Med Surg 1 questions with correct
answers
1. A patient is being admitted to the hospital on the day before a scheduled surgery.
What is the most appropriate initial question for the nurse to ask this preoperative
patient?
a) "What did your surgeon say to you about the type of surgery you are having?"
b) "What questions do you have about your surgery?"
c) "What type of surgery are you having and why are you having it done?"
d) "What do you know about what will be done to you?" - CORRECT ANSWERS-c)
"What type of surgery are you having and why are you having it done?"
10. The patient has been in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for one hour. The
patient is now groggy but able to respond to voice commands. While assessing the
patient, for what reason would the nurse check the bedclothes underneath the patient?
a) Determine drainage from tubes or drains
b) Assess for fluid balance
c) Detect for possible hemorrhage
d) Monitor perspiration - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Detect for possible hemorrhage
11. A 65-year-old was diagnosed and treated for right lower lobe pneumonia 4 days
ago. Today, the patient came to the ED reporting abrupt onset of chest pain that is
worse with inspiration. The nurse knows that the symptoms are consistent with:
a) Pleurisy
b) Stable angina
c) Bacteremia
d) Meningitis - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Pleurisy
12. The ED nurse is caring for Ginny, a 45-year-old female with a recent history of
sexual assault. Ginny came to the ED crying and shaking and stated that she had
dyspnea, feeling like she was choking and couldn't breathe, chest pain, and sweating.
Ginny reports that the symptoms started about 15 minutes before she came to the ED.
Ginny's symptoms are consistent with:
a) Myocardial Infarction
b) Pneumonia
c) Panic Attack
d) Influenza - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Panic Attack
,13. A 86-year-old female has recent changes in her mental status, reports having no
appetite, and is running a low grade fever. The nurse suspects:
a) Delirium
b) Dementia
c) Urinary tract infection
d) Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Urinary tract infection
14. Ted is a 76-year-old male who fell at home and sustained a fracture of his right hip.
He is being admitted to your unit and will have surgery in the morning. Ted has a past
medical history of urinary calculi, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and hypertension. When
he arrived to the medical-surgical unit, he has a strong body odor and visible dirt on his
body. An indwelling urinary catheter was placed in the ED. Ted is at greatest risk for a
UTI is related to:
a) History of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
b) Poor hygiene
c) Indwelling urinary catheter
d) History of urinary calculi
e) His age - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Indwelling urinary catheter
15. A nurse knows that the patient teaching on the pneumococcal vaccine to a 65-year-
old patient has been effective when the patient states:
a) "The injection will protect me from the flu this year"
b) "I am now protected from getting pneumonia during my lifetime"
c) "I will need re-vaccination in five years"
d) "Now I won't need antibiotics when I get pneumonia" - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) "I
will need re-vaccination in five years"
16. A patient is 14 hours postop from a surgical decompression for compartment
syndrome at the site of an ORIF on the left femur. On assessment, the urine output is
100mL in 8 hours, and has a dark, reddish brown color. Based on this assessment
finding, the nurse will:
a) Check to see if the myoglobin levels decreased
b) Administer an ordered prn fluid bolus to reverse fluid volume deficit
c) Nothing; this is an expected finding following surgery
d) Assess the patient for signs of acute kidney injury - CORRECT ANSWERS-d) Assess
the patient for signs of acute kidney injury
17. A nurse has completed cast care teaching following the application of a plaster cast.
The nurse knows that patient teaching has been effective when the patient states:
a) "I can shower and then pat the cast dry."
b) "If I wrap my cast in plastic, it will last longer."
c) "I will call my physician if I have an increase in pain or swelling."
d) "I will apply ice on the cast over the fracture site for the next 48 hours." - CORRECT
ANSWERS-c) "I will call my physician if I have an increase in pain or swelling."
,18. A 75-year-old male with a history of heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus type 2
presents to the ED with abdominal pain. A CT scan with contrast reveals a bowel
obstruction that requires surgical resection. On post-operative day 1, the patient
develops a severe headache and mental status changes. The resident orders a CT
scan with contrast of the head. Before sending the patient to the CT scan, what action is
a priority for the nurse?
a) Perform a complete neurological assessment before sending the patient to the CT
scan
b) Evaluate the morning creatinine and BUN lab results
c) Contact the on-call cardiologist for immediate evaluation of the patient's cardiac
output
d) Hold IV fluids for 4 hours prior to the CT scan - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) Evaluate
the morning creatinine and BUN lab results
19. A 75-year-old male with a history of heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus type 2
presents to the ED with abdominal pain. A CT scan with contrast reveals a bowel
obstruction that requires surgical resection. On post-operative day 1, the patient
develops a severe headache and mental status changes. The resident orders a CT
scan with contrast of the head.
