NU155 Exam 1 – Medical-Surgical Nursing I Practice
Questions and Answers
Content
perioperative care
fluid/electrolyte balance
pain management
wound care
critical thinking skills.
Question 1: Perioperative Care
Before surgery, which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Patient ate toast 2 hours ago
B. Patient expresses anxiety
C. Patient has a mild headache
D. Patient reports thirst
Rationale: Eating before surgery increases aspiration risk; NPO status must be
enforced.
Question 2: Fluid & Electrolytes
Which symptom is most consistent with hyponatremia?
A. Confusion and seizures
B. Muscle cramps and constipation
C. Bone pain and kidney stones
D. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Low sodium causes neurological changes due to cerebral edema.
Question 3: Pain Management
A patient reports pain 8/10 after surgery. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Offer relaxation techniques
B. Administer prescribed opioid
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document pain score
,Rationale: Severe pain requires pharmacologic intervention first, then reassessment.
Question 4: Wound Care
Which nutrient is most important for collagen synthesis in wound healing?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Iron
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and tissue repair.
Question 5: Critical Thinking
A patient with COPD has increased shortness of breath. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify provider
B. Elevate head of bed
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage fluids
Rationale: Positioning improves oxygenation immediately; provider notification follows.
Question 6: Perioperative Safety
Which intervention prevents postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Apply sequential compression devices
C. Restrict fluids
D. Administer opioids
Rationale: Compression devices promote venous return and reduce clot risk.
Question 7: Electrolytes
Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. U waves
B. Flattened T waves
C. Peaked T waves
, D. Prolonged QT interval
Rationale: Hyperkalemia produces tall, peaked T waves due to altered cardiac
conduction.
Question 8: Pain Assessment
Which tool is best for assessing pain in a non-verbal child?
A. Numeric rating scale
B. FLACC scale
C. Wong-Baker FACES scale
D. Verbal descriptor scale
Rationale: FLACC scale evaluates pain based on behavior and physical cues.
Question 9: Wound Complications
A patient’s abdominal incision suddenly opens with protrusion of intestines. What is this
complication?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Infection
D. Hemorrhage
Rationale: Evisceration is protrusion of organs through a wound; requires sterile
dressing and emergency intervention.
Question 10: Clinical Judgment
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Post-op patient with pain 6/10
B. Patient with potassium 6.5 mEq/L
C. Patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. Patient requesting sleep aid
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is life-threatening due to risk of arrhythmias; requires
immediate attention.
Question 11: Perioperative Safety
Which intervention reduces risk of postoperative pneumonia?
Questions and Answers
Content
perioperative care
fluid/electrolyte balance
pain management
wound care
critical thinking skills.
Question 1: Perioperative Care
Before surgery, which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Patient ate toast 2 hours ago
B. Patient expresses anxiety
C. Patient has a mild headache
D. Patient reports thirst
Rationale: Eating before surgery increases aspiration risk; NPO status must be
enforced.
Question 2: Fluid & Electrolytes
Which symptom is most consistent with hyponatremia?
A. Confusion and seizures
B. Muscle cramps and constipation
C. Bone pain and kidney stones
D. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Low sodium causes neurological changes due to cerebral edema.
Question 3: Pain Management
A patient reports pain 8/10 after surgery. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Offer relaxation techniques
B. Administer prescribed opioid
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document pain score
,Rationale: Severe pain requires pharmacologic intervention first, then reassessment.
Question 4: Wound Care
Which nutrient is most important for collagen synthesis in wound healing?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Iron
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and tissue repair.
Question 5: Critical Thinking
A patient with COPD has increased shortness of breath. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify provider
B. Elevate head of bed
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage fluids
Rationale: Positioning improves oxygenation immediately; provider notification follows.
Question 6: Perioperative Safety
Which intervention prevents postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Apply sequential compression devices
C. Restrict fluids
D. Administer opioids
Rationale: Compression devices promote venous return and reduce clot risk.
Question 7: Electrolytes
Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. U waves
B. Flattened T waves
C. Peaked T waves
, D. Prolonged QT interval
Rationale: Hyperkalemia produces tall, peaked T waves due to altered cardiac
conduction.
Question 8: Pain Assessment
Which tool is best for assessing pain in a non-verbal child?
A. Numeric rating scale
B. FLACC scale
C. Wong-Baker FACES scale
D. Verbal descriptor scale
Rationale: FLACC scale evaluates pain based on behavior and physical cues.
Question 9: Wound Complications
A patient’s abdominal incision suddenly opens with protrusion of intestines. What is this
complication?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Infection
D. Hemorrhage
Rationale: Evisceration is protrusion of organs through a wound; requires sterile
dressing and emergency intervention.
Question 10: Clinical Judgment
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Post-op patient with pain 6/10
B. Patient with potassium 6.5 mEq/L
C. Patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. Patient requesting sleep aid
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is life-threatening due to risk of arrhythmias; requires
immediate attention.
Question 11: Perioperative Safety
Which intervention reduces risk of postoperative pneumonia?
