350 Nursing Exam Questions: Medical-Surgical
Nursing
Questions 1-75: Fundamentals of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss
through the kidneys. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, especially
in patients with heart failure who may also be taking digoxin. Serum
potassium should be monitored closely and maintained within normal range
(3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
---
Question 2
A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which position should the nurse
encourage to help reduce the patient's pain?
,A) Supine position
B) Prone position
C) Side-lying with knees flexed
D) High Fowler's position
Correct Answer: C) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: The side-lying position with knees flexed (fetal position) helps
reduce abdominal tension and decreases pressure on the pancreas, which can
help alleviate pain. This position also promotes relaxation of the abdominal
muscles.
---
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient with a new tracheostomy. Which action is most
important when providing tracheostomy care?
A) Using sterile technique for inner cannula cleaning
B) Applying petroleum jelly around the stoma
C) Changing the tracheostomy ties daily
D) Keeping the patient flat in bed
Correct Answer: A) Using sterile technique for inner cannula cleaning
Rationale: Sterile technique must be maintained during tracheostomy care to
prevent infection. The inner cannula should be cleaned using sterile supplies.
,Petroleum jelly should not be used around the stoma as it can be aspirated.
Tracheostomy ties should be changed when soiled or at least weekly.
---
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen
saturation of 88%. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate?
A) Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Simple face mask at 6 L/min
C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
D) Venturi mask at 24%
Correct Answer: D) Venturi mask at 24%
Rationale: For COPD patients, oxygen should be administered cautiously using
a Venturi mask, which delivers precise oxygen concentrations. The goal is to
maintain oxygen saturation between 88-92% to avoid suppressing the
hypoxic drive. A Venturi mask at 24% provides the most accurate and
controlled oxygen delivery.
---
Question 5
A patient is experiencing chest pain and is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
The nurse administers one tablet, and the patient's pain persists after 5
minutes. What should the nurse do next?
A) Administer a second tablet immediately
, B) Call the healthcare provider
C) Wait 10 more minutes before administering another tablet
D) Administer a second tablet after 5 minutes if pain continues
Correct Answer: D) Administer a second tablet after 5 minutes if pain
continues
Rationale: Standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is to administer one
tablet, and if pain persists after 5 minutes, administer a second tablet. Up to
three tablets can be given at 5-minute intervals. If pain continues after three
tablets, emergency medical services should be activated.
---
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which finding is most indicative of DVT?
A) Bilateral lower extremity edema
B) Unilateral calf pain and swelling
C) Diminished pedal pulses bilaterally
D) Cool, pale extremities
Correct Answer: B) Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: Unilateral calf pain, swelling, warmth, and redness are classic signs
of DVT. Bilateral edema is more suggestive of heart failure or venous
insufficiency. Diminished pulses and cool extremities are more indicative of
arterial insufficiency.
Nursing
Questions 1-75: Fundamentals of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss
through the kidneys. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, especially
in patients with heart failure who may also be taking digoxin. Serum
potassium should be monitored closely and maintained within normal range
(3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
---
Question 2
A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which position should the nurse
encourage to help reduce the patient's pain?
,A) Supine position
B) Prone position
C) Side-lying with knees flexed
D) High Fowler's position
Correct Answer: C) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: The side-lying position with knees flexed (fetal position) helps
reduce abdominal tension and decreases pressure on the pancreas, which can
help alleviate pain. This position also promotes relaxation of the abdominal
muscles.
---
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient with a new tracheostomy. Which action is most
important when providing tracheostomy care?
A) Using sterile technique for inner cannula cleaning
B) Applying petroleum jelly around the stoma
C) Changing the tracheostomy ties daily
D) Keeping the patient flat in bed
Correct Answer: A) Using sterile technique for inner cannula cleaning
Rationale: Sterile technique must be maintained during tracheostomy care to
prevent infection. The inner cannula should be cleaned using sterile supplies.
,Petroleum jelly should not be used around the stoma as it can be aspirated.
Tracheostomy ties should be changed when soiled or at least weekly.
---
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen
saturation of 88%. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate?
A) Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Simple face mask at 6 L/min
C) Non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
D) Venturi mask at 24%
Correct Answer: D) Venturi mask at 24%
Rationale: For COPD patients, oxygen should be administered cautiously using
a Venturi mask, which delivers precise oxygen concentrations. The goal is to
maintain oxygen saturation between 88-92% to avoid suppressing the
hypoxic drive. A Venturi mask at 24% provides the most accurate and
controlled oxygen delivery.
---
Question 5
A patient is experiencing chest pain and is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
The nurse administers one tablet, and the patient's pain persists after 5
minutes. What should the nurse do next?
A) Administer a second tablet immediately
, B) Call the healthcare provider
C) Wait 10 more minutes before administering another tablet
D) Administer a second tablet after 5 minutes if pain continues
Correct Answer: D) Administer a second tablet after 5 minutes if pain
continues
Rationale: Standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is to administer one
tablet, and if pain persists after 5 minutes, administer a second tablet. Up to
three tablets can be given at 5-minute intervals. If pain continues after three
tablets, emergency medical services should be activated.
---
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which finding is most indicative of DVT?
A) Bilateral lower extremity edema
B) Unilateral calf pain and swelling
C) Diminished pedal pulses bilaterally
D) Cool, pale extremities
Correct Answer: B) Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: Unilateral calf pain, swelling, warmth, and redness are classic signs
of DVT. Bilateral edema is more suggestive of heart failure or venous
insufficiency. Diminished pulses and cool extremities are more indicative of
arterial insufficiency.
