Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
Exam Study Questions
1. A 65 year old male is diagnosed with right-sided heart failure and admitted to the
medical-surgical unit. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse will expect assessment to
include which of the following findings:
a. Dyspnea on exertion and bibasilar crackles
b. Dependent edema and hepatic engorgement
c. Distended veins and systolic murmur
d. Cool extremities and weak peripheral pulses - ------------ANSWER: b. Dependent
edema and hepatic engorgement
2. A 68 year old female is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure and ischemic
cardiomyopathy. Her cardiac history includes three previous MIs and three coronary
artery bypass grafts. The patient's appetite is unchanged. Which dietary restriction
would be the highest priority for this patient?
a. Low cholesterol
b. Reduced calorie
c. Low fat
d. Restricted sodium - ------------ANSWER: d. Restricted sodium
3. A male patient tells the nurse he has stopped taking his beta blocker because it
interfered with his social life. Which comment by the nurse is most appropriate in
response to the patient's statement:
a. "Often these drugs can cause fatigue, but a dosage adjustment can correct this
side effect."
b. "What exactly do you mean by social life?"
c. "Many men stop taking their blood pressure medications due to changes in sexual
functioning . Have you had this problem?"
d. "Never stop taking blood pressure medication suddenly because this can be
dangerous." - ------------ANSWER: c. "Many men stop taking their blood pressure
medications due to changes in sexual functioning . Have you had this problem?"
4. A patient scheduled for heart catheterization learns the right radial artery will be
accessed rather than the femoral artery. The patient asks the nurse, "Could you tell
me about the two access options?" The nurse's response is based on knowledge
that:
a. femoral catheterization has less risk of internal bleeding.
b. external bleeding can be easily controlled with radial catheterization.
c. the patient is able to sit up immediately following femoral catheterization.
Exam Study Questions
1. A 65 year old male is diagnosed with right-sided heart failure and admitted to the
medical-surgical unit. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse will expect assessment to
include which of the following findings:
a. Dyspnea on exertion and bibasilar crackles
b. Dependent edema and hepatic engorgement
c. Distended veins and systolic murmur
d. Cool extremities and weak peripheral pulses - ------------ANSWER: b. Dependent
edema and hepatic engorgement
2. A 68 year old female is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure and ischemic
cardiomyopathy. Her cardiac history includes three previous MIs and three coronary
artery bypass grafts. The patient's appetite is unchanged. Which dietary restriction
would be the highest priority for this patient?
a. Low cholesterol
b. Reduced calorie
c. Low fat
d. Restricted sodium - ------------ANSWER: d. Restricted sodium
3. A male patient tells the nurse he has stopped taking his beta blocker because it
interfered with his social life. Which comment by the nurse is most appropriate in
response to the patient's statement:
a. "Often these drugs can cause fatigue, but a dosage adjustment can correct this
side effect."
b. "What exactly do you mean by social life?"
c. "Many men stop taking their blood pressure medications due to changes in sexual
functioning . Have you had this problem?"
d. "Never stop taking blood pressure medication suddenly because this can be
dangerous." - ------------ANSWER: c. "Many men stop taking their blood pressure
medications due to changes in sexual functioning . Have you had this problem?"
4. A patient scheduled for heart catheterization learns the right radial artery will be
accessed rather than the femoral artery. The patient asks the nurse, "Could you tell
me about the two access options?" The nurse's response is based on knowledge
that:
a. femoral catheterization has less risk of internal bleeding.
b. external bleeding can be easily controlled with radial catheterization.
c. the patient is able to sit up immediately following femoral catheterization.
