Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC™) Exam (2025/2026 Edition) – Verified Questions with Correct Answers

Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
(MEDSURG-BC™) Exam with Correct Answers
– 2025/2026 Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This document contains verified and 100% correct answers for the Medical-Surgical Nursing
Certification (MEDSURG-BC™) Exam, updated for the 2025/2026 academic cycle.
It covers adult patient care, complex clinical scenarios, pharmacology, disease processes,
nursing interventions, and care coordination.
Graded A+ and aligned with ANCC certification standards to support exam readiness and
professional excellence.

Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers
Format: 150 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices (A–D). Correct answers
highlighted. Includes rationales based on ANCC standards.

Question 1
A client with acute myocardial infarction reports chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is
the priority nursing action?
A) Administer aspirin as ordered
B) Perform a 12-lead ECG
C) Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
D) Encourage deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: C) Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
Rationale: Assessing stability guides interventions. ANCC Standard: Adult Patient Care.

Question 2
A client with type 1 diabetes presents with confusion and fruity breath odor. What should the
nurse suspect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
D) Stroke
Correct Answer: B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: Fruity breath and confusion suggest DKA. ANCC Standard: Disease Processes.

Question 3
A client is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. What should the nurse monitor?
A) Blood glucose levels
B) Potassium levels and fluid status
C) Liver function tests
D) Respiratory rate only
Correct Answer: B) Potassium levels and fluid status

,Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia and dehydration. ANCC Standard:
Pharmacology.

Question 4
A client post-total hip replacement reports sudden shortness of breath. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A) Administer pain medication
B) Assess for pulmonary embolism
C) Encourage ambulation
D) Apply compression stockings
Correct Answer: B) Assess for pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Dyspnea post-surgery suggests pulmonary embolism. ANCC Standard: Complex
Clinical Scenarios.

Question 5
A client with pneumonia is prescribed levofloxacin. What should the nurse teach?
A) Take with dairy products
B) Report tendon pain immediately
C) Avoid reporting side effects
D) Take at bedtime only
Correct Answer: B) Report tendon pain immediately
Rationale: Levofloxacin may cause tendon rupture. ANCC Standard: Pharmacology.

Question 6
A client with a new tracheostomy requires suctioning. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Suction for 20 seconds each pass
B) Use sterile technique and limit suction to 10–15 seconds
C) Avoid pre-oxygenation
D) Reuse suction catheters
Correct Answer: B) Use sterile technique and limit suction to 10–15 seconds
Rationale: Prevents hypoxia and infection. ANCC Standard: Nursing Interventions.

Question 7
A client with chronic kidney disease is on a low-potassium diet. Which food should the nurse
recommend avoiding?
A) Apples
B) Bananas
C) Green beans
D) White rice
Correct Answer: B) Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium. ANCC Standard: Care Coordination.

Question 8
A client with a history of stroke presents with dysphagia. What should the nurse include in
the care plan?
A) Offer thin liquids
B) Perform a swallow evaluation
C) Encourage rapid eating
D) Keep the head of the bed flat

, Correct Answer: B) Perform a swallow evaluation
Rationale: Prevents aspiration in dysphagia. ANCC Standard: Adult Patient Care.

Question 9
A client with ulcerative colitis reports bloody diarrhea. What is the priority nursing
assessment?
A) Fluid and electrolyte status
B) Pain level only
C) Dietary preferences
D) Skin turgor only
Correct Answer: A) Fluid and electrolyte status
Rationale: Bloody diarrhea causes dehydration and imbalances. ANCC Standard: Disease
Processes.

Question 10
A client is scheduled for discharge after a cholecystectomy. What should the nurse include in
the discharge teaching?
A) Resume a high-fat diet immediately
B) Monitor incision for signs of infection
C) Avoid follow-up appointments
D) Ignore postoperative pain
Correct Answer: B) Monitor incision for signs of infection
Rationale: Prevents postoperative complications. ANCC Standard: Care Coordination.

Question 11
A client with COPD is admitted with an acute exacerbation. What is the priority intervention?
A) Administer high-flow oxygen at 10 L/min
B) Encourage pursed-lip breathing and administer bronchodilators
C) Restrict all physical activity
D) Administer IV corticosteroids immediately
Correct Answer: B) Encourage pursed-lip breathing and administer bronchodilators
Rationale: Improves oxygenation in COPD. ANCC Standard: Nursing Interventions.

Question 12
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. What should the nurse teach?
A) Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
B) Monitor for bleeding and maintain consistent vitamin K intake
C) Take the medication in the morning only
D) Avoid reporting INR results
Correct Answer: B) Monitor for bleeding and maintain consistent vitamin K intake
Rationale: Ensures therapeutic INR. ANCC Standard: Pharmacology.

Question 13
A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A) Administer oral pain medication
B) Maintain NPO status and administer IV analgesics
C) Encourage a high-fat meal
D) Restrict all fluids
Correct Answer: B) Maintain NPO status and administer IV analgesics