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NUR 242 Exam 3 (2) – Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NUR 242 Exam 3 (2) – Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
10-Line Exam Coverage
1. Cardiovascular disorders, assessment findings, nursing interventions, medications, and
patient education.
2. Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, airway management, respiratory assessment, and
nursing priorities.
3. Neurological disorders, neurological assessment, stroke care, seizures, and increased
intracranial pressure.
4. Renal and urinary disorders, fluid balance, electrolyte changes, dialysis, and renal
replacement therapies.
5. Endocrine disorders involving diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, and
metabolic complications.
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, nutrition, elimination, bleeding, and
postoperative management.
7. Hematologic disorders, anemia, coagulation disorders, transfusion safety, and related
nursing interventions.
8. Musculoskeletal disorders, fractures, mobility limitations, postoperative orthopedic care,
and complications.
9. Infection, inflammation, immune disorders, isolation precautions, sepsis recognition, and
antimicrobial therapy.
10. Comprehensive medical-surgical nursing priorities, clinical judgment, medication safety,
patient education, delegation, and discharge planning.
1. A patient with acute heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea and pink frothy
sputum. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
B. Encourage the patient to drink fluids
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C. Place the patient flat in bed
D. Administer a high-sodium meal
Answer: A
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases venous return,
helping improve oxygenation in acute pulmonary edema.
2. Which assessment finding most strongly suggests left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent peripheral edema only
B. Jugular venous distention without respiratory symptoms
C. Crackles and pulmonary congestion
D. Enlarged liver with ascites
Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary vascular congestion, commonly producing
crackles, dyspnea, and pulmonary edema.
3. Why does right-sided heart failure commonly cause peripheral edema?
A. Reduced pulmonary oxygenation causes vasoconstriction
B. Systemic venous blood backs up because of impaired right-heart pumping
C. The kidneys immediately excrete excessive sodium
D. Arterial blood becomes excessively concentrated
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Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to peripheral edema,
jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, and ascites.
4. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis.
Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Gastroesophageal reflux
B. Stable angina
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Musculoskeletal strain
Answer: C
Rationale: Crushing chest pain with radiation and autonomic symptoms such as diaphoresis is
highly concerning for acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate evaluation.
5. Which laboratory marker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Sodium
D. Amylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for myocardial injury.
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6. What is the primary therapeutic purpose of administering nitroglycerin to a patient
experiencing angina?
A. Increase platelet production
B. Reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve coronary blood flow
C. Increase blood glucose
D. Increase systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, reducing preload and myocardial oxygen demand
while improving coronary perfusion.
7. Before administering sublingual nitroglycerin, which finding is most important for the nurse
to assess?
A. Temperature
B. Blood pressure
C. Bowel sounds
D. Pupil size
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause significant hypotension, so blood pressure should be
assessed before administration.
8. Which finding is most characteristic of peripheral arterial disease?
NUR 242 Exam 3 (2) – Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NUR 242 Exam 3 (2) – Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts
10-Line Exam Coverage
1. Cardiovascular disorders, assessment findings, nursing interventions, medications, and
patient education.
2. Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, airway management, respiratory assessment, and
nursing priorities.
3. Neurological disorders, neurological assessment, stroke care, seizures, and increased
intracranial pressure.
4. Renal and urinary disorders, fluid balance, electrolyte changes, dialysis, and renal
replacement therapies.
5. Endocrine disorders involving diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, and
metabolic complications.
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, nutrition, elimination, bleeding, and
postoperative management.
7. Hematologic disorders, anemia, coagulation disorders, transfusion safety, and related
nursing interventions.
8. Musculoskeletal disorders, fractures, mobility limitations, postoperative orthopedic care,
and complications.
9. Infection, inflammation, immune disorders, isolation precautions, sepsis recognition, and
antimicrobial therapy.
10. Comprehensive medical-surgical nursing priorities, clinical judgment, medication safety,
patient education, delegation, and discharge planning.
1. A patient with acute heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea and pink frothy
sputum. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the patient in high-Fowler's position
B. Encourage the patient to drink fluids
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C. Place the patient flat in bed
D. Administer a high-sodium meal
Answer: A
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases venous return,
helping improve oxygenation in acute pulmonary edema.
2. Which assessment finding most strongly suggests left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent peripheral edema only
B. Jugular venous distention without respiratory symptoms
C. Crackles and pulmonary congestion
D. Enlarged liver with ascites
Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary vascular congestion, commonly producing
crackles, dyspnea, and pulmonary edema.
3. Why does right-sided heart failure commonly cause peripheral edema?
A. Reduced pulmonary oxygenation causes vasoconstriction
B. Systemic venous blood backs up because of impaired right-heart pumping
C. The kidneys immediately excrete excessive sodium
D. Arterial blood becomes excessively concentrated
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Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to peripheral edema,
jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, and ascites.
4. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis.
Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Gastroesophageal reflux
B. Stable angina
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Musculoskeletal strain
Answer: C
Rationale: Crushing chest pain with radiation and autonomic symptoms such as diaphoresis is
highly concerning for acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate evaluation.
5. Which laboratory marker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Sodium
D. Amylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for myocardial injury.
, Page 4 of 103
6. What is the primary therapeutic purpose of administering nitroglycerin to a patient
experiencing angina?
A. Increase platelet production
B. Reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve coronary blood flow
C. Increase blood glucose
D. Increase systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, reducing preload and myocardial oxygen demand
while improving coronary perfusion.
7. Before administering sublingual nitroglycerin, which finding is most important for the nurse
to assess?
A. Temperature
B. Blood pressure
C. Bowel sounds
D. Pupil size
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause significant hypotension, so blood pressure should be
assessed before administration.
8. Which finding is most characteristic of peripheral arterial disease?
