Swift River: Medical-Surgical Questions
and Answers Latest Version Already
Passed
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing shortness of breath post-
surgery?
✔✔ Elevate the head of the bed to improve oxygenation.
What assessment finding would indicate worsening heart failure?
✔✔ Presence of bilateral crackles in the lungs.
What is the best position for a patient experiencing a hypotensive episode?
✔✔ Supine with legs elevated.
What lab value should the nurse monitor closely for a patient on a loop diuretic?
✔✔ Potassium level.
What is the most important action when a patient with a central line develops a fever and chills?
✔✔ Notify the provider and obtain blood cultures.
1
,What is a key sign of a deep vein thrombosis in a post-op patient?
✔✔ Unilateral leg swelling and warmth.
What is the most appropriate nursing response to a patient complaining of incisional pain 2 hours
post-op?
✔✔ Assess the pain level and administer prescribed analgesics.
What is the best indicator of fluid volume overload in a renal failure patient?
✔✔ Sudden weight gain over 1–2 days.
What should a nurse do when a patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports a burning
sensation at the IV site?
✔✔ Stop the infusion and assess the IV site.
What finding would require immediate intervention in a patient with pneumonia?
✔✔ Respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute.
2
,What is the best way to assess for peripheral edema in a patient with heart failure?
✔✔ Press the skin over the tibia for pitting.
What is a major nursing concern for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
✔✔ Maintaining adequate oxygenation while preventing CO₂ retention.
What is the primary reason to encourage ambulation in a post-operative patient?
✔✔ To prevent complications such as atelectasis and DVT.
What dietary restriction is necessary for a patient with end-stage renal disease?
✔✔ Limit protein, potassium, and phosphorus intake.
What does a nurse do if a chest tube is accidentally dislodged from a patient?
✔✔ Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the provider.
What is the most reliable indicator of pain relief after analgesic administration?
✔✔ The patient reports decreased pain.
3
, What symptom indicates potential gastrointestinal bleeding?
✔✔ Black, tarry stools.
What intervention is appropriate for a patient with a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL?
✔✔ Give a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice.
What is a key sign of infection at a surgical site?
✔✔ Redness, warmth, and purulent drainage.
What should be done before administering a blood transfusion?
✔✔ Verify patient ID and blood type with another nurse.
What is an early symptom of hypoxia in a medical-surgical patient?
✔✔ Restlessness and confusion.
What is the priority action for a patient with suspected stroke and facial drooping?
✔✔ Activate the stroke team and maintain airway.
4
and Answers Latest Version Already
Passed
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing shortness of breath post-
surgery?
✔✔ Elevate the head of the bed to improve oxygenation.
What assessment finding would indicate worsening heart failure?
✔✔ Presence of bilateral crackles in the lungs.
What is the best position for a patient experiencing a hypotensive episode?
✔✔ Supine with legs elevated.
What lab value should the nurse monitor closely for a patient on a loop diuretic?
✔✔ Potassium level.
What is the most important action when a patient with a central line develops a fever and chills?
✔✔ Notify the provider and obtain blood cultures.
1
,What is a key sign of a deep vein thrombosis in a post-op patient?
✔✔ Unilateral leg swelling and warmth.
What is the most appropriate nursing response to a patient complaining of incisional pain 2 hours
post-op?
✔✔ Assess the pain level and administer prescribed analgesics.
What is the best indicator of fluid volume overload in a renal failure patient?
✔✔ Sudden weight gain over 1–2 days.
What should a nurse do when a patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports a burning
sensation at the IV site?
✔✔ Stop the infusion and assess the IV site.
What finding would require immediate intervention in a patient with pneumonia?
✔✔ Respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute.
2
,What is the best way to assess for peripheral edema in a patient with heart failure?
✔✔ Press the skin over the tibia for pitting.
What is a major nursing concern for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
✔✔ Maintaining adequate oxygenation while preventing CO₂ retention.
What is the primary reason to encourage ambulation in a post-operative patient?
✔✔ To prevent complications such as atelectasis and DVT.
What dietary restriction is necessary for a patient with end-stage renal disease?
✔✔ Limit protein, potassium, and phosphorus intake.
What does a nurse do if a chest tube is accidentally dislodged from a patient?
✔✔ Cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and notify the provider.
What is the most reliable indicator of pain relief after analgesic administration?
✔✔ The patient reports decreased pain.
3
, What symptom indicates potential gastrointestinal bleeding?
✔✔ Black, tarry stools.
What intervention is appropriate for a patient with a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL?
✔✔ Give a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice.
What is a key sign of infection at a surgical site?
✔✔ Redness, warmth, and purulent drainage.
What should be done before administering a blood transfusion?
✔✔ Verify patient ID and blood type with another nurse.
What is an early symptom of hypoxia in a medical-surgical patient?
✔✔ Restlessness and confusion.
What is the priority action for a patient with suspected stroke and facial drooping?
✔✔ Activate the stroke team and maintain airway.
4
