MED-SURG CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES|ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A patient who has type 2 diabetes is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg) for
hypertension. The nurse monitors for
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypercalcemia - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A. Hypoglycemia
In patients with DM, Coreg may increase the effects of hypoglycemic drugs
(prevent adrenalin from stimulating the liver to make glucose) and mask
symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Which of the following is an AHA recommendation for patients with coronary
artery disease for stroke prevention?
A. Fibrate therapy
B. Heparin therapy
C. Beta-blocker therapy
D. Aspirin therapy - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- D. Aspirin therapy
This is a core measure for patients with CAD
Heparin is not indicated nor is it really sustainable for home use, betablockers
don't decrease your risk of stroke directly although it does reduce bp which
reduces risk of stroke
A client complains of crushing chest pain that radiates to his left arm. Which of
the following treatments should you anticipate:
A. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and morphine
B. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and codeine
C. Oxygen, nitroglycerin, meperidine, and thrombolytics
1
,D. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroprusside, and morphine - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A.
Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and morphine
MONA
A patient is recovering from an uncomplicated MI. Which of the following
rehabilitation guidelines is a priority to include in the teaching plan?
A. Refrain from sexual activity for a minimum of 3 weeks.
B. Plan a diet program that aims for a 1- to 2-pound weight loss per week.
C. Begin an exercise program that aims for at least five 30-minute sessions per
week.
D. Consider the use of erectile agents and prophylactic NTG before engaging in
sexual activity. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C
Avoid intercourse for 4-6 weeks
The need for a weight loss plan would be patient specific
You do not want to mix nitrates and ED meds because this can cause and unsafe
drop in BP
The most common finding in individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death is:
A. aortic valve disease
B. mitral valve disease
C. left ventricular dysfunction
D. atherosclerotic heart disease - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C. left ventricular
dysfunction
Those with LV dysfunction are at high risk for ventricular arrythmias. Typically, the
LV dysfunction is secondary to MI, cardiomyopathy or advanced heart failure.
A patient with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) complains of chest pain
while walking to the restroom. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess patient's vital signs
B. Instruct patient to sit down
C. Obtain a STAT EKG
2
,D. Call the physician - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. Instruct patient to sit down
Having the patient sit down reduces myocardial oxygen demand to help relieve
pain and take stress off the heart. The other actions are important, but would
come after having the patient sit down to ensure safety.
The key diagnostic test for heart failure is:
A. Serum potassium
B. B-type natriuretic peptide
C. Troponin I
D. Cardiac enzymes - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. B-type natriuretic peptide
Hyperkalemia can be common in heart failure secondary to treatments like ACE
inhibitors and betablockers can cause the kidneys to retain potassium, similarly
diuretic can be used to treat fluid overload associated with heart failure, the
desired effect achieving of high urine output to decrease preload can also lead to
low potassium levels
Troponin is the hallmark diagnostic test for acute coronary syndrome, has no
value with HF, same goes for cardiac enzymes
A nurse is instructing a patient taking diuretics for heart failure about foods that
are high in potassium to include in her daily diet. The nurse concludes that
additional education is needed when the client states that the food highest in
potassium is:
A. Spinach
B. Apples
C. Avocado
D. Sweet potatoes - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. Apples
From this list avocadoes have the most, followed by sweet potatoes, then
spinach. Apples have the least
Mr. Jones is 72 years old and admitted with an exacerbation of left-sided heart
failure. The nurse would expect to see which of these signs or symptoms?
3
, A.Hepatomegaly
B. Enlarged spleen
C. Oliguria
D. Ascites - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C. Oliguria
Left-sided HF - sodium and water retention and peripheral edema. Decreased
blood flow to the kidneys can lead to oliguria. Ascites, hepatomegaly, enlarged
spleen are signs of right-sided heart failure.
LEFT- Lungs and Kidneys
Mr. Jones develops acute pulmonary edema. In anticipation of the arrival of the
Rapid Response Team, the nurse should take which of these measures? (select all
that apply)
A. Place Mr. Jones in high Fowler's position.
B. Apply high-flow oxygen.
C. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A, B
This patient is going to feel like they're drowning in their lungs, and they are. Set
the patient upright immediately and supplement O2. Nitroglycerine is a
vasodilator and could be used to decrease afterload and strict urine output
measuring will be ideal when diuretic treatment is initiated but these are not your
initial steps at this time.
In preparing for discharge, Mr. Jones should receive education about which of
these types of medication?
