Fall SemeSter 2025 | atI CapStone medICal-
SurgICal aSSeSSment 1 & 2 exam prep 2025–
2026 | 235+ VerIFIed praCtICe QueStIonS wIth
CorreCt anSwerS & detaIled ratIonaleS |
ComprehenSIVe med-Surg nurSIng teSt Bank &
Study guIde For rn & pn StudentS | updated atI
CapStone reVIew reSourCe
Question 1:
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. NPO status to rest the pancreas.
B. Administering pain medication as needed.
C. Encouraging high-protein, low-fat diet.
D. Providing oral hydration as tolerated.
Correct answer: A. NPO status to rest the pancreas.
Rationale: Keeping the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) helps to minimize pancreatic
stimulation and allows the pancreas to rest, which is crucial in managing acute
pancreatitis.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week.
B. Decreased urine output.
C. Increased energy levels.
D. Improved respiratory status.
Correct answer: A. Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week.
Rationale: Rapid weight gain is a common indicator of fluid retention in heart failure
patients, suggesting worsening fluid overload.
Question 3:
A patient is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor
to assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A. PT/INR.
B. aPTT.
,C. CBC.
D. Platelet count.
Correct answer: A. PT/INR.
Rationale: Warfarin's effectiveness is monitored using the prothrombin time (PT) and
international normalized ratio (INR) to ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic
range to prevent clotting.
Question 4:
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who
is using a bronchodilator. Which finding indicates effective medication administration?
A. Decreased respiratory rate.
B. Increased wheezing.
C. Improved oxygen saturation levels.
D. Increased work of breathing.
Correct answer: C. Improved oxygen saturation levels.
Rationale: Effective bronchodilator administration results in improved airflow, which
leads to increased oxygen saturation levels and decreased respiratory distress.
Question 5:
A patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
B. Provide a snack with protein and carbohydrates.
C. Monitor blood glucose every hour.
D. Call the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: A. Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
Rationale: The immediate treatment for hypoglycemia is to provide fast-acting
carbohydrates to quickly raise blood glucose levels.
Question 6:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of albuterol. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I can use this medication to relieve my asthma symptoms."
B. "I should not exceed the prescribed dosage."
C. "I can use this medication as a rescue inhaler during an attack."
D. "I can stop using this medication once I feel better."
,Correct answer: D. "I can stop using this medication once I feel better."
Rationale: Patients should understand that albuterol is used for symptom relief and
should not be discontinued abruptly, as asthma symptoms can return.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who has just received morphine for pain
management. Which assessment is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate.
B. Pain level.
C. Blood pressure.
D. Heart rate.
Correct answer: A. Respiratory rate.
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, making it essential to monitor
the patient's respiratory rate closely following administration.
Question 8:
A patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which statement
by the patient indicates an understanding of the medication?
A. "I should monitor my blood pressure regularly."
B. "I can stop taking this medication if I feel fine."
C. "This medication will cure my hypertension."
D. "I need to avoid all fruits and vegetables."
Correct answer: A. "I should monitor my blood pressure regularly."
Rationale: Patients should regularly monitor their blood pressure to ensure the
medication is effectively managing their hypertension.
Question 9:
A patient is receiving digoxin. Which symptom should the nurse monitor for that
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Nausea and vomiting.
B. Bradycardia.
C. Increased appetite.
D. Decreased urination.
Correct answer: A. Nausea and vomiting.
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity, and patients
should be monitored for these symptoms.
, Question 10:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is the priority
for the nurse?
A. Verify tube placement before feeding.
B. Ensure the tube is patent.
C. Administer medications through the tube.
D. Change the NG tube every 24 hours.
Correct answer: A. Verify tube placement before feeding.
Rationale: Confirming the correct placement of the NG tube is critical to prevent
aspiration and ensure safe feeding.
Question 11:
A patient is diagnosed with chronic renal failure. Which laboratory result is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Elevated serum creatinine.
B. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
C. Increased hemoglobin level.
D. Decreased potassium level.
Correct answer: A. Elevated serum creatinine.
Rationale: Elevated serum creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney function,
common in chronic renal failure.
Question 12:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy. What is a priority intervention?
A. Monitor for signs of infection.
B. Encourage high-protein snacks.
C. Assess for pain at the injection site.
D. Increase fluid intake.
Correct answer: A. Monitor for signs of infection.
Rationale: Chemotherapy can cause immunosuppression, increasing the risk of
infection, so vigilance is critical.
Question 13:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What should the nurse
teach the patient?
A. Rinse the mouth after use to prevent thrush.
B. Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack.
