Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing — EPIC — 100 Assessment
Questions with Correct Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales Latest Update Get Instant PDF
, Introduction
This document contains 100 adult medical-surgical nursing
assessment questions with answers and detailed rationales. It
covers respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies, fluid and
electrolyte disorders, diabetes, stroke and neurologic
conditions, postoperative care, sepsis, gastrointestinal and
hepatic disorders, renal disease, medications, pressure
injuries, and patient safety.
Exam Questions and Answers
1. A nurse assesses a patient with shortness of breath.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% with increasing work of
breathing
C. Mild anxiety
D. Occasional nonproductive cough
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia accompanied by increased work of
breathing indicates possible respiratory compromise and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
,2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with
hypovolemia?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Tachycardia and hypotension
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit can cause decreased
circulating volume, resulting in tachycardia, hypotension,
poor skin perfusion, and decreased urine output.
3. A patient reports crushing chest pressure with
diaphoresis. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Obtain an ECG promptly and initiate emergency assessment
C. Give a full meal
D. Reassess in 2 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pressure with diaphoresis can indicate acute
coronary syndrome. Rapid assessment, including ECG
acquisition, is essential.
4. Which laboratory value is most concerning for acute
kidney injury?
, A. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.8 mg/dL
C. Sodium 139 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: A substantially elevated creatinine may indicate
impaired renal function and requires evaluation in clinical
context.
5. Which finding should a nurse expect in a patient with
left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Enlarged liver only
C. Peripheral pulses absent in both legs
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure can cause pulmonary
congestion, producing crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea, and
pulmonary edema.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with right-sided
heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Pulmonary embolism only
Questions with Correct Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales Latest Update Get Instant PDF
, Introduction
This document contains 100 adult medical-surgical nursing
assessment questions with answers and detailed rationales. It
covers respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies, fluid and
electrolyte disorders, diabetes, stroke and neurologic
conditions, postoperative care, sepsis, gastrointestinal and
hepatic disorders, renal disease, medications, pressure
injuries, and patient safety.
Exam Questions and Answers
1. A nurse assesses a patient with shortness of breath.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% with increasing work of
breathing
C. Mild anxiety
D. Occasional nonproductive cough
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia accompanied by increased work of
breathing indicates possible respiratory compromise and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
,2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with
hypovolemia?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Tachycardia and hypotension
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit can cause decreased
circulating volume, resulting in tachycardia, hypotension,
poor skin perfusion, and decreased urine output.
3. A patient reports crushing chest pressure with
diaphoresis. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Obtain an ECG promptly and initiate emergency assessment
C. Give a full meal
D. Reassess in 2 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pressure with diaphoresis can indicate acute
coronary syndrome. Rapid assessment, including ECG
acquisition, is essential.
4. Which laboratory value is most concerning for acute
kidney injury?
, A. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.8 mg/dL
C. Sodium 139 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: A substantially elevated creatinine may indicate
impaired renal function and requires evaluation in clinical
context.
5. Which finding should a nurse expect in a patient with
left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Enlarged liver only
C. Peripheral pulses absent in both legs
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure can cause pulmonary
congestion, producing crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea, and
pulmonary edema.
6. Which finding is commonly associated with right-sided
heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Pulmonary embolism only
