AVN 2035 MED SURG 3 MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
The nurse is assessing a 65 year old patient for presbyopia. Which instruction will the
nurse give the patient before the test?
Correct Answer
"Hold this card and read the print out loud."
Rationale: The Jaeger card is used to assess near vision problems and presbyopia in
persons over 40 years old age. The card should be held 14 inches away from the
eyes while the patient reads words in various print sizes.
Question 2
A patient inquires about the purpose of the laboratory test to measure the serum
level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). What should a nurse respond that the
laboratory test will determine?
Correct Answer
The pituitary gland is sending the correct message to the adrenal glands.
Rationale: Serum levels are measured to detect elevations or deficiencies of pituitary
hormone levels. If plasma ACTH is low, then the pituitary is not producing enough
ACTH. If the plasma ACTH is high, then the adrenal glands are unable to respond to
produce corticoids.
Question 3
Which patient arriving at the urgent care center will the nurse assess first?
Correct Answer
Patient with acute right eye pain that occurred while using home power tools.
Rationale: The history and symptoms suggested eye trauma with a possible
penetrating injury, Blindness may occur unless the patient is assessed and treated
rapidly.
Page 1 of 18
,Question 4
Which statement by a patient with bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) indicates a need
further teaching?
Correct Answer
"I will remove my contact lenses at bedtime."
Rationale: Contact lenses should not be used when patients have conjunctivitis b/c
they can further irritate the conjunctiva. Hand washing is the major means to
prevent the spread of conjunctivitis. Infection may be spread by sharing towels or
other contact. It is common for bacterial conjunctivitis to spread through a family or
other group in close contact.
Question 5
The clinic nurse is checking in a patient with suspected external otitis. Which of the
following does the nurse expect to find upon assessment of the patient's ear? Select
all that apply.
Correct Answer
Possible drainage
Possible swelling
Possible pain
Possible feeling of fullness in the ear
Rationale: Pain occurs with the infection, itchiness of the ear canal and discharge of
liquid or pus may occur. Redness and swelling may be present.
Question 6
A patient has come into the ED accompanied by a friend who states that the patient
had been acting very strangely and seems confused. The friend states that the patient
has DM and takes insulin. Which signs of hypoglycemia might the nurse assess?
Correct Answer
Irritability, anxiety, confusion, and dizziness
Rationale: When BS levels fall, hormones are activate to increase serum glucose.
One of the hormones is epinephrine, which causes these symptoms
Page 2 of 18
, Question 7
Assessment of a patients visual acuity reveals that the left eye can see at 20 feet what
a person with normal vision can see at 50 feet and the right eye can see at 20 feet
what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. The nurse records which finding?
Correct Answer
a. OS 20/50; OD 20/40
Rationale : OS = left eye, OD "ojo derecho" = right eye, OU= both eyes. When
documenting for visual acuity the first number indicates the standard (for normal
vision) of 20 feet and the second number indicates the line that the patient is able
to read when standing 20 feet from the Snellen chart.
Question 8
A 42 year-old woman with Ménière's disease is admitted with vertigo, nausea, and
vomiting. Which nursing intervention will be included in the care plan?
Correct Answer
Dim the lights in the patient's room.
Rationale: A darkened, quiet room will decrease the symptoms of the acute attack
of Ménière's disease.
Question 9
The nurse working in the vision and hearing clinic receives telephone calls from
several patients who want appointments in the clinic ASAP. Which patient would be
seen first?
Correct Answer
71 year old who has increasing loss of peripheral vision.
Rationale: Increasing loss of peripheral vision is characteristic of glaucoma and the
patient should be scheduled for an examination asap.
Page 3 of 18
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
The nurse is assessing a 65 year old patient for presbyopia. Which instruction will the
nurse give the patient before the test?
Correct Answer
"Hold this card and read the print out loud."
Rationale: The Jaeger card is used to assess near vision problems and presbyopia in
persons over 40 years old age. The card should be held 14 inches away from the
eyes while the patient reads words in various print sizes.
Question 2
A patient inquires about the purpose of the laboratory test to measure the serum
level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). What should a nurse respond that the
laboratory test will determine?
Correct Answer
The pituitary gland is sending the correct message to the adrenal glands.
Rationale: Serum levels are measured to detect elevations or deficiencies of pituitary
hormone levels. If plasma ACTH is low, then the pituitary is not producing enough
ACTH. If the plasma ACTH is high, then the adrenal glands are unable to respond to
produce corticoids.
Question 3
Which patient arriving at the urgent care center will the nurse assess first?
Correct Answer
Patient with acute right eye pain that occurred while using home power tools.
Rationale: The history and symptoms suggested eye trauma with a possible
penetrating injury, Blindness may occur unless the patient is assessed and treated
rapidly.
Page 1 of 18
,Question 4
Which statement by a patient with bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) indicates a need
further teaching?
Correct Answer
"I will remove my contact lenses at bedtime."
Rationale: Contact lenses should not be used when patients have conjunctivitis b/c
they can further irritate the conjunctiva. Hand washing is the major means to
prevent the spread of conjunctivitis. Infection may be spread by sharing towels or
other contact. It is common for bacterial conjunctivitis to spread through a family or
other group in close contact.
Question 5
The clinic nurse is checking in a patient with suspected external otitis. Which of the
following does the nurse expect to find upon assessment of the patient's ear? Select
all that apply.
Correct Answer
Possible drainage
Possible swelling
Possible pain
Possible feeling of fullness in the ear
Rationale: Pain occurs with the infection, itchiness of the ear canal and discharge of
liquid or pus may occur. Redness and swelling may be present.
Question 6
A patient has come into the ED accompanied by a friend who states that the patient
had been acting very strangely and seems confused. The friend states that the patient
has DM and takes insulin. Which signs of hypoglycemia might the nurse assess?
Correct Answer
Irritability, anxiety, confusion, and dizziness
Rationale: When BS levels fall, hormones are activate to increase serum glucose.
One of the hormones is epinephrine, which causes these symptoms
Page 2 of 18
, Question 7
Assessment of a patients visual acuity reveals that the left eye can see at 20 feet what
a person with normal vision can see at 50 feet and the right eye can see at 20 feet
what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. The nurse records which finding?
Correct Answer
a. OS 20/50; OD 20/40
Rationale : OS = left eye, OD "ojo derecho" = right eye, OU= both eyes. When
documenting for visual acuity the first number indicates the standard (for normal
vision) of 20 feet and the second number indicates the line that the patient is able
to read when standing 20 feet from the Snellen chart.
Question 8
A 42 year-old woman with Ménière's disease is admitted with vertigo, nausea, and
vomiting. Which nursing intervention will be included in the care plan?
Correct Answer
Dim the lights in the patient's room.
Rationale: A darkened, quiet room will decrease the symptoms of the acute attack
of Ménière's disease.
Question 9
The nurse working in the vision and hearing clinic receives telephone calls from
several patients who want appointments in the clinic ASAP. Which patient would be
seen first?
Correct Answer
71 year old who has increasing loss of peripheral vision.
Rationale: Increasing loss of peripheral vision is characteristic of glaucoma and the
patient should be scheduled for an examination asap.
Page 3 of 18
