Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam
Practice 100% Verified Questions and
Detailed Answer Key with Rationales
Guaranteed A+ (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding indicates fluid volume excess?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Peripheral edema occurs when excess fluid
accumulates in the interstitial spaces, a common manifestation
of heart failure and fluid volume overload. Dry mucous
membranes and weight loss suggest fluid deficit, while
hypotension is not the most characteristic sign of fluid excess.
Question 2
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen flow rate is typically
prescribed initially?
,A. 8–10 L/min
B. 6–8 L/min
C. 1–2 L/min
D. 12–15 L/min
Answer: C. 1–2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to
breathe. Low-flow oxygen is administered to avoid suppressing
respiratory drive while maintaining adequate oxygenation.
Question 3
Which laboratory value is most concerning in a client receiving
warfarin therapy?
A. INR 1.0
B. INR 2.5
C. INR 3.0
D. INR 6.5
Answer: D. INR 6.5
Rationale: An INR of 6.5 indicates excessive anticoagulation
and significantly increases the risk of bleeding. Therapeutic INR
levels are generally between 2.0 and 3.0 for most indications.
Question 4
,A nurse is teaching a client about myocardial infarction risk
factors. Which factor is nonmodifiable?
A. Obesity
B. Hypertension
C. Family history
D. Smoking
Answer: C. Family history
Rationale: Family history is a nonmodifiable risk factor.
Smoking, obesity, and hypertension can be modified through
lifestyle changes and medical management.
Question 5
Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with
muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for muscle contraction and
cardiac conduction. Low potassium levels can cause weakness,
fatigue, and potentially life-threatening dysrhythmias.
, Question 6
A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness, sweating, and
hunger. The nurse suspects:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Ketoacidosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperosmolar syndrome
Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Classic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, hunger, anxiety, and tachycardia due to
sympathetic nervous system activation.
Question 7
Which assessment finding is most indicative of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Cool extremity
C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
D. Weak pedal pulses
Answer: C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling,
pain, warmth, and redness of the affected extremity.
Practice 100% Verified Questions and
Detailed Answer Key with Rationales
Guaranteed A+ (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding indicates fluid volume excess?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Peripheral edema occurs when excess fluid
accumulates in the interstitial spaces, a common manifestation
of heart failure and fluid volume overload. Dry mucous
membranes and weight loss suggest fluid deficit, while
hypotension is not the most characteristic sign of fluid excess.
Question 2
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which oxygen flow rate is typically
prescribed initially?
,A. 8–10 L/min
B. 6–8 L/min
C. 1–2 L/min
D. 12–15 L/min
Answer: C. 1–2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to
breathe. Low-flow oxygen is administered to avoid suppressing
respiratory drive while maintaining adequate oxygenation.
Question 3
Which laboratory value is most concerning in a client receiving
warfarin therapy?
A. INR 1.0
B. INR 2.5
C. INR 3.0
D. INR 6.5
Answer: D. INR 6.5
Rationale: An INR of 6.5 indicates excessive anticoagulation
and significantly increases the risk of bleeding. Therapeutic INR
levels are generally between 2.0 and 3.0 for most indications.
Question 4
,A nurse is teaching a client about myocardial infarction risk
factors. Which factor is nonmodifiable?
A. Obesity
B. Hypertension
C. Family history
D. Smoking
Answer: C. Family history
Rationale: Family history is a nonmodifiable risk factor.
Smoking, obesity, and hypertension can be modified through
lifestyle changes and medical management.
Question 5
Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with
muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Potassium is essential for muscle contraction and
cardiac conduction. Low potassium levels can cause weakness,
fatigue, and potentially life-threatening dysrhythmias.
, Question 6
A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness, sweating, and
hunger. The nurse suspects:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Ketoacidosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperosmolar syndrome
Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Classic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, hunger, anxiety, and tachycardia due to
sympathetic nervous system activation.
Question 7
Which assessment finding is most indicative of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Cool extremity
C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
D. Weak pedal pulses
Answer: C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling,
pain, warmth, and redness of the affected extremity.
