TEST BANK Medical-Surgical Nursing
(8th Ed) by Linton; Matteson| All
Chapters Included, Latest Guide 2026
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
experiencing dyspnea and increased sputum production. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
a. Encourage high-calorie diet
b. Administer prescribed bronchodilators
c. Restrict fluid intake
d. Limit physical activity
Rationale: Bronchodilators help open airways and improve ventilation,
which is a priority in COPD exacerbation.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
chronic kidney disease?
a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypernatremia
c. Hyperkalemia
d. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of potassium in chronic kidney
disease often leads to hyperkalemia.
3. A patient reports severe chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Obtain a full health history
, b. Administer oxygen and prepare for ECG
c. Encourage the patient to rest
d. Apply warm compresses
Rationale: Immediate intervention for suspected myocardial infarction
includes oxygen administration and cardiac monitoring.
4. A patient with heart failure has gained 3 kg in 3 days. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer a diuretic as ordered
b. Encourage a high-protein diet
c. Assess for edema and respiratory distress
d. Restrict activity
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention; assessing for
edema and respiratory compromise is crucial.
5. Which symptom is most indicative of hypoglycemia in a patient
with diabetes mellitus?
a. Polyuria
b. Sweating and tremors
c. Blurred vision
d. Weight loss
Rationale: Hypoglycemia typically presents with adrenergic symptoms
such as sweating, trembling, and palpitations.
6. A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is
prescribed anticoagulants. What is the most important instruction
for the nurse to give?
a. Avoid activities that increase bleeding risk
b. Increase intake of vitamin K
, c. Restrict fluid intake
d. Use compression stockings only at night
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk; patients must avoid
trauma and monitor for signs of bleeding.
7. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient with
acute pancreatitis?
a. Encourage oral intake
b. Administer antacids
c. Maintain NPO status and provide IV fluids
d. Promote high-fat diet
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis requires pancreatic rest; NPO status with
IV fluids prevents further enzyme stimulation.
8. A patient is admitted with a gastrointestinal bleed. Which
laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor?
a. Sodium
b. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
c. Glucose
d. Creatinine
Rationale: Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels indicate the degree of
blood loss and guide transfusion needs.
9. A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which nursing
intervention is priority?
a. Administer lactulose
b. Encourage low-protein diet
c. Monitor abdominal girth and daily weight
d. Restrict fluids to 500 mL/day
, Rationale: Monitoring fluid accumulation is essential for assessing
severity of ascites and risk of complications.
10. Which finding suggests a patient is experiencing septic
shock?
a. Bradycardia and hypotension
b. Hypertension and bradycardia
c. Hypotension, tachycardia, and warm flushed skin
d. Normal vital signs
Rationale: Early septic shock presents with hypotension, tachycardia,
and warm skin due to vasodilation.
11. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
a. Administer calcium gluconate
b. Encourage potassium-rich foods
c. Prepare for administration of a potassium-lowering agent
d. Restrict fluid intake
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening arrhythmias;
prompt treatment is necessary.
12. A patient with chronic liver disease presents with confusion
and asterixis. What condition should the nurse suspect?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Hepatic encephalopathy
c. Stroke
d. Electrolyte imbalance
Rationale: Neurologic changes and flapping tremors indicate hepatic
encephalopathy due to liver dysfunction.
(8th Ed) by Linton; Matteson| All
Chapters Included, Latest Guide 2026
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
experiencing dyspnea and increased sputum production. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
a. Encourage high-calorie diet
b. Administer prescribed bronchodilators
c. Restrict fluid intake
d. Limit physical activity
Rationale: Bronchodilators help open airways and improve ventilation,
which is a priority in COPD exacerbation.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
chronic kidney disease?
a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypernatremia
c. Hyperkalemia
d. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of potassium in chronic kidney
disease often leads to hyperkalemia.
3. A patient reports severe chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Obtain a full health history
, b. Administer oxygen and prepare for ECG
c. Encourage the patient to rest
d. Apply warm compresses
Rationale: Immediate intervention for suspected myocardial infarction
includes oxygen administration and cardiac monitoring.
4. A patient with heart failure has gained 3 kg in 3 days. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer a diuretic as ordered
b. Encourage a high-protein diet
c. Assess for edema and respiratory distress
d. Restrict activity
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention; assessing for
edema and respiratory compromise is crucial.
5. Which symptom is most indicative of hypoglycemia in a patient
with diabetes mellitus?
a. Polyuria
b. Sweating and tremors
c. Blurred vision
d. Weight loss
Rationale: Hypoglycemia typically presents with adrenergic symptoms
such as sweating, trembling, and palpitations.
6. A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is
prescribed anticoagulants. What is the most important instruction
for the nurse to give?
a. Avoid activities that increase bleeding risk
b. Increase intake of vitamin K
, c. Restrict fluid intake
d. Use compression stockings only at night
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk; patients must avoid
trauma and monitor for signs of bleeding.
7. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient with
acute pancreatitis?
a. Encourage oral intake
b. Administer antacids
c. Maintain NPO status and provide IV fluids
d. Promote high-fat diet
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis requires pancreatic rest; NPO status with
IV fluids prevents further enzyme stimulation.
8. A patient is admitted with a gastrointestinal bleed. Which
laboratory value is most critical for the nurse to monitor?
a. Sodium
b. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
c. Glucose
d. Creatinine
Rationale: Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels indicate the degree of
blood loss and guide transfusion needs.
9. A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which nursing
intervention is priority?
a. Administer lactulose
b. Encourage low-protein diet
c. Monitor abdominal girth and daily weight
d. Restrict fluids to 500 mL/day
, Rationale: Monitoring fluid accumulation is essential for assessing
severity of ascites and risk of complications.
10. Which finding suggests a patient is experiencing septic
shock?
a. Bradycardia and hypotension
b. Hypertension and bradycardia
c. Hypotension, tachycardia, and warm flushed skin
d. Normal vital signs
Rationale: Early septic shock presents with hypotension, tachycardia,
and warm skin due to vasodilation.
11. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
a. Administer calcium gluconate
b. Encourage potassium-rich foods
c. Prepare for administration of a potassium-lowering agent
d. Restrict fluid intake
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening arrhythmias;
prompt treatment is necessary.
12. A patient with chronic liver disease presents with confusion
and asterixis. What condition should the nurse suspect?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Hepatic encephalopathy
c. Stroke
d. Electrolyte imbalance
Rationale: Neurologic changes and flapping tremors indicate hepatic
encephalopathy due to liver dysfunction.