C. This medication can be used as a rescue inhaler.
D. There are no side effects associated with corticosteroids.
SurgICal aSSeSSment 1 & 2 exam prep 2025–
2026 | 235+ VerIFIed praCtICe QueStIonS wIth
CorreCt anSwerS & detaIled ratIonaleS |
ComprehenSIVe med-Surg nurSIng teSt Bank &
Study guIde For rn & pn StudentS | updated atI
CapStone reVIew reSourCe
Question 1:
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. NPO status to rest the pancreas.
B. Administering pain medication as needed.
C. Encouraging high-protein, low-fat diet.
D. Providing oral hydration as tolerated.
Correct answer: A. NPO status to rest the pancreas.
Rationale: Keeping the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) helps to minimize pancreatic
stimulation and allows the pancreas to rest, which is crucial in managing acute
pancreatitis.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week.
B. Decreased urine output.
C. Increased energy levels.
D. Improved respiratory status.
Correct answer: A. Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week.
Rationale: Rapid weight gain is a common indicator of fluid retention in heart failure
patients, suggesting worsening fluid overload.
Question 3:
A patient is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor
to assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A. PT/INR.
B. aPTT.
,C. CBC.
D. Platelet count.
Correct answer: A. PT/INR.
Rationale: Warfarin's effectiveness is monitored using the prothrombin time (PT) and
international normalized ratio (INR) to ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic
range to prevent clotting.
Question 4:
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who
is using a bronchodilator. Which finding indicates effective medication administration?
A. Decreased respiratory rate.
B. Increased wheezing.
C. Improved oxygen saturation levels.
D. Increased work of breathing.
Correct answer: C. Improved oxygen saturation levels.
Rationale: Effective bronchodilator administration results in improved airflow, which
leads to increased oxygen saturation levels and decreased respiratory distress.
Question 5:
A patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
B. Provide a snack with protein and carbohydrates.
C. Monitor blood glucose every hour.
D. Call the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: A. Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
Rationale: The immediate treatment for hypoglycemia is to provide fast-acting
carbohydrates to quickly raise blood glucose levels.
Question 6:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of albuterol. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I can use this medication to relieve my asthma symptoms."
B. "I should not exceed the prescribed dosage."
C. "I can use this medication as a rescue inhaler during an attack."
D. "I can stop using this medication once I feel better."
,Correct answer: D. "I can stop using this medication once I feel better."
Rationale: Patients should understand that albuterol is used for symptom relief and
should not be discontinued abruptly, as asthma symptoms can return.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who has just received morphine for pain
management. Which assessment is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate.
B. Pain level.
C. Blood pressure.
D. Heart rate.
Correct answer: A. Respiratory rate.
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, making it essential to monitor
the patient's respiratory rate closely following administration.
Question 8:
A patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which statement
by the patient indicates an understanding of the medication?
A. "I should monitor my blood pressure regularly."
B. "I can stop taking this medication if I feel fine."
C. "This medication will cure my hypertension."
D. "I need to avoid all fruits and vegetables."
Correct answer: A. "I should monitor my blood pressure regularly."
Rationale: Patients should regularly monitor their blood pressure to ensure the
medication is effectively managing their hypertension.
Question 9:
A patient is receiving digoxin. Which symptom should the nurse monitor for that
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Nausea and vomiting.
B. Bradycardia.
C. Increased appetite.
D. Decreased urination.
Correct answer: A. Nausea and vomiting.
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity, and patients
should be monitored for these symptoms.
, Question 10:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is the priority
for the nurse?
A. Verify tube placement before feeding.
B. Ensure the tube is patent.
C. Administer medications through the tube.
D. Change the NG tube every 24 hours.
Correct answer: A. Verify tube placement before feeding.
Rationale: Confirming the correct placement of the NG tube is critical to prevent
aspiration and ensure safe feeding.
Question 11:
A patient is diagnosed with chronic renal failure. Which laboratory result is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Elevated serum creatinine.
B. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
C. Increased hemoglobin level.
D. Decreased potassium level.
Correct answer: A. Elevated serum creatinine.
Rationale: Elevated serum creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney function,
common in chronic renal failure.
Question 12:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy. What is a priority intervention?
A. Monitor for signs of infection.
B. Encourage high-protein snacks.
C. Assess for pain at the injection site.
D. Increase fluid intake.
Correct answer: A. Monitor for signs of infection.
Rationale: Chemotherapy can cause immunosuppression, increasing the risk of
infection, so vigilance is critical.
Question 13:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What should the nurse
teach the patient?
A. Rinse the mouth after use to prevent thrush.
B. Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack.
C. This medication can be used as a rescue inhaler.
D. There are no side effects associated with corticosteroids.
