ANCC MED-SURG-BC EXAM QUESTIONS 1–
100 WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES | 2026
LATEST VERSION 6.1
American Nurses Credentialing Center: Medical-Surgical Nurse
Latest Version: 6.1
Question 1
A patient with herpes zoster is newly admitted to the hospital. Based on
your nursing knowledge of this disease, which statement is correct?
A. If a person has not had chickenpox, they could contract herpes
zoster
B. Herpes zoster can appear in a healthy person at any time
C. Herpes zoster can only be diagnosed by skin stains
D. The virus is located in the basement membrane zone of the skin
Answer: A
Explanation***
Herpes zoster (shingles) results from reactivation of varicella-zoster
virus in nerve ganglia. People who never had chickenpox can contract
the virus if exposed. It is not limited to appearing in healthy individuals,
and diagnosis is not solely by skin stains. The virus resides dormant in
nerve ganglia, not the basement membrane.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis who is
having trouble performing ADLs. Which interdisciplinary team member
is most important to involve?
A. Physical therapist
,B. Rheumatologist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Social worker
Answer: C
Explanation***
Occupational therapists specialize in helping patients perform activities
of daily living despite physical limitations. Physical therapists focus on
mobility and strength; rheumatologists manage disease progression;
social workers assist with social and financial needs.
Question 3
During a follow-up visit, a patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
expresses difficulty adhering to the prescribed diet. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Review the patient’s dietary log
B. Provide additional teaching
C. Refer to a dietitian
D. Provide educational materials
Answer: A
Explanation***
Reviewing the dietary log allows the nurse to identify specific
challenges and patterns, enabling targeted interventions. Education or
referrals are most effective after understanding the patient’s current
adherence and barriers.
Question 4
,A nurse is educating a patient with heart failure about dietary
modifications. Which is the most important advice?
A. Limiting sodium intake
B. Avoiding large meals
C. Limiting sugar intake
D. Increasing vegetable intake
Answer: A
Explanation***
Sodium restriction is essential to prevent fluid retention and worsening
heart failure. Other interventions are supportive but do not directly
manage heart failure symptoms as effectively as sodium control.
Question 5
A patient requests to see their medical records, but some information
may cause distress. What should the nurse do?
A. Discuss the records with the patient and provide support
B. Allow the patient to see the records as requested
C. Allow access only to non-distressing parts
D. Refuse the request
Answer: A
Explanation***
Patients have the right to access their records, but nurses should provide
guidance and support to help them interpret and process the
information safely. Denying access or restricting content violates patient
rights.
Question 6
, Which best describes the locations affected by Crohn’s disease?
A. Crohn’s can occur anywhere in the GI tract
B. Crohn’s only occurs in the small intestines
C. Crohn’s occurs in both large and small intestines
D. Crohn’s only occurs in the large intestines
Answer: A
Explanation***
Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from
mouth to anus, although it often affects the terminal ileum and right
colon. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the large intestine.
Question 7
Which best describes meningitis?
A. An infection that causes headaches and confusion
B. A type of infectious bacteria
C. Inflammation of the tissues lining the brain and spinal cord
D. Any infection affecting brain tissues
Answer: C
Explanation***
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, usually due to
infection. While it can cause headaches or confusion, these are
symptoms, not definitions. It is not a type of bacteria, and it does not
include all brain infections.
Question 8
A patient on 6 LPM O2 via nasal cannula has an O2 sat of 93%. What is
important to keep in mind while trying to reach 95%?
100 WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES | 2026
LATEST VERSION 6.1
American Nurses Credentialing Center: Medical-Surgical Nurse
Latest Version: 6.1
Question 1
A patient with herpes zoster is newly admitted to the hospital. Based on
your nursing knowledge of this disease, which statement is correct?
A. If a person has not had chickenpox, they could contract herpes
zoster
B. Herpes zoster can appear in a healthy person at any time
C. Herpes zoster can only be diagnosed by skin stains
D. The virus is located in the basement membrane zone of the skin
Answer: A
Explanation***
Herpes zoster (shingles) results from reactivation of varicella-zoster
virus in nerve ganglia. People who never had chickenpox can contract
the virus if exposed. It is not limited to appearing in healthy individuals,
and diagnosis is not solely by skin stains. The virus resides dormant in
nerve ganglia, not the basement membrane.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis who is
having trouble performing ADLs. Which interdisciplinary team member
is most important to involve?
A. Physical therapist
,B. Rheumatologist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Social worker
Answer: C
Explanation***
Occupational therapists specialize in helping patients perform activities
of daily living despite physical limitations. Physical therapists focus on
mobility and strength; rheumatologists manage disease progression;
social workers assist with social and financial needs.
Question 3
During a follow-up visit, a patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
expresses difficulty adhering to the prescribed diet. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Review the patient’s dietary log
B. Provide additional teaching
C. Refer to a dietitian
D. Provide educational materials
Answer: A
Explanation***
Reviewing the dietary log allows the nurse to identify specific
challenges and patterns, enabling targeted interventions. Education or
referrals are most effective after understanding the patient’s current
adherence and barriers.
Question 4
,A nurse is educating a patient with heart failure about dietary
modifications. Which is the most important advice?
A. Limiting sodium intake
B. Avoiding large meals
C. Limiting sugar intake
D. Increasing vegetable intake
Answer: A
Explanation***
Sodium restriction is essential to prevent fluid retention and worsening
heart failure. Other interventions are supportive but do not directly
manage heart failure symptoms as effectively as sodium control.
Question 5
A patient requests to see their medical records, but some information
may cause distress. What should the nurse do?
A. Discuss the records with the patient and provide support
B. Allow the patient to see the records as requested
C. Allow access only to non-distressing parts
D. Refuse the request
Answer: A
Explanation***
Patients have the right to access their records, but nurses should provide
guidance and support to help them interpret and process the
information safely. Denying access or restricting content violates patient
rights.
Question 6
, Which best describes the locations affected by Crohn’s disease?
A. Crohn’s can occur anywhere in the GI tract
B. Crohn’s only occurs in the small intestines
C. Crohn’s occurs in both large and small intestines
D. Crohn’s only occurs in the large intestines
Answer: A
Explanation***
Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from
mouth to anus, although it often affects the terminal ileum and right
colon. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the large intestine.
Question 7
Which best describes meningitis?
A. An infection that causes headaches and confusion
B. A type of infectious bacteria
C. Inflammation of the tissues lining the brain and spinal cord
D. Any infection affecting brain tissues
Answer: C
Explanation***
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, usually due to
infection. While it can cause headaches or confusion, these are
symptoms, not definitions. It is not a type of bacteria, and it does not
include all brain infections.
Question 8
A patient on 6 LPM O2 via nasal cannula has an O2 sat of 93%. What is
important to keep in mind while trying to reach 95%?
