ANCC Med-Surg Certification
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the priority nursing action for a post-op patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per
minute?
A. Call the family for support
✔✔B. Assess oxygenation and notify the provider
C. Raise the head of the bed and document
D. Encourage ambulation
Which lab result is most important to monitor for a patient on warfarin?
A. Hemoglobin
✔✔B. INR
C. BUN
D. Sodium
What is a classic sign of hypoglycemia?
✔✔A. Diaphoresis and tremors
1
,B. Dry mouth and polyuria
C. Warm skin and flushed face
D. Nausea with high blood pressure
What is the nurse's best response to a patient with a stage 2 pressure injury?
A. Cover with gauze and ignore
✔✔B. Apply a moist dressing and monitor regularly
C. Use alcohol to cleanse the area
D. Leave open to air
Which finding indicates a potential complication of a central venous catheter?
A. Clear drainage at the site
✔✔B. Shortness of breath and chest pain
C. Mild redness
D. Decreased blood pressure
What is a key sign of fluid volume overload?
A. Hypotension
2
,✔✔B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Sunken eyes
Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle cramps and tetany?
A. Hyperkalemia
✔✔B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypochloremia
A patient with heart failure gains 4 pounds in 2 days. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Reassure the patient
✔✔B. Notify the provider of potential fluid retention
C. Document and reweigh in a week
D. Offer water restriction
Which type of isolation is required for a patient with C. difficile?
A. Airborne
3
, ✔✔B. Contact
C. Droplet
D. Protective
Which medication should the nurse question for a patient with renal failure?
✔✔A. Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Ondansetron
D. Pantoprazole
What is the most appropriate pain scale for a nonverbal patient with dementia?
✔✔A. FLACC or PAINAD scale
B. Numeric 0–10 scale
C. Wong-Baker faces scale
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
What does a BNP lab result help diagnose?
✔✔A. Heart failure
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the priority nursing action for a post-op patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per
minute?
A. Call the family for support
✔✔B. Assess oxygenation and notify the provider
C. Raise the head of the bed and document
D. Encourage ambulation
Which lab result is most important to monitor for a patient on warfarin?
A. Hemoglobin
✔✔B. INR
C. BUN
D. Sodium
What is a classic sign of hypoglycemia?
✔✔A. Diaphoresis and tremors
1
,B. Dry mouth and polyuria
C. Warm skin and flushed face
D. Nausea with high blood pressure
What is the nurse's best response to a patient with a stage 2 pressure injury?
A. Cover with gauze and ignore
✔✔B. Apply a moist dressing and monitor regularly
C. Use alcohol to cleanse the area
D. Leave open to air
Which finding indicates a potential complication of a central venous catheter?
A. Clear drainage at the site
✔✔B. Shortness of breath and chest pain
C. Mild redness
D. Decreased blood pressure
What is a key sign of fluid volume overload?
A. Hypotension
2
,✔✔B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Sunken eyes
Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle cramps and tetany?
A. Hyperkalemia
✔✔B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypochloremia
A patient with heart failure gains 4 pounds in 2 days. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Reassure the patient
✔✔B. Notify the provider of potential fluid retention
C. Document and reweigh in a week
D. Offer water restriction
Which type of isolation is required for a patient with C. difficile?
A. Airborne
3
, ✔✔B. Contact
C. Droplet
D. Protective
Which medication should the nurse question for a patient with renal failure?
✔✔A. Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Ondansetron
D. Pantoprazole
What is the most appropriate pain scale for a nonverbal patient with dementia?
✔✔A. FLACC or PAINAD scale
B. Numeric 0–10 scale
C. Wong-Baker faces scale
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
What does a BNP lab result help diagnose?
✔✔A. Heart failure
4
