BRUNNER & SUDDARTH MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING TEST BANK LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1.
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing risk
for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2.
A client is experiencing chest pain suspected to be myocardial infarction. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Administer oxygen
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Give antacids
Answer: B. Oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen increases myocardial oxygen supply during acute ischemia.
3.
,Which finding indicates worsening heart failure?
A. Weight loss
B. Decreased edema
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Crackles indicate pulmonary congestion from fluid overload.
4.
A client with COPD should be positioned in which way to promote breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and oxygenation.
5.
Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath
B. Sweating and tremors
C. Slow pulse
D. Polyuria
Answer: B. Sweating and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers adrenergic response causing sweating, tremors,
and anxiety.
6.
,A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL. What is the first action?
A. Give insulin
B. Provide 15g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Restrict fluids
D. Recheck in 1 hour
Answer: B. Provide 15g fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Immediate glucose replacement is required to prevent brain injury.
7.
Which is a sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Tachycardia and fever
C. Hypotension and tachypnea
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Cushing’s triad indicates rising ICP.
8.
A patient with stroke has difficulty speaking. This is called:
A. Dysphagia
B. Aphasia
C. Ataxia
D. Apraxia
Answer: B. Aphasia
Rationale: Aphasia is impaired ability to communicate due to brain injury.
9.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most dangerous in cardiac patients?
A. Hyperkalemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium can cause fatal dysrhythmias.
10.
A postoperative patient is at highest risk for which complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Cataracts
Answer: B. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility increases risk of venous stasis and clot formation.
11.
Which action helps prevent atelectasis after surgery?
A. Bed rest
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Fluid restriction
D. Supine positioning
Answer: B. Incentive spirometry
Rationale: Promotes lung expansion and prevents alveolar collapse.
12.
Which symptom indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea
B. Hypertension
C. Polyuria
NURSING TEST BANK LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1.
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing risk
for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2.
A client is experiencing chest pain suspected to be myocardial infarction. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Administer oxygen
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Give antacids
Answer: B. Oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen increases myocardial oxygen supply during acute ischemia.
3.
,Which finding indicates worsening heart failure?
A. Weight loss
B. Decreased edema
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Crackles indicate pulmonary congestion from fluid overload.
4.
A client with COPD should be positioned in which way to promote breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and oxygenation.
5.
Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath
B. Sweating and tremors
C. Slow pulse
D. Polyuria
Answer: B. Sweating and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers adrenergic response causing sweating, tremors,
and anxiety.
6.
,A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL. What is the first action?
A. Give insulin
B. Provide 15g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Restrict fluids
D. Recheck in 1 hour
Answer: B. Provide 15g fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Immediate glucose replacement is required to prevent brain injury.
7.
Which is a sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Tachycardia and fever
C. Hypotension and tachypnea
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Cushing’s triad indicates rising ICP.
8.
A patient with stroke has difficulty speaking. This is called:
A. Dysphagia
B. Aphasia
C. Ataxia
D. Apraxia
Answer: B. Aphasia
Rationale: Aphasia is impaired ability to communicate due to brain injury.
9.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most dangerous in cardiac patients?
A. Hyperkalemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium can cause fatal dysrhythmias.
10.
A postoperative patient is at highest risk for which complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Cataracts
Answer: B. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility increases risk of venous stasis and clot formation.
11.
Which action helps prevent atelectasis after surgery?
A. Bed rest
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Fluid restriction
D. Supine positioning
Answer: B. Incentive spirometry
Rationale: Promotes lung expansion and prevents alveolar collapse.
12.
Which symptom indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea
B. Hypertension
C. Polyuria