A .Beta-adrenergic agonists
B. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
D. Prokinetic agents - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. ACE inhibitors
Ace inhibitors are commonly used to treat HF as are ARBs, beta blockers, calcium
channel blockers, and diuretics
4
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES|ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A patient who has type 2 diabetes is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg) for
hypertension. The nurse monitors for
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypercalcemia - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A. Hypoglycemia
In patients with DM, Coreg may increase the effects of hypoglycemic drugs
(prevent adrenalin from stimulating the liver to make glucose) and mask
symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Which of the following is an AHA recommendation for patients with coronary
artery disease for stroke prevention?
A. Fibrate therapy
B. Heparin therapy
C. Beta-blocker therapy
D. Aspirin therapy - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- D. Aspirin therapy
This is a core measure for patients with CAD
Heparin is not indicated nor is it really sustainable for home use, betablockers
don't decrease your risk of stroke directly although it does reduce bp which
reduces risk of stroke
A client complains of crushing chest pain that radiates to his left arm. Which of
the following treatments should you anticipate:
A. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and morphine
B. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and codeine
C. Oxygen, nitroglycerin, meperidine, and thrombolytics
1
,D. Aspirin, oxygen, nitroprusside, and morphine - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A.
Aspirin, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and morphine
MONA
A patient is recovering from an uncomplicated MI. Which of the following
rehabilitation guidelines is a priority to include in the teaching plan?
A. Refrain from sexual activity for a minimum of 3 weeks.
B. Plan a diet program that aims for a 1- to 2-pound weight loss per week.
C. Begin an exercise program that aims for at least five 30-minute sessions per
week.
D. Consider the use of erectile agents and prophylactic NTG before engaging in
sexual activity. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C
Avoid intercourse for 4-6 weeks
The need for a weight loss plan would be patient specific
You do not want to mix nitrates and ED meds because this can cause and unsafe
drop in BP
The most common finding in individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death is:
A. aortic valve disease
B. mitral valve disease
C. left ventricular dysfunction
D. atherosclerotic heart disease - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C. left ventricular
dysfunction
Those with LV dysfunction are at high risk for ventricular arrythmias. Typically, the
LV dysfunction is secondary to MI, cardiomyopathy or advanced heart failure.
A patient with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) complains of chest pain
while walking to the restroom. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess patient's vital signs
B. Instruct patient to sit down
C. Obtain a STAT EKG
2
,D. Call the physician - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. Instruct patient to sit down
Having the patient sit down reduces myocardial oxygen demand to help relieve
pain and take stress off the heart. The other actions are important, but would
come after having the patient sit down to ensure safety.
The key diagnostic test for heart failure is:
A. Serum potassium
B. B-type natriuretic peptide
C. Troponin I
D. Cardiac enzymes - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. B-type natriuretic peptide
Hyperkalemia can be common in heart failure secondary to treatments like ACE
inhibitors and betablockers can cause the kidneys to retain potassium, similarly
diuretic can be used to treat fluid overload associated with heart failure, the
desired effect achieving of high urine output to decrease preload can also lead to
low potassium levels
Troponin is the hallmark diagnostic test for acute coronary syndrome, has no
value with HF, same goes for cardiac enzymes
A nurse is instructing a patient taking diuretics for heart failure about foods that
are high in potassium to include in her daily diet. The nurse concludes that
additional education is needed when the client states that the food highest in
potassium is:
A. Spinach
B. Apples
C. Avocado
D. Sweet potatoes - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. Apples
From this list avocadoes have the most, followed by sweet potatoes, then
spinach. Apples have the least
Mr. Jones is 72 years old and admitted with an exacerbation of left-sided heart
failure. The nurse would expect to see which of these signs or symptoms?
3
, A.Hepatomegaly
B. Enlarged spleen
C. Oliguria
D. Ascites - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C. Oliguria
Left-sided HF - sodium and water retention and peripheral edema. Decreased
blood flow to the kidneys can lead to oliguria. Ascites, hepatomegaly, enlarged
spleen are signs of right-sided heart failure.
LEFT- Lungs and Kidneys
Mr. Jones develops acute pulmonary edema. In anticipation of the arrival of the
Rapid Response Team, the nurse should take which of these measures? (select all
that apply)
A. Place Mr. Jones in high Fowler's position.
B. Apply high-flow oxygen.
C. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- A, B
This patient is going to feel like they're drowning in their lungs, and they are. Set
the patient upright immediately and supplement O2. Nitroglycerine is a
vasodilator and could be used to decrease afterload and strict urine output
measuring will be ideal when diuretic treatment is initiated but these are not your
initial steps at this time.
In preparing for discharge, Mr. Jones should receive education about which of
these types of medication?
A .Beta-adrenergic agonists
B. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
D. Prokinetic agents - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- B. ACE inhibitors
Ace inhibitors are commonly used to treat HF as are ARBs, beta blockers, calcium
channel blockers, and diuretics
4
