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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 201 –
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PRACTICE
EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which nursing intervention is the priority?
a) Administer oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula
b) Encourage coughing and deep breathing
c) Position the client in a high-Fowler's position
d) Administer bronchodilators as ordered
Verified Answer: c (Positioning to facilitate breathing is immediate
priority)
2. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL
and is experiencing Kussmaul respirations. The nurse should suspect:
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
c) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
d) Lactic acidosis
Verified Answer: b
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3. The nurse is caring for a client who had a myocardial infarction (MI)
24 hours ago. Which cardiac enzyme is most specific for myocardial
damage?
a) Creatine kinase (CK-MB)
b) Troponin I
c) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
d) Myoglobin
Verified Answer: b
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance is a priority to monitor?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Hypokalemia
d) Hypercalcemia
Verified Answer: c
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following
a total hip replacement. Which intervention is essential to prevent
dislocation?
a) Keep the hips in an adducted position
b) Use a pillow between the legs when turning
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c) Encourage the client to cross their legs
d) Apply heat to the surgical site
Verified Answer: b
6. The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which pain
management strategy is most effective?
a) Oral NSAIDs
b) Opioid analgesics intravenously
c) Topical analgesics
d) Anti-inflammatory creams
Verified Answer: b
7. A client is diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. The nurse would
expect which finding on assessment?
a) Dry, non-productive cough
b) Fine crackles over the affected area
c) Clear lung sounds
d) Wheezing throughout the lung fields
Verified Answer: b
8. The nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which dietary
instruction should the nurse provide regarding gas production?
a) Eat foods like broccoli and beans
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b) Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly
c) Drink carbonated beverages with meals
d) Avoid foods with high protein content
Verified Answer: b
9. A client is receiving heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The nurse should monitor which laboratory value?
a) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
b) Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
c) Platelet count
d) Prothrombin time (PT)
Verified Answer: b
10. The nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury at the T6
level. Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
a) Autonomic dysreflexia
b) Hypotension
c) Bradycardia
d) Hypothermia
Verified Answer: a
11. The nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which instruction
is correct?
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 201 –
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PRACTICE
EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which nursing intervention is the priority?
a) Administer oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula
b) Encourage coughing and deep breathing
c) Position the client in a high-Fowler's position
d) Administer bronchodilators as ordered
Verified Answer: c (Positioning to facilitate breathing is immediate
priority)
2. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL
and is experiencing Kussmaul respirations. The nurse should suspect:
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
c) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
d) Lactic acidosis
Verified Answer: b
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3. The nurse is caring for a client who had a myocardial infarction (MI)
24 hours ago. Which cardiac enzyme is most specific for myocardial
damage?
a) Creatine kinase (CK-MB)
b) Troponin I
c) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
d) Myoglobin
Verified Answer: b
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance is a priority to monitor?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Hypokalemia
d) Hypercalcemia
Verified Answer: c
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following
a total hip replacement. Which intervention is essential to prevent
dislocation?
a) Keep the hips in an adducted position
b) Use a pillow between the legs when turning
,3 | Page
c) Encourage the client to cross their legs
d) Apply heat to the surgical site
Verified Answer: b
6. The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which pain
management strategy is most effective?
a) Oral NSAIDs
b) Opioid analgesics intravenously
c) Topical analgesics
d) Anti-inflammatory creams
Verified Answer: b
7. A client is diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. The nurse would
expect which finding on assessment?
a) Dry, non-productive cough
b) Fine crackles over the affected area
c) Clear lung sounds
d) Wheezing throughout the lung fields
Verified Answer: b
8. The nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which dietary
instruction should the nurse provide regarding gas production?
a) Eat foods like broccoli and beans
, 4 | Page
b) Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly
c) Drink carbonated beverages with meals
d) Avoid foods with high protein content
Verified Answer: b
9. A client is receiving heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The nurse should monitor which laboratory value?
a) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
b) Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
c) Platelet count
d) Prothrombin time (PT)
Verified Answer: b
10. The nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury at the T6
level. Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
a) Autonomic dysreflexia
b) Hypotension
c) Bradycardia
d) Hypothermia
Verified Answer: a
11. The nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which instruction
is correct?
