NUR 209/NUR209 EXAM 2 V1 | MEDICAL
SURGICAL NURSING II QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is being assessed. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Peripheral edema
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump efficiently, causing fluid to back up into the lungs, resulting
in crackles.
2. When assessing a patient for right-sided heart failure, which finding is most characteristic
of this condition?
A. Orthopnea
B. Dyspnea on exertion
,C. Pulmonary edema
D. Dependent edema
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Right-sided heart failure results in systemic venous congestion,
leading to dependent edema (swelling in the feet and legs), JVD, and hepatomegaly.
3. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum magnesium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of Digoxin
toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for binding sites on the sodium-potassium
ATPase pump.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed a dry, hacking cough after starting
Lisinopril. What is the most likely cause?
A. Allergic reaction to the drug
B. An accumulation of bradykinin
, C. Development of pulmonary edema
D. A secondary upper respiratory infection
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril prevent the breakdown of
bradykinin, which can accumulate in the lungs and cause a persistent dry cough in some
patients.
5. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which medication class
should the nurse question if prescribed?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Non-selective beta-blockers
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Thiazide diuretics
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block beta-2
receptors in the lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction and trigger asthma attacks.
6. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should
the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
SURGICAL NURSING II QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is being assessed. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Peripheral edema
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump efficiently, causing fluid to back up into the lungs, resulting
in crackles.
2. When assessing a patient for right-sided heart failure, which finding is most characteristic
of this condition?
A. Orthopnea
B. Dyspnea on exertion
,C. Pulmonary edema
D. Dependent edema
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Right-sided heart failure results in systemic venous congestion,
leading to dependent edema (swelling in the feet and legs), JVD, and hepatomegaly.
3. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum magnesium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of Digoxin
toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for binding sites on the sodium-potassium
ATPase pump.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed a dry, hacking cough after starting
Lisinopril. What is the most likely cause?
A. Allergic reaction to the drug
B. An accumulation of bradykinin
, C. Development of pulmonary edema
D. A secondary upper respiratory infection
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril prevent the breakdown of
bradykinin, which can accumulate in the lungs and cause a persistent dry cough in some
patients.
5. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which medication class
should the nurse question if prescribed?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Non-selective beta-blockers
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Thiazide diuretics
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block beta-2
receptors in the lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction and trigger asthma attacks.
6. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should
the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
