MED SURG 2 FINAL EXAM 200 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+
The Med Surg 2 Final Exam is a comprehensive nursing assessment covering
advanced medical-surgical concepts essential for safe patient care. This
rigorous examination evaluates knowledge across multiple body systems
including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, renal,
gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders. Key topics include cardiac
dysrhythmias, heart failure management, stroke care, diabetes complications,
liver failure, and kidney disease. The exam emphasizes critical thinking,
prioritization, medication administration, complication identification, and
evidence-based interventions for acute and chronic conditions. Questions
assess understanding of diagnostic testing, emergency responses,
postoperative care, and patient education. Successful completion validates
clinical competency in managing complex medical-surgical patients across
diverse healthcare settings.
Question 1
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as
instructed. What is the best initial nursing action?
A) Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
B) Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
C) Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
D) Send the specimen to the lab for analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Observing the color, consistency, and amount of sputum is the best
initial nursing action because it provides important clinical information about the
client's respiratory status. This assessment should occur before sending the
specimen to the lab or initiating treatment .
Question 2
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with CPR in progress.
The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen per self-inflating bag. The
,nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and diaphoretic. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A) Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields
B) Carotid pulsation during compressions
C) Deep tendon reflexes
D) Core body temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields is the most important
assessment to verify proper endotracheal tube placement and ensure adequate
ventilation, which is critical in a cardiac arrest situation .
Question 3
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH), a client develops pontine myelinolysis. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A) Reorient client to his room
B) Place a patch on one eye
C) Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D) Perform range of motion exercises
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reorienting the client to his room is the first priority because pontine
myelinolysis can cause confusion and disorientation. Safety and orientation are
immediate concerns before other interventions .
Question 4
A male client with heart failure calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his
shoes on because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse
obtain?
A) What time did he take his last medications?
B) Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C) Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D) How many hours did he sleep last night?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Weight change in the last several days is the most important information
to obtain because tight shoes indicate fluid retention, and weight gain is a key
indicator of worsening heart failure. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day is
significant .
,Question 5
An older adult woman with a long history of COPD is admitted with progressive
shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is anxious and is complaining of a
dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a prescribed sedative
B) Encourage client to drink water
C) Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D) Assist her to an upright position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assisting the client to an upright position (High Fowler's) is the priority
intervention because it decreases oxygen demand and improves ventilation.
Positioning is a simple, immediate intervention that can significantly improve
respiratory status .
Question 6
A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness
of breath, productive cough with thickened tenacious mucous, and the inability to
walk up a flight of stairs without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most
important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
A) Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
B) Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C) Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of medications occur
D) Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increasing daily intake of oral fluids is most important because it helps
liquefy thick, tenacious secretions, making them easier to expectorate. This is a key
self-care strategy for clients with respiratory conditions producing thick mucus .
Question 7
A cardiac catheterization of a client with heart disease indicates the following
blockages: 95% proximal left anterior descending (LAD), 99% proximal
circumflex, and 95% proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks
the nurse "what does all this mean for me?" What information should the nurse
provide?
A) Blood supply to the heart is diminished by atherosclerotic lesions, which
necessitate lifestyle changes.
, B) Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages indicating a past
heart attack.
C) The blockages indicate a need for immediate bypass surgery.
D) The blockages are minor and can be managed with medication only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The information should focus on helping the client understand that
blood supply to the heart is diminished by atherosclerotic lesions. The nurse should
emphasize lifestyle changes and provide education in terms the client can
understand without causing unnecessary alarm .
Question 8
While caring for a client with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the nurse
performs a neurological assessment every four hours. Which assessment finding
warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A) Inappropriate laughter
B) Increasing anxiety
C) Weakened cough effort
D) Asymmetrical weakness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A weakened cough effort warrants immediate intervention in ALS
because it indicates respiratory muscle weakness and increased risk of aspiration
and respiratory failure. This is a life-threatening finding that requires prompt action
.
Question 9
The nurse is providing preoperative education for a Jewish client scheduled to
receive a xenograft graft to promote burn healing. Which information should the
nurse provide this client?
A) Grafting increases the risk for bacterial infections
B) The xenograft is taken from nonhuman sources
C) Grafts are later removed by a debriding procedure
D) As the burn heals, the graft permanently attaches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should inform the client that a xenograft is taken from
nonhuman sources. This is important information for a Jewish client who may have
religious dietary restrictions and concerns about animal products. The graft is
temporary and will be rejected or removed .
