Surgical Form A Exam
2026/2027 – Practice Questions
& Answers with Detailed
Rationales Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypovolemic
shock. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
B. Heart rate of 104/min
C. Urine output of 10 mL/hr
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: C. Urine output of 10 mL/hr
Rationale: Urine output below approximately 30 mL/hr in an
adult may indicate inadequate renal perfusion and worsening
hypovolemia. This finding requires prompt intervention and
evaluation.
,Question 2
A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of
breath and has bilateral crackles. Which intervention should the
nurse perform first?
A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Place the patient in a supine position
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and
decreases venous return, helping reduce pulmonary congestion
and respiratory distress.
Question 3
A patient receiving digoxin has an apical pulse of 52/min. What
should the nurse do?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Give the medication with food
D. Recheck the pulse after ambulation
Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Bradycardia can indicate digoxin toxicity or
excessive therapeutic effect. The nurse should withhold the
,medication and notify the provider according to facility
parameters.
Question 4
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which
nursing action is appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen at the highest possible flow rate
B. Maintain oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate
C. Discontinue oxygen when the patient becomes dyspneic
D. Encourage prolonged breath-holding
Answer: B. Maintain oxygen at the prescribed low-flow rate
Rationale: Some patients with chronic CO₂ retention require
carefully titrated oxygen therapy. Oxygen should be
administered according to the prescription and monitored with
respiratory status and oxygen saturation.
Question 5
A patient with diabetes mellitus is awake, sweating, and
experiencing tremors. The blood glucose level is 54 mg/dL.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Give approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Administer glucagon immediately
D. Encourage the patient to exercise
, Answer: B. Give approximately 15 g of rapid-acting
carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious patient with symptomatic hypoglycemia
should receive a rapid source of carbohydrate, followed by
reassessment of glucose according to the facility protocol.
Question 6
A patient with a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L is being
monitored. Which ECG finding is associated with
hyperkalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. ST-segment elevation only
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: A. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can produce tall, peaked T waves and
may progress to widened QRS complexes, conduction
abnormalities, and life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which finding
indicates possible worsening respiratory status?