MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following
medications should the nurse plan to administer?
a. Desmopressin
b. Regular insulin
c. Furosemide
d. Lithium carbonate
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus has decreased ADH. Administer
Desmopressin/Vasopressin increase ADH and to stop patient on urinating.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12hr postoperative following a colon resection.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the surgeon?
a. Heart rate 90/min
b. Absent bowel sounds
c. Hgb 8.2 g/dl
d. Gastric pH of 3.0
Rationale: Normal Hgb is 13-18M g/dl, 12-16 g/dl. This may indicate a possible
hemorrhaging.
3. A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking
ibuprofen several times daily for 3 years. Which of the following test should the nurse
monitor?
a. Fasting blood glucose
b. Stool for occult blood - GI bleed
c. Urine for white blood cells
d. Serum calcium
Rationale: ATI Pharm 16. Pg. 485 Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) monitor for GI bleed
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
(bloo
dy, tarry stools, abdominal pain).
4. A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first (Click on the “Exhibit” button for additional
information about the client. There are three tabs that contain separate categories of data.)
a. Obtain a sputum sample for culture
b. Prepare the client for a chest x-ray
c. Initiate airborne precautions
d. Administer ondansetron.
Rationale: No idea what the Exhibit is all about; won’t be able to answer it.
5. A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is
experiencing breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse
anticipate?
a. Transmucosal fentanyl
b. Intramuscular meperidine
c. Oral acetaminophen
d. Intravenous dexamethasone
Rationale: ATI pg. 27 Morphine sulfate and fentanyl are opioid agents used to
treat moderate to severe pain. A short-acting pain medication is administered for breakthrough
pain.
6. A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a
telemetry monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the
client is experiencing a myocardial infarction?
a. PR interval
b. QRS duration
c. T wave
d. ST segment
Rationale: ST elevation indicates MI. ST depression indicates ischemia
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
radiation treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
b. Apply OTC moisturizer to the radiation site
c. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
d. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area
around the radiation site Rationale: pg. 584. Dry the area
thoroughly using patting motions.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The
nurse observes that the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended
jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate administering which of the following prescribed
medications?
a. Diphenhydramine
b. Acetaminophen
c. Pantoprazole
d. Furosemide
Rationale: S/S may indicate fluid retention or heart failure. It is important to
administer diuretics to prevent cardiovascular/respiratory distress.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for the
treatment of hypomagnesemia. Which of the following findings indicates effectiveness of
the medication?
a. Lungs clear
b. Apical pulse 82/min
c. Hyperactive bowel sounds
d. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
Rationale: pg. 278 Confirmed on answer sheet
10. A nurse is reviewing a client’s ABG results pH 7.42, PaC02 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 21
mEq/L. The nurse should recognize these findings as indication of which of the following
conditions?
a. Metabolic acidosis
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
d. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: because the HCO3 21 trying to compensate for respiratory alkalosis.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep partial thickness burns over 15% of her
body which of the following labs should the nurse expect during the first 24 hours
A. Decreased BUN (elevated due to fluid loss)
B. Hypoglycemia (High due to stress)
C. Hypoalbuminemia (Low due to fluid loss)
D. Decreased Hematocrit (Elevated due to 3rd spacing
during resuscitation phase) Rationale: Pg. 481 ATI. Total protein and
albumin- low due to fluid loss.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has dumping syndrome following a gastrectomy,
which of the following actions should the nurse takes?
a. Offer the client high carbohydrate meal options (High fat, high protein, low
fiber, low to moderate carbs page 317, chapter 49 Peptic ulcer disease med surg ATI PDF
10.0)
b. Provide the client with four full meals a day (Small frequent meals)
c. Encourage the client to drink at least 360 ml of fluids with meals (Eliminate
liquids with meals for 1 hr. prior and following a meal)
d. Have the client lie down for 30 minutes after meals (Lying down after a
meal slows the movement of food within the intestines)
Rationale: ATI pg. 318 Dumping syndromes is a term that refers to a constellation of vasomotor
symptoms that occurs after eating, especially following a Billroth II procedure. Early
manifestations usually occur within 30 minutes of eating and include vertigo, tachycardia,
syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, and the desire to lie down. The nurse should instruct the
client to decrease the
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following
medications should the nurse plan to administer?
a. Desmopressin
b. Regular insulin
c. Furosemide
d. Lithium carbonate
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus has decreased ADH. Administer
Desmopressin/Vasopressin increase ADH and to stop patient on urinating.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12hr postoperative following a colon resection.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the surgeon?
a. Heart rate 90/min
b. Absent bowel sounds
c. Hgb 8.2 g/dl
d. Gastric pH of 3.0
Rationale: Normal Hgb is 13-18M g/dl, 12-16 g/dl. This may indicate a possible
hemorrhaging.
