Scottsdale Community College NUR 172 Med-Surg Final
Exam Questions With Complete Solutions
A 66 year old client complaining of not feeling well is seen in a
clinic. The client is taking several medications for the control of
heart disease and hypertension. These medications include:
atenolol (Ternormin), digoxin (Lanoxin), and chlorothiazide
(Diuril). A tentative diagnosis of digoxin toxicity is made.
Which of the following assessment data would support this
diagnosis?
Dyspnea, edema, and palpitations
Chest pain, hypotension, and paresthesia
Double vision, loss of appetite, and nausea
Constipation, dry mouth, and sleep disorder Correct Answer
Double vision, loss of appetite, and nausea
A 68-year-old woman is scheduled to undergo mitral valve
replacement for severe mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation.
Although the diagnosis was made during childhood, she did not
have any symptoms until 4 years ago. Recently, she noticed
increased symptoms, despite daily doses of digoxin and
furosemide. During the initial interview with the nice lady, the
nurse would most likely learn that the client's childhood health
history included:
Chicken pox
poliomyelitis
Rheumatic fever
meningitis Correct Answer Rheumatic fever
,A client admitted to the hospital with chest pain and history of
type 2 diabetes mellitus is scheduled for cardiac catheterization.
Which of the following medications would need to be withheld
for 48 hours before and after the procedure?
Regular insulin
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Repaglinide (Prandin)
Metformin (Glucophage) Correct Answer Metformin
(Glucophage)
A client asks the nurse why her provider prescribed 1 aspirin per
day. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
"Aspirin reduces the formation of blood clots that could cause a
heart attack."
"Aspirin decreases any pain due to myocardial ischemia."
"Aspirin dissolves any clots that are forming in your coronary
arteries."
"Aspirin relieves any headaches that are caused by other
medications." Correct Answer "Aspirin reduces the formation
of blood clots that could cause a heart attack."
A client being discharged to home after angioplasty via the right
femoral groin as the catheter insertion site has received
discharge instructions from the nurse. Client learning is evident
if which of the following statements is made?
Coolness or discoloration of the right foot is expected
I should expect a large area of bruising at the right groin
, Temperature as high as 101F is nit unusual a few days after the
procedure
Mild discomfort in the right groin may occur, and Tylenol
should relieve the pain Correct Answer Mild discomfort in the
right groin may occur, and Tylenol should relieve the pain
A client has developed atrial fibrillation, with a ventricular rate
of 150 bpm. The nurse should assess the client for which
associated signs or symptoms?
Flat neck veins
Nausea and vomiting
Hypotension and dizziness
Hypertension and headache Correct Answer Hypotension and
dizziness
A client has frequent bursts of ventricular tachycardia on the
cardiac monitor. What should the nurse be most concerned about
with this dysrhythmia?
It can develop into ventricular fibrillation at any time
It is almost impossible to convert to a normal rhythm
It is uncomfortable for the client, giving a sense of impending
doom
It produces a high cardiac output that quickly leads to cerebral
and myocardial ischemia Correct Answer It can develop into
ventricular fibrillation at any time
A client has now received a permanent pacemaker. Which of the
following statements indicate a need for further teaching?
, "I will notify the airport screeners about my pacemaker."
"I will call if I notice hiccups or muscle twitching."
"I will have to disconnect my garage door opener."
"I will take my pulse every morning when I awake." Correct
Answer "I will have to disconnect my garage door opener."
A client has returned to the medical-surgical unit after a cardiac
catheterization. Which is the MOST important initial
postprocedure nursing assessment for this client?
Monitor the laboratory values
Observe neurologic function every 15 minutes
Observe the puncture site for swelling and bleeding
Monitor skin warmth and turgor Correct Answer Observe the
puncture site for swelling and bleeding
A client is admitted for treatment of hypoparathyroidism. Based
on the client's diagnosis, the nurse would anticipate an order for:
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Iron Correct Answer Calcium
A client is admitted to an emergency department with chest pain
that is being ruled out for myocardial infarction. Vital signs are
as follows: at 11am → P - 92, RR - 24, BP - 140/88; at 11:15am
→ P - 96, RR - 26, BP - 128/82; at 11:30am → P - 104, RR - 28,
BP - 104/68; at 11:45am → P - 118, RR - 32, BP - 88/58. The
nurse should alert the physician because these changes are most
consistent with which of the following complications?
