NUR 170 Exam 3 Med Surg | 160 Study Questions and Answers
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+ Expert Rationales | 2026 Updated | 100% correct
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Testbankscove
,Question 1 w
Which statement indicates to the nurse that a client with fibromyalgia syndrome is
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w using a complementary therapy to help relieve symptoms?
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A) "Focusing on the slow stretching movements and my breathing in tai chi
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w helps me relax."
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B) "I prefer to take pain medication instead of doing exercises."
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C) "I find that ignoring my symptoms is the best approach."
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D) "I only use hot baths to relieve my pain."
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Correct Answer: A w w
Rationale: Tai chi is considered a complementary and alternative therapy (mind-
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body practice). The other options describe medication, denial, or a standard physical
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w modality (heat), not specifically a
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,Question 2 w
A client with heart failure reports a 7.6-pound (3.4 kg) weight gain in the past
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week. What intervention does the nurse anticipate from the primary health care
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provider?
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A) Abdominal girth monitoring w w
B) Blood pressure monitoring
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C) Daily weight monitoring
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D) Fluid and electrolyte monitoring
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Correct Answer: C w w
Rationale: A 7.6-pound weight gain in a week is significant and indicates fluid retention
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w (hypervolemia). Daily weights are the most reliable indicator of fluid status in heart
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w failure. While other monitoring is important, daily weights are the direct intervention to
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w track fluid changes.
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Question 3 w
Which client has pain most consistent with myocardial infarction (MI) requiring
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w notification of the health care provider?
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A) Client with mild discomfort in the left arm and stable vital signs
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B) Client with sharp chest pain and normal ECG
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C) Client with tightness in the throat and normal heart rate
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D) Client with pressure in the mid-abdomen and profound diaphoresis
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Correct Answer: D w w
Rationale: Profound diaphoresis (sweating) with mid-abdominal pressure is a classic
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w atypical presentation of MI, especially in women, the elderly, and diabetics. This
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w requires immediate notification. Stable vitals and normal ECG in the other options
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w make them less emergent.
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, Question 4 w
Which laboratory finding is consistent with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
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A) Carvedilol (Coreg) w
B) Shortness of breath and chest painw w w w w
C) "I no longer need my heart pills."
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D) Troponin 3.2 ng/mL (3.2 mcg/L)w w w w
Correct Answer: D
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Rationale: A troponin level of 3.2 ng/mL is significantly elevated (normal is <0.04
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w ng/mL). Troponin is a cardiac biomarker that is released when myocardial damage
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w occurs, making it diagnostic for ACS.
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Question 5 w
Which sign/symptom is essential for the nurse to report to the primary health care
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w provider (PCP) when caring for a client with Raynaud's phenomenon?
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A) The affected extremity becomes purple and cold.
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B) The affected extremity turns bright red and swollen.
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C) The affected extremity remains normal in color.
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D) The affected extremity becomes warm and flushed.
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Correct Answer: A
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Rationale: Purple and cold indicates severe vasospasm and ischemia, which can
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w progress to tissue necrosis and gangrene. This requires immediate reporting. Bright
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w red/swollen or warm/flushed indicates reperfusion or infection.
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Question 6 w
Which diagnostic test result is consistent with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF)?
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A) Troponin level of 0.05 ng/mL w w w w