3. A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking
ibuprofen several times daily for 3 years. Which of the following test should the nurse
monitor?
a. Fasting blood glucose
b. Stool for occult blood - GI bleed
c. Urine for white blood cells
d. Serum calcium
Rationale: ATI Pharm 16. Pg. 485 Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) monitor for GI bleed
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
(bloo
dy, tarry stools, abdominal pain).
4. A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first (Click on the “Exhibit” button for additional
information about the client. There are three tabs that contain separate categories of data.)
a. Obtain a sputum sample for culture
b. Prepare the client for a chest x-ray
c. Initiate airborne precautions
d. Administer ondansetron.
Rationale: No idea what the Exhibit is all about; won’t be able to answer it.
5. A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is
experiencing breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse
anticipate?
a. Transmucosal fentanyl
b. Intramuscular meperidine
c. Oral acetaminophen
d. Intravenous dexamethasone
Rationale: ATI pg. 27 Morphine sulfate and fentanyl are opioid agents used to
treat moderate to severe pain. A short-acting pain medication is administered for breakthrough
pain.
6. A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a
telemetry monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the
client is experiencing a myocardial infarction?
a. PR interval
b. QRS duration
c. T wave
d. ST segment
Rationale: ST elevation indicates MI. ST depression indicates ischemia
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
radiation treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
b. Apply OTC moisturizer to the radiation site
c. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
d. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area
around the radiation site Rationale: pg. 584. Dry the area
thoroughly using patting motions.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The
nurse observes that the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended
jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate administering which of the following prescribed
medications?
a. Diphenhydramine
b. Acetaminophen
c. Pantoprazole
d. Furosemide
Rationale: S/S may indicate fluid retention or heart failure. It is important to
administer diuretics to prevent cardiovascular/respiratory distress.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for the
treatment of hypomagnesemia. Which of the following findings indicates effectiveness of
the medication?
a. Lungs clear
b. Apical pulse 82/min
c. Hyperactive bowel sounds
d. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
Rationale: pg. 278 Confirmed on answer sheet
10. A nurse is reviewing a client’s ABG results pH 7.42, PaC02 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 21
mEq/L. The nurse should recognize these findings as indication of which of the following
conditions?
a. Metabolic acidosis
, MED SURG EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL
VERIFIED AND CORRECTLY ANALYZED
ANSWERS
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
d. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: because the HCO3 21 trying to compensate for respiratory alkalosis.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep partial thickness burns over 15% of her
body which of the following labs should the nurse expect during the first 24 hours
A. Decreased BUN (elevated due to fluid loss)
B. Hypoglycemia (High due to stress)
C. Hypoalbuminemia (Low due to fluid loss)
D. Decreased Hematocrit (Elevated due to 3rd spacing
during resuscitation phase) Rationale: Pg. 481 ATI. Total protein and
albumin- low due to fluid loss.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has dumping syndrome following a gastrectomy,
which of the following actions should the nurse takes?
a. Offer the client high carbohydrate meal options (High fat, high protein, low
fiber, low to moderate carbs page 317, chapter 49 Peptic ulcer disease med surg ATI PDF
10.0)
b. Provide the client with four full meals a day (Small frequent meals)
c. Encourage the client to drink at least 360 ml of fluids with meals (Eliminate
liquids with meals for 1 hr. prior and following a meal)
d. Have the client lie down for 30 minutes after meals (Lying down after a
meal slows the movement of food within the intestines)
Rationale: ATI pg. 318 Dumping syndromes is a term that refers to a constellation of vasomotor
symptoms that occurs after eating, especially following a Billroth II procedure. Early
manifestations usually occur within 30 minutes of eating and include vertigo, tachycardia,
syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, and the desire to lie down. The nurse should instruct the
client to decrease the
