Certified Medical-Surgical Registered
Nurse Sample Questions and Answers
| Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a post-operative patient?
A) Mild incisional pain
B) Low-grade fever
✔✔C) Sudden drop in blood pressure
D) Slight swelling at the incision site
Which of the following is the priority nursing action for a patient with chest pain?
A) Offer water
✔✔B) Apply oxygen and assess vital signs
C) Encourage walking
D) Take a blood sample
Which lab value is critical to monitor in a patient receiving heparin?
A) Hemoglobin
1
,B) Creatinine
✔✔C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Sodium
Which sign indicates worsening heart failure?
A) Weight loss
B) Low blood pressure
✔✔C) Increased shortness of breath and peripheral edema
D) Increased appetite
Which intervention is most important for a patient with impaired gas exchange?
A) Encourage oral fluids
✔✔B) Elevate head of bed and administer oxygen
C) Restrict movement
D) Provide high-calorie meals
Which finding suggests hypovolemic shock?
A) Bradycardia
2
,B) Warm, flushed skin
✔✔C) Tachycardia and hypotension
D) Bounding pulse
Which medication is first-line for acute myocardial infarction?
A) Metformin
✔✔B) Aspirin
C) Lisinopril
D) Furosemide
Which is a priority intervention for a patient with suspected stroke?
A) Start physical therapy
B) Administer IV fluids
✔✔C) Activate stroke protocol and perform neurological assessment
D) Monitor blood glucose
Which nursing action is essential when caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube?
A) Provide daily baths
3
, B) Encourage ambulation
✔✔C) Verify placement before feeding or medication administration
D) Monitor skin color
Which symptom is most indicative of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria
B) Hypertension
✔✔C) Diaphoresis, confusion, and shakiness
D) Bradycardia
Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes muscle weakness and fatigue?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
✔✔C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyperphosphatemia
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a pressure ulcer?
A) Ambulatory patient
4
Nurse Sample Questions and Answers
| Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a post-operative patient?
A) Mild incisional pain
B) Low-grade fever
✔✔C) Sudden drop in blood pressure
D) Slight swelling at the incision site
Which of the following is the priority nursing action for a patient with chest pain?
A) Offer water
✔✔B) Apply oxygen and assess vital signs
C) Encourage walking
D) Take a blood sample
Which lab value is critical to monitor in a patient receiving heparin?
A) Hemoglobin
1
,B) Creatinine
✔✔C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Sodium
Which sign indicates worsening heart failure?
A) Weight loss
B) Low blood pressure
✔✔C) Increased shortness of breath and peripheral edema
D) Increased appetite
Which intervention is most important for a patient with impaired gas exchange?
A) Encourage oral fluids
✔✔B) Elevate head of bed and administer oxygen
C) Restrict movement
D) Provide high-calorie meals
Which finding suggests hypovolemic shock?
A) Bradycardia
2
,B) Warm, flushed skin
✔✔C) Tachycardia and hypotension
D) Bounding pulse
Which medication is first-line for acute myocardial infarction?
A) Metformin
✔✔B) Aspirin
C) Lisinopril
D) Furosemide
Which is a priority intervention for a patient with suspected stroke?
A) Start physical therapy
B) Administer IV fluids
✔✔C) Activate stroke protocol and perform neurological assessment
D) Monitor blood glucose
Which nursing action is essential when caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube?
A) Provide daily baths
3
, B) Encourage ambulation
✔✔C) Verify placement before feeding or medication administration
D) Monitor skin color
Which symptom is most indicative of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria
B) Hypertension
✔✔C) Diaphoresis, confusion, and shakiness
D) Bradycardia
Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes muscle weakness and fatigue?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
✔✔C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyperphosphatemia
Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a pressure ulcer?
A) Ambulatory patient
4
