NURS 120 MED SURG EXAM 1 PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027 | WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY | INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE
EXAM TEST BANK | HIGH-YIELD QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING STUDY GUIDE
1. What is the typical range for normal adult respiratory rates?
12 to 20 breaths per minute
15 to 25 breaths per minute
10 to 15 breaths per minute
20 to 30 breaths per minute
2. What is systolic pressure?
The average blood pressure in your veins
The minimum blood pressure in your arteries that occurs when the left
ventricle of the heart is relaxed.
The average blood pressure in your arteries
The maximum blood pressure in your arteries that occurs when the
left ventricle of the heart contracts
3. If a nurse is caring for a patient with a known infectious disease, which
standard precaution should they prioritize to ensure safety?
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Administering antibiotics
Increased patient monitoring
Limiting patient mobility
,4. A patient experiences dizziness when moving from a lying position to
standing. What steps should a nurse take to assess for orthostatic
hypotension?
Only check blood pressure while the patient is standing.
Measure blood pressure and pulse in supine, sitting, and standing
positions.
Perform a neurological assessment to check for stroke symptoms.
Assess the patient's temperature and respiratory rate.
5. Why does the nurse utilize a head-to-toe approach when performing
physical examinations of patients?
The head-to-toe format excludes unnecessary body systems.
It is a methodical way to include all body systems.
It requires that painful procedures be done first.
It reduces time by allowing examination of only one side.
6. In a clinical scenario, if a patient shows signs of desaturation during a routine
check, what should the nurse's immediate response be?
Assess the patient's respiratory status and provide supplemental
oxygen if necessary.
Document the findings and wait for the physician's orders.
Increase the patient's activity level immediately.
Ignore the readings and continue monitoring.
7. A patient has a Braden scale score of 16. What nursing interventions should
be prioritized to prevent pressure ulcers?
, Increase the patient's fluid intake only.
Administer pain medication regularly.
Focus solely on nutritional support.
Implement frequent repositioning and skin assessments.
8. What is the first step in a gastrointestinal assessment?
Measure abdominal girth
Inspect the abdomen for distension or wounds
Palpate all four quadrants for 15 seconds each
Auscultate bowel sounds
9. The nurse is preparing to use the tympanic membrane to measure the
temperature of a 4-year-old child. Which approach should the nurse take
when completing this measurement?
Pull the earlobe back and down
Pull the earlobe back and up
Pull the pinna back and down
Pull the pinna back and up
10. Higher than normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates (ESR) signify which of
the following?
Inflammation
HIV
Diabetes
Infection
, 11. Describe the significance of crackles in lung auscultation and what they may
suggest about a patient's respiratory condition.
Crackles indicate normal lung function and clear airways.
Crackles are a sign of improved lung function.
Crackles are associated with bronchospasm and airway constriction.
Crackles suggest the presence of fluid or infectious material in the
lungs, indicating potential respiratory issues.
12. A patient is prescribed a new medication from a specific drug class. How
should a nurse utilize their understanding of this drug class in patient care?
By administering the medication without any further assessment.
By only focusing on the patient's vital signs.
By monitoring the patient for expected effects and potential side
effects.
By consulting a physician for every medication decision.
13. Crackles heard in the lungs indicate what?
Inflamed bronchi
Anaphylaxis
Fluid in the Alveoli
Mucus in the Bronchi
14. Describe the significance of atelectasis in respiratory assessment and its
potential impact on patient health.
Atelectasis can lead to reduced gas exchange and respiratory
distress in patients.
UNIVERSITY | INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE
EXAM TEST BANK | HIGH-YIELD QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING STUDY GUIDE
1. What is the typical range for normal adult respiratory rates?
12 to 20 breaths per minute
15 to 25 breaths per minute
10 to 15 breaths per minute
20 to 30 breaths per minute
2. What is systolic pressure?
The average blood pressure in your veins
The minimum blood pressure in your arteries that occurs when the left
ventricle of the heart is relaxed.
The average blood pressure in your arteries
The maximum blood pressure in your arteries that occurs when the
left ventricle of the heart contracts
3. If a nurse is caring for a patient with a known infectious disease, which
standard precaution should they prioritize to ensure safety?
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Administering antibiotics
Increased patient monitoring
Limiting patient mobility
,4. A patient experiences dizziness when moving from a lying position to
standing. What steps should a nurse take to assess for orthostatic
hypotension?
Only check blood pressure while the patient is standing.
Measure blood pressure and pulse in supine, sitting, and standing
positions.
Perform a neurological assessment to check for stroke symptoms.
Assess the patient's temperature and respiratory rate.
5. Why does the nurse utilize a head-to-toe approach when performing
physical examinations of patients?
The head-to-toe format excludes unnecessary body systems.
It is a methodical way to include all body systems.
It requires that painful procedures be done first.
It reduces time by allowing examination of only one side.
6. In a clinical scenario, if a patient shows signs of desaturation during a routine
check, what should the nurse's immediate response be?
Assess the patient's respiratory status and provide supplemental
oxygen if necessary.
Document the findings and wait for the physician's orders.
Increase the patient's activity level immediately.
Ignore the readings and continue monitoring.
7. A patient has a Braden scale score of 16. What nursing interventions should
be prioritized to prevent pressure ulcers?
, Increase the patient's fluid intake only.
Administer pain medication regularly.
Focus solely on nutritional support.
Implement frequent repositioning and skin assessments.
8. What is the first step in a gastrointestinal assessment?
Measure abdominal girth
Inspect the abdomen for distension or wounds
Palpate all four quadrants for 15 seconds each
Auscultate bowel sounds
9. The nurse is preparing to use the tympanic membrane to measure the
temperature of a 4-year-old child. Which approach should the nurse take
when completing this measurement?
Pull the earlobe back and down
Pull the earlobe back and up
Pull the pinna back and down
Pull the pinna back and up
10. Higher than normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates (ESR) signify which of
the following?
Inflammation
HIV
Diabetes
Infection
, 11. Describe the significance of crackles in lung auscultation and what they may
suggest about a patient's respiratory condition.
Crackles indicate normal lung function and clear airways.
Crackles are a sign of improved lung function.
Crackles are associated with bronchospasm and airway constriction.
Crackles suggest the presence of fluid or infectious material in the
lungs, indicating potential respiratory issues.
12. A patient is prescribed a new medication from a specific drug class. How
should a nurse utilize their understanding of this drug class in patient care?
By administering the medication without any further assessment.
By only focusing on the patient's vital signs.
By monitoring the patient for expected effects and potential side
effects.
By consulting a physician for every medication decision.
13. Crackles heard in the lungs indicate what?
Inflamed bronchi
Anaphylaxis
Fluid in the Alveoli
Mucus in the Bronchi
14. Describe the significance of atelectasis in respiratory assessment and its
potential impact on patient health.
Atelectasis can lead to reduced gas exchange and respiratory
distress in patients.
