological Adaptation practice questions

4 questions drawn from this chapter, with the full rationale shown — the controlling principle behind the right answer, and why each wrong option tempts and fails.

First step of CPR for an unresponsive adult with no pulse:

  1. 30 chest compressions
  2. Two rescue breaths
  3. Open airway
  4. Check for breathing

Answer: A — 30 chest compressions

B) AB-C order is outdated. A) Correct — 2015+ guidelines use C-A-B: chest compressions first (30), then airway, then breaths. Don't delay perfusion. C) Comes after compressions. D) Already established as unresponsive with no pulse; act now.

Select all early signs of increased intracranial pressure. Select all that apply.

  1. Decreased level of consciousness
  2. Headache
  3. Pupil sluggishness
  4. Hypotension
  5. Vomiting
  6. F) Brisk normal pupils

Answer: ABCE

A,B,C,E) Early ICP signs. D) Late Cushing triad component is hypertension, not hypotension. F) Normal finding.

Select all expected findings in left-sided heart failure. Select all that apply.

  1. Pulmonary crackles
  2. Dyspnea
  3. Peripheral edema only
  4. Orthopnea
  5. Frothy pink sputum in pulmonary edema
  6. F) Jugular venous distension only

Answer: ABDE

A,B,D,E) Left-sided/pulmonary congestion. C,F) Right-sided predominate findings.

Adult chest compression depth in CPR?

  1. 1 inch
  2. Compressions are optional
  3. 4-5 inches
  4. At least 2 inches (5 cm)

Answer: D — At least 2 inches (5 cm)

A) Too shallow — won't perfuse. D) Correct — minimum 2 inches (5 cm), not exceeding 2.4 inches. Rate 100-120/min, full recoil between. C) Too deep, may cause rib injury. B) Critical to CPR.

Physiological Adaptation flashcards

1 cards from the 8 in this chapter.

Steps of CPR (adult)?

Compressions (30) → Airway (open) → Breathing (2 breaths). CAB sequence.

Practise the full chapter

These are a sample. The full Physiological Adaptation chapter runs 32 items with per-chapter progress tracking, on the web and in the iOS app.

Open NCLEX-PN in CoStudy →

Other NCLEX-PN chapters

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