NSG 212: Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS– 2025
1. Which medication commonly causes constipation?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Iron supplements
C. Antibiotics
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: B
Rationale: Iron supplements slow gastrointestinal motility and often
lead to constipation.
2. The nurse measures a client's residual urine by catheterization after
voiding. What condition is this test verifying?
A. Renal failure
B. Bladder infection
C. Urinary retention
D. Incontinence
Answer: C
Rationale: Post-void residual measurements determine if the bladder
is fully emptying or if urine is being retained.
,3. When assisting a client from bed to wheelchair, the nurse assesses
for dizziness upon standing. What condition is being assessed?
A. Vasovagal response
B. Seizure activity
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure upon
standing, often causing dizziness or fainting.
4. The loss of urine without any identifiable pattern or warning is
known as:
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Stress incontinence
D. Reflex incontinence
Answer: D
Rationale: Reflex incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine without
warning or pattern, often due to neurological impairment.
5. A condition where an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to
cells is called:
,A. Anemia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypoxia
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia is a deficiency in oxygen reaching the tissues,
presenting with signs like increased respiratory rate and cyanosis.
6. If cardiac output decreases, what typically happens to the respiratory
rate?
A. Decreases
B. Remains the same
C. Increases
D. Becomes irregular
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased cardiac output results in reduced oxygen
delivery, prompting an increase in respiratory rate to compensate.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What would be the primary concern regarding fluid balance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Fluid retention
, D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with CKD are prone to fluid retention due to the
kidneys' inability to excrete excess fluid, which can lead to edema and
hypertension.
8. Which of the following is a sign of hyperglycemia in a diabetic
patient?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tachycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Hypotension
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperglycemia can lead to polyuria (frequent urination) as
the body attempts to rid itself of excess glucose through urine.
9. A client who is receiving morphine sulfate reports difficulty
breathing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Administer naloxone (Narcan)
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Increase the rate of oxygen delivery
Answer: B
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS– 2025
1. Which medication commonly causes constipation?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Iron supplements
C. Antibiotics
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: B
Rationale: Iron supplements slow gastrointestinal motility and often
lead to constipation.
2. The nurse measures a client's residual urine by catheterization after
voiding. What condition is this test verifying?
A. Renal failure
B. Bladder infection
C. Urinary retention
D. Incontinence
Answer: C
Rationale: Post-void residual measurements determine if the bladder
is fully emptying or if urine is being retained.
,3. When assisting a client from bed to wheelchair, the nurse assesses
for dizziness upon standing. What condition is being assessed?
A. Vasovagal response
B. Seizure activity
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure upon
standing, often causing dizziness or fainting.
4. The loss of urine without any identifiable pattern or warning is
known as:
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Stress incontinence
D. Reflex incontinence
Answer: D
Rationale: Reflex incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine without
warning or pattern, often due to neurological impairment.
5. A condition where an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to
cells is called:
,A. Anemia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypoxia
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia is a deficiency in oxygen reaching the tissues,
presenting with signs like increased respiratory rate and cyanosis.
6. If cardiac output decreases, what typically happens to the respiratory
rate?
A. Decreases
B. Remains the same
C. Increases
D. Becomes irregular
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased cardiac output results in reduced oxygen
delivery, prompting an increase in respiratory rate to compensate.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What would be the primary concern regarding fluid balance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Fluid retention
, D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with CKD are prone to fluid retention due to the
kidneys' inability to excrete excess fluid, which can lead to edema and
hypertension.
8. Which of the following is a sign of hyperglycemia in a diabetic
patient?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tachycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Hypotension
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperglycemia can lead to polyuria (frequent urination) as
the body attempts to rid itself of excess glucose through urine.
9. A client who is receiving morphine sulfate reports difficulty
breathing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Administer naloxone (Narcan)
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Increase the rate of oxygen delivery
Answer: B