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED A+
The Med Surg 2 Final Exam is a comprehensive nursing assessment covering
advanced medical-surgical concepts essential for safe patient care. This
rigorous examination evaluates knowledge across multiple body systems
including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, renal,
gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders. Key topics include cardiac
dysrhythmias, heart failure management, stroke care, diabetes complications,
liver failure, and kidney disease. The exam emphasizes critical thinking,
prioritization, medication administration, complication identification, and
evidence-based interventions for acute and chronic conditions. Questions
assess understanding of diagnostic testing, emergency responses,
postoperative care, and patient education. Successful completion validates
clinical competency in managing complex medical-surgical patients across
diverse healthcare settings.
Question 1
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as
instructed. What is the best initial nursing action?
A) Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
B) Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
C) Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
D) Send the specimen to the lab for analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Observing the color, consistency, and amount of sputum is the best
initial nursing action because it provides important clinical information about the
client's respiratory status. This assessment should occur before sending the
specimen to the lab or initiating treatment .
Question 2
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with CPR in progress.
The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen per self-inflating bag. The
,nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and diaphoretic. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A) Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields
B) Carotid pulsation during compressions
C) Deep tendon reflexes
D) Core body temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields is the most important
assessment to verify proper endotracheal tube placement and ensure adequate
ventilation, which is critical in a cardiac arrest situation .
Question 3
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH), a client develops pontine myelinolysis. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A) Reorient client to his room
B) Place a patch on one eye
C) Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D) Perform range of motion exercises
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reorienting the client to his room is the first priority because pontine
myelinolysis can cause confusion and disorientation. Safety and orientation are
immediate concerns before other interventions .
Question 4
A male client with heart failure calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his
shoes on because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse
obtain?
A) What time did he take his last medications?
B) Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C) Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D) How many hours did he sleep last night?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Weight change in the last several days is the most important information
to obtain because tight shoes indicate fluid retention, and weight gain is a key
indicator of worsening heart failure. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day is
significant .
,Question 5
An older adult woman with a long history of COPD is admitted with progressive
shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is anxious and is complaining of a
dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a prescribed sedative
B) Encourage client to drink water
C) Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D) Assist her to an upright position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assisting the client to an upright position (High Fowler's) is the priority
intervention because it decreases oxygen demand and improves ventilation.
Positioning is a simple, immediate intervention that can significantly improve
respiratory status .
Question 6
A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness
of breath, productive cough with thickened tenacious mucous, and the inability to
walk up a flight of stairs without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most
important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
A) Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
B) Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C) Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of medications occur
D) Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increasing daily intake of oral fluids is most important because it helps
liquefy thick, tenacious secretions, making them easier to expectorate. This is a key
self-care strategy for clients with respiratory conditions producing thick mucus .
Question 7
A cardiac catheterization of a client with heart disease indicates the following
blockages: 95% proximal left anterior descending (LAD), 99% proximal
circumflex, and 95% proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks
the nurse "what does all this mean for me?" What information should the nurse
provide?
A) Blood supply to the heart is diminished by atherosclerotic lesions, which
necessitate lifestyle changes.
, B) Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages indicating a past
heart attack.
C) The blockages indicate a need for immediate bypass surgery.
D) The blockages are minor and can be managed with medication only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The information should focus on helping the client understand that
blood supply to the heart is diminished by atherosclerotic lesions. The nurse should
emphasize lifestyle changes and provide education in terms the client can
understand without causing unnecessary alarm .
Question 8
While caring for a client with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the nurse
performs a neurological assessment every four hours. Which assessment finding
warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A) Inappropriate laughter
B) Increasing anxiety
C) Weakened cough effort
D) Asymmetrical weakness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A weakened cough effort warrants immediate intervention in ALS
because it indicates respiratory muscle weakness and increased risk of aspiration
and respiratory failure. This is a life-threatening finding that requires prompt action
.
Question 9
The nurse is providing preoperative education for a Jewish client scheduled to
receive a xenograft graft to promote burn healing. Which information should the
nurse provide this client?
A) Grafting increases the risk for bacterial infections
B) The xenograft is taken from nonhuman sources
C) Grafts are later removed by a debriding procedure
D) As the burn heals, the graft permanently attaches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should inform the client that a xenograft is taken from
nonhuman sources. This is important information for a Jewish client who may have
religious dietary restrictions and concerns about animal products. The graft is
temporary and will be rejected or removed .
