MEDSURG-BC Certification
Exam 2026 Study Guide |
Practice Questions & Answers |
Exam Prep Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild epigastric pain after meals
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Gray-blue discoloration around the umbilicus (Cullen's sign)
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Gray-blue discoloration around the umbilicus (Cullen's
sign)
Rationale: Cullen's sign may indicate severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis
and internal bleeding, requiring immediate evaluation and intervention.
Question 2
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
,C. Platelet count
D. Calcium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause significant
potassium loss, increasing the risk of dysrhythmias.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
resulting in crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease is at greatest risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia only
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Reduced renal function impairs potassium excretion, making
hyperkalemia a common and potentially life-threatening complication.
,Question 5
Which intervention is the priority for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma exacerbation?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours
Answer: B. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation is the immediate priority to improve
airflow and oxygenation.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). Which action should be avoided?
A. Elevating the affected extremity
B. Administering anticoagulants as prescribed
C. Massaging the affected leg
D. Monitoring for pulmonary embolism symptoms
Answer: C. Massaging the affected leg
Rationale: Massaging the extremity can dislodge a thrombus and
increase the risk of pulmonary embolism.
Question 7
Which finding indicates effective treatment of diabetes mellitus?
A. Random glucose of 250 mg/dL
B. HbA1c of 6.5%
C. Presence of ketones in urine
D. Fasting glucose of 180 mg/dL
, Answer: B. HbA1c of 6.5%
Rationale: An HbA1c near or below 7% generally reflects good long-
term glycemic control.
Question 8
A patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain after
surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pneumonia
B. Atelectasis
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: C. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and postoperative immobility
are classic indicators of pulmonary embolism.
Question 9
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing pressure injuries?
A. Ambulatory patient with hypertension
B. Patient with limited mobility and poor nutrition
C. Patient recovering from minor surgery
D. Patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B. Patient with limited mobility and poor nutrition
Rationale: Immobility and inadequate nutrition significantly increase
pressure injury risk.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a patient with SIADH. Which laboratory result
would the nurse expect?
Exam 2026 Study Guide |
Practice Questions & Answers |
Exam Prep Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild epigastric pain after meals
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Gray-blue discoloration around the umbilicus (Cullen's sign)
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Gray-blue discoloration around the umbilicus (Cullen's
sign)
Rationale: Cullen's sign may indicate severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis
and internal bleeding, requiring immediate evaluation and intervention.
Question 2
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
,C. Platelet count
D. Calcium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause significant
potassium loss, increasing the risk of dysrhythmias.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
resulting in crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease is at greatest risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia only
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Reduced renal function impairs potassium excretion, making
hyperkalemia a common and potentially life-threatening complication.
,Question 5
Which intervention is the priority for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma exacerbation?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours
Answer: B. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation is the immediate priority to improve
airflow and oxygenation.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). Which action should be avoided?
A. Elevating the affected extremity
B. Administering anticoagulants as prescribed
C. Massaging the affected leg
D. Monitoring for pulmonary embolism symptoms
Answer: C. Massaging the affected leg
Rationale: Massaging the extremity can dislodge a thrombus and
increase the risk of pulmonary embolism.
Question 7
Which finding indicates effective treatment of diabetes mellitus?
A. Random glucose of 250 mg/dL
B. HbA1c of 6.5%
C. Presence of ketones in urine
D. Fasting glucose of 180 mg/dL
, Answer: B. HbA1c of 6.5%
Rationale: An HbA1c near or below 7% generally reflects good long-
term glycemic control.
Question 8
A patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain after
surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pneumonia
B. Atelectasis
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: C. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and postoperative immobility
are classic indicators of pulmonary embolism.
Question 9
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing pressure injuries?
A. Ambulatory patient with hypertension
B. Patient with limited mobility and poor nutrition
C. Patient recovering from minor surgery
D. Patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B. Patient with limited mobility and poor nutrition
Rationale: Immobility and inadequate nutrition significantly increase
pressure injury risk.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a patient with SIADH. Which laboratory result
would the nurse expect?
