MED SURG 201 Final Exam – Questions
and Answers (West Coast University)
MED SURG 201 Practice Questions – Batch
1. Cardiovascular System
Q1: A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment finding
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Heart rate
B) Potassium level
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Answer: B) Potassium level
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium
is crucial to prevent arrhythmias.
Q2: A patient reports chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Start an IV line
D) Ask about allergies
Answer: B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
Explanation: Immediate assessment with ECG is critical to diagnose possible myocardial
infarction before administering medications.
2. Respiratory System
Q3: A patient with COPD has a PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Increase oxygen flow to 6 L/min
B) Notify the provider
C) Encourage pursed-lip breathing only
D) Document and continue monitoring
,Answer: B) Notify the provider
Explanation: PaO₂ < 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia. The provider should evaluate for oxygen
therapy adjustment.
Q4: A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma how to use a metered-dose inhaler. Which step is
correct?
A) Inhale quickly while pressing the inhaler
B) Hold breath for 2–3 seconds after inhalation
C) Exhale forcefully before inhaling
D) Shake the inhaler after each puff
Answer: B) Hold breath for 2–3 seconds after inhalation
Explanation: Holding the breath ensures the medication deposits in the lungs for maximum
effect.
3. Gastrointestinal System
Q5: A patient with cirrhosis presents with ascites. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage high-protein diet
B) Restrict fluid intake
C) Measure abdominal girth daily
D) Administer lactulose
Answer: C) Measure abdominal girth daily
Explanation: Monitoring abdominal girth tracks fluid accumulation. Lactulose may be used for
hepatic encephalopathy, not ascites measurement.
Q6: A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Eat a high-fiber diet before the procedure
B) Take all medications the morning of the procedure
C) Follow clear liquid diet and bowel prep
D) Avoid fasting
Answer: C) Follow clear liquid diet and bowel prep
Explanation: Clear liquids and bowel prep ensure the colon is clean for visualization.
4. Renal System
, Q7: A patient with acute kidney injury has a serum creatinine of 3.2 mg/dL. Which action is
priority?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Restrict protein intake
C) Notify the provider
D) Administer prescribed diuretics
Answer: C) Notify the provider
Explanation: Elevated creatinine indicates impaired kidney function; provider assessment is
needed to adjust treatment.
Q8: A patient with chronic kidney disease is at risk for hyperkalemia. Which food should the
nurse teach the patient to avoid?
A) Apples
B) Bananas
C) Rice
D) Bread
Answer: B) Bananas
Explanation: Bananas are high in potassium, which can worsen hyperkalemia in CKD.
5. Endocrine System
Q9: A patient with type 1 diabetes has blood glucose of 280 mg/dL and reports fruity-smelling
breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
C) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D) Insulin shock
Answer: B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
Explanation: High glucose and fruity breath indicate ketone accumulation, a hallmark of DKA.
Q10: A nurse teaches a patient about hypothyroidism. Which symptom should the patient
expect?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Fatigue and cold intolerance
D) Increased appetite
and Answers (West Coast University)
MED SURG 201 Practice Questions – Batch
1. Cardiovascular System
Q1: A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment finding
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Heart rate
B) Potassium level
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Answer: B) Potassium level
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium
is crucial to prevent arrhythmias.
Q2: A patient reports chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C) Start an IV line
D) Ask about allergies
Answer: B) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
Explanation: Immediate assessment with ECG is critical to diagnose possible myocardial
infarction before administering medications.
2. Respiratory System
Q3: A patient with COPD has a PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Increase oxygen flow to 6 L/min
B) Notify the provider
C) Encourage pursed-lip breathing only
D) Document and continue monitoring
,Answer: B) Notify the provider
Explanation: PaO₂ < 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia. The provider should evaluate for oxygen
therapy adjustment.
Q4: A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma how to use a metered-dose inhaler. Which step is
correct?
A) Inhale quickly while pressing the inhaler
B) Hold breath for 2–3 seconds after inhalation
C) Exhale forcefully before inhaling
D) Shake the inhaler after each puff
Answer: B) Hold breath for 2–3 seconds after inhalation
Explanation: Holding the breath ensures the medication deposits in the lungs for maximum
effect.
3. Gastrointestinal System
Q5: A patient with cirrhosis presents with ascites. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage high-protein diet
B) Restrict fluid intake
C) Measure abdominal girth daily
D) Administer lactulose
Answer: C) Measure abdominal girth daily
Explanation: Monitoring abdominal girth tracks fluid accumulation. Lactulose may be used for
hepatic encephalopathy, not ascites measurement.
Q6: A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Eat a high-fiber diet before the procedure
B) Take all medications the morning of the procedure
C) Follow clear liquid diet and bowel prep
D) Avoid fasting
Answer: C) Follow clear liquid diet and bowel prep
Explanation: Clear liquids and bowel prep ensure the colon is clean for visualization.
4. Renal System
, Q7: A patient with acute kidney injury has a serum creatinine of 3.2 mg/dL. Which action is
priority?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Restrict protein intake
C) Notify the provider
D) Administer prescribed diuretics
Answer: C) Notify the provider
Explanation: Elevated creatinine indicates impaired kidney function; provider assessment is
needed to adjust treatment.
Q8: A patient with chronic kidney disease is at risk for hyperkalemia. Which food should the
nurse teach the patient to avoid?
A) Apples
B) Bananas
C) Rice
D) Bread
Answer: B) Bananas
Explanation: Bananas are high in potassium, which can worsen hyperkalemia in CKD.
5. Endocrine System
Q9: A patient with type 1 diabetes has blood glucose of 280 mg/dL and reports fruity-smelling
breath. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
C) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D) Insulin shock
Answer: B) Diabetic ketoacidosis
Explanation: High glucose and fruity breath indicate ketone accumulation, a hallmark of DKA.
Q10: A nurse teaches a patient about hypothyroidism. Which symptom should the patient
expect?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Fatigue and cold intolerance
D) Increased appetite
