PN 1003 Medical-Surgical Nursing
Exam Expert Verified Actual
Questions & Answers with Rationales
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update
2025
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which
instruction should the nurse give to the patient?
A) Avoid adding salt to food at the table
B) Limit fluid intake to 2 liters per day
C) Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
D) Avoid all dairy products
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with heart failure should limit sodium intake to reduce fluid
retention. Avoiding added salt is a key part of a low-sodium diet. Fluid restriction
may be prescribed but depends on severity. Potassium intake is monitored, but
increasing it isn't always recommended without evaluation. Dairy restriction is
unrelated.
2. A postoperative patient has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) on the second
day after surgery. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer prescribed antipyretics
,B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Assess the surgical site for signs of infection
D) Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever after surgery may indicate infection. The nurse should first assess
the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage before taking further action.
3. Which lab value indicates that a patient with anemia is responding well to
treatment?
A) Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B) Hematocrit 25%
C) Reticulocyte count increased
D) Platelet count 150,000/mm³
Answer: C
Rationale: An increased reticulocyte count shows the bone marrow is producing
more red blood cells, indicating a positive response to anemia treatment.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to
suction. Which action is appropriate?
A) Clamp the tube every 4 hours
B) Keep the suction continuously on low intermittent setting
C) Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of sterile water every shift
D) Reposition the patient every 2 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous low intermittent suction is typically recommended to
prevent mucosal damage. Clamping is not advised as it can cause distention.
Irrigation depends on provider orders. Repositioning is good for patient comfort
but unrelated to suction management.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and anxious.
What should the nurse do first?
,A) Administer insulin
B) Check blood glucose level
C) Offer a high-protein snack
D) Encourage the patient to rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. The nurse should first check blood
glucose before administering treatment.
True or False
6. True or False: A patient with pneumonia should be encouraged to cough and
deep breathe every 2 hours to prevent atelectasis.
Answer: True
Rationale: Frequent coughing and deep breathing help clear secretions and
prevent lung collapse.
7. True or False: Patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis should avoid
wearing compression stockings.
Answer: False
Rationale: Compression stockings are often prescribed to prevent further
thrombosis and improve circulation.
8. True or False: A patient with chronic kidney disease should limit protein
intake to reduce kidney workload.
Answer: True
Rationale: Protein restriction may be recommended to reduce nitrogenous waste
and slow kidney damage.
Short Answer Questions
9. List three nursing interventions to prevent pressure ulcers in immobile
patients.
, Sample Answer:
• Reposition the patient every 2 hours
• Use pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions
• Keep skin clean and dry
Rationale: These interventions reduce pressure and moisture, which are primary
causes of skin breakdown.
10. Describe the signs and symptoms of hypovolemia.
Sample Answer:
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Dry mucous membranes
• Decreased urine output
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
Rationale: Hypovolemia results from fluid loss leading to decreased circulating
volume and compensatory mechanisms.
11. Explain why deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is important in
postoperative patients.
Sample Answer:
DVT prophylaxis is important because immobility after surgery increases risk of
blood clots forming in deep veins, which can lead to pulmonary embolism, a
potentially fatal complication.
12. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with chronic
kidney disease?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
Exam Expert Verified Actual
Questions & Answers with Rationales
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update
2025
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which
instruction should the nurse give to the patient?
A) Avoid adding salt to food at the table
B) Limit fluid intake to 2 liters per day
C) Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
D) Avoid all dairy products
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with heart failure should limit sodium intake to reduce fluid
retention. Avoiding added salt is a key part of a low-sodium diet. Fluid restriction
may be prescribed but depends on severity. Potassium intake is monitored, but
increasing it isn't always recommended without evaluation. Dairy restriction is
unrelated.
2. A postoperative patient has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) on the second
day after surgery. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer prescribed antipyretics
,B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Assess the surgical site for signs of infection
D) Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever after surgery may indicate infection. The nurse should first assess
the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage before taking further action.
3. Which lab value indicates that a patient with anemia is responding well to
treatment?
A) Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B) Hematocrit 25%
C) Reticulocyte count increased
D) Platelet count 150,000/mm³
Answer: C
Rationale: An increased reticulocyte count shows the bone marrow is producing
more red blood cells, indicating a positive response to anemia treatment.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to
suction. Which action is appropriate?
A) Clamp the tube every 4 hours
B) Keep the suction continuously on low intermittent setting
C) Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of sterile water every shift
D) Reposition the patient every 2 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous low intermittent suction is typically recommended to
prevent mucosal damage. Clamping is not advised as it can cause distention.
Irrigation depends on provider orders. Repositioning is good for patient comfort
but unrelated to suction management.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and anxious.
What should the nurse do first?
,A) Administer insulin
B) Check blood glucose level
C) Offer a high-protein snack
D) Encourage the patient to rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. The nurse should first check blood
glucose before administering treatment.
True or False
6. True or False: A patient with pneumonia should be encouraged to cough and
deep breathe every 2 hours to prevent atelectasis.
Answer: True
Rationale: Frequent coughing and deep breathing help clear secretions and
prevent lung collapse.
7. True or False: Patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis should avoid
wearing compression stockings.
Answer: False
Rationale: Compression stockings are often prescribed to prevent further
thrombosis and improve circulation.
8. True or False: A patient with chronic kidney disease should limit protein
intake to reduce kidney workload.
Answer: True
Rationale: Protein restriction may be recommended to reduce nitrogenous waste
and slow kidney damage.
Short Answer Questions
9. List three nursing interventions to prevent pressure ulcers in immobile
patients.
, Sample Answer:
• Reposition the patient every 2 hours
• Use pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions
• Keep skin clean and dry
Rationale: These interventions reduce pressure and moisture, which are primary
causes of skin breakdown.
10. Describe the signs and symptoms of hypovolemia.
Sample Answer:
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Dry mucous membranes
• Decreased urine output
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
Rationale: Hypovolemia results from fluid loss leading to decreased circulating
volume and compensatory mechanisms.
11. Explain why deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is important in
postoperative patients.
Sample Answer:
DVT prophylaxis is important because immobility after surgery increases risk of
blood clots forming in deep veins, which can lead to pulmonary embolism, a
potentially fatal complication.
12. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with chronic
kidney disease?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
