ANCC Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Exam Prep
(2025–2026) – Complete Exam Questions with Verified
Detailed Answers
INTRODUCTION:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of practice
questions and answers for the ANCC Medical-Surgical Nursing
Certification Exam, updated for the 2025–2026 testing period. Each
question is followed by the verified correct answer and includes
detailed explanations, covering a wide range of topics such as
perioperative care, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal
conditions, endocrine disorders, immune system responses, and
professional nursing concepts. It is a complete preparation resource
designed to help candidates master both knowledge recall and
clinical application for the certification exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis
and ascites. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include?
a. measure abdominal girth daily
b. administer warfarin at the same time each day
,c. provide a daily intake of 4 g of sodium
d. assess breath sounds every 12 hours --- correct answer ---a
A nurse is assessing a client who has upper GI bleeding. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. hypoactive bowel sounds
b. epigastric pain
c. hypotension
d. pernicious anemia --- correct answer ---c
A nurse is caring for a client who has ulcerative colitis. The client
has had several exacerbation over the past 3 years. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the plan of care
to minimize the risk of further exacerbation (select all that apply)
a. use progressive relaxation techniques
b. increase dietary fiber intake
c. drink two 240 mL (8oz) glasses of milk per day
d. arrange activities to allow for daily rest periods
e. restrict intake of carbonated beverages --- correct answer ---a, d,
e
,A nurse is assessing a client immediately following a paracentesis
for the treatment of ascities. Which of the following findings
indicates the procedure was effective?
a. presence of a fluid wave
b. increased HR
c. equal pre- and post-procedure weights
d. decreased shortness of breath --- correct answer ---d
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a new
colostomy and is concerned about flatus and odor. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend?
a. eggs
b. fish
c. yogurt
d. broccoli --- correct answer ---c
A nurse is assessing a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the
provider?
a. spider angiomas
b. peripheral edema
c. bloody stools
d. jaundice --- correct answer ---c
, Which clinical manifestation reported by a client suggests to the
nurse that anemia is a possibility?
a. difficulty sleeping
b. cold hands and feet
c. chronic headaches
d. shortness of breath --- correct answer ---d
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
clindamycin to treat acute pelvic inflammatory disease. The nurse
should monitor for and report which of the following findings
immediately to the provider?
a. watery diarrhea
b. vaginitis
c. fever
d. nausea and vomiting --- correct answer ---a
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is
scheduled for a gastrectomy in 1 week. The client is anxious about
the upcoming surgery. Which of the following is an appropriate
action for the nurse to take?
a. sympathize with the clients feelings
b. reassure the client that the surgery will go fine
(2025–2026) – Complete Exam Questions with Verified
Detailed Answers
INTRODUCTION:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of practice
questions and answers for the ANCC Medical-Surgical Nursing
Certification Exam, updated for the 2025–2026 testing period. Each
question is followed by the verified correct answer and includes
detailed explanations, covering a wide range of topics such as
perioperative care, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal
conditions, endocrine disorders, immune system responses, and
professional nursing concepts. It is a complete preparation resource
designed to help candidates master both knowledge recall and
clinical application for the certification exam.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis
and ascites. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include?
a. measure abdominal girth daily
b. administer warfarin at the same time each day
,c. provide a daily intake of 4 g of sodium
d. assess breath sounds every 12 hours --- correct answer ---a
A nurse is assessing a client who has upper GI bleeding. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. hypoactive bowel sounds
b. epigastric pain
c. hypotension
d. pernicious anemia --- correct answer ---c
A nurse is caring for a client who has ulcerative colitis. The client
has had several exacerbation over the past 3 years. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the plan of care
to minimize the risk of further exacerbation (select all that apply)
a. use progressive relaxation techniques
b. increase dietary fiber intake
c. drink two 240 mL (8oz) glasses of milk per day
d. arrange activities to allow for daily rest periods
e. restrict intake of carbonated beverages --- correct answer ---a, d,
e
,A nurse is assessing a client immediately following a paracentesis
for the treatment of ascities. Which of the following findings
indicates the procedure was effective?
a. presence of a fluid wave
b. increased HR
c. equal pre- and post-procedure weights
d. decreased shortness of breath --- correct answer ---d
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a new
colostomy and is concerned about flatus and odor. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend?
a. eggs
b. fish
c. yogurt
d. broccoli --- correct answer ---c
A nurse is assessing a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the
provider?
a. spider angiomas
b. peripheral edema
c. bloody stools
d. jaundice --- correct answer ---c
, Which clinical manifestation reported by a client suggests to the
nurse that anemia is a possibility?
a. difficulty sleeping
b. cold hands and feet
c. chronic headaches
d. shortness of breath --- correct answer ---d
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
clindamycin to treat acute pelvic inflammatory disease. The nurse
should monitor for and report which of the following findings
immediately to the provider?
a. watery diarrhea
b. vaginitis
c. fever
d. nausea and vomiting --- correct answer ---a
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is
scheduled for a gastrectomy in 1 week. The client is anxious about
the upcoming surgery. Which of the following is an appropriate
action for the nurse to take?
a. sympathize with the clients feelings
b. reassure the client that the surgery will go fine
