NUR 209 Medical-Surgical Nursing II exams verified with correct answers
2026/2027 version
1. A patient with heart failure gains 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days. What is the nurse's priority action?
• A. Encourage increased fluids
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Restrict protein intake
• D. Reassure the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure that requires
prompt evaluation.
2. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention in a patient with acute kidney injury?
• A. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
• B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
• C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
• D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is most likely to have:
• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Kussmaul respirations
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Deep, rapid (Kussmaul) respirations help compensate for metabolic acidosis.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in hypocalcemia?
, • A. Positive Chvostek sign
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hyperactive bowel sounds only
• D. Warm flushed skin
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek and Trousseau signs are classic findings in hypocalcemia.
5. A patient receiving heparin develops bleeding. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
• A. Vitamin K
• B. Protamine sulfate
• C. Naloxone
• D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate reverses the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with loop diuretics?
• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
7. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen therapy:
• A. At the highest flow rate possible
• B. Carefully, to avoid worsening CO₂ retention in susceptible patients
• C. Only at night
• D. Never
Answer: B
, Rationale: Oxygen is titrated to target saturation and clinical status while monitoring for CO₂
retention in some patients.
8. Which symptom is most characteristic of a left-sided stroke?
• A. Left-sided neglect
• B. Aphasia
• C. Impulsiveness
• D. Poor judgment only
Answer: B
Rationale: Left hemispheric strokes commonly affect language, resulting in aphasia.
9. The priority nursing intervention for a patient having an active seizure is:
• A. Insert an oral airway
• B. Protect the patient from injury
• C. Restrain the patient's arms
• D. Give food immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintain safety by protecting the patient and avoiding restraints or placing objects in
the mouth.
10. Which insulin has the fastest onset?
• A. Regular
• B. Lispro
• C. NPH
• D. Glargine
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of about 15 minutes.
11–25
2026/2027 version
1. A patient with heart failure gains 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days. What is the nurse's priority action?
• A. Encourage increased fluids
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Restrict protein intake
• D. Reassure the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure that requires
prompt evaluation.
2. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention in a patient with acute kidney injury?
• A. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
• B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
• C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
• D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is most likely to have:
• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Kussmaul respirations
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Deep, rapid (Kussmaul) respirations help compensate for metabolic acidosis.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in hypocalcemia?
, • A. Positive Chvostek sign
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hyperactive bowel sounds only
• D. Warm flushed skin
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek and Trousseau signs are classic findings in hypocalcemia.
5. A patient receiving heparin develops bleeding. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
• A. Vitamin K
• B. Protamine sulfate
• C. Naloxone
• D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate reverses the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with loop diuretics?
• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
7. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen therapy:
• A. At the highest flow rate possible
• B. Carefully, to avoid worsening CO₂ retention in susceptible patients
• C. Only at night
• D. Never
Answer: B
, Rationale: Oxygen is titrated to target saturation and clinical status while monitoring for CO₂
retention in some patients.
8. Which symptom is most characteristic of a left-sided stroke?
• A. Left-sided neglect
• B. Aphasia
• C. Impulsiveness
• D. Poor judgment only
Answer: B
Rationale: Left hemispheric strokes commonly affect language, resulting in aphasia.
9. The priority nursing intervention for a patient having an active seizure is:
• A. Insert an oral airway
• B. Protect the patient from injury
• C. Restrain the patient's arms
• D. Give food immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintain safety by protecting the patient and avoiding restraints or placing objects in
the mouth.
10. Which insulin has the fastest onset?
• A. Regular
• B. Lispro
• C. NPH
• D. Glargine
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of about 15 minutes.
11–25
