Swift River Med-Surg Questions and
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
A patient post-op from a hip replacement surgery reports sharp pain in the calf. What should the
nurse do first?
✔✔ Assess for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and notify the provider.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the
nurse's priority action?
✔✔ Notify the provider and prepare to administer a potassium-lowering agent.
A patient with a chest tube develops increased drainage. What is the nurse’s next step?
✔✔ Assess for signs of hemorrhage and notify the provider if necessary.
A post-op patient is receiving PCA medication and has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What is the
first action the nurse should take?
✔✔ Administer oxygen and assess the patient's respiratory status.
A patient on warfarin therapy presents with excessive bruising. What should the nurse do?
1
,✔✔ Monitor the INR level and notify the provider for possible dose adjustments.
A patient with diabetes mellitus is experiencing signs of hypoglycemia. What should the nurse
do first?
✔✔ Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose or juice.
A patient post-abdominal surgery reports difficulty breathing and increasing anxiety. What
should the nurse assess first?
✔✔ Oxygen saturation levels and respiratory rate.
A patient has an NG tube in place, and the nurse notes that the patient is having difficulty
swallowing. What is the best action?
✔✔ Ensure the NG tube is properly positioned and check for residual before continuing
feedings.
A patient with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted with confusion and tremors. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
✔✔ Assess for signs of alcohol withdrawal and monitor vital signs.
2
,A patient with a surgical wound reports a sudden increase in pain and a feeling of "something
giving way." What is the nurse’s first response?
✔✔ Assess the wound for signs of dehiscence or evisceration and notify the provider.
A patient who has been vomiting for the past 24 hours is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypokalemia due to loss of potassium from vomiting.
A patient with heart failure is receiving furosemide and develops dizziness upon standing. What
should the nurse do?
✔✔ Instruct the patient to rise slowly and monitor blood pressure.
A post-op patient with a total knee replacement surgery has swelling and warmth around the
joint. What is the first intervention?
✔✔ Elevate the leg and apply ice to reduce swelling.
A patient with a newly inserted central venous catheter reports difficulty breathing and chest
pain. What should the nurse do?
✔✔ Stop the infusion, assess for a possible air embolism, and notify the provider.
3
, A patient with liver cirrhosis develops ascites and is having difficulty breathing. What is the
nurse’s priority intervention?
✔✔ Elevate the head of the bed to assist with breathing.
A patient is being treated for sepsis and is receiving antibiotics. What is the most important lab
value to monitor during this treatment?
✔✔ White blood cell count to assess the infection response.
A patient who underwent abdominal surgery is reluctant to use the incentive spirometer. What
should the nurse say?
✔✔ Using the spirometer will help prevent pneumonia by expanding your lungs.
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔ Assess the patient's ability to swallow and refer to a speech therapist for evaluation.
A patient on heparin therapy develops bruising and petechiae. What is the nurse’s priority?
✔✔ Hold the heparin and notify the provider immediately.
4
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
A patient post-op from a hip replacement surgery reports sharp pain in the calf. What should the
nurse do first?
✔✔ Assess for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and notify the provider.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the
nurse's priority action?
✔✔ Notify the provider and prepare to administer a potassium-lowering agent.
A patient with a chest tube develops increased drainage. What is the nurse’s next step?
✔✔ Assess for signs of hemorrhage and notify the provider if necessary.
A post-op patient is receiving PCA medication and has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What is the
first action the nurse should take?
✔✔ Administer oxygen and assess the patient's respiratory status.
A patient on warfarin therapy presents with excessive bruising. What should the nurse do?
1
,✔✔ Monitor the INR level and notify the provider for possible dose adjustments.
A patient with diabetes mellitus is experiencing signs of hypoglycemia. What should the nurse
do first?
✔✔ Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose or juice.
A patient post-abdominal surgery reports difficulty breathing and increasing anxiety. What
should the nurse assess first?
✔✔ Oxygen saturation levels and respiratory rate.
A patient has an NG tube in place, and the nurse notes that the patient is having difficulty
swallowing. What is the best action?
✔✔ Ensure the NG tube is properly positioned and check for residual before continuing
feedings.
A patient with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted with confusion and tremors. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
✔✔ Assess for signs of alcohol withdrawal and monitor vital signs.
2
,A patient with a surgical wound reports a sudden increase in pain and a feeling of "something
giving way." What is the nurse’s first response?
✔✔ Assess the wound for signs of dehiscence or evisceration and notify the provider.
A patient who has been vomiting for the past 24 hours is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypokalemia due to loss of potassium from vomiting.
A patient with heart failure is receiving furosemide and develops dizziness upon standing. What
should the nurse do?
✔✔ Instruct the patient to rise slowly and monitor blood pressure.
A post-op patient with a total knee replacement surgery has swelling and warmth around the
joint. What is the first intervention?
✔✔ Elevate the leg and apply ice to reduce swelling.
A patient with a newly inserted central venous catheter reports difficulty breathing and chest
pain. What should the nurse do?
✔✔ Stop the infusion, assess for a possible air embolism, and notify the provider.
3
, A patient with liver cirrhosis develops ascites and is having difficulty breathing. What is the
nurse’s priority intervention?
✔✔ Elevate the head of the bed to assist with breathing.
A patient is being treated for sepsis and is receiving antibiotics. What is the most important lab
value to monitor during this treatment?
✔✔ White blood cell count to assess the infection response.
A patient who underwent abdominal surgery is reluctant to use the incentive spirometer. What
should the nurse say?
✔✔ Using the spirometer will help prevent pneumonia by expanding your lungs.
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔ Assess the patient's ability to swallow and refer to a speech therapist for evaluation.
A patient on heparin therapy develops bruising and petechiae. What is the nurse’s priority?
✔✔ Hold the heparin and notify the provider immediately.
4