Identify ways to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. Select all that apply.
a) Use of low-osmolar contrast
b) Insert a urinary catheter to accurately measure urine output
c) Avoid multiple procedures over a 24-48 hour time period
d) Hydrate the patient before and after the procedure
e) Administer high-dose NSAIDS prior to the procedure - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Use
of low-osmolar contrast
c) Avoid multiple procedures over a 24-48 hour time period
d) Hydrate the patient before and after the procedure
2. A benzodiazepine has been administered to a patient preoperatively. After the drug
has been administered, the nurse plans to monitor the patient for which side effects?
Select all that apply.
a) Anxiety
b) Hypotension
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Level of Consciousness
e) Sedation - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Anxiety
d) Level of Consciousness
e) Sedation
20. A 80-year-old patient slipped on the ice and fell. The patient is brought to the ED for
evaluation for a possible hip fracture. Identify what should be included in the initial
assessment for a hip fracture. Select all that apply.
a) Co-morbid health conditions
b) External rotation of the affected leg
c) Shortening of the affected leg
, d) Muscle spasms of affected leg
e) Pain at the fracture site
f) Condition of skin of the affected leg - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) External rotation of
the affected leg
c) Shortening of the affected leg
d) Muscle spasms of affected leg
e) Pain at the fracture site
21. The nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) insulin drip to a patient with
hyperglycemia. The nurse knows that only one insulin can be used intravenously. Which
insulin can only be given IV?
a) NPH
b) Regular
c) Lispro
d) Lantus - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) Regular
22. A 33-year-old patient hospitalized for a colon resection has just had TPN therapy
initiated via a central venous catheter. What nursing actions promote an optimal patient
outcome to TPN therapy? Select all that apply.
a) Take vital signs every four hours
b) Perform a finger stick glucose twice a day
c) Record accurate I & O
d) Monitor liver function tests
e) Record daily weights
f) Infuse TPN using aseptic technique over 8 hours
g) Monitor serum electrolyte levels - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Take vital signs every
four hours
b) Perform a finger stick glucose twice a day
c) Record accurate I & O
e) Record daily weights
g) Monitor serum electrolyte levels
23. When the nurse is caring for a patient with type 1 diabetes, what clinical
manifestation would be a priority to closely monitor?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Ketonuria
d) Polyphagia - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Hypoglycemia
24. The nurse is caring for a patient has been having abnormally low blood glucose
concentration. What glucose level would the nurse expect when assessing the
laboratory results?
a) Lower than 50-60 mg/dL
b) Between 60 and 80 mg/dL
c) Between 75 and 90 mg/dL
d) 95 mg/dL - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Lower than 50-60 mg/dL
answers
1. A patient is being admitted to the hospital on the day before a scheduled surgery.
What is the most appropriate initial question for the nurse to ask this preoperative
patient?
a) "What did your surgeon say to you about the type of surgery you are having?"
b) "What questions do you have about your surgery?"
c) "What type of surgery are you having and why are you having it done?"
d) "What do you know about what will be done to you?" - CORRECT ANSWERS-c)
"What type of surgery are you having and why are you having it done?"
10. The patient has been in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for one hour. The
patient is now groggy but able to respond to voice commands. While assessing the
patient, for what reason would the nurse check the bedclothes underneath the patient?
a) Determine drainage from tubes or drains
b) Assess for fluid balance
c) Detect for possible hemorrhage
d) Monitor perspiration - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Detect for possible hemorrhage
11. A 65-year-old was diagnosed and treated for right lower lobe pneumonia 4 days
ago. Today, the patient came to the ED reporting abrupt onset of chest pain that is
worse with inspiration. The nurse knows that the symptoms are consistent with:
a) Pleurisy
b) Stable angina
c) Bacteremia
d) Meningitis - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Pleurisy
12. The ED nurse is caring for Ginny, a 45-year-old female with a recent history of
sexual assault. Ginny came to the ED crying and shaking and stated that she had
dyspnea, feeling like she was choking and couldn't breathe, chest pain, and sweating.
Ginny reports that the symptoms started about 15 minutes before she came to the ED.
Ginny's symptoms are consistent with:
a) Myocardial Infarction
b) Pneumonia
c) Panic Attack
d) Influenza - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Panic Attack
,13. A 86-year-old female has recent changes in her mental status, reports having no
appetite, and is running a low grade fever. The nurse suspects:
