Module 10 Nursing Exam Questions and Answers
(2026–2027) Study Guide Complete Medical-Surgical
Nursing Exam Preparation Material Best Exam Graded
Latest Update Key Concepts Exam Preparation
Introduction
This document contains comprehensive nursing exam
questions and detailed answer rationales covering key
concepts in medical-surgical nursing. Topics include
cardiovascular disorders, renal disease and dialysis,
respiratory care, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, endocrine
disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, eye and ear disorders,
musculoskeletal disorders, emergency care, and maternal
health. It is designed as a complete study guide for exam
preparation with evidence-based rationales to reinforce
critical nursing concepts and clinical decision-making.
Exam Questions and Answers
The pediatric nurse finds a hospitalized child unresponsive. A
quick assessment reveals that the child is not breathing and
does not have a pulse. The nurse initiates cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). How many chest compressions per
minute does the nurse deliver?
a. 15
b. 30
,c. 50
d. 100 --- correct precise answer --- 100
Rationale: In an infant or child, the rate of chest compressions
is at least 100/min.
The nurse attending a recertification course in basic life
support (BLS) for health care professionals is practicing BLS
on an infant mannequin. Where does the nurse place the
fingers to assess the infant's pulse?
a. Neck
b. Wrist
c. Behind the knee
d. Antecubital fossa of the arm --- correct precise answer ---
Antecubital fossa of the arm
Rationale: An infant's pulse should be checked at the brachial
artery. The relatively short, fat neck of an infant makes
palpation of the carotid artery (neck) difficult. Palpation of
the pulse in the radial (wrist) and popliteal (behind the knee)
area would also be difficult.
The nurse is working in the emergency department. Which
client should be assessed first?
a. A client with new-onset dizziness
b. A client admitted with a recent ear injury
,c. A client who has been experiencing nausea and vomiting for
12 hours
d. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation with a rate of 118
beats/min --- correct precise answer --- A client with new-
onset atrial fibrillation with a rate of 118 beats/min
Rationale: The client with new-onset atrial fibrillation is at
risk for complications associated with the tachydysrhythmia.
This dysrhythmia may result in decreased cardiac output
because of ineffective atrial contractions. Thrombi form in the
atria as a result of the pooling of blood. All of the other clients
will require the nurse's attention, but the client who requires
immediate attention and is the most hemodynamically
unstable is the one with atrial fibrillation.
The nurse is having dinner at a restaurant when a man sitting
at the next table collapses and falls to the floor. The nurse
yells for help and quickly assesses the client, noting that the
client is not breathing and does not have a pulse. The nurse
initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately,
and the restaurant manager rushes to the scene with an
automatic external defibrillator (AED). What should the nurse
do next?
a. Use the AED
b. Stop the resuscitation efforts
c. Perform CPR until emergency medical services arrives
, d. Check for a pulse for 30 seconds before continuing CPR ---
correct precise answer --- Use the AED
Rationale: Basic components of CPR include immediate
recognition of the sudden cardiac arrest (unresponsiveness
and absence of normal breathing) and activation of the
emergency response system, early CPR, and rapid
defibrillation with the use of an AED.
A client with cancer of the larynx is receiving external
radiation therapy of the neck. Which side effect related
specifically to the site of irradiation does the nurse tell the
client to expect?
a. Diarrhea
b. Dyspnea
c. Headache
d. Dysphagia --- correct precise answer --- Dysphagia
Rationale: In general, skin reactions and fatigue may occur
with radiation therapy of any site, whereas other side effects
occur only when a specific area lies in the treatment field. A
client undergoing radiation therapy of the larynx is most
likely to experience dysphagia. Diarrhea may occur with
irradiation of the gastrointestinal tract. Dyspnea may occur
with lung irradiation. Headache may occur with irradiation of
the head.
(2026–2027) Study Guide Complete Medical-Surgical
Nursing Exam Preparation Material Best Exam Graded
Latest Update Key Concepts Exam Preparation
Introduction
This document contains comprehensive nursing exam
questions and detailed answer rationales covering key
concepts in medical-surgical nursing. Topics include
cardiovascular disorders, renal disease and dialysis,
respiratory care, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, endocrine
disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, eye and ear disorders,
musculoskeletal disorders, emergency care, and maternal
health. It is designed as a complete study guide for exam
preparation with evidence-based rationales to reinforce
critical nursing concepts and clinical decision-making.
Exam Questions and Answers
The pediatric nurse finds a hospitalized child unresponsive. A
quick assessment reveals that the child is not breathing and
does not have a pulse. The nurse initiates cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). How many chest compressions per
minute does the nurse deliver?
a. 15
b. 30
,c. 50
d. 100 --- correct precise answer --- 100
Rationale: In an infant or child, the rate of chest compressions
is at least 100/min.
The nurse attending a recertification course in basic life
support (BLS) for health care professionals is practicing BLS
on an infant mannequin. Where does the nurse place the
fingers to assess the infant's pulse?
a. Neck
b. Wrist
c. Behind the knee
d. Antecubital fossa of the arm --- correct precise answer ---
Antecubital fossa of the arm
Rationale: An infant's pulse should be checked at the brachial
artery. The relatively short, fat neck of an infant makes
palpation of the carotid artery (neck) difficult. Palpation of
the pulse in the radial (wrist) and popliteal (behind the knee)
area would also be difficult.
The nurse is working in the emergency department. Which
client should be assessed first?
a. A client with new-onset dizziness
b. A client admitted with a recent ear injury
,c. A client who has been experiencing nausea and vomiting for
12 hours
d. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation with a rate of 118
beats/min --- correct precise answer --- A client with new-
onset atrial fibrillation with a rate of 118 beats/min
Rationale: The client with new-onset atrial fibrillation is at
risk for complications associated with the tachydysrhythmia.
This dysrhythmia may result in decreased cardiac output
because of ineffective atrial contractions. Thrombi form in the
atria as a result of the pooling of blood. All of the other clients
will require the nurse's attention, but the client who requires
immediate attention and is the most hemodynamically
unstable is the one with atrial fibrillation.
The nurse is having dinner at a restaurant when a man sitting
at the next table collapses and falls to the floor. The nurse
yells for help and quickly assesses the client, noting that the
client is not breathing and does not have a pulse. The nurse
initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately,
and the restaurant manager rushes to the scene with an
automatic external defibrillator (AED). What should the nurse
do next?
a. Use the AED
b. Stop the resuscitation efforts
c. Perform CPR until emergency medical services arrives
, d. Check for a pulse for 30 seconds before continuing CPR ---
correct precise answer --- Use the AED
Rationale: Basic components of CPR include immediate
recognition of the sudden cardiac arrest (unresponsiveness
and absence of normal breathing) and activation of the
emergency response system, early CPR, and rapid
defibrillation with the use of an AED.
A client with cancer of the larynx is receiving external
radiation therapy of the neck. Which side effect related
specifically to the site of irradiation does the nurse tell the
client to expect?
a. Diarrhea
b. Dyspnea
c. Headache
d. Dysphagia --- correct precise answer --- Dysphagia
Rationale: In general, skin reactions and fatigue may occur
with radiation therapy of any site, whereas other side effects
occur only when a specific area lies in the treatment field. A
client undergoing radiation therapy of the larynx is most
likely to experience dysphagia. Diarrhea may occur with
irradiation of the gastrointestinal tract. Dyspnea may occur
with lung irradiation. Headache may occur with irradiation of
the head.
