MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which of the following delivery methods is most precise for delivering a specific
concentration of oxygen?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Partial rebreather mask
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Venturi mask is the most accurate device for delivering a
fixed, precise concentration of oxygen, which is critical for patients with COPD to avoid
suppressing their hypoxic drive.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Flattened neck veins
B. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
,C. Bradypnea and hypertension
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side occurs as air
builds up in the pleural space, increasing intrathoracic pressure and shifting mediastinal
structures.
3. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome. Which of the
following laboratory findings would the nurse expect to see?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome involves an excess of cortisol, which leads
to sodium and water retention (hypernatremia) and potassium depletion.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient post-thyroidectomy. The patient reports tingling in the
fingers and around the mouth. Which medication should the nurse have readily available?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
, C. Sodium bicarbonate
D. Magnesium sulfate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tingling (paresthesia) is a sign of hypocalcemia, which can occur
if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or removed during a thyroidectomy.
5. A patient presents to the ED with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change is
most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged ST segment
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
6. When assessing a patient with Right-sided Heart Failure, which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Orthopnea
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which of the following delivery methods is most precise for delivering a specific
concentration of oxygen?
A. Venturi mask
B. Simple face mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Partial rebreather mask
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Venturi mask is the most accurate device for delivering a
fixed, precise concentration of oxygen, which is critical for patients with COPD to avoid
suppressing their hypoxic drive.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Flattened neck veins
B. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
,C. Bradypnea and hypertension
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side occurs as air
builds up in the pleural space, increasing intrathoracic pressure and shifting mediastinal
structures.
3. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome. Which of the
following laboratory findings would the nurse expect to see?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome involves an excess of cortisol, which leads
to sodium and water retention (hypernatremia) and potassium depletion.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient post-thyroidectomy. The patient reports tingling in the
fingers and around the mouth. Which medication should the nurse have readily available?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
, C. Sodium bicarbonate
D. Magnesium sulfate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tingling (paresthesia) is a sign of hypocalcemia, which can occur
if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or removed during a thyroidectomy.
5. A patient presents to the ED with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change is
most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged ST segment
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
6. When assessing a patient with Right-sided Heart Failure, which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Orthopnea
