Certified Medical-Surgical
Registered Nurse Sample
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Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and non-
surgical treatment no longer relieved her symptoms. She underwent a total
proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which of
these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma. - Answer 1) The
stoma appears pale and dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or
red, and the stoma is moist as a result of mucous production. A pale dry color
suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported immediately to
the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark
green liquid that may contain some blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain
within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per day.
,Certified Medical-Surgical
Registered Nurse Sample
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When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the
peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying the
appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic. - Answer 3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding
tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier, with a pectin base or karaya wafer that has
a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should be applied.
Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would
indicate that she had concerns about her body image?
1) "I will have to stop my aerobics classes."
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2) "I'm so afraid I may not survive the surgery."
3) "I need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
4) "I'm concerned that this may be only the first of many surgeries." - Answer 3) "I
need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
Rationale:Body image refers to a person's perception of self and determines how
the person interacts with others. One does not need to purchase special clothing
after ileostomy surgery, although some minor adjustments may be needed for
comfort, e.g., stretch underwear or pantyhose for support.
Lewis Palmer, 45 years old, has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions and is
a heavy smoker. He takes warfarin sodium (Coumadin) daily. Two weeks ago, he
had a right femoral-popliteal bypass, which became occluded 24 hours ago. He is
admitted following an angioplasty of the femoral-popliteal bypass graft. Mr.
Palmer is receiving continuous IV heparin.
Because Mr. Palmer is receiving heparin, it is essential for the nurse to
1) monitor his prothrombin time.
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2) observe him for signs of pulmonary embolism.
3) limit his intake of foods high in vitamin K.
4) check the femoral puncture site at frequent intervals. - Answer 4) check the
femoral puncture site at frequent intervals.
Rationale: Since bleeding is a common side effect of heparin, it is vital to check
the operative site, the femoral puncture area, for signs of bleeding.
Attempts to revascularize Mr. Palmer's leg are unsuccessful, and Mr. Palmer has a
below-knee amputation (BKA) of his right extremity and is returned to the
medical-surgical unit with an intravenous infusion in place. His orders include:
heparin drip, morphine sulfate 10 mg IV push q4h prn for pain, and ampicillin
sodium g 1 IV q6h.
Twelve hours postoperatively, Mr. Palmer is found to be short of breath and
diaphoretic. He says, "My chest hurts." His pulse is 140/min, compared to a
baseline of 80/min. His blood pressure is105/60 mm Hg, compared to a baseline
of 138/70 mm Hg. His respirations are 32/min, compared to a baseline of 16/min.
His O2 saturation is 85%. The nurse immediately calls for help. Which of the
following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
Registered Nurse Sample
Questions with certified solutions
best rated a+
Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and non-
surgical treatment no longer relieved her symptoms. She underwent a total
proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which of
these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma. - Answer 1) The
stoma appears pale and dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or
red, and the stoma is moist as a result of mucous production. A pale dry color
suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported immediately to
the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark
green liquid that may contain some blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain
within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per day.
,Certified Medical-Surgical
Registered Nurse Sample
Questions with certified solutions
best rated a+
When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the
peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying the
appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic. - Answer 3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding
tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier, with a pectin base or karaya wafer that has
a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should be applied.
Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would
indicate that she had concerns about her body image?
1) "I will have to stop my aerobics classes."
,Certified Medical-Surgical
Registered Nurse Sample
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best rated a+
2) "I'm so afraid I may not survive the surgery."
3) "I need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
4) "I'm concerned that this may be only the first of many surgeries." - Answer 3) "I
need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
Rationale:Body image refers to a person's perception of self and determines how
the person interacts with others. One does not need to purchase special clothing
after ileostomy surgery, although some minor adjustments may be needed for
comfort, e.g., stretch underwear or pantyhose for support.
Lewis Palmer, 45 years old, has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions and is
a heavy smoker. He takes warfarin sodium (Coumadin) daily. Two weeks ago, he
had a right femoral-popliteal bypass, which became occluded 24 hours ago. He is
admitted following an angioplasty of the femoral-popliteal bypass graft. Mr.
Palmer is receiving continuous IV heparin.
Because Mr. Palmer is receiving heparin, it is essential for the nurse to
1) monitor his prothrombin time.
, Certified Medical-Surgical
Registered Nurse Sample
Questions with certified solutions
best rated a+
2) observe him for signs of pulmonary embolism.
3) limit his intake of foods high in vitamin K.
4) check the femoral puncture site at frequent intervals. - Answer 4) check the
femoral puncture site at frequent intervals.
Rationale: Since bleeding is a common side effect of heparin, it is vital to check
the operative site, the femoral puncture area, for signs of bleeding.
Attempts to revascularize Mr. Palmer's leg are unsuccessful, and Mr. Palmer has a
below-knee amputation (BKA) of his right extremity and is returned to the
medical-surgical unit with an intravenous infusion in place. His orders include:
heparin drip, morphine sulfate 10 mg IV push q4h prn for pain, and ampicillin
sodium g 1 IV q6h.
Twelve hours postoperatively, Mr. Palmer is found to be short of breath and
diaphoretic. He says, "My chest hurts." His pulse is 140/min, compared to a
baseline of 80/min. His blood pressure is105/60 mm Hg, compared to a baseline
of 138/70 mm Hg. His respirations are 32/min, compared to a baseline of 16/min.
His O2 saturation is 85%. The nurse immediately calls for help. Which of the
following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
