MED-SURG PRACTICE Q&A
BANK QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT RATIONALS
GRADED A+ GUARANTEED
100% PASS
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular (25 questions)
Q1. A client with heart failure has crackles in both lung bases, an S3 gallop, and jugular
vein distension. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer furosemide IV push
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Restrict oral fluids to 1.5 L/day
Rationale: B – High-Fowler's position reduces venous return (preload) and improves
lung expansion. Airway/breathing first. After positioning, check SpO2, then give
diuretics.
,Q2. A client post-MI develops crackles, tachypnea, and pink frothy sputum. What is the
priority action?
A. Morphine IV
B. Furosemide IV
C. Nitroglycerin SL
D. Position upright with legs dangling
Rationale: D – Upright position with legs dangling reduces preload immediately in
acute pulmonary edema. This is first-line before medications.
Q3. A client with unstable angina reports chest pain 6/10. Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL was
given 5 minutes ago with no relief. What next?
A. Repeat nitroglycerin SL
B. Administer morphine IV
C. Give aspirin 324 mg chewable
D. Start a nitroglycerin drip
Rationale: A – Repeat nitroglycerin SL – Up to 3 doses 5 min apart. Aspirin should
already be given on arrival. Morphine is after 3 nitros fail.
Q4. A client on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation reports cough and progressive dyspnea.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Hold the next dose of amiodarone
B. Auscultate lung sounds
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min
Rationale: C – Notify provider immediately – Amiodarone can cause pulmonary
toxicity (fibrosis). Cough + dyspnea = red flag. Do not hold without order but report
stat.
, Q5. A client post-cardiac catheterization via femoral artery has a large hematoma at the
puncture site and reports severe back pain. What is the priority action?
A. Apply firm pressure above the site
B. Assess pedal pulses
C. Notify the provider stat
D. Check hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: A – Apply firm pressure above the site – Suspected retroperitoneal
bleeding. Pressure helps tamponade. Then notify provider.
Q6. A client with deep vein thrombosis is on heparin infusion. The aPTT is 120 seconds
(control 30). What action is most important?
A. Decrease the heparin rate
B. Hold heparin and prepare protamine sulfate
C. Check for bleeding
D. Notify the provider
Rationale: B – Hold heparin and prepare protamine – Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5–2.5x
control (45–75 sec). 120 sec is critical overdose. Protamine is reversal agent.
Q7. A client with pericarditis reports sharp chest pain worse when lying flat. What non-
pharmacologic intervention helps most?
A. Deep breathing exercises
B. Sitting upright and leaning forward
C. Applying a heating pad to chest
D. Lying on the left side
Rationale: B – Sitting upright and leaning forward reduces pericardial friction and
pain. Lying flat worsens pain.
Q8. A client with hypertension is started on hydrochlorothiazide. Which lab finding
requires immediate action?
BANK QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT RATIONALS
GRADED A+ GUARANTEED
100% PASS
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular (25 questions)
Q1. A client with heart failure has crackles in both lung bases, an S3 gallop, and jugular
vein distension. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer furosemide IV push
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Restrict oral fluids to 1.5 L/day
Rationale: B – High-Fowler's position reduces venous return (preload) and improves
lung expansion. Airway/breathing first. After positioning, check SpO2, then give
diuretics.
,Q2. A client post-MI develops crackles, tachypnea, and pink frothy sputum. What is the
priority action?
A. Morphine IV
B. Furosemide IV
C. Nitroglycerin SL
D. Position upright with legs dangling
Rationale: D – Upright position with legs dangling reduces preload immediately in
acute pulmonary edema. This is first-line before medications.
Q3. A client with unstable angina reports chest pain 6/10. Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL was
given 5 minutes ago with no relief. What next?
A. Repeat nitroglycerin SL
B. Administer morphine IV
C. Give aspirin 324 mg chewable
D. Start a nitroglycerin drip
Rationale: A – Repeat nitroglycerin SL – Up to 3 doses 5 min apart. Aspirin should
already be given on arrival. Morphine is after 3 nitros fail.
Q4. A client on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation reports cough and progressive dyspnea.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Hold the next dose of amiodarone
B. Auscultate lung sounds
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min
Rationale: C – Notify provider immediately – Amiodarone can cause pulmonary
toxicity (fibrosis). Cough + dyspnea = red flag. Do not hold without order but report
stat.
, Q5. A client post-cardiac catheterization via femoral artery has a large hematoma at the
puncture site and reports severe back pain. What is the priority action?
A. Apply firm pressure above the site
B. Assess pedal pulses
C. Notify the provider stat
D. Check hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: A – Apply firm pressure above the site – Suspected retroperitoneal
bleeding. Pressure helps tamponade. Then notify provider.
Q6. A client with deep vein thrombosis is on heparin infusion. The aPTT is 120 seconds
(control 30). What action is most important?
A. Decrease the heparin rate
B. Hold heparin and prepare protamine sulfate
C. Check for bleeding
D. Notify the provider
Rationale: B – Hold heparin and prepare protamine – Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5–2.5x
control (45–75 sec). 120 sec is critical overdose. Protamine is reversal agent.
Q7. A client with pericarditis reports sharp chest pain worse when lying flat. What non-
pharmacologic intervention helps most?
A. Deep breathing exercises
B. Sitting upright and leaning forward
C. Applying a heating pad to chest
D. Lying on the left side
Rationale: B – Sitting upright and leaning forward reduces pericardial friction and
pain. Lying flat worsens pain.
Q8. A client with hypertension is started on hydrochlorothiazide. Which lab finding
requires immediate action?
