Med-Surg Practice Questions and Answers 2026 | Medical-Surgical
Nursing Exam Prep & Study Guide
Thexnursexisxcaringxforxfourxclientsxonxaxmedical-surgicalxunit.xWhichxclientxshouldxthex
nursexseexinitially?
1.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxhepatitisxAxwhoxhasxhadxseverexdiarrheaxforxthexlastx
24xhours
2.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxpneumoniaxwhoxisxhasxsmallxamountsxofxyellowx
productivexsputum
3.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxfeverxofxunknownxoriginx(FUO)xwhoxhasxbeenx
withoutxfeverxforxthexlastx48xhours
4.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxaxwoundxinfectionxwhosexWBCxisx8,500xmm3x-
xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x1
Rationale:xThexnursexmustxdecidexwhichxclientxshouldxbexseenxonxthexinitialxroundsxofxthex
day.xThexnursexmustxrememberxthatxthexfirstxclientxtoxbexseenxshouldxbexthexclientx
whoxneedsxthexattentionxofxthexnursexinitially.xAxclientxwithxhepatitisxAxdoesx
experiencexdiarrhea,xbutxdiarrheaxforxthexlastx24xhoursxcouldxcausexthexclientxtox
havexaxproblemxwithxdehydrationxandxexperiencexaxstatexofxfluidxvolumexdeficit.
Thexnursexisxpreparingxtoxadministerxinfluenzaxvaccinesxtoxaxmassxdrive-throughxclinic.x
Whichxstatementxbyxaxclientxwouldxindicatexfurtherxquestioningxpriorxtoxgivingxthexclientx
thexinfluenzaxvaccine?
1.x"Ixamxallergicxtoxhorsexhair."
2.x"Ixtryxtoxgetxmyxvaccinexeveryxyear."
3.x"Ixamxnotxallergicxtoxanythingxexceptxeggs."
4.x"Myxhusbandxhadxaxseverexallergicxreactionxafterxhexreceivedxhisxinfluenzax
vaccine."x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x3
,Rationale:xInfluenzaxvaccinesxarexrecommendedxforxpersonxatxhighxriskxforxseriousx
sequelaexofxinfluenza.xThexnursexshouldxbexawarexthatxclientxwithxaxsensitivityxtox
eggsxshouldxnotxreceivexthexvaccine.xVaccinesxpreparedxfromxchickenxorxduckx
embryosxarexcontraindicatedxinxclientsxwhoxarexallergicxtoxeggs.
Eachxclient'sxresponsextoxpainxmayxbexinfluencedxbyxmultiplexfactors.xSelectxallxthatx
apply:
a.xAge
b.xPastxexperiencexwithxpain
c.xCulturalxinfluences
d.xKnowledgex-xcorrectxanswerx ✅CorrectxAnswers:xa;xb;xc;xd
Rationale:xAllxfactorsxlistedxcanxinfluencexaxclient'sxresponsextoxpain.
Thexnursexisxcaringxforxfourxclientsxonxaxmedical-surgicalxunit.xThexsecretaryxgivesxthex
nursexthexmorningxlabs.xWhichxofxthexfollowingxlabsxwouldxrequirexthatxthexnursexcallxthex
physicianxandxinformxthexhealthcarexproviderxaboutxthexclient'sxabnormalities?
1.xWBCx14,600xmm3
2.xSerumxproteinx6.9xg/dL
3.xIx&xDx(incisionxandxdrainage)xshowingxnoxgrowthxforxthexlastx24xhours
4.xAlbuminx4.2xg/dLx-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x1
Rationale:xWhenxthexnursexisxcaringxforxseveralxclients,xallxofxthexlabsxshouldxbexcheckedx
frequentlyxthroughoutxthexshiftxtoxassessxforxanyxabnormalities.xThexWBCxinxoptionx1xisx
abnormal.x(NormalxWBCx4,000-10,000xmm3
.)xAllxofxthexotherxlabxresultsxarexwithinx
,acceptablexrange;xtherefore,xthexresultsxshouldxnotxbexcalledxinxtoxthexphysician.
Thexnursexisxorientingxaxnewxgraduate.xThexnursexisxreinforcingxtheximportancexofx
standardxprecautions.xWhichxofxthexfollowingxobservationsxbyxthexnursexwouldxrequirex
furtherxeducationxregardingxstandardxprecautions?
