1
Med-Surg 1 Final Exam Questions with Answers (100%
Correct Answers)
Where is the best place to begin to select a vein for an initial
intravenous (IV) site in a left-handed patient?
Right forearm
Antecubital vein of the left arm
Left forearm
Antecubital vein of the right arm— Answer: Right Forearm
RATIONALE: Unless other reasons are identified, IV sites should be
started in the most distal portion of the nondominant arm or hand.
A nurse assesses an area where an intravenous (IV) line had been
recently removed. The area has redness, swelling, and warmth. What
should the nurse suspect as the cause?
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,2
Blood loss and hemorrhage
Embolus from the former catheter
Inflammation and possible phlebitis
Infiltration and air embolus— Answer: Inflammation and possible
phlebitis
RATIONALE: IV sites may show signs of inflammation or infection or
both after an IV line has been removed.
The K+ laboratory report shows a level of 5.2 mEq/L. What is the most
important assessment for the nurse to make?
Excessive thirst
Frightening hallucinations
Irregular heartbeat
Swelling of ankles— Answer: Irregular heartbeat
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,3
RATIONALE: Arrhythmias can be triggered by hyperkalemia.
A small child is hospitalized with severe metabolic acidosis after
ingesting a whole bottle of baby aspirin approximately 8 hours earlier.
In addition to providing reassurance to the patient, which nursing
action is the most appropriate?
Inducing vomiting
Frequently assessing the mental and neurologic status
Taking daily weights and vital signs— Answer: Frequently assessing
the mental and neurologic status
RATIONALE: The baby aspirin was ingested too long ago to have
vomiting or stomach aspiration be of any use. The child requires
frequent assessment of neurologic function because the child may need
mechanical ventilation.
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, 4
When the water absorption in the renal tubules becomes greater than
normal, what assessment finding should a nurse anticipate?
Less concentrated urine
More concentrated urine
Less alkaline urine
More alkaline urine— Answer: More concentrated urine
RATIONALE: When more water is kept back in the body, the water
left to form urine is less; therefore, the urine is more concentrated.
A patient has renal damage because of diabetes. What is the highest
risk for this patient?
Hypokalemia
Hypercalcemia
© 2025 All rights reserved
Med-Surg 1 Final Exam Questions with Answers (100%
Correct Answers)
Where is the best place to begin to select a vein for an initial
intravenous (IV) site in a left-handed patient?
Right forearm
Antecubital vein of the left arm
Left forearm
Antecubital vein of the right arm— Answer: Right Forearm
RATIONALE: Unless other reasons are identified, IV sites should be
started in the most distal portion of the nondominant arm or hand.
A nurse assesses an area where an intravenous (IV) line had been
recently removed. The area has redness, swelling, and warmth. What
should the nurse suspect as the cause?
© 2025 All rights reserved
,2
Blood loss and hemorrhage
Embolus from the former catheter
Inflammation and possible phlebitis
Infiltration and air embolus— Answer: Inflammation and possible
phlebitis
RATIONALE: IV sites may show signs of inflammation or infection or
both after an IV line has been removed.
The K+ laboratory report shows a level of 5.2 mEq/L. What is the most
important assessment for the nurse to make?
Excessive thirst
Frightening hallucinations
Irregular heartbeat
Swelling of ankles— Answer: Irregular heartbeat
© 2025 All rights reserved
,3
RATIONALE: Arrhythmias can be triggered by hyperkalemia.
A small child is hospitalized with severe metabolic acidosis after
ingesting a whole bottle of baby aspirin approximately 8 hours earlier.
In addition to providing reassurance to the patient, which nursing
action is the most appropriate?
Inducing vomiting
Frequently assessing the mental and neurologic status
Taking daily weights and vital signs— Answer: Frequently assessing
the mental and neurologic status
RATIONALE: The baby aspirin was ingested too long ago to have
vomiting or stomach aspiration be of any use. The child requires
frequent assessment of neurologic function because the child may need
mechanical ventilation.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4
When the water absorption in the renal tubules becomes greater than
normal, what assessment finding should a nurse anticipate?
Less concentrated urine
More concentrated urine
Less alkaline urine
More alkaline urine— Answer: More concentrated urine
RATIONALE: When more water is kept back in the body, the water
left to form urine is less; therefore, the urine is more concentrated.
A patient has renal damage because of diabetes. What is the highest
risk for this patient?
Hypokalemia
Hypercalcemia
© 2025 All rights reserved
