Newest 2026/2027 EPIC Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing Assessment exam verified
with correct answers and rationales
1. A nurse is caring for an adult patient with pneumonia. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Productive cough with yellow sputum
B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
D. Fatigue during activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates impaired oxygenation and requires immediate nursing
intervention. Airway and breathing are priorities.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates fluid
overload?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg
B. Clear lung sounds
C. Bilateral lower extremity edema
D. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Heart failure causes fluid retention, which may present as edema, weight gain, and crackles in
the lungs.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen saturation
goal is commonly appropriate?
A. 100% for all patients
B. 88–92% as prescribed for many COPD patients
C. Less than 70%
D. No oxygen monitoring is needed
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Many COPD patients require controlled oxygen therapy to maintain adequate oxygenation while
avoiding complications.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving insulin. Which finding suggests
hypoglycemia?
A. Sweating and shakiness
B. Increased thirst
C. Warm flushed skin
D. Frequent urination only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Signs of hypoglycemia include sweating, tremors, confusion, dizziness, and weakness.
5. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL and is awake.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer insulin
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict food intake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A conscious patient with hypoglycemia should receive glucose immediately to raise blood sugar.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient after surgery. Which finding requires immediate
reporting?
A. Mild incisional pain
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Small amount of drainage
D. Request for pain medication
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
A respiratory rate of 8 may indicate opioid-related respiratory depression and requires urgent
assessment.
7. A patient receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Naloxone
B. Warfarin
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Naloxone reverses opioid effects, especially respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with a stroke. Which assessment finding is
expected?
A. Sudden weakness on one side of the body
B. Increased appetite
C. Improved coordination
D. Increased sensation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Stroke commonly causes sudden neurological deficits such as unilateral weakness, facial
drooping, or speech changes.
9. A patient with a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
B. Give water slowly
C. Provide regular meals
D. Encourage rapid eating
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale:
Dysphagia increases aspiration risk. Swallowing ability must be assessed before oral intake.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease. Which laboratory
value is important to monitor?
A. Creatinine
B. Blood type
C. Cholesterol only
D. Platelet size
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Creatinine reflects kidney function and helps evaluate renal impairment.
11. A patient with kidney disease has decreased urine output. The nurse
recognizes this may indicate:
A. Worsening renal function
B. Improved kidney function
C. Normal hydration
D. Increased circulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reduced urine output can indicate decreased kidney filtration and fluid imbalance.
12. A nurse is caring for a patient with a central venous catheter. Which action
prevents infection?
A. Maintain sterile technique during dressing changes
B. Touch the insertion site frequently
C. Disconnect tubing often
D. Leave the site uncovered
Correct Answer: A
with correct answers and rationales
1. A nurse is caring for an adult patient with pneumonia. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Productive cough with yellow sputum
B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
D. Fatigue during activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates impaired oxygenation and requires immediate nursing
intervention. Airway and breathing are priorities.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding indicates fluid
overload?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg
B. Clear lung sounds
C. Bilateral lower extremity edema
D. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Heart failure causes fluid retention, which may present as edema, weight gain, and crackles in
the lungs.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen saturation
goal is commonly appropriate?
A. 100% for all patients
B. 88–92% as prescribed for many COPD patients
C. Less than 70%
D. No oxygen monitoring is needed
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Many COPD patients require controlled oxygen therapy to maintain adequate oxygenation while
avoiding complications.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving insulin. Which finding suggests
hypoglycemia?
A. Sweating and shakiness
B. Increased thirst
C. Warm flushed skin
D. Frequent urination only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Signs of hypoglycemia include sweating, tremors, confusion, dizziness, and weakness.
5. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL and is awake.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer insulin
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict food intake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A conscious patient with hypoglycemia should receive glucose immediately to raise blood sugar.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient after surgery. Which finding requires immediate
reporting?
A. Mild incisional pain
B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Small amount of drainage
D. Request for pain medication
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
A respiratory rate of 8 may indicate opioid-related respiratory depression and requires urgent
assessment.
7. A patient receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Naloxone
B. Warfarin
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Naloxone reverses opioid effects, especially respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with a stroke. Which assessment finding is
expected?
A. Sudden weakness on one side of the body
B. Increased appetite
C. Improved coordination
D. Increased sensation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Stroke commonly causes sudden neurological deficits such as unilateral weakness, facial
drooping, or speech changes.
9. A patient with a stroke has difficulty swallowing. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Keep the patient NPO until swallowing is evaluated
B. Give water slowly
C. Provide regular meals
D. Encourage rapid eating
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale:
Dysphagia increases aspiration risk. Swallowing ability must be assessed before oral intake.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease. Which laboratory
value is important to monitor?
A. Creatinine
B. Blood type
C. Cholesterol only
D. Platelet size
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Creatinine reflects kidney function and helps evaluate renal impairment.
11. A patient with kidney disease has decreased urine output. The nurse
recognizes this may indicate:
A. Worsening renal function
B. Improved kidney function
C. Normal hydration
D. Increased circulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reduced urine output can indicate decreased kidney filtration and fluid imbalance.
12. A nurse is caring for a patient with a central venous catheter. Which action
prevents infection?
A. Maintain sterile technique during dressing changes
B. Touch the insertion site frequently
C. Disconnect tubing often
D. Leave the site uncovered
Correct Answer: A
