MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I EXAM
1 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 122 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is
the highest priority?
A. Encouraging increased oral fluid intake
B. Administering hypotonic intravenous fluids
C. Implementing seizure precautions and monitoring neurological status
D. Administering intravenous diuretics as ordered
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A sodium level of 122 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia,
which puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema and seizures. Safety through seizure
precautions is the priority.
2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
,B. Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis
C. Compensated Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Uncompensated Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3 is normal, indicating that the kidneys have not yet compensated for the
respiratory imbalance.
3. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas and avocados.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Document the food allergy in the chart only
B. Ask the patient if they are also allergic to shellfish
C. Notify the kitchen to avoid these foods in the patient’s diet
D. Alert the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain fruits
(bananas, avocados, kiwis) and latex. This requires immediate notification to the surgical
team to ensure a latex-free environment.
, 4. Which early clinical manifestation should the nurse monitor for in a patient suspected of
developing Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit
B. Sudden drop in blood pressure
C. Generalized muscle rigidity and increased end-tidal CO2
D. Profuse sweating and bradycardia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle rigidity (especially of the jaw) and a rise in end-tidal
carbon dioxide are the earliest signs of Malignant Hyperthermia. Fever is a late sign.
5. A postoperative patient has a surgical wound that has eviscerated. What is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Cover the wound with a dry sterile dressing and tape tightly
C. Gently push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position to assist breathing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The protruding organs
must be kept moist with sterile saline to prevent tissue necrosis while waiting for
emergency surgery.
1 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 122 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is
the highest priority?
A. Encouraging increased oral fluid intake
B. Administering hypotonic intravenous fluids
C. Implementing seizure precautions and monitoring neurological status
D. Administering intravenous diuretics as ordered
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A sodium level of 122 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia,
which puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema and seizures. Safety through seizure
precautions is the priority.
2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
,B. Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis
C. Compensated Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Uncompensated Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3 is normal, indicating that the kidneys have not yet compensated for the
respiratory imbalance.
3. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas and avocados.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Document the food allergy in the chart only
B. Ask the patient if they are also allergic to shellfish
C. Notify the kitchen to avoid these foods in the patient’s diet
D. Alert the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain fruits
(bananas, avocados, kiwis) and latex. This requires immediate notification to the surgical
team to ensure a latex-free environment.
, 4. Which early clinical manifestation should the nurse monitor for in a patient suspected of
developing Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit
B. Sudden drop in blood pressure
C. Generalized muscle rigidity and increased end-tidal CO2
D. Profuse sweating and bradycardia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle rigidity (especially of the jaw) and a rise in end-tidal
carbon dioxide are the earliest signs of Malignant Hyperthermia. Fever is a late sign.
5. A postoperative patient has a surgical wound that has eviscerated. What is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Cover the wound with a dry sterile dressing and tape tightly
C. Gently push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position to assist breathing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The protruding organs
must be kept moist with sterile saline to prevent tissue necrosis while waiting for
emergency surgery.
