• Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Complete Study
Guide 3 | Exam Prep | 1,500+
Comprehensive Q-bank Questions, Detailed
Rationales, Predictor Exams, Clinical Case
Studies, Practice Questions and Answers
with Rationales| (A+ Guarantee) | PDF
P 1
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The clinic nurse is preparing to teach a client about having a cardiac catheterization. What assessment must the
nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.
"Do you have glaucoma?"
B.
"Do you take any medication for Type II diabetes?"
C.
"Is your advance directive in order?"
D.
"Do any of your family members have heart disease?" –
Correct Answer :B
Rationale:
The iodine dye from the catheterization and metformin can cause the client to develop lactic acidosis.
Metformin is held 24 hours before the procedure and up to 48 hours after the procedure. There are no risks for
those who have glaucoma. Having an advance directive in place is the standard of care. History of heart disease
helps establish risk factors. Since the client is preparing for a heart catheterization, the client has the disease.
A 74-year-old male client is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of respiratory failure
secondary to pneumonia. Currently, the client is ventilator-dependent, with settings of tidal volume (VT) of 750
mL and an intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) rate of 10 breaths/min. Arterial blood gas (ABG) results are
as follows: pH, 7.48; PaCO2, 30 mm Hg; PaO2, 64 mm Hg; HCO3, 25 mEq/L; and FiO2, 0.80. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A.
Increase the ventilator VT to 850 mL.
B.
P 2
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
Decrease the ventilator IMV to a rate of 8 breaths/min.
C.
Reduce the FiO2 to 0.70 and redraw ABGs.
D.
Add 5 cm positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale:
Adding PEEP helps improve oxygenation while reducing FiO2 to a less toxic level. Options A, B, and C will not
result in improved oxygenation and could cause further complications for this client, who is experiencing
respiratory failure.
The nurse notes for the client undergoing peritoneal dialysis during the outflow phase the draining dialysate
suddenly stops. The outflow is one liter less than the inflow at this time. What is the next nursing action?
A.
Take the client's blood pressure.
B.
Take the client's weight.
C.
Call the health care provider (HCP).
D.
Have the client change positions. –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale:
The outflow should match the inflow. With repositioning fluid trapped within the peritoneum may be
repositioned to the proximity of the abdominal catheter. While the vital signs and the weight may support the
additional fluid, they do not address the cause of the reduced outflow. At this time, there is no medical
emergency to notify the HCP.
P 3
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The post-operative client states to the nurse, "I hate the feeling of those compression stockings as they inflate
and deflate all the time. It keeps me awake." What is the nurse's best response?
A.
"They are for your own good."
B.
"Your health care provider ordered them. You have no choice but to wear them."
C.
"They are to help prevent blood clots. Do don't want that to happen, do you?"
D.
"Tell me what you know about the intermittent compression stockings." –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale
:The purpose of the intermittent compression stockings is to decrease the risk of blood clots forming in the legs.
By assessing the client's knowledge about the devise, the nurse can determine if the client is aware of the
potential for blood clots and the sequela that clots have. By answering "They are for your own good," the nurse
dismisses the client's concerns. Having no choice about treatment does not acknowledge client autonomy. The
"Do you want that to happen to you" is a statement using coercion by fear.
One day after a Billroth II surgery, the client suddenly grabs his right chest and becomes pale and diaphoretic.
Vital signs are assessed as blood pressure 100/80 mm Hg, pulse 110 beats/min, and respirations 36 breaths/min.
Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A.
Provide a paper bag for his hyperventilation.
B.
Administer a prescribed PRN analgesic.
C.
P 4
Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Complete Study
Guide 3 | Exam Prep | 1,500+
Comprehensive Q-bank Questions, Detailed
Rationales, Predictor Exams, Clinical Case
Studies, Practice Questions and Answers
with Rationales| (A+ Guarantee) | PDF
P 1
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The clinic nurse is preparing to teach a client about having a cardiac catheterization. What assessment must the
nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.
"Do you have glaucoma?"
B.
"Do you take any medication for Type II diabetes?"
C.
"Is your advance directive in order?"
D.
"Do any of your family members have heart disease?" –
Correct Answer :B
Rationale:
The iodine dye from the catheterization and metformin can cause the client to develop lactic acidosis.
Metformin is held 24 hours before the procedure and up to 48 hours after the procedure. There are no risks for
those who have glaucoma. Having an advance directive in place is the standard of care. History of heart disease
helps establish risk factors. Since the client is preparing for a heart catheterization, the client has the disease.
A 74-year-old male client is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of respiratory failure
secondary to pneumonia. Currently, the client is ventilator-dependent, with settings of tidal volume (VT) of 750
mL and an intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) rate of 10 breaths/min. Arterial blood gas (ABG) results are
as follows: pH, 7.48; PaCO2, 30 mm Hg; PaO2, 64 mm Hg; HCO3, 25 mEq/L; and FiO2, 0.80. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A.
Increase the ventilator VT to 850 mL.
B.
P 2
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
Decrease the ventilator IMV to a rate of 8 breaths/min.
C.
Reduce the FiO2 to 0.70 and redraw ABGs.
D.
Add 5 cm positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale:
Adding PEEP helps improve oxygenation while reducing FiO2 to a less toxic level. Options A, B, and C will not
result in improved oxygenation and could cause further complications for this client, who is experiencing
respiratory failure.
The nurse notes for the client undergoing peritoneal dialysis during the outflow phase the draining dialysate
suddenly stops. The outflow is one liter less than the inflow at this time. What is the next nursing action?
A.
Take the client's blood pressure.
B.
Take the client's weight.
C.
Call the health care provider (HCP).
D.
Have the client change positions. –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale:
The outflow should match the inflow. With repositioning fluid trapped within the peritoneum may be
repositioned to the proximity of the abdominal catheter. While the vital signs and the weight may support the
additional fluid, they do not address the cause of the reduced outflow. At this time, there is no medical
emergency to notify the HCP.
P 3
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The post-operative client states to the nurse, "I hate the feeling of those compression stockings as they inflate
and deflate all the time. It keeps me awake." What is the nurse's best response?
A.
"They are for your own good."
B.
"Your health care provider ordered them. You have no choice but to wear them."
C.
"They are to help prevent blood clots. Do don't want that to happen, do you?"
D.
"Tell me what you know about the intermittent compression stockings." –
Correct Answer :D
Rationale
:The purpose of the intermittent compression stockings is to decrease the risk of blood clots forming in the legs.
By assessing the client's knowledge about the devise, the nurse can determine if the client is aware of the
potential for blood clots and the sequela that clots have. By answering "They are for your own good," the nurse
dismisses the client's concerns. Having no choice about treatment does not acknowledge client autonomy. The
"Do you want that to happen to you" is a statement using coercion by fear.
One day after a Billroth II surgery, the client suddenly grabs his right chest and becomes pale and diaphoretic.
Vital signs are assessed as blood pressure 100/80 mm Hg, pulse 110 beats/min, and respirations 36 breaths/min.
Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A.
Provide a paper bag for his hyperventilation.
B.
Administer a prescribed PRN analgesic.
C.
P 4
