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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 201 – MEDICAL-
SURGICAL NURSING COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES 2026/27 GRADED A+ 100%
GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Renal,
Neurological, Musculoskeletal, and Oncology Nursing
QUESTION 1
A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 4 pounds in 2
days and increased shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Encourage the patient to rest
B) Administer a diuretic as ordered
C) Assess lung sounds and oxygen saturation
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's current status, including
lung sounds and oxygen saturation, to determine the severity of fluid
overload. Weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 24 hours indicates worsening
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heart failure. After assessment, the provider should be notified and
diuretics administered as ordered.
QUESTION 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Yellow-green halos around lights
C) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances, including yellow-green halos around
lights, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea,
vomiting, bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. A heart rate of 72 is
normal, and the other vital signs are within normal limits.
QUESTION 3
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an oxygen
saturation of 88 percent on room air. The nurse should administer
oxygen at what flow rate?
A) 1-2 liters per minute via nasal cannula
B) 4-6 liters per minute via nasal cannula
C) 8-10 liters per minute via non-rebreather mask
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D) 15 liters per minute via non-rebreather mask
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: COPD patients should receive low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min)
to avoid suppressing their hypoxic drive. High-flow oxygen can lead to
carbon dioxide retention and respiratory failure. The goal for COPD
patients is typically SpO2 of 88-92 percent.
QUESTION 4
A patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Wheezing on expiration
B) Dullness on percussion with crackles
C) Hyperresonance on percussion
D) Diminished breath sounds with wheezes
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia presents with dullness on percussion (due to
consolidation) and crackles on auscultation. Wheezing is associated with
asthma or COPD. Hyperresonance suggests pneumothorax or
emphysema. Diminished breath sounds may indicate pleural effusion or
atelectasis.
QUESTION 5
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A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 320 mg/dL and is
experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and fatigue. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Administer insulin as ordered
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Monitor for signs of ketoacidosis
D) All of the above
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: All actions are appropriate. The patient needs insulin to lower
glucose, fluids to prevent dehydration, and close monitoring for diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA can present with fruity breath, Kussmaul
respirations, and altered mental status.
QUESTION 6
A patient is post-operative day 1 after abdominal surgery and reports
severe pain. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
A) Wound inspection
B) Bowel sounds
C) Pain characteristics
D) Vital signs
Verified Answer: C
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 201 – MEDICAL-
SURGICAL NURSING COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES 2026/27 GRADED A+ 100%
GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Renal,
Neurological, Musculoskeletal, and Oncology Nursing
QUESTION 1
A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 4 pounds in 2
days and increased shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Encourage the patient to rest
B) Administer a diuretic as ordered
C) Assess lung sounds and oxygen saturation
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's current status, including
lung sounds and oxygen saturation, to determine the severity of fluid
overload. Weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 24 hours indicates worsening
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heart failure. After assessment, the provider should be notified and
diuretics administered as ordered.
QUESTION 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Yellow-green halos around lights
C) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances, including yellow-green halos around
lights, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea,
vomiting, bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. A heart rate of 72 is
normal, and the other vital signs are within normal limits.
QUESTION 3
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an oxygen
saturation of 88 percent on room air. The nurse should administer
oxygen at what flow rate?
A) 1-2 liters per minute via nasal cannula
B) 4-6 liters per minute via nasal cannula
C) 8-10 liters per minute via non-rebreather mask
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D) 15 liters per minute via non-rebreather mask
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: COPD patients should receive low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min)
to avoid suppressing their hypoxic drive. High-flow oxygen can lead to
carbon dioxide retention and respiratory failure. The goal for COPD
patients is typically SpO2 of 88-92 percent.
QUESTION 4
A patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Wheezing on expiration
B) Dullness on percussion with crackles
C) Hyperresonance on percussion
D) Diminished breath sounds with wheezes
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia presents with dullness on percussion (due to
consolidation) and crackles on auscultation. Wheezing is associated with
asthma or COPD. Hyperresonance suggests pneumothorax or
emphysema. Diminished breath sounds may indicate pleural effusion or
atelectasis.
QUESTION 5
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A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 320 mg/dL and is
experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and fatigue. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Administer insulin as ordered
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Monitor for signs of ketoacidosis
D) All of the above
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: All actions are appropriate. The patient needs insulin to lower
glucose, fluids to prevent dehydration, and close monitoring for diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA can present with fruity breath, Kussmaul
respirations, and altered mental status.
QUESTION 6
A patient is post-operative day 1 after abdominal surgery and reports
severe pain. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
A) Wound inspection
B) Bowel sounds
C) Pain characteristics
D) Vital signs
Verified Answer: C
