Page 1 of 74
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
A patient in the emergency department was showing signs of hypoglycemia
and had a fingerstick glucose level of 38 mg/dL. The patient has just become
unconscious. The nurse will anticipate which action to be next?
a. Having the patient eat glucose tablets
b. Having the patient consume fruit juice, a nondiet soft drink, or crackers
c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose)
d. Calling the lab to order a fasting blood glucose level
c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose)
The nurse is preparing to administer insulin intravenously. Which statement
about the administration of intravenous insulin is true?
a. Insulin is never given intravenously.
b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.
c. Insulin aspart or insulin lispro can be administered intravenously, but there
must be a 50% dose reduction.
d. Any form of insulin can be administered intravenously at the same dose as
that is ordered for subcutaneous administration.
b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.
A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
type 2 diabetes has been treated for pneumonia for the past week. The patient
has been receiving intravenous corticosteroids as well as antibiotics as part of
his therapy. At this time, the pneumonia has resolved, but when monitoring
the blood glucose levels, the nurse notices that the level is still
elevated. What is the best explanation for this elevation?
a. The antibiotics may cause an increase in glucose levels.
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b. The corticosteroids may ca use an increase in glucose levels.
c. The patient's type 2 diabetes has converted to type 1.
d. The hypoxia caused by the COPD causes an increased need for insulin.
b. The corticosteroids may ca use an increase in glucose levels.
The nurse knows to administer acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, at
which time?
a. 30 minutes before breakfast
b. With the first bite of each main meal
c. 30 minutes after breakfast
d. Once daily at bedtime
b. With the first bite of each main meal
A patient has been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on the
biguanide metformin. The nurse knows that the purpose of the metformin, in
this situation, is which of these?
a. To increase the pancreatic secretion of insulin
b. To decrease insulin resistance
c. To increase blood glucose levels
d. To decrease the pancreatic secretion of insulin
b. To decrease insulin resistance
When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient, the
nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa drugs. There is an order for
the sulfonylurea glipizide (Glucotrol). Which action by the nurse is correct?
a. Give the drug as ordered 30 minutes before breakfast.
b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.
c. Give a reduced dose of the drug with breakfast.
d. Give the drug, and monitor for adverse effects.
b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.
The nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list and notes that sitagliptin
(Januvia) is ordered. The nurse will question an additional order for which
drug or drug class?
a. Glitazone
b. Insulin
c. Metformin
d. Sulfonylurea
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b. Insulin
The nurse is teaching a review class to nurses about diabetes mellitus. Which
statement by the nurse is correct?
a. ―Patients with type 2 diabetes will never need insulin.‖
b. ―Oral antidiabetic drugs are safe for use during pregnancy.‖
c. ―Pediatric patients cannot take insulin.‖
d. ―Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.‖
d. ―Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.‖
The nurse is teaching a group of patients about management of diabetes.
Which statement about basal dosing is correct?
a. ―Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.‖
b. ―With basal dosing, you can eat what you want and then give yourself a
dose of insulin.‖
c. ―Glargine insulin is given as a bolus with meals.‖
d. ―Basal-bolus dosing is the traditional method of managing blood glucose
levels.‖
a. ―Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.‖
When teaching a patient who is starting metformin, which instruction by the
nurse is correct?
a. ―Take metformin if your blood glucose level is above 180 mg/dL.‖
b. ―Take this 60 minutes after breakfast.‖
c. ―Take the medication on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals.‖
d. ―Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.‖
d. ―Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.‖
The insulin order reads, ―Give 15 units insulin glargine, SUBQ, every evening
after dinner.‖ Choose the proper syringe for this injection.
B. Unit Syringe
A patient is taking a sulfonylurea medication for new-onset type 2 diabetes
mellitus. When reviewing potential adverse effects during patient teaching, the
nurse will include information about which of these effects? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nausea
c. Diarrhea
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d. Weight gain
e. Peripheral edema
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nausea
d. Weight gain
A patient will be taking U-500 insulin. The nurse is reviewing the use of this
drug. Which of these statements are true? (Select all that apply.)
a. U-500 insulin is 5 times stronger than U-100 insulin.
b. U-500 insulin syringes must be used when giving U-500 insulin.
c. U-500 syringes can deliver 500 units of insulin.
d. Each line on a U-500 syringe measures 5 units of U-500 insulin.
e. U-500 insulin delivers a smaller dose of insulin in a single injection.
a. U-500 insulin is 5 times stronger than U-100 insulin.
b. U-500 insulin syringes must be used when giving U-500 insulin
d. Each line on a U-500 syringe measures 5 units of U-500 insulin.
