MEDICAL SURGICAL CERTIFICATION
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALL
VALIDATED TO PASS.
What can lead to thrombocytopenia? - CorreCt Answers -aka: platelets
<100,000, Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, Sepsis, DIC, ETOH or
chronic NSAID usage
Describe DIC - CorreCt Answers -Disseminated intravascular coagulation,
or DIC, is a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body's
small blood vessels. ... With fewer platelets and clotting factors in the blood,
serious bleeding can occur.
What is the first clinical indication of DIC? - CorreCt Answers -petechiae
What s/s may be present with DIC? - CorreCt Answers -Descreased LOC,
dypnea, abdominal pain, active bleeding (GI, gums, nosebleeds), petechia,
decreased urine output, Ecchymosis (bruising), purpura
What is purpura? - CorreCt Answers -a rash of purple spots on the skin
caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels
What is an important difference in the treatment of HIT vs DIC? - CorreCt
Answers -DIC: IV-Heparin: okay to give platelets, HIT: Stop all heparin and
DO NOT GIVE PLATELETS
,S/S of Sickle Cell Crisis - CorreCt Answers -long bone pain, bloody sputum,
dyspnea, chest pain, sudden/constant/abdominal pain, stiff/painful joints,
jaundice, bruising, blood in urine
What conditions may require influsing Cryoprecipitate? - CorreCt Answers
-Cryoprecipitate contains clotting factors/fibrinogin. Hemophilia A, Von
Willebrands, or DIC. Use immediately after thawing
Vasopressin - CorreCt Answers -Treats varices by decreasing portal venous
pressure. Give 0.4-1 units/min
free air in the abdomen is - CorreCt Answers -a surgical emegency
What electrolytes are decreased in acute pancreatitis? - CorreCt Answers -
low calcium and low protein (whereas there would be an increase in
amylase/lipase and hyperglycemia)
What is a normal level of ammonia? - CorreCt Answers -<45
What is the goal for aPTT during heparin therapy for DVT treatment? -
CorreCt Answers -60-80 seconds (if more--the nurse may need to stop
heparin infusion
What is pulsus paradoxus? - CorreCt Answers -Pulsus paradoxus refers to
an exaggerated fall in a patient's blood pressure during inspiration by
greater than 10 mm Hg. **May indicate cardiac tamponade
,What might indicate a complication from a pacemaker insertion? - CorreCt
Answers -hiccups
Describe how to use a nitroglycerin patch - CorreCt Answers -The patch will
not treat new angina, is usually worn for 12 hours and then removed, apply
to a different area each day, Apply to upper body/upper arms, do not apply
to skin folds, joints or hairy parts of the body, apply patch at the same time
each day
A nurse caring for a client following an abdominal aortic aneurysm
resection. Which of the following is the priority assessment for this client? -
CorreCt Answers -urine output (this may indicate shock)
What are symptoms of shock - CorreCt Answers -The main symptom of
shock is low blood pressure. Other symptoms include rapid, shallow
breathing; cold, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse; dizziness, weakness or
decreased urine output
A patient is in SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) on an EKG, what might
the nurse do to address this? - CorreCt Answers -vagal maneuver (Actions
such as gagging, coughing or massaging the neck in order to slow down
heart rate)
What is claudication associated with? - CorreCt Answers -peripheral artery
disease. Claudication is pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to
inadequate blood flow to the muscles. Claudication is usually felt while
walking and subsides with rest
, Risk factors for developing peripheral ARTERY disease - CorreCt Answers -
DIABETES, family history of heart disease, advanced age (>50). Poor
lifestyle choices: SMOKING, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Why is monitoring of BP important after a CABG (coronary artery bypass
graft)? - CorreCt Answers -If the BP becomes too high, especially in the
early postoperative period, the surgical anastomoses may become
disrupted, which could cause significant intrathoracic bleeding,
hemodynamic instability, poor tissue perfusion, and necessitate a return to
the operating room.
What is important to know before a stress test? - CorreCt Answers -Avoid
caffeine (24 hrs), smoking and food (4-6hrs)prior to the test
Why is longterm NSAID therapy problematic? - CorreCt Answers -NSAIDs
over time can lead to the development of peptic ulcers (GERD)
Why should hemoglobin be monitored in someone with Crohn's disease? -
CorreCt Answers -Anemia often occurs in patients with inflammatory
bowel disease
Normal pre-albumin range - CorreCt Answers -Adults: 15 to 36 milligrams
per deciliter (mg/dL)
Normal albumin levels - CorreCt Answers -3.4 to 5.4 g/dL. If you have a
lower albumin level, you may have malnutrition.
What are s/s of vitamin A deficiency? - CorreCt Answers -dry eyes, dry skin,
frequent infections, inability to see in dim light, or spots in the eyeball,
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALL
VALIDATED TO PASS.
