MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING · COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Med-Surg Final
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topics: Cardiovascular · Respiratory · Endocrine · GI · Renal · Integumentary ·
Fluid & Electrolytes · & More
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care 2
3. Respiratory & Pulmonary Care 3
4. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders 4
,5. Gastrointestinal & Digestive Disorders 4
6. Integumentary & Skin Disorders 5
7. Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances 5
8. Renal & Urinary Disorders 6
9. Pharmacology & Medication Management 6
Med-Surg Final · Nursing Review Page 1
,MED-SURG FINAL PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CARDIOVASCULAR
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care
1 What is the mechanism of action of Lasix (furosemide)?
A Inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of
Henle
B Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule
C Blocks aldosterone receptors
D Increases sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
Why A is correct: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, promoting rapid diuresis.
B — This describes thiazide diuretics.
C — This describes potassium-sparing diuretics.
D — This is not the mechanism of furosemide.
, 2 What are the signs and symptoms of fluid overload?
A Rapid weight gain, peripheral edema, JVD, bounding pulses, elevated BP, crackles,
dyspnea
B Decreased BP, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes
C Weight loss, hypotension, flat neck veins
D Poor skin turgor, oliguria, confusion
Why A is correct: Fluid overload presents with weight gain, edema, JVD, bounding pulses,
hypertension, crackles, and dyspnea.
B — These are signs of dehydration.
C — These are signs of dehydration.
D — These are signs of dehydration.
3 What is the correct flow of blood through the heart?
A RA → Tricuspid → RV → Pulmonic Valve → PA → Lungs → PV → LA → Mitral → LV →
Aortic Valve → Aorta
B RA → Mitral → RV → Tricuspid → Lungs
C LA → Tricuspid → LV → Pulmonic → Lungs
D RV → Aortic → Lungs → LV → Pulmonic
Why A is correct: This is the correct pathway of blood flow through the heart: right atrium
→ tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic → lungs → pulmonary veins → left atrium → mitral
→ left ventricle → aortic → body.
B — Mitral valve is between LA and LV.
C — This incorrectly reverses chambers.
D — This incorrectly sequences the pathway.
Med-Surg Final
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topics: Cardiovascular · Respiratory · Endocrine · GI · Renal · Integumentary ·
Fluid & Electrolytes · & More
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care 2
3. Respiratory & Pulmonary Care 3
4. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders 4
,5. Gastrointestinal & Digestive Disorders 4
6. Integumentary & Skin Disorders 5
7. Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances 5
8. Renal & Urinary Disorders 6
9. Pharmacology & Medication Management 6
Med-Surg Final · Nursing Review Page 1
,MED-SURG FINAL PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CARDIOVASCULAR
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care
1 What is the mechanism of action of Lasix (furosemide)?
A Inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of
Henle
B Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule
C Blocks aldosterone receptors
D Increases sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
Why A is correct: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, promoting rapid diuresis.
B — This describes thiazide diuretics.
C — This describes potassium-sparing diuretics.
D — This is not the mechanism of furosemide.
, 2 What are the signs and symptoms of fluid overload?
A Rapid weight gain, peripheral edema, JVD, bounding pulses, elevated BP, crackles,
dyspnea
B Decreased BP, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes
C Weight loss, hypotension, flat neck veins
D Poor skin turgor, oliguria, confusion
Why A is correct: Fluid overload presents with weight gain, edema, JVD, bounding pulses,
hypertension, crackles, and dyspnea.
B — These are signs of dehydration.
C — These are signs of dehydration.
D — These are signs of dehydration.
3 What is the correct flow of blood through the heart?
A RA → Tricuspid → RV → Pulmonic Valve → PA → Lungs → PV → LA → Mitral → LV →
Aortic Valve → Aorta
B RA → Mitral → RV → Tricuspid → Lungs
C LA → Tricuspid → LV → Pulmonic → Lungs
D RV → Aortic → Lungs → LV → Pulmonic
Why A is correct: This is the correct pathway of blood flow through the heart: right atrium
→ tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic → lungs → pulmonary veins → left atrium → mitral
→ left ventricle → aortic → body.
B — Mitral valve is between LA and LV.
C — This incorrectly reverses chambers.
D — This incorrectly sequences the pathway.