a) Delirium
b) Dementia
c) Urinary tract infection
d) Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Urinary tract infection
14. Ted is a 76-year-old male who fell at home and sustained a fracture of his right hip.
He is being admitted to your unit and will have surgery in the morning. Ted has a past
medical history of urinary calculi, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and hypertension. When
he arrived to the medical-surgical unit, he has a strong body odor and visible dirt on his
body. An indwelling urinary catheter was placed in the ED. Ted is at greatest risk for a
UTI is related to:
a) History of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
b) Poor hygiene
c) Indwelling urinary catheter
d) History of urinary calculi
e) His age - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) Indwelling urinary catheter
15. A nurse knows that the patient teaching on the pneumococcal vaccine to a 65-year-
old patient has been effective when the patient states:
a) "The injection will protect me from the flu this year"
b) "I am now protected from getting pneumonia during my lifetime"
c) "I will need re-vaccination in five years"
d) "Now I won't need antibiotics when I get pneumonia" - CORRECT ANSWERS-c) "I
will need re-vaccination in five years"
16. A patient is 14 hours postop from a surgical decompression for compartment
syndrome at the site of an ORIF on the left femur. On assessment, the urine output is
100mL in 8 hours, and has a dark, reddish brown color. Based on this assessment
finding, the nurse will:
a) Check to see if the myoglobin levels decreased
b) Administer an ordered prn fluid bolus to reverse fluid volume deficit
c) Nothing; this is an expected finding following surgery
d) Assess the patient for signs of acute kidney injury - CORRECT ANSWERS-d) Assess
the patient for signs of acute kidney injury
17. A nurse has completed cast care teaching following the application of a plaster cast.
The nurse knows that patient teaching has been effective when the patient states:
a) "I can shower and then pat the cast dry."
b) "If I wrap my cast in plastic, it will last longer."
c) "I will call my physician if I have an increase in pain or swelling."
d) "I will apply ice on the cast over the fracture site for the next 48 hours." - CORRECT
ANSWERS-c) "I will call my physician if I have an increase in pain or swelling."
,18. A 75-year-old male with a history of heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus type 2
presents to the ED with abdominal pain. A CT scan with contrast reveals a bowel
obstruction that requires surgical resection. On post-operative day 1, the patient
develops a severe headache and mental status changes. The resident orders a CT
scan with contrast of the head. Before sending the patient to the CT scan, what action is
a priority for the nurse?
a) Perform a complete neurological assessment before sending the patient to the CT
scan
b) Evaluate the morning creatinine and BUN lab results
c) Contact the on-call cardiologist for immediate evaluation of the patient's cardiac
output
d) Hold IV fluids for 4 hours prior to the CT scan - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) Evaluate
the morning creatinine and BUN lab results
19. A 75-year-old male with a history of heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus type 2
presents to the ED with abdominal pain. A CT scan with contrast reveals a bowel
obstruction that requires surgical resection. On post-operative day 1, the patient
develops a severe headache and mental status changes. The resident orders a CT
scan with contrast of the head.
Identify ways to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. Select all that apply.
a) Use of low-osmolar contrast
b) Insert a urinary catheter to accurately measure urine output
c) Avoid multiple procedures over a 24-48 hour time period
d) Hydrate the patient before and after the procedure
e) Administer high-dose NSAIDS prior to the procedure - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Use
of low-osmolar contrast
c) Avoid multiple procedures over a 24-48 hour time period
d) Hydrate the patient before and after the procedure
2. A benzodiazepine has been administered to a patient preoperatively. After the drug
has been administered, the nurse plans to monitor the patient for which side effects?
Select all that apply.
a) Anxiety
b) Hypotension
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Level of Consciousness
e) Sedation - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Anxiety
d) Level of Consciousness
e) Sedation
20. A 80-year-old patient slipped on the ice and fell. The patient is brought to the ED for
evaluation for a possible hip fracture. Identify what should be included in the initial
assessment for a hip fracture. Select all that apply.
a) Co-morbid health conditions
b) External rotation of the affected leg
c) Shortening of the affected leg
, d) Muscle spasms of affected leg
e) Pain at the fracture site
f) Condition of skin of the affected leg - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) External rotation of
the affected leg
c) Shortening of the affected leg
d) Muscle spasms of affected leg
e) Pain at the fracture site
21. The nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) insulin drip to a patient with
hyperglycemia. The nurse knows that only one insulin can be used intravenously. Which
insulin can only be given IV?
a) NPH
b) Regular
c) Lispro
d) Lantus - CORRECT ANSWERS-b) Regular
22. A 33-year-old patient hospitalized for a colon resection has just had TPN therapy
initiated via a central venous catheter. What nursing actions promote an optimal patient
outcome to TPN therapy? Select all that apply.
a) Take vital signs every four hours
b) Perform a finger stick glucose twice a day
c) Record accurate I & O
d) Monitor liver function tests
e) Record daily weights
f) Infuse TPN using aseptic technique over 8 hours
g) Monitor serum electrolyte levels - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Take vital signs every
four hours
b) Perform a finger stick glucose twice a day
c) Record accurate I & O
e) Record daily weights
g) Monitor serum electrolyte levels
23. When the nurse is caring for a patient with type 1 diabetes, what clinical
manifestation would be a priority to closely monitor?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Ketonuria
d) Polyphagia - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Hypoglycemia
24. The nurse is caring for a patient has been having abnormally low blood glucose
concentration. What glucose level would the nurse expect when assessing the
laboratory results?
a) Lower than 50-60 mg/dL
b) Between 60 and 80 mg/dL
c) Between 75 and 90 mg/dL
d) 95 mg/dL - CORRECT ANSWERS-a) Lower than 50-60 mg/dL
