Page 1 of 114
NUR 242 EXAM 3 MED-SURG NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NUR 242 EXAM 3 MED-SURG NURSING
MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Cardiovascular disorders, assessment, complications, and nursing interventions
2. Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, airway management, and respiratory emergencies
3. Neurologic disorders, stroke recognition, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure
4. Renal and urinary disorders, fluid balance, electrolytes, and dialysis care
5. Endocrine disorders involving diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, and
metabolic changes
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders, nutrition, elimination, and postoperative
complications
7. Hematologic disorders, transfusions, anemia, clotting disorders, and bleeding
precautions
8. Infection, inflammation, immune disorders, isolation precautions, and sepsis recognition
9. Musculoskeletal disorders, mobility, fractures, pain management, and rehabilitation
10. Prioritization, clinical judgment, medication safety, patient education, and discharge
planning
1.
A patient with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea, bilateral crackles, and pink
frothy sputum. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage oral fluids to improve circulation
B. Place the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen ✓
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C. Obtain a routine daily weight before intervening
D. Encourage ambulation to improve venous return
Rationale: Acute pulmonary edema threatens oxygenation. Positioning upright and providing
prescribed oxygen are immediate priorities.
2.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide for acute heart failure has several laboratory values
available. Which finding requires the nurse's greatest concern?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Chloride 101 mEq/L
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L ✓
D. Calcium 9.1 mg/dL
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Severe hypokalemia increases the risk for
dysrhythmias.
3.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which finding
requires the nurse to intervene most promptly?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90% while receiving prescribed low-flow oxygen
B. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute with mild exertional dyspnea
C. New somnolence and decreasing respiratory effort ✓
D. Productive cough with small amounts of clear sputum
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Rationale: Increasing somnolence and hypoventilation may indicate worsening respiratory
failure and carbon dioxide retention.
4.
A patient arrives in the emergency department with sudden facial drooping and right-sided
weakness that began approximately 45 minutes ago. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Determine the exact time the symptoms began ✓
B. Give the patient oral fluids to prevent dehydration
C. Place the patient flat and encourage sleep
D. Administer aspirin before obtaining diagnostic information
Rationale: The exact last-known-well time is critical when evaluating eligibility for time-sensitive
stroke treatment.
5.
A patient with diabetes becomes pale, diaphoretic, shaky, and confused before lunch. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin
B. Encourage the patient to walk around the unit
C. Check the patient's blood glucose level ✓
D. Restrict carbohydrates during the upcoming meal
Rationale: These findings strongly suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be assessed
promptly when possible.
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6.
A patient receiving a blood transfusion reports chills, low back discomfort, and a feeling of
impending doom. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Slow the transfusion and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Stop the transfusion immediately ✓
C. Flush the blood tubing with the remaining blood product
D. Document the findings as expected transfusion effects
Rationale: These findings may indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The transfusion must be
stopped immediately.
7.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which assessment
finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Generalized fatigue
B. Mild nausea
C. Irregular cardiac rhythm ✓
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
8.
NUR 242 EXAM 3 MED-SURG NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NUR 242 EXAM 3 MED-SURG NURSING
MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Cardiovascular disorders, assessment, complications, and nursing interventions
2. Respiratory disorders, oxygenation, airway management, and respiratory emergencies
3. Neurologic disorders, stroke recognition, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure
4. Renal and urinary disorders, fluid balance, electrolytes, and dialysis care
5. Endocrine disorders involving diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, and
metabolic changes
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders, nutrition, elimination, and postoperative
complications
7. Hematologic disorders, transfusions, anemia, clotting disorders, and bleeding
precautions
8. Infection, inflammation, immune disorders, isolation precautions, and sepsis recognition
9. Musculoskeletal disorders, mobility, fractures, pain management, and rehabilitation
10. Prioritization, clinical judgment, medication safety, patient education, and discharge
planning
1.
A patient with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea, bilateral crackles, and pink
frothy sputum. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage oral fluids to improve circulation
B. Place the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen ✓
, Page 2 of 114
C. Obtain a routine daily weight before intervening
D. Encourage ambulation to improve venous return
Rationale: Acute pulmonary edema threatens oxygenation. Positioning upright and providing
prescribed oxygen are immediate priorities.
2.
A patient receiving intravenous furosemide for acute heart failure has several laboratory values
available. Which finding requires the nurse's greatest concern?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Chloride 101 mEq/L
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L ✓
D. Calcium 9.1 mg/dL
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Severe hypokalemia increases the risk for
dysrhythmias.
3.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which finding
requires the nurse to intervene most promptly?
A. Oxygen saturation of 90% while receiving prescribed low-flow oxygen
B. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute with mild exertional dyspnea
C. New somnolence and decreasing respiratory effort ✓
D. Productive cough with small amounts of clear sputum
, Page 3 of 114
Rationale: Increasing somnolence and hypoventilation may indicate worsening respiratory
failure and carbon dioxide retention.
4.
A patient arrives in the emergency department with sudden facial drooping and right-sided
weakness that began approximately 45 minutes ago. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Determine the exact time the symptoms began ✓
B. Give the patient oral fluids to prevent dehydration
C. Place the patient flat and encourage sleep
D. Administer aspirin before obtaining diagnostic information
Rationale: The exact last-known-well time is critical when evaluating eligibility for time-sensitive
stroke treatment.
5.
A patient with diabetes becomes pale, diaphoretic, shaky, and confused before lunch. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin
B. Encourage the patient to walk around the unit
C. Check the patient's blood glucose level ✓
D. Restrict carbohydrates during the upcoming meal
Rationale: These findings strongly suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be assessed
promptly when possible.
, Page 4 of 114
6.
A patient receiving a blood transfusion reports chills, low back discomfort, and a feeling of
impending doom. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Slow the transfusion and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Stop the transfusion immediately ✓
C. Flush the blood tubing with the remaining blood product
D. Document the findings as expected transfusion effects
Rationale: These findings may indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The transfusion must be
stopped immediately.
7.
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which assessment
finding requires the most immediate attention?
A. Generalized fatigue
B. Mild nausea
C. Irregular cardiac rhythm ✓
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
8.