1.xThexgraduatexnursexunderstandsxtoxwashxhandsxwhenxenteringxandxexitingx
thexclient'sxroom.
2.xThexgraduatexnursexwearsxglovesxwhenxservingxbreakfastxtraysxtoxvariousx
clients.
3.xThexgraduatexnursexwearsxaxgown,xgloves,xandxgogglesxwhenxsuctioningxax
client.
4.xThexgraduatexnursexleavesxallxsuppliesxinxthexroomxofxaxclientxwhoxisxinx
contactxisolation.x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x2
Rationale:xThexnursexmustxhavexanxunderstandingxofxstandardxprecautions.xPreventionxisx
thexmostximportantxmeasurextoxpreventxnosocomialxinfections.xStandardx
precautionsxwerexpublishedxinx1996xthatxprovidexguidelinesxforxthexhandlingxofx
bloodxandxotherxbodyxfluids.xThesexguidelinesxarexusedxwithxallxclients,xregardlessx
ofxwhetherxtheyxhavexaxknownxinfectiousxdisease.xStandardxprecautionsxarexusedxbyxallxhealthcarexwor
kersxwhoxhavexdirectxcontactxwithxclientsxorxwithxtheirxbodyx
fluids.xItxisxnotxnecessaryxforxthexnursextoxwearxglovesxwhilexdeliveringxfoodxtraysx
toxthexclient,xbecausextherexisxnotxcontactxwithxthexclient.
Ax45-year-oldxwomanxpresentsxtoxthexambulatoryxclinicxforxaxgynecologicalx
examination.xThexhealthxhistoryxrevealsxnoxsignificantxpersonalxorxfamilyxmedicalxhistory.x
Whatxinformationxconcerningxhealth-promotionxbehaviorsxshouldxbexpresentedxtoxthex
client?x
, a.xItxisxtimextoxbeginxhavingxmammogramsxeveryxotherxyear.
b.xIfxthexclientxisxinxaxmonogamousxrelationship,xPapxsmearsxwillxnotxbexneeded.
c.xBonexdensityxexaminationsxarexindicatedxeveryxyear.
d.xRecommendedxcalciumxintakexisxatxleastx1,200xmgxperxday.x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:xd
Rationale:xThexrecommendedxcalciumxintakexisxatxleastx1,200xmgxperxday.xThisxwillxbex
beneficialxinxthexpreventionxofxosteoporosis.xWomenxshouldxbeginxhavingxannualx
mammogramsxbyxagex40.xPapxsmearsxarexcontinuedxforxwomenxinxmonogamousx
relationships.xForxwomenxwithxnoxsignificantxriskxforxthexdevelopmentxofxosteoporosis,x
bonexdensityxexaminationsxshouldxbexdonexeveryxotherxyear.
Thexadmittingxdepartmentxalertsxthexnursexonxaxmedical-surgicalxunitxthatxaxclientxwithx
activextuberculosisx(TB)xisxbeingxadmittedxtoxthexunit.xWhichxtypexofxisolationxisx
appropriatexbasedxonxthexclient'sxdiagnosis?
1.xStandardxprecautions
2.xAirbornexprecautions
3.xDropletxprecautions
4.xContactxprecautionsx-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x2
Inxadditionxtoxhandwashingxandxstandardxprecautions,xthexnaturexandxspreadxofxsomex
infectiousxdiseasesxrequirexthatxspecialxtechniquesxbexusedxtoxprotectxuninfectedxclientsx
andxworkers.xThexclientxwithxpulmonaryxtuberculosisxwillxbexplacedxinxairbornex
precautions.xThexclientxshouldxbexplacedxinxaxprivatexroomxwithxspecialxventilationxthatx
doesxnotxallowxairxtoxcirculatextoxgeneralxhospitalxventilation;xaxmaskxorxspecialxfilterx
respiratorsxwillxbexusedxforxeveryonexenteringxthexroom.
Ax75-year-oldxclientxseeksxcarexatxanxambulatoryxclinic.xThexclientxreportsxhavingx
experiencedxextremexdrowsinessxafterxrecentlyxtakingxdosagesxofxanxover-the-counterxcold
Nursing Exam Prep & Study Guide
Thexnursexisxcaringxforxfourxclientsxonxaxmedical-surgicalxunit.xWhichxclientxshouldxthex
nursexseexinitially?
