MED-SURG PATIENT MANAGEMENT EXAM LATEST
2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: B. Crackles in lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload and possible pulmonary edema, which
is life-threatening and requires immediate action.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 60 mg/dL. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of glucose
C. Check HbA1c
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B. Give 15 g of glucose
Rationale: Hypoglycemia must be treated immediately with fast-acting
carbohydrates to prevent complications.
,3. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Stable post-op client with pain 6/10
B. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation 88%
C. Client awaiting discharge
D. Client with mild nausea
Answer: B. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation 88%
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are the highest priorities (ABCs).
4. A nurse is administering IV potassium. Which action is correct?
A. Give IV push
B. Dilute and infuse slowly
C. Administer via IM route
D. Mix with insulin
Answer: B. Dilute and infuse slowly
Rationale: IV potassium must never be given as a push due to risk of cardiac
arrest.
5. A client develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What is the priority action?
A. Administer morphine
B. Obtain ECG
C. Apply oxygen
D. Call family
Answer: C. Apply oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen supports tissue perfusion and is prioritized in acute chest pain.
6. Which lab value requires immediate reporting?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 6.2 mEq/L
, C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B. Potassium 6.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which intervention improves
oxygenation?
A. Bed rest
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Fluid restriction
D. Low-protein diet
Answer: B. Incentive spirometry
Rationale: It promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis.
8. A client is at risk for pressure ulcers. What is the priority intervention?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Apply lotion
D. Limit mobility
Answer: B. Reposition every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning prevents tissue breakdown.
9. A nurse notes a client has a fever post-surgery. What is the priority action?
A. Give antibiotics immediately
B. Assess surgical site
C. Administer antipyretic
D. Increase fluids
2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: B. Crackles in lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload and possible pulmonary edema, which
is life-threatening and requires immediate action.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 60 mg/dL. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of glucose
C. Check HbA1c
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B. Give 15 g of glucose
Rationale: Hypoglycemia must be treated immediately with fast-acting
carbohydrates to prevent complications.
,3. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Stable post-op client with pain 6/10
B. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation 88%
C. Client awaiting discharge
D. Client with mild nausea
Answer: B. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation 88%
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are the highest priorities (ABCs).
4. A nurse is administering IV potassium. Which action is correct?
A. Give IV push
B. Dilute and infuse slowly
C. Administer via IM route
D. Mix with insulin
Answer: B. Dilute and infuse slowly
Rationale: IV potassium must never be given as a push due to risk of cardiac
arrest.
5. A client develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What is the priority action?
A. Administer morphine
B. Obtain ECG
C. Apply oxygen
D. Call family
Answer: C. Apply oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen supports tissue perfusion and is prioritized in acute chest pain.
6. Which lab value requires immediate reporting?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 6.2 mEq/L
, C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B. Potassium 6.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which intervention improves
oxygenation?
A. Bed rest
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Fluid restriction
D. Low-protein diet
Answer: B. Incentive spirometry
Rationale: It promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis.
8. A client is at risk for pressure ulcers. What is the priority intervention?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Apply lotion
D. Limit mobility
Answer: B. Reposition every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning prevents tissue breakdown.
9. A nurse notes a client has a fever post-surgery. What is the priority action?
A. Give antibiotics immediately
B. Assess surgical site
C. Administer antipyretic
D. Increase fluids
