**Stuvia Preview Blurb:** Master the NCLEX with this all-in-one 2026
nursing exam prep guide featuring 100+ practice questions covering
Med-Surg, Pharmacology, Pediatrics, and Mental Health. Detailed
rationales and mnemonics make complex concepts easy to remember
for student success.
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
# Med-Surg & Pharmacology Success Pack: 2025/2026 Complete
Nursing Exam Prep | 100+ Practice Questions with Rationales
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving digoxin. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats/min
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Visual disturbances such as yellow vision
D) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Visual disturbances like yellow or green halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Other signs include nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. This
nursing exam prep question highlights the importance of monitoring for specific side effects.
Remember, "If you see yellow, call the fellow!" This study guide is designed for student success.
---
**Question 2**
A client with pneumonia has a prescription for ceftriaxone IV. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse monitor for?
A) Nephrotoxicity
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Ototoxicity
D) Bleeding
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, especially
when given with other nephrotoxic drugs. Hepatotoxicity and bleeding are also possible, but
nephrotoxicity is a key concern. This pharmacology revision note is essential for your nursing exam prep.
"Cephalosporins can 'cephalospor-injure' the kidneys."
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is providing post-operative care to a client following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report immediately?
A) Complaint of a sore throat
B) Dark brown emesis
C) Frequent swallowing
D) Hoarse voice
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Frequent swallowing is a sign of bleeding post-tonsillectomy, as the client is
swallowing blood. Dark brown emesis is old blood, which is expected. Sore throat and hoarseness are
normal post-op findings. This med-surg question is critical for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 4**
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warfarin is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR), with a
therapeutic goal typically between 2-3 for most conditions. aPTT is used for heparin. This is a key
pharmacology question for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease. Which of the following findings is consistent
with this diagnosis?
A) Polyuria
B) Hypertension
C) Weight gain
D) Hypercalcemia
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Hypertension is common in CKD due to fluid overload and activation of the renin-
angiotensin system. Polyuria is seen in early stages but decreases as the disease progresses. This med-
surg question is a core part of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 6**
A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops hives and itching. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Administer diphenhydramine
C) Slow the infusion rate
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The client is experiencing an allergic reaction. The priority action is to stop the
transfusion to prevent further exposure to the allergen. Then, the nurse should maintain IV access,
notify the provider, and administer antihistamines. This blood transfusion safety question is a must for
nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 7**
A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mL of D5W over 4 hours. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. What is
the flow rate in gtt/min?
A) 42 gtt/min
B) 50 gtt/min
C) 83 gtt/min
D) 125 gtt/min
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
nursing exam prep guide featuring 100+ practice questions covering
Med-Surg, Pharmacology, Pediatrics, and Mental Health. Detailed
rationales and mnemonics make complex concepts easy to remember
for student success.
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
# Med-Surg & Pharmacology Success Pack: 2025/2026 Complete
Nursing Exam Prep | 100+ Practice Questions with Rationales
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving digoxin. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats/min
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Visual disturbances such as yellow vision
D) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Visual disturbances like yellow or green halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Other signs include nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. This
nursing exam prep question highlights the importance of monitoring for specific side effects.
Remember, "If you see yellow, call the fellow!" This study guide is designed for student success.
---
**Question 2**
A client with pneumonia has a prescription for ceftriaxone IV. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse monitor for?
A) Nephrotoxicity
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Ototoxicity
D) Bleeding
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, especially
when given with other nephrotoxic drugs. Hepatotoxicity and bleeding are also possible, but
nephrotoxicity is a key concern. This pharmacology revision note is essential for your nursing exam prep.
"Cephalosporins can 'cephalospor-injure' the kidneys."
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is providing post-operative care to a client following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report immediately?
A) Complaint of a sore throat
B) Dark brown emesis
C) Frequent swallowing
D) Hoarse voice
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Frequent swallowing is a sign of bleeding post-tonsillectomy, as the client is
swallowing blood. Dark brown emesis is old blood, which is expected. Sore throat and hoarseness are
normal post-op findings. This med-surg question is critical for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 4**
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warfarin is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR), with a
therapeutic goal typically between 2-3 for most conditions. aPTT is used for heparin. This is a key
pharmacology question for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease. Which of the following findings is consistent
with this diagnosis?
A) Polyuria
B) Hypertension
C) Weight gain
D) Hypercalcemia
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Hypertension is common in CKD due to fluid overload and activation of the renin-
angiotensin system. Polyuria is seen in early stages but decreases as the disease progresses. This med-
surg question is a core part of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 6**
A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops hives and itching. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Administer diphenhydramine
C) Slow the infusion rate
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The client is experiencing an allergic reaction. The priority action is to stop the
transfusion to prevent further exposure to the allergen. Then, the nurse should maintain IV access,
notify the provider, and administer antihistamines. This blood transfusion safety question is a must for
nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 7**
A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mL of D5W over 4 hours. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. What is
the flow rate in gtt/min?
A) 42 gtt/min
B) 50 gtt/min
C) 83 gtt/min
D) 125 gtt/min
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
