EXAM 2026 EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY
MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
◉ Compartment Syndrome. Answer: A medical emergency caused
by the lack of blood flow due to pressure build up.
◉ Signs & Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome. Answer: Severe
pain, pulselessness, edema, hot/cold.
◉ Signs & Symptoms of an Infected Surgical Wound. Answer:
Redness, swelling, hot to the touch, pain getting worse, dehiscence,
purulent drainage.
◉ Cataracts. Answer: Clouding or loss of transparency of the lens
due to tissue breakdown and protein clumping.
◉ Causes of Cataracts. Answer: Aging, hereditary, injury.
◉ Treatment for Cataracts. Answer: Surgical removal of the lens,
treating the symptoms.
,◉ Signs & Symptoms of Cataracts. Answer: Cloudy/blurry vision,
poor night vision, fading colors.
◉ Post-Op Care for Cataracts. Answer: Elevate HOB 30-45 degrees,
patient may lay on back or non-operative side, maintain eyepatch as
prescribed.
◉ Glaucoma. Answer: A common eye condition where the
intraocular pressure (ICP) in the eye raises above 22mm Hg.
◉ Normal ICP Level. Answer: 10-21mm Hg.
◉ Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. Answer: Obstruction to the
outflow of aqueous humor.
◉ Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma. Answer: Blocking the outflow
of aqueous humor.
◉ Signs & Symptoms of Glaucoma. Answer: Seeing 'halos' around
lights, blurred vision, eyes will look opaque in color.
◉ Medical Treatment for Glaucoma. Answer: Xalatan, Timolol,
Pilocarpine (eye drops), Mannitol (IV).
, ◉ Osteoporosis. Answer: Thinning of the bones due to lack of
calcium and bone proteins.
◉ Risk Factors for Osteoporosis. Answer: Alcohol use, corticosteroid
use, calcium low, estrogen low, smoking, sedentary lifestyle.
◉ Osteoporosis Treatment. Answer: Increase intake of vitamin D &
calcium, weight-bearing exercises, Fosamax.
◉ Osteoarthritis. Answer: Non-systemic, chronic, progressive joint
disease that involves the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
◉ Signs & Symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Answer: Joint pain, stiffness,
especially in the morning, swelling, joints grating, decreased ROM.
◉ Rheumatoid Arthritis. Answer: A chronic, systemic autoimmune
disorder that causes inflammation of the synovial joints.
◉ Signs & Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Answer: Joint
pain/swelling, morning stiffness, warm, red, tender joints, fatigue,
malaise, low-grade fever.
◉ Serous Drainage. Answer: Clear or slightly yellow, thin and water;
normal in wounds that are healing.