1.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxhepatitisxAxwhoxhasxhadxseverexdiarrheaxforxthexlastx
24xhours
2.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxpneumoniaxwhoxisxhasxsmallxamountsxofxyellowx
productivexsputum
3.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxfeverxofxunknownxoriginx(FUO)xwhoxhasxbeenx
withoutxfeverxforxthexlastx48xhours
4.xAxclientxadmittedxwithxaxwoundxinfectionxwhosexWBCxisx8,500xmm3x-
xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x1
Rationale:xThexnursexmustxdecidexwhichxclientxshouldxbexseenxonxthexinitialxroundsxofxthex
day.xThexnursexmustxrememberxthatxthexfirstxclientxtoxbexseenxshouldxbexthexclientx
whoxneedsxthexattentionxofxthexnursexinitially.xAxclientxwithxhepatitisxAxdoesx
experiencexdiarrhea,xbutxdiarrheaxforxthexlastx24xhoursxcouldxcausexthexclientxtox
havexaxproblemxwithxdehydrationxandxexperiencexaxstatexofxfluidxvolumexdeficit.
Thexnursexisxpreparingxtoxadministerxinfluenzaxvaccinesxtoxaxmassxdrive-throughxclinic.x
Whichxstatementxbyxaxclientxwouldxindicatexfurtherxquestioningxpriorxtoxgivingxthexclientx
thexinfluenzaxvaccine?
1.x"Ixamxallergicxtoxhorsexhair."
2.x"Ixtryxtoxgetxmyxvaccinexeveryxyear."
3.x"Ixamxnotxallergicxtoxanythingxexceptxeggs."
4.x"Myxhusbandxhadxaxseverexallergicxreactionxafterxhexreceivedxhisxinfluenzax
vaccine."x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x3
,Rationale:xInfluenzaxvaccinesxarexrecommendedxforxpersonxatxhighxriskxforxseriousx
sequelaexofxinfluenza.xThexnursexshouldxbexawarexthatxclientxwithxaxsensitivityxtox
eggsxshouldxnotxreceivexthexvaccine.xVaccinesxpreparedxfromxchickenxorxduckx
embryosxarexcontraindicatedxinxclientsxwhoxarexallergicxtoxeggs.
Eachxclient'sxresponsextoxpainxmayxbexinfluencedxbyxmultiplexfactors.xSelectxallxthatx
apply:
a.xAge
b.xPastxexperiencexwithxpain
c.xCulturalxinfluences
d.xKnowledgex-xcorrectxanswerx ✅CorrectxAnswers:xa;xb;xc;xd
Rationale:xAllxfactorsxlistedxcanxinfluencexaxclient'sxresponsextoxpain.
Thexnursexisxcaringxforxfourxclientsxonxaxmedical-surgicalxunit.xThexsecretaryxgivesxthex
nursexthexmorningxlabs.xWhichxofxthexfollowingxlabsxwouldxrequirexthatxthexnursexcallxthex
physicianxandxinformxthexhealthcarexproviderxaboutxthexclient'sxabnormalities?
1.xWBCx14,600xmm3
2.xSerumxproteinx6.9xg/dL
3.xIx&xDx(incisionxandxdrainage)xshowingxnoxgrowthxforxthexlastx24xhours
4.xAlbuminx4.2xg/dLx-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x1
Rationale:xWhenxthexnursexisxcaringxforxseveralxclients,xallxofxthexlabsxshouldxbexcheckedx
frequentlyxthroughoutxthexshiftxtoxassessxforxanyxabnormalities.xThexWBCxinxoptionx1xisx
abnormal.x(NormalxWBCx4,000-10,000xmm3
.)xAllxofxthexotherxlabxresultsxarexwithinx
,acceptablexrange;xtherefore,xthexresultsxshouldxnotxbexcalledxinxtoxthexphysician.
Thexnursexisxorientingxaxnewxgraduate.xThexnursexisxreinforcingxtheximportancexofx
standardxprecautions.xWhichxofxthexfollowingxobservationsxbyxthexnursexwouldxrequirex
furtherxeducationxregardingxstandardxprecautions?
