Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
Exam Study Questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade
A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, SOB, malaise and a
newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse will
begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
a. lifestyle modifications.
b. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
d. the need for fluid restrictions.
- correct answer c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastatin (Prevachol). The nurse should teach the
patent about which of the following side effects for this medication?
a. Muscle weakness
b. Flushing
c. Itching
d. Hypotension
- correct answer a. Muscle weakness
Ms. Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary care
unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of chest
pressure. Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and
improve cardiac output?
a. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
b. Diazepam (Valium)
c. Morphine sulfate (MS)
, d. Dopamine (Intropin)
- correct answer c. Morphine sulfate (MS)
The nurse's assessment of Mr. Harrison's response to digoxin will include which of the following as the
most common early indicator of toxicity.
a. Anorexia
b. Diarrhea
c. Headache
d. Confusion
- correct answer a. Anorexia
The nurse is also aware that some of Mr. Harrison's medications can increase serum digitalis
concentrations and thus the risk for digoxin toxicity. These include:
a. calcium carbonate (Tums)
b. cholestyramine (Questran)
c. sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
d. amiodarone (Cordarone)
- correct answer d. amiodarone (Cordarone)
The nurse teaches Ms. Pratt about the use of nitroglycerin. Following teaching, it is most important for
the patient to:
a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain.
b. identify flushing and dizziness as common side effects of the drug.
c. verbalize understanding that nitroglycerin will help prevent her from having a myocardial infarction
(MI)
d. confirm she will not take the drug unless she is experiencing chest pain.
- correct answer a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest
pain.
A 68 year old female is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Her
cardiac history includes three previous MIs and three coronary artery bypass grafts. The patient's
appetite is unchanged. Which dietary restriction would be the highest priority for this patient?
a. Low cholesterol
Exam Study Questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade
A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, SOB, malaise and a
newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse will
begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
a. lifestyle modifications.
b. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
d. the need for fluid restrictions.
- correct answer c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastatin (Prevachol). The nurse should teach the
patent about which of the following side effects for this medication?
a. Muscle weakness
b. Flushing
c. Itching
d. Hypotension
- correct answer a. Muscle weakness
Ms. Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary care
unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of chest
pressure. Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and
improve cardiac output?
a. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
b. Diazepam (Valium)
c. Morphine sulfate (MS)
, d. Dopamine (Intropin)
- correct answer c. Morphine sulfate (MS)
The nurse's assessment of Mr. Harrison's response to digoxin will include which of the following as the
most common early indicator of toxicity.
a. Anorexia
b. Diarrhea
c. Headache
d. Confusion
- correct answer a. Anorexia
The nurse is also aware that some of Mr. Harrison's medications can increase serum digitalis
concentrations and thus the risk for digoxin toxicity. These include:
a. calcium carbonate (Tums)
b. cholestyramine (Questran)
c. sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
d. amiodarone (Cordarone)
- correct answer d. amiodarone (Cordarone)
The nurse teaches Ms. Pratt about the use of nitroglycerin. Following teaching, it is most important for
the patient to:
a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain.
b. identify flushing and dizziness as common side effects of the drug.
c. verbalize understanding that nitroglycerin will help prevent her from having a myocardial infarction
(MI)
d. confirm she will not take the drug unless she is experiencing chest pain.
- correct answer a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest
pain.
A 68 year old female is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Her
cardiac history includes three previous MIs and three coronary artery bypass grafts. The patient's
appetite is unchanged. Which dietary restriction would be the highest priority for this patient?
a. Low cholesterol
