CERTIFIED MEDICAL SURGICAL
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
\.The nurse recognizes the patient most likely to experience hypercarbic
respiratory failure is the one with a diagnosis of
a. acute respiratory distress syndrome
b. pulmonary embolus
c. bronchitis
d. pulmonary edema - ANSWERS-Correct answer: C.
Hypercarbic respiratory failure occurs when conditions cause a reduction in
minute volume or an increase in physiologic dead space (for example, COPD
[including bronchitis], asthma, exacerbation of underlying neuromuscular
disease). Hypoxic respiratory failure results from an insult to the pulmonary
tissues (such as pneumonia, ARDS, pulmonary contusion)
\.A patient with Stage II adenocarcinoma of the lung is being treated with the anti-
tumor antibiotic doxorubicin (Adriamycin). The nurse knows that alteration in
dose scheduling of doxorubicin is needed to decrease the risk of toxicity to which
of the following organs:
a. liver
b. heart
c. pancreas
d. kidney - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: B.
,Cardiotoxicity can develop from a cumulative drug effect. Altering the dose
scheduling of doxorubicin to include frequent lower doses has resulted in
reduction of cardiotoxicity without compromise of anti tumor effects.
\.A 57 Year old patient is admitted to the medical unit for progressive symptoms
of dyspnea on exertion and decreased appetite, and is scheduled for pulmonary
function testing. when the patient asks what the test will measure, the nurse's
response is based on the knowledge that the tests are used to identify which
three general patterns of pulmonary abnormality?
a. obstructive, restrictive, and mixed
b. obstructive, constrictive, and mixed
c. restrictive, functional, and mixed
d. constrictive, functional and mixed - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: A.
Pulmonary function tests are used to identify and quantify abnormalities in
respiratory function, including three general patterns of abnormality: obstructive,
restrictive, and mixed.
\.The preferred Mantoux test for screening and diagnosis of tuberculosis should
be read by the trained nurse in:
a. 18 to 24 hours
b. 24 to 36 hours
c. 48 to 72 hours.
d. 72 to 96 hours - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: C.
the skin test should be read 48 to 72 hours after it has been administered.
, \.Arterial blood gas results, including a pH less than 7.35 and a pCO2 greater than
45, would reflect:
a. metabolic acidosis
b. respiratory acidosis
c. metabolic alkalosis
d. respiratory alkalosis - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: B.
Assess pH; less than 7.35 = acidosis.
Assess pCO2; greater than 45 = respiratory acidosis
\.For the patient with a new tracheostomy, the nurse must be alert to which early
complication?
a. decannulation
b. infection
c. bleeding
d. tracheomalacia - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: C.
Common acute risks of tracheostomy include bleeding structures, and failure of
the chosen technique to achieve successful airway placement.
\.A 32 year old patient on the medical unit experiences an acute asthma episode.
All of the following are ordered to treat the patient. What will the nurse
administer FIRST?
a. intravenous corticosteroids
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
\.The nurse recognizes the patient most likely to experience hypercarbic
respiratory failure is the one with a diagnosis of
a. acute respiratory distress syndrome
b. pulmonary embolus
c. bronchitis
d. pulmonary edema - ANSWERS-Correct answer: C.
Hypercarbic respiratory failure occurs when conditions cause a reduction in
minute volume or an increase in physiologic dead space (for example, COPD
[including bronchitis], asthma, exacerbation of underlying neuromuscular
disease). Hypoxic respiratory failure results from an insult to the pulmonary
tissues (such as pneumonia, ARDS, pulmonary contusion)
\.A patient with Stage II adenocarcinoma of the lung is being treated with the anti-
tumor antibiotic doxorubicin (Adriamycin). The nurse knows that alteration in
dose scheduling of doxorubicin is needed to decrease the risk of toxicity to which
of the following organs:
a. liver
b. heart
c. pancreas
d. kidney - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: B.
,Cardiotoxicity can develop from a cumulative drug effect. Altering the dose
scheduling of doxorubicin to include frequent lower doses has resulted in
reduction of cardiotoxicity without compromise of anti tumor effects.
\.A 57 Year old patient is admitted to the medical unit for progressive symptoms
of dyspnea on exertion and decreased appetite, and is scheduled for pulmonary
function testing. when the patient asks what the test will measure, the nurse's
response is based on the knowledge that the tests are used to identify which
three general patterns of pulmonary abnormality?
a. obstructive, restrictive, and mixed
b. obstructive, constrictive, and mixed
c. restrictive, functional, and mixed
d. constrictive, functional and mixed - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: A.
Pulmonary function tests are used to identify and quantify abnormalities in
respiratory function, including three general patterns of abnormality: obstructive,
restrictive, and mixed.
\.The preferred Mantoux test for screening and diagnosis of tuberculosis should
be read by the trained nurse in:
a. 18 to 24 hours
b. 24 to 36 hours
c. 48 to 72 hours.
d. 72 to 96 hours - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: C.
the skin test should be read 48 to 72 hours after it has been administered.
, \.Arterial blood gas results, including a pH less than 7.35 and a pCO2 greater than
45, would reflect:
a. metabolic acidosis
b. respiratory acidosis
c. metabolic alkalosis
d. respiratory alkalosis - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: B.
Assess pH; less than 7.35 = acidosis.
Assess pCO2; greater than 45 = respiratory acidosis
\.For the patient with a new tracheostomy, the nurse must be alert to which early
complication?
a. decannulation
b. infection
c. bleeding
d. tracheomalacia - ANSWERS-Correct Answer: C.
Common acute risks of tracheostomy include bleeding structures, and failure of
the chosen technique to achieve successful airway placement.
\.A 32 year old patient on the medical unit experiences an acute asthma episode.
All of the following are ordered to treat the patient. What will the nurse
administer FIRST?
a. intravenous corticosteroids