The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which statement best illustrates an outcome criterion for
this patient?
a. The patient will follow instructions.
b. The patient will not experience complications.
c. The patient will adhere to the new insulin treatment regimen.
d. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
d. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
A patient has been taking a beta blocker for 4 weeks as part of his antianginal
therapy. He also has type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism. When
discussing possible adverse effects,
the nurse will include which information?
a. ―Watch for unusual weight loss.‖
b. ―Monitor your pulse for increased heart rate.‖
c. ―Use the hot tub and sauna at the gym as long as time is limited to 15
minutes.‖
d. ―Monitor your blood glucose levels for possible hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia.‖
d. ―Monitor your blood glucose levels for possible hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.‖
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
A patient in the emergency department was showing signs of hypoglycemia
and had a fingerstick glucose level of 38 mg/dL. The patient has just become
unconscious. The nurse will anticipate which action to be next?
a. Having the patient eat glucose tablets
b. Having the patient consume fruit juice, a nondiet soft drink, or crackers
c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose)
d. Calling the lab to order a fasting blood glucose level
c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose)
The nurse is preparing to administer insulin intravenously. Which statement
about the administration of intravenous insulin is true?
a. Insulin is never given intravenously.
b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.
c. Insulin aspart or insulin lispro can be administered intravenously, but there
must be a 50% dose reduction.
d. Any form of insulin can be administered intravenously at the same dose as
that is ordered for subcutaneous administration.
b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.
A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
type 2 diabetes has been treated for pneumonia for the past week. The patient
has been receiving intravenous corticosteroids as well as antibiotics as part of
his therapy. At this time, the pneumonia has resolved, but when monitoring
the blood glucose levels, the nurse notices that the level is still
elevated. What is the best explanation for this elevation?
a. The antibiotics may cause an increase in glucose levels.
, Page 2 of 74
b. The corticosteroids may ca use an increase in glucose levels.
c. The patient's type 2 diabetes has converted to type 1.
d. The hypoxia caused by the COPD causes an increased need for insulin.
b. The corticosteroids may ca use an increase in glucose levels.
The nurse knows to administer acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, at
which time?
a. 30 minutes before breakfast
b. With the first bite of each main meal
c. 30 minutes after breakfast
d. Once daily at bedtime
b. With the first bite of each main meal
A patient has been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on the
biguanide metformin. The nurse knows that the purpose of the metformin, in
this situation, is which of these?
a. To increase the pancreatic secretion of insulin
b. To decrease insulin resistance
c. To increase blood glucose levels
d. To decrease the pancreatic secretion of insulin
b. To decrease insulin resistance
When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient, the
nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa drugs. There is an order for
the sulfonylurea glipizide (Glucotrol). Which action by the nurse is correct?
a. Give the drug as ordered 30 minutes before breakfast.
b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.
c. Give a reduced dose of the drug with breakfast.
d. Give the drug, and monitor for adverse effects.
b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.
The nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list and notes that sitagliptin
(Januvia) is ordered. The nurse will question an additional order for which
drug or drug class?
a. Glitazone
b. Insulin
c. Metformin
d. Sulfonylurea
, Page 3 of 74
b. Insulin
The nurse is teaching a review class to nurses about diabetes mellitus. Which
statement by the nurse is correct?
a. ―Patients with type 2 diabetes will never need insulin.‖
b. ―Oral antidiabetic drugs are safe for use during pregnancy.‖
c. ―Pediatric patients cannot take insulin.‖
d. ―Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.‖
d. ―Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.‖
The nurse is teaching a group of patients about management of diabetes.
Which statement about basal dosing is correct?
a. ―Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.‖
b. ―With basal dosing, you can eat what you want and then give yourself a
dose of insulin.‖
c. ―Glargine insulin is given as a bolus with meals.‖
d. ―Basal-bolus dosing is the traditional method of managing blood glucose
levels.‖
a. ―Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.‖
When teaching a patient who is starting metformin, which instruction by the
nurse is correct?
a. ―Take metformin if your blood glucose level is above 180 mg/dL.‖
b. ―Take this 60 minutes after breakfast.‖
c. ―Take the medication on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals.‖
d. ―Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.‖
d. ―Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.‖
The insulin order reads, ―Give 15 units insulin glargine, SUBQ, every evening
after dinner.‖ Choose the proper syringe for this injection.
B. Unit Syringe
A patient is taking a sulfonylurea medication for new-onset type 2 diabetes
mellitus. When reviewing potential adverse effects during patient teaching, the
nurse will include information about which of these effects? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nausea
c. Diarrhea
, Page 4 of 74
d. Weight gain
e. Peripheral edema
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nausea
d. Weight gain
A patient will be taking U-500 insulin. The nurse is reviewing the use of this
drug. Which of these statements are true? (Select all that apply.)
a. U-500 insulin is 5 times stronger than U-100 insulin.
b. U-500 insulin syringes must be used when giving U-500 insulin.
c. U-500 syringes can deliver 500 units of insulin.
d. Each line on a U-500 syringe measures 5 units of U-500 insulin.
e. U-500 insulin delivers a smaller dose of insulin in a single injection.
a. U-500 insulin is 5 times stronger than U-100 insulin.
b. U-500 insulin syringes must be used when giving U-500 insulin
d. Each line on a U-500 syringe measures 5 units of U-500 insulin.
The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which statement best illustrates an outcome criterion for
this patient?
a. The patient will follow instructions.
b. The patient will not experience complications.
c. The patient will adhere to the new insulin treatment regimen.
d. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
d. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
A patient has been taking a beta blocker for 4 weeks as part of his antianginal
therapy. He also has type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism. When
discussing possible adverse effects,
the nurse will include which information?
a. ―Watch for unusual weight loss.‖
b. ―Monitor your pulse for increased heart rate.‖
c. ―Use the hot tub and sauna at the gym as long as time is limited to 15
minutes.‖
d. ―Monitor your blood glucose levels for possible hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia.‖
d. ―Monitor your blood glucose levels for possible hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.‖
