Comprehensive Medical-Surgical
Nursing Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen-delivery method is most
appropriate when a precise concentration of oxygen is required?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: D. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise, controlled oxygen
concentration and is particularly useful for patients with COPD who
require carefully titrated oxygen therapy.
2.
A nurse is assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which finding
is most characteristic of pulmonary congestion?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
,C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion and crackles,
especially at the lung bases.
3.
A patient with diabetes mellitus is experiencing diaphoresis, tremors,
and confusion. The blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL. What should the
nurse do first if the patient is awake and able to swallow?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to drink water
D. Administer glucagon intramuscularly
Answer: B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: An awake patient who can swallow and has symptomatic
hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of rapid-acting
carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
4.
A patient with acute myocardial infarction reports severe chest pressure.
Which medication is commonly administered to reduce myocardial
ischemia and pain when not contraindicated?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Warfarin
C. Furosemide
D. Digoxin
,Answer: A. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, decreases myocardial
oxygen demand, and can relieve ischemic chest discomfort.
5.
A patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly develops
dyspnea, tachycardia, and pleuritic chest pain. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Administer oral fluids
Answer: B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
Rationale: A suspected pulmonary embolism can cause acute
hypoxemia and respiratory compromise. Supporting oxygenation and
rapidly assessing the patient's status are immediate priorities.
6.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.7
mEq/L. Which finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Fatigue
C. Peaked T waves on ECG
D. Mild nausea
Answer: C. Peaked T waves on ECG
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can produce life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are an important ECG manifestation
and require immediate intervention.
, 7.
A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal distention.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Pneumothorax
C. Ileus
D. Pericarditis
Answer: A. Ascites
Rationale: Portal hypertension and decreased plasma oncotic pressure
associated with cirrhosis promote accumulation of fluid in the
peritoneal cavity, producing ascites.
8.
A patient with an acute ischemic stroke has difficulty swallowing. What
is the nurse's priority intervention before providing oral food or
medication?
A. Offer thin liquids
B. Perform a swallowing assessment
C. Place the patient supine
D. Encourage rapid eating
Answer: B. Perform a swallowing assessment
Rationale: Stroke can impair swallowing and increase the risk for
aspiration. Oral intake should be withheld until swallowing ability has
been assessed.
9.
Nursing Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen-delivery method is most
appropriate when a precise concentration of oxygen is required?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: D. Venturi mask
Rationale: A Venturi mask delivers a precise, controlled oxygen
concentration and is particularly useful for patients with COPD who
require carefully titrated oxygen therapy.
2.
A nurse is assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which finding
is most characteristic of pulmonary congestion?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
,C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion and crackles,
especially at the lung bases.
3.
A patient with diabetes mellitus is experiencing diaphoresis, tremors,
and confusion. The blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL. What should the
nurse do first if the patient is awake and able to swallow?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to drink water
D. Administer glucagon intramuscularly
Answer: B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: An awake patient who can swallow and has symptomatic
hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of rapid-acting
carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
4.
A patient with acute myocardial infarction reports severe chest pressure.
Which medication is commonly administered to reduce myocardial
ischemia and pain when not contraindicated?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Warfarin
C. Furosemide
D. Digoxin
,Answer: A. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, decreases myocardial
oxygen demand, and can relieve ischemic chest discomfort.
5.
A patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly develops
dyspnea, tachycardia, and pleuritic chest pain. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Administer oral fluids
Answer: B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
Rationale: A suspected pulmonary embolism can cause acute
hypoxemia and respiratory compromise. Supporting oxygenation and
rapidly assessing the patient's status are immediate priorities.
6.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium level of 6.7
mEq/L. Which finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Fatigue
C. Peaked T waves on ECG
D. Mild nausea
Answer: C. Peaked T waves on ECG
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can produce life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are an important ECG manifestation
and require immediate intervention.
, 7.
A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal distention.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Pneumothorax
C. Ileus
D. Pericarditis
Answer: A. Ascites
Rationale: Portal hypertension and decreased plasma oncotic pressure
associated with cirrhosis promote accumulation of fluid in the
peritoneal cavity, producing ascites.
8.
A patient with an acute ischemic stroke has difficulty swallowing. What
is the nurse's priority intervention before providing oral food or
medication?
A. Offer thin liquids
B. Perform a swallowing assessment
C. Place the patient supine
D. Encourage rapid eating
Answer: B. Perform a swallowing assessment
Rationale: Stroke can impair swallowing and increase the risk for
aspiration. Oral intake should be withheld until swallowing ability has
been assessed.
9.
