Med Surg Exam 1 Complete study
guide|Galen College of Nursing NUR 242
MS Exam 1
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
a. Productive cough with green sputum
b. Temperature of 101°F (38.3°C)
c. Respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
d. Bilateral crackles on auscultation
A respiratory rate of 32 indicates severe respiratory distress, which requires
immediate intervention to maintain oxygenation.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a patient receiving
furosemide?
a. Calcium
b. Potassium
c. Hemoglobin
d. BUN
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss,
leading to hypokalemia.
3. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding should the
nurse report before administering the drug?
, a. Blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg
b. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
c. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
d. BNP level of 100 pg/mL
An apical pulse below 60 beats/min is a contraindication for administering
digoxin due to risk of bradycardia.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about low sodium diet. Which food should the
patient avoid?
a. Fresh fruits
b. Canned soup
c. Whole grain bread
d. Yogurt
Canned soups are often high in sodium and should be avoided.
5. Which finding indicates that treatment for fluid volume excess is effective?
a. Decreased body weight
b. Increased blood pressure
c. Bounding pulses
d. Crackles in lungs
A decrease in body weight indicates that excess fluid is being eliminated.
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has pruritus. What intervention is
appropriate?
a. Use alcohol-based lotions
b. Encourage frequent moisturizing
c. Bathe in hot water
, d. Apply ice packs
Moisturizing the skin helps reduce dryness and itching.
7. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority for a patient with acute
asthma?
a. Administer short-acting beta-agonist
b. Encourage fluids
c. Position in high Fowler’s
d. Provide emotional support
Administering a bronchodilator helps open airways and relieve
bronchospasm quickly.
8. A patient with COPD has a new prescription for home oxygen therapy.
Which statement indicates understanding?
a. "I will set my oxygen at 6 liters per minute."
b. "I will use my oxygen as prescribed to maintain my levels."
c. "I should only use my oxygen when I feel short of breath."
d. "I don’t need to worry about fire hazards."
Proper oxygen use helps maintain oxygen saturation without suppressing
respiratory drive.
9. Which lab value indicates dehydration?
a. Low hematocrit
b. Elevated BUN
c. Low urine specific gravity
d. Low sodium
Elevated BUN can indicate dehydration due to hemoconcentration.
guide|Galen College of Nursing NUR 242
MS Exam 1
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
a. Productive cough with green sputum
b. Temperature of 101°F (38.3°C)
c. Respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
d. Bilateral crackles on auscultation
A respiratory rate of 32 indicates severe respiratory distress, which requires
immediate intervention to maintain oxygenation.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a patient receiving
furosemide?
a. Calcium
b. Potassium
c. Hemoglobin
d. BUN
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss,
leading to hypokalemia.
3. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding should the
nurse report before administering the drug?
, a. Blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg
b. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
c. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
d. BNP level of 100 pg/mL
An apical pulse below 60 beats/min is a contraindication for administering
digoxin due to risk of bradycardia.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about low sodium diet. Which food should the
patient avoid?
a. Fresh fruits
b. Canned soup
c. Whole grain bread
d. Yogurt
Canned soups are often high in sodium and should be avoided.
5. Which finding indicates that treatment for fluid volume excess is effective?
a. Decreased body weight
b. Increased blood pressure
c. Bounding pulses
d. Crackles in lungs
A decrease in body weight indicates that excess fluid is being eliminated.
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has pruritus. What intervention is
appropriate?
a. Use alcohol-based lotions
b. Encourage frequent moisturizing
c. Bathe in hot water
, d. Apply ice packs
Moisturizing the skin helps reduce dryness and itching.
7. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority for a patient with acute
asthma?
a. Administer short-acting beta-agonist
b. Encourage fluids
c. Position in high Fowler’s
d. Provide emotional support
Administering a bronchodilator helps open airways and relieve
bronchospasm quickly.
8. A patient with COPD has a new prescription for home oxygen therapy.
Which statement indicates understanding?
a. "I will set my oxygen at 6 liters per minute."
b. "I will use my oxygen as prescribed to maintain my levels."
c. "I should only use my oxygen when I feel short of breath."
d. "I don’t need to worry about fire hazards."
Proper oxygen use helps maintain oxygen saturation without suppressing
respiratory drive.
9. Which lab value indicates dehydration?
a. Low hematocrit
b. Elevated BUN
c. Low urine specific gravity
d. Low sodium
Elevated BUN can indicate dehydration due to hemoconcentration.