1.xThexgraduatexnursexunderstandsxtoxwashxhandsxwhenxenteringxandxexitingx
thexclient'sxroom.
2.xThexgraduatexnursexwearsxglovesxwhenxservingxbreakfastxtraysxtoxvariousx
clients.
3.xThexgraduatexnursexwearsxaxgown,xgloves,xandxgogglesxwhenxsuctioningxax
client.
4.xThexgraduatexnursexleavesxallxsuppliesxinxthexroomxofxaxclientxwhoxisxinx
contactxisolation.x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x2
Rationale:xThexnursexmustxhavexanxunderstandingxofxstandardxprecautions.xPreventionxisx
thexmostximportantxmeasurextoxpreventxnosocomialxinfections.xStandardx
precautionsxwerexpublishedxinx1996xthatxprovidexguidelinesxforxthexhandlingxofx
bloodxandxotherxbodyxfluids.xThesexguidelinesxarexusedxwithxallxclients,xregardlessx
ofxwhetherxtheyxhavexaxknownxinfectiousxdisease.xStandardxprecautionsxarexusedxbyxallxhealthcarexwor
kersxwhoxhavexdirectxcontactxwithxclientsxorxwithxtheirxbodyx
fluids.xItxisxnotxnecessaryxforxthexnursextoxwearxglovesxwhilexdeliveringxfoodxtraysx
toxthexclient,xbecausextherexisxnotxcontactxwithxthexclient.
Ax45-year-oldxwomanxpresentsxtoxthexambulatoryxclinicxforxaxgynecologicalx
examination.xThexhealthxhistoryxrevealsxnoxsignificantxpersonalxorxfamilyxmedicalxhistory.x
Whatxinformationxconcerningxhealth-promotionxbehaviorsxshouldxbexpresentedxtoxthex
client?x
, a.xItxisxtimextoxbeginxhavingxmammogramsxeveryxotherxyear.
b.xIfxthexclientxisxinxaxmonogamousxrelationship,xPapxsmearsxwillxnotxbexneeded.
c.xBonexdensityxexaminationsxarexindicatedxeveryxyear.
d.xRecommendedxcalciumxintakexisxatxleastx1,200xmgxperxday.x-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:xd
Rationale:xThexrecommendedxcalciumxintakexisxatxleastx1,200xmgxperxday.xThisxwillxbex
beneficialxinxthexpreventionxofxosteoporosis.xWomenxshouldxbeginxhavingxannualx
mammogramsxbyxagex40.xPapxsmearsxarexcontinuedxforxwomenxinxmonogamousx
relationships.xForxwomenxwithxnoxsignificantxriskxforxthexdevelopmentxofxosteoporosis,x
bonexdensityxexaminationsxshouldxbexdonexeveryxotherxyear.
Thexadmittingxdepartmentxalertsxthexnursexonxaxmedical-surgicalxunitxthatxaxclientxwithx
activextuberculosisx(TB)xisxbeingxadmittedxtoxthexunit.xWhichxtypexofxisolationxisx
appropriatexbasedxonxthexclient'sxdiagnosis?
1.xStandardxprecautions
2.xAirbornexprecautions
3.xDropletxprecautions
4.xContactxprecautionsx-xcorrectxanswerx ✅Answer:x2
Inxadditionxtoxhandwashingxandxstandardxprecautions,xthexnaturexandxspreadxofxsomex
infectiousxdiseasesxrequirexthatxspecialxtechniquesxbexusedxtoxprotectxuninfectedxclientsx
andxworkers.xThexclientxwithxpulmonaryxtuberculosisxwillxbexplacedxinxairbornex
precautions.xThexclientxshouldxbexplacedxinxaxprivatexroomxwithxspecialxventilationxthatx
doesxnotxallowxairxtoxcirculatextoxgeneralxhospitalxventilation;xaxmaskxorxspecialxfilterx
respiratorsxwillxbexusedxforxeveryonexenteringxthexroom.
Ax75-year-oldxclientxseeksxcarexatxanxambulatoryxclinic.xThexclientxreportsxhavingx
experiencedxextremexdrowsinessxafterxrecentlyxtakingxdosagesxofxanxover-the-counterxcold
