BSN HESI 266 MED SURG EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(LATEST ), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, this is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly reports a ‘popping’ sensation at
the abdominal incision site. Upon inspection, the nurse notes wound evisceration. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply firm pressure to the site with a dry dressing
B. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
,C. Attempt to reinsert the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile saline
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the
organs from drying and infection by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings.
The patient should be kept in a low Fowler’s position with knees bent.
3. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State
(HHS) rather than Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose level > 600 mg/dL
C. Positive ketones in the urine
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: HHS is typically characterized by much higher glucose levels
(>600 mg/dL) and a lack of significant ketosis, whereas DKA presents with ketones,
Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath.
4. A patient with Acute Kidney Injury has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to move potassium into the cells quickly?
A. Regular insulin and IV dextrose
, B. Spironolactone
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Regular insulin shifts potassium into the intracellular space. IV
dextrose is given simultaneously to prevent hypoglycemia. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
removes potassium from the body but works more slowly.
5. When assessing a patient with suspected Left-Sided Heart Failure, which symptom should
the nurse prioritize?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting
in crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. The other options are signs of right-sided heart
failure.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(LATEST ), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, this is
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly reports a ‘popping’ sensation at
the abdominal incision site. Upon inspection, the nurse notes wound evisceration. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply firm pressure to the site with a dry dressing
B. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
,C. Attempt to reinsert the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile saline
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the
organs from drying and infection by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings.
The patient should be kept in a low Fowler’s position with knees bent.
3. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State
(HHS) rather than Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose level > 600 mg/dL
C. Positive ketones in the urine
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: HHS is typically characterized by much higher glucose levels
(>600 mg/dL) and a lack of significant ketosis, whereas DKA presents with ketones,
Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath.
4. A patient with Acute Kidney Injury has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to move potassium into the cells quickly?
A. Regular insulin and IV dextrose
, B. Spironolactone
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Regular insulin shifts potassium into the intracellular space. IV
dextrose is given simultaneously to prevent hypoglycemia. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
removes potassium from the body but works more slowly.
5. When assessing a patient with suspected Left-Sided Heart Failure, which symptom should
the nurse prioritize?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting
in crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. The other options are signs of right-sided heart
failure.
