Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam PRACTICE TEST
2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
,UNIT 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE BALANCE (Questions 1–10)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
B) Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C) Serum calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D) Serum magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. A potassium
level of 3.1 mEq/L is below normal (3.5–5.0 mEq/L) and places the client at risk
for dysrhythmias. Close monitoring and potassium replacement are essential.
,2. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which assessment finding would the
nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Hypertension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a classic sign of dehydration due to
decreased interstitial fluid. Bounding pulse, hypertension, and edema are signs
of fluid overload, not dehydration.
, 3. A client's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg, HCO₃ 24
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: pH < 7.35 indicates acidosis. Elevated PaCO₂ (> 45 mm Hg) with a
normal HCO₃ indicates the respiratory system is the cause. This is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
,UNIT 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE BALANCE (Questions 1–10)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
B) Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C) Serum calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D) Serum magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. A potassium
level of 3.1 mEq/L is below normal (3.5–5.0 mEq/L) and places the client at risk
for dysrhythmias. Close monitoring and potassium replacement are essential.
,2. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which assessment finding would the
nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Hypertension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a classic sign of dehydration due to
decreased interstitial fluid. Bounding pulse, hypertension, and edema are signs
of fluid overload, not dehydration.
, 3. A client's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg, HCO₃ 24
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: pH < 7.35 indicates acidosis. Elevated PaCO₂ (> 45 mm Hg) with a
normal HCO₃ indicates the respiratory system is the cause. This is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