What can lead to thrombocytopenia? - CorreCt Answers -aka: platelets
<100,000, Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, Sepsis, DIC, ETOH or
chronic NSAID usage
Describe DIC - CorreCt Answers -Disseminated intravascular coagulation,
or DIC, is a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body's
small blood vessels. ... With fewer platelets and clotting factors in the blood,
serious bleeding can occur.
What is the first clinical indication of DIC? - CorreCt Answers -petechiae
What s/s may be present with DIC? - CorreCt Answers -Descreased LOC,
dypnea, abdominal pain, active bleeding (GI, gums, nosebleeds), petechia,
decreased urine output, Ecchymosis (bruising), purpura
What is purpura? - CorreCt Answers -a rash of purple spots on the skin
caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels
What is an important difference in the treatment of HIT vs DIC? - CorreCt
Answers -DIC: IV-Heparin: okay to give platelets, HIT: Stop all heparin and
DO NOT GIVE PLATELETS
,S/S of Sickle Cell Crisis - CorreCt Answers -long bone pain, bloody sputum,
dyspnea, chest pain, sudden/constant/abdominal pain, stiff/painful joints,
jaundice, bruising, blood in urine
What conditions may require influsing Cryoprecipitate? - CorreCt Answers
-Cryoprecipitate contains clotting factors/fibrinogin. Hemophilia A, Von
Willebrands, or DIC. Use immediately after thawing
Vasopressin - CorreCt Answers -Treats varices by decreasing portal venous
pressure. Give 0.4-1 units/min
free air in the abdomen is - CorreCt Answers -a surgical emegency
What electrolytes are decreased in acute pancreatitis? - CorreCt Answers -
low calcium and low protein (whereas there would be an increase in
amylase/lipase and hyperglycemia)
What is a normal level of ammonia? - CorreCt Answers -<45
What is the goal for aPTT during heparin therapy for DVT treatment? -
CorreCt Answers -60-80 seconds (if more--the nurse may need to stop
heparin infusion
What is pulsus paradoxus? - CorreCt Answers -Pulsus paradoxus refers to
an exaggerated fall in a patient's blood pressure during inspiration by
greater than 10 mm Hg. **May indicate cardiac tamponade
,What might indicate a complication from a pacemaker insertion? - CorreCt
Answers -hiccups
Describe how to use a nitroglycerin patch - CorreCt Answers -The patch will
not treat new angina, is usually worn for 12 hours and then removed, apply
to a different area each day, Apply to upper body/upper arms, do not apply
to skin folds, joints or hairy parts of the body, apply patch at the same time
each day
A nurse caring for a client following an abdominal aortic aneurysm
resection. Which of the following is the priority assessment for this client? -
CorreCt Answers -urine output (this may indicate shock)
What are symptoms of shock - CorreCt Answers -The main symptom of
shock is low blood pressure. Other symptoms include rapid, shallow
breathing; cold, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse; dizziness, weakness or
decreased urine output
A patient is in SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) on an EKG, what might
the nurse do to address this? - CorreCt Answers -vagal maneuver (Actions
such as gagging, coughing or massaging the neck in order to slow down
heart rate)
What is claudication associated with? - CorreCt Answers -peripheral artery
disease. Claudication is pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to
inadequate blood flow to the muscles. Claudication is usually felt while
walking and subsides with rest
, Risk factors for developing peripheral ARTERY disease - CorreCt Answers -
DIABETES, family history of heart disease, advanced age (>50). Poor
lifestyle choices: SMOKING, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Why is monitoring of BP important after a CABG (coronary artery bypass
graft)? - CorreCt Answers -If the BP becomes too high, especially in the
early postoperative period, the surgical anastomoses may become
disrupted, which could cause significant intrathoracic bleeding,
hemodynamic instability, poor tissue perfusion, and necessitate a return to
the operating room.
What is important to know before a stress test? - CorreCt Answers -Avoid
caffeine (24 hrs), smoking and food (4-6hrs)prior to the test
Why is longterm NSAID therapy problematic? - CorreCt Answers -NSAIDs
over time can lead to the development of peptic ulcers (GERD)
Why should hemoglobin be monitored in someone with Crohn's disease? -
CorreCt Answers -Anemia often occurs in patients with inflammatory
bowel disease
Normal pre-albumin range - CorreCt Answers -Adults: 15 to 36 milligrams
per deciliter (mg/dL)
Normal albumin levels - CorreCt Answers -3.4 to 5.4 g/dL. If you have a
lower albumin level, you may have malnutrition.
What are s/s of vitamin A deficiency? - CorreCt Answers -dry eyes, dry skin,
frequent infections, inability to see in dim light, or spots in the eyeball,