Exam Questions With Complete Solutions
A 66 year old client complaining of not feeling well is seen in a
clinic. The client is taking several medications for the control of
heart disease and hypertension. These medications include:
atenolol (Ternormin), digoxin (Lanoxin), and chlorothiazide
(Diuril). A tentative diagnosis of digoxin toxicity is made.
Which of the following assessment data would support this
diagnosis?
Dyspnea, edema, and palpitations
Chest pain, hypotension, and paresthesia
Double vision, loss of appetite, and nausea
Constipation, dry mouth, and sleep disorder Correct Answer
Double vision, loss of appetite, and nausea
A 68-year-old woman is scheduled to undergo mitral valve
replacement for severe mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation.
Although the diagnosis was made during childhood, she did not
have any symptoms until 4 years ago. Recently, she noticed
increased symptoms, despite daily doses of digoxin and
furosemide. During the initial interview with the nice lady, the
nurse would most likely learn that the client's childhood health
history included:
Chicken pox
poliomyelitis
Rheumatic fever
meningitis Correct Answer Rheumatic fever
,A client admitted to the hospital with chest pain and history of
type 2 diabetes mellitus is scheduled for cardiac catheterization.
Which of the following medications would need to be withheld
for 48 hours before and after the procedure?
Regular insulin
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Repaglinide (Prandin)
Metformin (Glucophage) Correct Answer Metformin
(Glucophage)
A client asks the nurse why her provider prescribed 1 aspirin per
day. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
"Aspirin reduces the formation of blood clots that could cause a
heart attack."
"Aspirin decreases any pain due to myocardial ischemia."
"Aspirin dissolves any clots that are forming in your coronary
arteries."
"Aspirin relieves any headaches that are caused by other
medications." Correct Answer "Aspirin reduces the formation
of blood clots that could cause a heart attack."
A client being discharged to home after angioplasty via the right
femoral groin as the catheter insertion site has received
discharge instructions from the nurse. Client learning is evident
if which of the following statements is made?
Coolness or discoloration of the right foot is expected
I should expect a large area of bruising at the right groin
, Temperature as high as 101F is nit unusual a few days after the
procedure
Mild discomfort in the right groin may occur, and Tylenol
should relieve the pain Correct Answer Mild discomfort in the
right groin may occur, and Tylenol should relieve the pain
A client has developed atrial fibrillation, with a ventricular rate
of 150 bpm. The nurse should assess the client for which
associated signs or symptoms?
Flat neck veins
Nausea and vomiting
Hypotension and dizziness
Hypertension and headache Correct Answer Hypotension and
dizziness
A client has frequent bursts of ventricular tachycardia on the
cardiac monitor. What should the nurse be most concerned about
with this dysrhythmia?
It can develop into ventricular fibrillation at any time
It is almost impossible to convert to a normal rhythm
It is uncomfortable for the client, giving a sense of impending
doom
It produces a high cardiac output that quickly leads to cerebral
and myocardial ischemia Correct Answer It can develop into
ventricular fibrillation at any time
A client has now received a permanent pacemaker. Which of the
following statements indicate a need for further teaching?
, "I will notify the airport screeners about my pacemaker."
"I will call if I notice hiccups or muscle twitching."
"I will have to disconnect my garage door opener."
"I will take my pulse every morning when I awake." Correct
Answer "I will have to disconnect my garage door opener."
A client has returned to the medical-surgical unit after a cardiac
catheterization. Which is the MOST important initial
postprocedure nursing assessment for this client?
Monitor the laboratory values
Observe neurologic function every 15 minutes
Observe the puncture site for swelling and bleeding
Monitor skin warmth and turgor Correct Answer Observe the
puncture site for swelling and bleeding
A client is admitted for treatment of hypoparathyroidism. Based
on the client's diagnosis, the nurse would anticipate an order for:
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Iron Correct Answer Calcium
A client is admitted to an emergency department with chest pain
that is being ruled out for myocardial infarction. Vital signs are
as follows: at 11am → P - 92, RR - 24, BP - 140/88; at 11:15am
→ P - 96, RR - 26, BP - 128/82; at 11:30am → P - 104, RR - 28,
BP - 104/68; at 11:45am → P - 118, RR - 32, BP - 88/58. The
nurse should alert the physician because these changes are most
consistent with which of the following complications?
