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NUR 209 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
NUR 209 Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
1. Cardiovascular disorders — heart failure, dysrhythmias, hypertension, coronary artery
disease, myocardial infarction, valvular disorders, vascular disorders.
2. Respiratory disorders — COPD, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism,
ARDS, mechanical ventilation, chest tubes.
3. Renal and urinary disorders — acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis,
urinary tract infections, renal calculi, incontinence.
4. Neurological disorders — stroke, seizures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury,
meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis.
5. Endocrine disorders — diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, pituitary
disorders, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders — peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, bowel obstruction.
7. Musculoskeletal and integumentary disorders — fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoporosis, burns, pressure injuries.
8. Hematologic and oncologic disorders — anemia, leukemia, lymphoma,
thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, chemotherapy and radiation effects.
9. Perioperative and emergency nursing — preoperative assessment, postoperative
complications, shock, sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, triage.
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10. Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance — imbalances, intravenous therapy, blood
products, total parenteral nutrition.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–40)
Q1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
Serum potassium should be monitored closely, especially in patients taking digoxin.
Q2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse
include in patient teaching?
A. "Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "Use a soft toothbrush and electric razor."
C. "Take aspirin for headaches without concern."
D. "Double the dose if you miss a day."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Patients should use a soft toothbrush and electric
razor to minimize bleeding. Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes
warfarin.
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Q3. A patient with acute myocardial infarction is prescribed morphine. The nurse understands
that morphine is given primarily to:
A. Reduce anxiety
B. Relieve pain and decrease myocardial oxygen demand
C. Increase heart rate
D. Prevent clot formation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine relieves pain and reduces sympathetic nervous system stimulation,
thereby decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.
Q4. A patient with heart failure has a potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer digoxin
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
C. Increase the furosemide dose
D. Encourage a high-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin should be held, and the
provider should be notified.
Q5. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of hypertensive crisis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 180/100 mm Hg
B. Headache and blurred vision
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C. Heart rate 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision indicate target organ damage and require immediate
intervention in hypertensive crisis.
Q6. A patient with coronary artery disease is prescribed atorvastatin. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum amylase
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause hepatotoxicity. Liver function tests should be monitored baseline
and periodically.
Q7. A patient with heart failure is receiving digoxin. Which assessment finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 58 beats/min
B. Nausea and visual disturbances
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate 20 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos) are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
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NUR 209 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
NUR 209 Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
1. Cardiovascular disorders — heart failure, dysrhythmias, hypertension, coronary artery
disease, myocardial infarction, valvular disorders, vascular disorders.
2. Respiratory disorders — COPD, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism,
ARDS, mechanical ventilation, chest tubes.
3. Renal and urinary disorders — acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis,
urinary tract infections, renal calculi, incontinence.
4. Neurological disorders — stroke, seizures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury,
meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis.
5. Endocrine disorders — diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, pituitary
disorders, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.
6. Gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders — peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, bowel obstruction.
7. Musculoskeletal and integumentary disorders — fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoporosis, burns, pressure injuries.
8. Hematologic and oncologic disorders — anemia, leukemia, lymphoma,
thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, chemotherapy and radiation effects.
9. Perioperative and emergency nursing — preoperative assessment, postoperative
complications, shock, sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, triage.
1|Page
,Page 2 of 115
10. Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance — imbalances, intravenous therapy, blood
products, total parenteral nutrition.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–40)
Q1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
Serum potassium should be monitored closely, especially in patients taking digoxin.
Q2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse
include in patient teaching?
A. "Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "Use a soft toothbrush and electric razor."
C. "Take aspirin for headaches without concern."
D. "Double the dose if you miss a day."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Patients should use a soft toothbrush and electric
razor to minimize bleeding. Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes
warfarin.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 115
Q3. A patient with acute myocardial infarction is prescribed morphine. The nurse understands
that morphine is given primarily to:
A. Reduce anxiety
B. Relieve pain and decrease myocardial oxygen demand
C. Increase heart rate
D. Prevent clot formation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine relieves pain and reduces sympathetic nervous system stimulation,
thereby decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.
Q4. A patient with heart failure has a potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer digoxin
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
C. Increase the furosemide dose
D. Encourage a high-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin should be held, and the
provider should be notified.
Q5. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of hypertensive crisis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 180/100 mm Hg
B. Headache and blurred vision
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C. Heart rate 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision indicate target organ damage and require immediate
intervention in hypertensive crisis.
Q6. A patient with coronary artery disease is prescribed atorvastatin. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum amylase
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause hepatotoxicity. Liver function tests should be monitored baseline
and periodically.
Q7. A patient with heart failure is receiving digoxin. Which assessment finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 58 beats/min
B. Nausea and visual disturbances
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate 20 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos) are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
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