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UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates
pulmonary edema?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which is
characteristic of pulmonary edema in heart failure.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient with heart failure about daily weights. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will weigh myself once a week."
B. "I will weigh myself daily and report weight gain."
C. "I will weigh myself only when I feel bad."
D. "I will not weigh myself."
Rationale: Daily weights help monitor fluid status. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in
one day or 5 pounds in one week should be reported.
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3. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which medication is
commonly used to reduce fluid overload?
A. Furosemide
B. Antibiotics
C. Anticonvulsants
D. Antihistamines
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid overload in
heart failure.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypertension. Which finding indicates
target organ damage?
A. Normal creatinine
B. Retinopathy
C. Normal urine output
D. Mild headache
Rationale: Retinopathy indicates target organ damage from hypertension.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
patient avoid?
A. Fresh fruit
B. Canned soup
C. Grilled chicken
D. Steamed vegetables
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-
sodium diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with angina. Which medication is used for
immediate relief?
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A. Sublingual nitroglycerin
B. Beta-blockers
C. Aspirin
D. Statins
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin provides immediate relief for angina by dilating
coronary arteries.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. "I will swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I will place the tablet under my tongue."
C. "I will chew the tablet for faster relief."
D. "I will take the tablet with food."
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue and allowed to
dissolve.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with myocardial infarction. Which laboratory
value is most specific?
A. Myoglobin
B. Troponin
C. CK-MB
D. LDH
Rationale: Troponin is the most specific and sensitive marker for myocardial
infarction.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient after cardiac catheterization. Which
intervention is most important?
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A. Monitor the insertion site for bleeding.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Administer oral fluids.
D. Remove the dressing immediately.
Rationale: Monitoring the insertion site for bleeding prevents complications after
cardiac catheterization.
10. A nurse is assessing a patient with atrial fibrillation. Which medication is
used for rate control?
A. Diltiazem
B. Adenosine
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used for rate control in atrial
fibrillation.
11. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. "I will take aspirin for headaches."
B. "I will report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
C. "I will increase vitamin K intake."
D. "I will stop taking the medication if I feel better."
Rationale: Reporting bleeding signs is essential for safety on warfarin.
12. A nurse is assessing a patient with deep vein thrombosis. Which finding is
expected?
A. Unilateral leg swelling and warmth
B. Bilateral leg swelling
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UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates
pulmonary edema?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which is
characteristic of pulmonary edema in heart failure.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient with heart failure about daily weights. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will weigh myself once a week."
B. "I will weigh myself daily and report weight gain."
C. "I will weigh myself only when I feel bad."
D. "I will not weigh myself."
Rationale: Daily weights help monitor fluid status. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in
one day or 5 pounds in one week should be reported.
1|Page
,Page 2 of 62
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which medication is
commonly used to reduce fluid overload?
A. Furosemide
B. Antibiotics
C. Anticonvulsants
D. Antihistamines
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid overload in
heart failure.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypertension. Which finding indicates
target organ damage?
A. Normal creatinine
B. Retinopathy
C. Normal urine output
D. Mild headache
Rationale: Retinopathy indicates target organ damage from hypertension.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
patient avoid?
A. Fresh fruit
B. Canned soup
C. Grilled chicken
D. Steamed vegetables
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-
sodium diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with angina. Which medication is used for
immediate relief?
2|Page
,Page 3 of 62
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin
B. Beta-blockers
C. Aspirin
D. Statins
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin provides immediate relief for angina by dilating
coronary arteries.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. "I will swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I will place the tablet under my tongue."
C. "I will chew the tablet for faster relief."
D. "I will take the tablet with food."
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue and allowed to
dissolve.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with myocardial infarction. Which laboratory
value is most specific?
A. Myoglobin
B. Troponin
C. CK-MB
D. LDH
Rationale: Troponin is the most specific and sensitive marker for myocardial
infarction.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient after cardiac catheterization. Which
intervention is most important?
3|Page
, Page 4 of 62
A. Monitor the insertion site for bleeding.
B. Encourage ambulation.
C. Administer oral fluids.
D. Remove the dressing immediately.
Rationale: Monitoring the insertion site for bleeding prevents complications after
cardiac catheterization.
10. A nurse is assessing a patient with atrial fibrillation. Which medication is
used for rate control?
A. Diltiazem
B. Adenosine
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used for rate control in atrial
fibrillation.
11. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. "I will take aspirin for headaches."
B. "I will report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
C. "I will increase vitamin K intake."
D. "I will stop taking the medication if I feel better."
Rationale: Reporting bleeding signs is essential for safety on warfarin.
12. A nurse is assessing a patient with deep vein thrombosis. Which finding is
expected?
A. Unilateral leg swelling and warmth
B. Bilateral leg swelling
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