Medical Surgical Certification
Medical Surgical Certification Exam
Questions and Answers
Question 1
What are the Kubler-Ross stages of grief?
Correct Answer
denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Question 2
Describe Lewin's change management model
Correct Answer
Unfreeze, change, refreeze
Question 3
What changes are necessary for someone taking Coumadin (warfarin)?
Correct Answer
Low or moderate intake of green leafy vegetables, fish, liver or cauliflower. These
foods are high in vitamin K and may decrease INR level
Question 4
ARBs
Correct Answer
Example: losartan(Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), olmesartan (Benicar). Used to lower
BP. May cause hyperkalemia. Contraindicated: renal artery stenosis
Question 5
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin therapy?
Correct Answer
0.8-2.0 ng/ml (greater than 2 is toxic)
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, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 6
What are S/S of hypertensive crisis?
Correct Answer
Headache, vision changes, confusion, nose bleeds (epistaxis), chest/back/abd pain,
dyspnea, urinary frequency or oliguria
Question 7
Describe left sided heart failure
Correct Answer
Results in fluid backing up into the lungs (pulmonary edema). S/S of pulmonary
edema is pink, frothy sputum
Question 8
Treatment for pulmonary edema
Correct Answer
oxygen, bipap, lasix, morphine (vasodilates vessels), dobutamine (helps with cardiac
output)
Question 9
How is the progression of heart failure monitored?
Correct Answer
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on an echocardiogram
Question 10
What is the max amount of time an order for restraint usage may be utilized?
Correct Answer
4 hours (adults)
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, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 11
S/S of a basilar skull fracture
Correct Answer
Battle Signs: bruising behind ears, CSF leaking from nose (clear/colorless/+ for
glucose), raccoon eyes
Question 12
What is a serious complication of a basilar skull fracture?
Correct Answer
➤May lead to bacterial meningitis (antibiotics may be given prophylactically to
prevent this)
Question 13
What are the classic S/S of an epidural hematoma?
Correct Answer
Patient appears lucent and then presents with decreased LOC (Surgical Emergency)
Question 14
What is an epidural hematoma?
Correct Answer
Collection of blood between the dura and the skull
Question 15
Why should you avoid HYPOtonic solutions with brain injuries?
Correct Answer
They cause fluid shifts and may increase cerebral edema (ex.: 1/2NS)
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, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 16
What type of solutions are okay to use with brain injuries?
Correct Answer
Isotonic (09%NS) is preferred, HYPERtonic is okay
Question 17
Cushing's Triad
Correct Answer
severe hypertension, widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, abdnormal respiration
(s/s of increased intracranial pressure)
Question 18
Cushing's triad indicates
Correct Answer
Increased intracranial pressure (brain herniation)
Question 19
Risk factors for ischemic stroke
Correct Answer
Tobacco, ETOH, illicit drug use, obesity, African-Americans, Age (>55), family history,
hx of A-fib/CHF/MI
Question 20
Clinical findings of DKA
Correct Answer
Hyperglycemia (glucose >250), blood pH is acidotic (<7.30), Bicarb: <15, high
ketones in the urine or blood (ketonuria/ketonemia)
Page 4 of 166
Medical Surgical Certification Exam
Questions and Answers
Question 1
What are the Kubler-Ross stages of grief?
Correct Answer
denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Question 2
Describe Lewin's change management model
Correct Answer
Unfreeze, change, refreeze
Question 3
What changes are necessary for someone taking Coumadin (warfarin)?
Correct Answer
Low or moderate intake of green leafy vegetables, fish, liver or cauliflower. These
foods are high in vitamin K and may decrease INR level
Question 4
ARBs
Correct Answer
Example: losartan(Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), olmesartan (Benicar). Used to lower
BP. May cause hyperkalemia. Contraindicated: renal artery stenosis
Question 5
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin therapy?
Correct Answer
0.8-2.0 ng/ml (greater than 2 is toxic)
Page 1 of 166
, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 6
What are S/S of hypertensive crisis?
Correct Answer
Headache, vision changes, confusion, nose bleeds (epistaxis), chest/back/abd pain,
dyspnea, urinary frequency or oliguria
Question 7
Describe left sided heart failure
Correct Answer
Results in fluid backing up into the lungs (pulmonary edema). S/S of pulmonary
edema is pink, frothy sputum
Question 8
Treatment for pulmonary edema
Correct Answer
oxygen, bipap, lasix, morphine (vasodilates vessels), dobutamine (helps with cardiac
output)
Question 9
How is the progression of heart failure monitored?
Correct Answer
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on an echocardiogram
Question 10
What is the max amount of time an order for restraint usage may be utilized?
Correct Answer
4 hours (adults)
Page 2 of 166
, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 11
S/S of a basilar skull fracture
Correct Answer
Battle Signs: bruising behind ears, CSF leaking from nose (clear/colorless/+ for
glucose), raccoon eyes
Question 12
What is a serious complication of a basilar skull fracture?
Correct Answer
➤May lead to bacterial meningitis (antibiotics may be given prophylactically to
prevent this)
Question 13
What are the classic S/S of an epidural hematoma?
Correct Answer
Patient appears lucent and then presents with decreased LOC (Surgical Emergency)
Question 14
What is an epidural hematoma?
Correct Answer
Collection of blood between the dura and the skull
Question 15
Why should you avoid HYPOtonic solutions with brain injuries?
Correct Answer
They cause fluid shifts and may increase cerebral edema (ex.: 1/2NS)
Page 3 of 166
, Medical Surgical Certification
Question 16
What type of solutions are okay to use with brain injuries?
Correct Answer
Isotonic (09%NS) is preferred, HYPERtonic is okay
Question 17
Cushing's Triad
Correct Answer
severe hypertension, widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, abdnormal respiration
(s/s of increased intracranial pressure)
Question 18
Cushing's triad indicates
Correct Answer
Increased intracranial pressure (brain herniation)
Question 19
Risk factors for ischemic stroke
Correct Answer
Tobacco, ETOH, illicit drug use, obesity, African-Americans, Age (>55), family history,
hx of A-fib/CHF/MI
Question 20
Clinical findings of DKA
Correct Answer
Hyperglycemia (glucose >250), blood pH is acidotic (<7.30), Bicarb: <15, high
ketones in the urine or blood (ketonuria/ketonemia)
Page 4 of 166
