NUR 170 EXAM 3 CONCEPTS OF MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cardiovascular disorders
Heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Hypertension
Peripheral vascular disease
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetic emergencies
Respiratory disorders
Acid-base balance
Medication safety and nursing priorities
Introduction
, This exam assesses knowledge and clinical judgment in medical-surgical nursing, with emphasis on adult
patient care, nursing priorities, and safe interventions. Questions are designed to evaluate understanding of
common disease processes, patient education, pharmacology, monitoring, and complication prevention. The
format includes multiple-choice and scenario-based items that require application of theory to real-world
clinical situations. Success depends on recognizing abnormal findings, selecting appropriate nursing actions,
and applying professional standards in acute and chronic care settings. The questions reflect the decision-
making skills expected in safe, effective bedside practice.
Section One
. A client with chest pain has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which laboratory test is most important for
evaluating long-term glycemic control?
A. Serum sodium
B. HbA1c
C. Troponin
D. Creatinine
🟢 Correct answer: B. HbA1c
🔴 RATIONALE: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2 to 3 months and is used to assess
long-term diabetic control.
. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Ascites
, 🟢 Correct answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
🔴 RATIONALE: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, which commonly presents with
crackles and dyspnea.
. A client with hypertension asks why sodium restriction is recommended. What is the best response?
A. “It decreases blood viscosity.”
B. “It reduces fluid retention and blood pressure.”
C. “It prevents hypoglycemia.”
D. “It increases myocardial contractility.”
🟢 Correct answer: B. “It reduces fluid retention and blood pressure.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Lower sodium intake helps reduce water retention and can lower blood pressure.
. Which symptom is most concerning in a client with acute myocardial infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Diaphoresis
C. Intermittent headache
D. Dry skin
🟢 Correct answer: B. Diaphoresis
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis is a classic sign of acute cardiac ischemia and requires prompt attention.
, . A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about hypoglycemia. Which symptom should be reported
immediately?
A. Tremors
B. Sweating
C. Hunger
D. Blurred vision
🟢 Correct answer: D. Blurred vision
🔴 RATIONALE: Blurred vision can indicate significant hypoglycemia and impaired neurologic function.
. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce preload in heart failure?
A. Furosemide
B. Metformin
C. Warfarin
D. Albuterol
🟢 Correct answer: A. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide promotes diuresis, decreasing fluid volume and preload in heart failure.
. Which finding suggests peripheral arterial disease?
A. Warm, pink feet
B. Bounding pulses
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Large varicose veins
🟢 Correct answer: C. Intermittent claudication
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cardiovascular disorders
Heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Hypertension
Peripheral vascular disease
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetic emergencies
Respiratory disorders
Acid-base balance
Medication safety and nursing priorities
Introduction
, This exam assesses knowledge and clinical judgment in medical-surgical nursing, with emphasis on adult
patient care, nursing priorities, and safe interventions. Questions are designed to evaluate understanding of
common disease processes, patient education, pharmacology, monitoring, and complication prevention. The
format includes multiple-choice and scenario-based items that require application of theory to real-world
clinical situations. Success depends on recognizing abnormal findings, selecting appropriate nursing actions,
and applying professional standards in acute and chronic care settings. The questions reflect the decision-
making skills expected in safe, effective bedside practice.
Section One
. A client with chest pain has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which laboratory test is most important for
evaluating long-term glycemic control?
A. Serum sodium
B. HbA1c
C. Troponin
D. Creatinine
🟢 Correct answer: B. HbA1c
🔴 RATIONALE: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2 to 3 months and is used to assess
long-term diabetic control.
. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Ascites
, 🟢 Correct answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
🔴 RATIONALE: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, which commonly presents with
crackles and dyspnea.
. A client with hypertension asks why sodium restriction is recommended. What is the best response?
A. “It decreases blood viscosity.”
B. “It reduces fluid retention and blood pressure.”
C. “It prevents hypoglycemia.”
D. “It increases myocardial contractility.”
🟢 Correct answer: B. “It reduces fluid retention and blood pressure.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Lower sodium intake helps reduce water retention and can lower blood pressure.
. Which symptom is most concerning in a client with acute myocardial infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Diaphoresis
C. Intermittent headache
D. Dry skin
🟢 Correct answer: B. Diaphoresis
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis is a classic sign of acute cardiac ischemia and requires prompt attention.
, . A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about hypoglycemia. Which symptom should be reported
immediately?
A. Tremors
B. Sweating
C. Hunger
D. Blurred vision
🟢 Correct answer: D. Blurred vision
🔴 RATIONALE: Blurred vision can indicate significant hypoglycemia and impaired neurologic function.
. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce preload in heart failure?
A. Furosemide
B. Metformin
C. Warfarin
D. Albuterol
🟢 Correct answer: A. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide promotes diuresis, decreasing fluid volume and preload in heart failure.
. Which finding suggests peripheral arterial disease?
A. Warm, pink feet
B. Bounding pulses
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Large varicose veins
🟢 Correct answer: C. Intermittent claudication
