1|Page
NUR 170 Med Surg Exam 2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest
Already Graded A+
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
assessment finding indicates that the medication is effective?
A) Decreased peripheral edema
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Increased heart rate
D) Decreased urinary output
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes fluid excretion,
thereby reducing fluid volume overload, which manifests as decreased
peripheral edema, pulmonary congestion, and dyspnea. It would
decrease blood pressure, not increase it, and increase urinary output.
An increased heart rate is not a therapeutic effect of furosemide.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease who has a prescription for oxygen at 2 liters per minute via
nasal cannula. What is the primary rationale for using low-flow oxygen
in this patient?
,2|Page
A) To prevent oxygen toxicity
B) To maintain the hypoxic drive
C) To reduce the risk of infection
D) To prevent carbon dioxide narcosis
Answer: D
Explanation: Patients with advanced COPD may rely on hypoxic drive to
stimulate respiration. Administration of high-flow oxygen can eliminate
this drive, leading to hypoventilation and carbon dioxide narcosis. Low-
flow oxygen preserves the hypoxic drive and prevents respiratory
depression.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which
laboratory finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Decreased serum lipase
B) Elevated serum amylase
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Elevated serum calcium
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by the release of
pancreatic enzymes into the bloodstream, leading to elevated serum
amylase and lipase. Serum calcium may be decreased due to
saponification, not elevated. White blood cell count is often elevated
due to inflammation.
,3|Page
4. A patient with diabetes mellitus type 2 is started on metformin. What
is the most important teaching point regarding this medication?
A) Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset
B) Monitor blood glucose only once daily
C) Discontinue the medication if you develop a cough
D) Take the medication at bedtime
Answer: A
Explanation: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects
such as nausea and diarrhea. Taking it with food can help minimize
these effects. It is also important to monitor kidney function because
metformin is renally excreted. A persistent cough is not a typical side
effect requiring discontinuation.
5. A patient is admitted with chest pain and elevated troponin I. The
nurse recognizes that this finding indicates:
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Pericarditis
D) Aortic dissection
Answer: B
, 4|Page
Explanation: Troponin I is a cardiac-specific biomarker that becomes
elevated in the bloodstream following myocardial injury. It is highly
sensitive and specific for myocardial infarction. Other conditions listed
do not typically elevate troponin I to the same degree.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a
thyroidectomy. Which immediate postoperative complication is of
greatest concern?
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Hypothyroidism
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: During thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be
accidentally removed or damaged, leading to hypocalcemia. This can
cause life-threatening laryngeal spasm and tetany. The nurse should
monitor for Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs and have calcium
gluconate available.
7. A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. The nurse understands that
ascites is primarily caused by:
A) Increased aldosterone secretion
B) Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
C) Decreased antidiuretic hormone
NUR 170 Med Surg Exam 2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest
Already Graded A+
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
assessment finding indicates that the medication is effective?
A) Decreased peripheral edema
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Increased heart rate
D) Decreased urinary output
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes fluid excretion,
thereby reducing fluid volume overload, which manifests as decreased
peripheral edema, pulmonary congestion, and dyspnea. It would
decrease blood pressure, not increase it, and increase urinary output.
An increased heart rate is not a therapeutic effect of furosemide.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease who has a prescription for oxygen at 2 liters per minute via
nasal cannula. What is the primary rationale for using low-flow oxygen
in this patient?
,2|Page
A) To prevent oxygen toxicity
B) To maintain the hypoxic drive
C) To reduce the risk of infection
D) To prevent carbon dioxide narcosis
Answer: D
Explanation: Patients with advanced COPD may rely on hypoxic drive to
stimulate respiration. Administration of high-flow oxygen can eliminate
this drive, leading to hypoventilation and carbon dioxide narcosis. Low-
flow oxygen preserves the hypoxic drive and prevents respiratory
depression.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which
laboratory finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Decreased serum lipase
B) Elevated serum amylase
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Elevated serum calcium
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by the release of
pancreatic enzymes into the bloodstream, leading to elevated serum
amylase and lipase. Serum calcium may be decreased due to
saponification, not elevated. White blood cell count is often elevated
due to inflammation.
,3|Page
4. A patient with diabetes mellitus type 2 is started on metformin. What
is the most important teaching point regarding this medication?
A) Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset
B) Monitor blood glucose only once daily
C) Discontinue the medication if you develop a cough
D) Take the medication at bedtime
Answer: A
Explanation: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects
such as nausea and diarrhea. Taking it with food can help minimize
these effects. It is also important to monitor kidney function because
metformin is renally excreted. A persistent cough is not a typical side
effect requiring discontinuation.
5. A patient is admitted with chest pain and elevated troponin I. The
nurse recognizes that this finding indicates:
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Pericarditis
D) Aortic dissection
Answer: B
, 4|Page
Explanation: Troponin I is a cardiac-specific biomarker that becomes
elevated in the bloodstream following myocardial injury. It is highly
sensitive and specific for myocardial infarction. Other conditions listed
do not typically elevate troponin I to the same degree.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a
thyroidectomy. Which immediate postoperative complication is of
greatest concern?
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Hypothyroidism
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: During thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be
accidentally removed or damaged, leading to hypocalcemia. This can
cause life-threatening laryngeal spasm and tetany. The nurse should
monitor for Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs and have calcium
gluconate available.
7. A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. The nurse understands that
ascites is primarily caused by:
A) Increased aldosterone secretion
B) Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
C) Decreased antidiuretic hormone
