NUR 1211 MEDICAL SURGICAL NEWEST 2024 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS (100%
CORRECT) UPDATED
Question 1:
A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). What is the
primary reason for administering this medication?
A) To decrease cardiac output
B) To increase heart rate
C) To reduce fluid retention
D) To increase blood pressure
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that helps to reduce fluid retention by
promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys. This decreases
the workload on the heart and helps to manage symptoms of heart failure.
Question 2:
A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory finding
is most indicative of this condition?
A) Blood glucose of 150 mg/dL
B) pH of 7.45
C) Serum bicarbonate of 25 mEq/L
D) Ketones in the urine
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by the presence of ketones in the
urine and blood due to the breakdown of fatty acids for energy in the absence of
adequate insulin. Elevated blood glucose and metabolic acidosis are also typical,
but ketones in the urine are most indicative of DKA.
Question 3:
A patient is experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
,A) Administering bronchodilators as prescribed
B) Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake
C) Teaching the patient to use pursed-lip breathing
D) Placing the patient in a supine position
Rationale: Administering bronchodilators helps to open the airways and improve
airflow, which is crucial during an acute exacerbation of COPD. Other
interventions such as encouraging fluid intake and teaching pursed-lip breathing
are important but not as immediately critical.
Question 4:
A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted with a blood pressure of
220/120 mmHg. Which complication is the patient most at risk for?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Stroke
C) Hypotension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: A significantly elevated blood pressure puts the patient at a high risk
for stroke due to the increased pressure on the blood vessels in the brain, which can
lead to a hemorrhagic or ischemic event.
Question 5:
A nurse is preparing a patient with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) for discharge.
Which dietary instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Increase intake of spicy foods
B) Consume three large meals daily
C) Avoid caffeine and alcohol
D) Limit intake of dairy products
Rationale: Patients with peptic ulcer disease should avoid caffeine and alcohol as
they can increase gastric acid secretion and irritate the gastric mucosa, potentially
worsening the condition. Other dietary instructions would include eating smaller,
more frequent meals and avoiding foods that irritate the stomach.
Question 6:
,A patient with a new diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prescribed
anticoagulant therapy. What is the primary goal of this treatment?
A) To dissolve the existing clot
B) To prevent new clot formation
C) To decrease platelet count
D) To increase blood viscosity
Rationale: The primary goal of anticoagulant therapy in a patient with DVT is to
prevent new clot formation. While anticoagulants do not dissolve existing clots,
they prevent the extension and propagation of the clot, reducing the risk of
complications such as pulmonary embolism.
Question 7:
A patient with cirrhosis is experiencing ascites. What is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) Encourage high sodium diet
B) Provide fluid restrictions
C) Administer prescribed diuretics
D) Encourage high fluid intake
Rationale: Administering diuretics, such as spironolactone or furosemide, helps to
manage ascites by promoting the excretion of excess fluid accumulated in the
abdominal cavity. Fluid and sodium restrictions may also be implemented, but the
use of diuretics is a key intervention.
Question 8:
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight gain
B) Bradycardia
C) Cold intolerance
D) Exophthalmos
Rationale: Exophthalmos, or bulging eyes, is a common clinical manifestation of
hyperthyroidism, particularly in Graves' disease. Other symptoms of
hyperthyroidism include weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance.
, Question 9:
A patient is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value would the
nurse expect to be elevated?
A) Serum calcium
B) Serum amylase
C) Serum potassium
D) Serum chloride
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, serum amylase and lipase levels are typically
elevated due to the inflammation of the pancreas and leakage of these enzymes into
the bloodstream. Elevated amylase is a key diagnostic indicator of pancreatitis.
Question 10:
A patient recovering from a myocardial infarction (MI) is being educated about
lifestyle modifications. Which recommendation is most important to prevent future
cardiac events?
A) Increase dietary sodium
B) Engage in regular physical activity
C) Limit water intake
D) Increase alcohol consumption
Rationale: Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial for improving
cardiovascular health and preventing future cardiac events. Physical activity helps
to manage weight, lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce stress.
Other recommendations include dietary changes, smoking cessation, and
medication adherence.
Question 11:
A patient with chronic renal failure is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which finding
should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before the dialysis session?
A) Potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L
B) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
C) Hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 55 mg/dL
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS (100%
CORRECT) UPDATED
Question 1:
A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). What is the
primary reason for administering this medication?
A) To decrease cardiac output
B) To increase heart rate
C) To reduce fluid retention
D) To increase blood pressure
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that helps to reduce fluid retention by
promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys. This decreases
the workload on the heart and helps to manage symptoms of heart failure.
Question 2:
A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory finding
is most indicative of this condition?
A) Blood glucose of 150 mg/dL
B) pH of 7.45
C) Serum bicarbonate of 25 mEq/L
D) Ketones in the urine
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by the presence of ketones in the
urine and blood due to the breakdown of fatty acids for energy in the absence of
adequate insulin. Elevated blood glucose and metabolic acidosis are also typical,
but ketones in the urine are most indicative of DKA.
Question 3:
A patient is experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
,A) Administering bronchodilators as prescribed
B) Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake
C) Teaching the patient to use pursed-lip breathing
D) Placing the patient in a supine position
Rationale: Administering bronchodilators helps to open the airways and improve
airflow, which is crucial during an acute exacerbation of COPD. Other
interventions such as encouraging fluid intake and teaching pursed-lip breathing
are important but not as immediately critical.
Question 4:
A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted with a blood pressure of
220/120 mmHg. Which complication is the patient most at risk for?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Stroke
C) Hypotension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: A significantly elevated blood pressure puts the patient at a high risk
for stroke due to the increased pressure on the blood vessels in the brain, which can
lead to a hemorrhagic or ischemic event.
Question 5:
A nurse is preparing a patient with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) for discharge.
Which dietary instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Increase intake of spicy foods
B) Consume three large meals daily
C) Avoid caffeine and alcohol
D) Limit intake of dairy products
Rationale: Patients with peptic ulcer disease should avoid caffeine and alcohol as
they can increase gastric acid secretion and irritate the gastric mucosa, potentially
worsening the condition. Other dietary instructions would include eating smaller,
more frequent meals and avoiding foods that irritate the stomach.
Question 6:
,A patient with a new diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prescribed
anticoagulant therapy. What is the primary goal of this treatment?
A) To dissolve the existing clot
B) To prevent new clot formation
C) To decrease platelet count
D) To increase blood viscosity
Rationale: The primary goal of anticoagulant therapy in a patient with DVT is to
prevent new clot formation. While anticoagulants do not dissolve existing clots,
they prevent the extension and propagation of the clot, reducing the risk of
complications such as pulmonary embolism.
Question 7:
A patient with cirrhosis is experiencing ascites. What is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) Encourage high sodium diet
B) Provide fluid restrictions
C) Administer prescribed diuretics
D) Encourage high fluid intake
Rationale: Administering diuretics, such as spironolactone or furosemide, helps to
manage ascites by promoting the excretion of excess fluid accumulated in the
abdominal cavity. Fluid and sodium restrictions may also be implemented, but the
use of diuretics is a key intervention.
Question 8:
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight gain
B) Bradycardia
C) Cold intolerance
D) Exophthalmos
Rationale: Exophthalmos, or bulging eyes, is a common clinical manifestation of
hyperthyroidism, particularly in Graves' disease. Other symptoms of
hyperthyroidism include weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance.
, Question 9:
A patient is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value would the
nurse expect to be elevated?
A) Serum calcium
B) Serum amylase
C) Serum potassium
D) Serum chloride
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, serum amylase and lipase levels are typically
elevated due to the inflammation of the pancreas and leakage of these enzymes into
the bloodstream. Elevated amylase is a key diagnostic indicator of pancreatitis.
Question 10:
A patient recovering from a myocardial infarction (MI) is being educated about
lifestyle modifications. Which recommendation is most important to prevent future
cardiac events?
A) Increase dietary sodium
B) Engage in regular physical activity
C) Limit water intake
D) Increase alcohol consumption
Rationale: Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial for improving
cardiovascular health and preventing future cardiac events. Physical activity helps
to manage weight, lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce stress.
Other recommendations include dietary changes, smoking cessation, and
medication adherence.
Question 11:
A patient with chronic renal failure is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which finding
should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before the dialysis session?
A) Potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L
B) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
C) Hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 55 mg/dL
