2025 | RELIAS Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) Nursing
Comprehensive Exam Prep | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, Patient Care
Scenarios, Disease Management, Medications, Nursing
Interventions, Clinical Decision-Making & First-Attempt Exam
Success
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of a preoperative assessment?
• A) To gather demographic information
• B) To identify potential risks and plan for perioperative care
• C) To confirm patient identity
• D) To schedule the surgery
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a preoperative assessment is to identify potential
risks and to plan appropriate perioperative care, ensuring the patient's safety during
surgery.
Question 2:
In nursing, what does ADLs stand for?
• A) Advanced Daily Living
• B) Activities of Daily Life
• C) Activities of Daily Living
• D) Assisted Daily Living
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: ADLs refers to Activities of Daily Living, which are fundamental tasks that are
essential for self-care, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
Question 3:
Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient with renal failure?
• A) Blood glucose level
• B) Serum potassium level
• C) Hemoglobin level
, • D) White blood cell count
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Serum potassium levels are critical to monitor in patients with renal failure,
as the kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium; hyperkalemia can lead to
serious cardiac issues.
Question 4:
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with chest pain?
• A) Administer a laxative
• B) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed
• C) Provide oxygen only if saturation is below 90%
• D) Encourage the patient to walk around
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Administering nitroglycerin is a primary intervention for chest pain as it helps
to relieve angina by dilating coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle.
Question 5:
What is a common complication following abdominal surgery?
• A) Hypertension
• B) Infection
• C) Hyperglycemia
• D) Insomnia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Infection is a common complication following abdominal surgery due to
surgical wounds and the potential for bacteria to enter the body, making proper wound
care essential.
Question 6:
Which condition is characterized by a decreased ability to breathe deeply due to
pain?
• A) Asthma
• B) Pulmonary embolism
• C) Splinting
, • D) Pneumonia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Splinting is a common behavior in patients experiencing pain after surgery,
especially abdominal, where they limit deep breaths to avoid discomfort.
Question 7:
What should a nurse assess before administering a blood transfusion?
• A) Vital signs
• B) Patient’s age
• C) Blood type and crossmatch
• D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: It is critical to assess vital signs, the patient's age, and ensure proper blood
type and crossmatch to prevent transfusion reactions.
Question 8:
Which assessment finding would be priority in a patient with heart failure?
• A) Dry cough
• B) Shortness of breath on exertion
• C) Increased appetite
• D) High energy levels
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion indicates worsening heart failure and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of using a sequential compression device (SCD)?
• A) To provide warmth
• B) To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• C) To promote mobility
• D) To monitor blood pressure
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: SCDs are used to promote venous return and help prevent DVT in
immobilized patients.
Question 10:
What is the most reliable indicator of a patient’s pain level?
• A) Observations of behavior
• B) Patient self-report
• C) Vital signs
• D) Facial expressions
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of their pain level, as
pain is a subjective experience.
Question 11:
What is the primary nursing action for a patient who is vomiting blood?
• A) Provide antiemetics
• B) Encourage oral intake
• C) Maintain airway patency and monitor vital signs
• D) Administer pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Maintaining airway patency and monitoring vital signs is critical in a patient
vomiting blood to prevent respiratory distress and shock.
Question 12:
Which medication is commonly prescribed for hypertension?
• A) Albuterol
• B) Lisinopril
• C) Metformin
• D) Prednisone
Comprehensive Exam Prep | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, Patient Care
Scenarios, Disease Management, Medications, Nursing
Interventions, Clinical Decision-Making & First-Attempt Exam
Success
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of a preoperative assessment?
• A) To gather demographic information
• B) To identify potential risks and plan for perioperative care
• C) To confirm patient identity
• D) To schedule the surgery
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a preoperative assessment is to identify potential
risks and to plan appropriate perioperative care, ensuring the patient's safety during
surgery.
Question 2:
In nursing, what does ADLs stand for?
• A) Advanced Daily Living
• B) Activities of Daily Life
• C) Activities of Daily Living
• D) Assisted Daily Living
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: ADLs refers to Activities of Daily Living, which are fundamental tasks that are
essential for self-care, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
Question 3:
Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient with renal failure?
• A) Blood glucose level
• B) Serum potassium level
• C) Hemoglobin level
, • D) White blood cell count
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Serum potassium levels are critical to monitor in patients with renal failure,
as the kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium; hyperkalemia can lead to
serious cardiac issues.
Question 4:
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with chest pain?
• A) Administer a laxative
• B) Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed
• C) Provide oxygen only if saturation is below 90%
• D) Encourage the patient to walk around
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Administering nitroglycerin is a primary intervention for chest pain as it helps
to relieve angina by dilating coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle.
Question 5:
What is a common complication following abdominal surgery?
• A) Hypertension
• B) Infection
• C) Hyperglycemia
• D) Insomnia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Infection is a common complication following abdominal surgery due to
surgical wounds and the potential for bacteria to enter the body, making proper wound
care essential.
Question 6:
Which condition is characterized by a decreased ability to breathe deeply due to
pain?
• A) Asthma
• B) Pulmonary embolism
• C) Splinting
, • D) Pneumonia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Splinting is a common behavior in patients experiencing pain after surgery,
especially abdominal, where they limit deep breaths to avoid discomfort.
Question 7:
What should a nurse assess before administering a blood transfusion?
• A) Vital signs
• B) Patient’s age
• C) Blood type and crossmatch
• D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: It is critical to assess vital signs, the patient's age, and ensure proper blood
type and crossmatch to prevent transfusion reactions.
Question 8:
Which assessment finding would be priority in a patient with heart failure?
• A) Dry cough
• B) Shortness of breath on exertion
• C) Increased appetite
• D) High energy levels
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion indicates worsening heart failure and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of using a sequential compression device (SCD)?
• A) To provide warmth
• B) To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• C) To promote mobility
• D) To monitor blood pressure
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: SCDs are used to promote venous return and help prevent DVT in
immobilized patients.
Question 10:
What is the most reliable indicator of a patient’s pain level?
• A) Observations of behavior
• B) Patient self-report
• C) Vital signs
• D) Facial expressions
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of their pain level, as
pain is a subjective experience.
Question 11:
What is the primary nursing action for a patient who is vomiting blood?
• A) Provide antiemetics
• B) Encourage oral intake
• C) Maintain airway patency and monitor vital signs
• D) Administer pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Maintaining airway patency and monitoring vital signs is critical in a patient
vomiting blood to prevent respiratory distress and shock.
Question 12:
Which medication is commonly prescribed for hypertension?
• A) Albuterol
• B) Lisinopril
• C) Metformin
• D) Prednisone
