MED SURG EXAM 4 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES AND NURSE EDUCATION TIPS
Multiple Sclerosis (Interferon Beta)
Monitor for:
✅ Infection (fever, sore throat, cough)
✅ Depression or suicidal thoughts
✅ Liver dysfunction (jaundice, dark urine)
✅ Flu-like symptoms (take acetaminophen or ibuprofen before injection if prescribed)
Parkinson's Disease
Think TRAP:
Tremor at rest
Rigidity
Akinesia/Bradykinesia
Postural instability
Advanced disease often requires an interdisciplinary team:
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Nutrition
Social work
Nursing
,Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)
Classic Triad:
Hypoxemia (dyspnea, tachypnea)
Neurologic changes (confusion, lethargy, restlessness)
Petechial rash (chest, neck, axillae, conjunctiva)
Memory Trick: "FAT = Lungs, Brain, Spots."
Lungs → Hypoxemia
Brain → Lethargy/confusion
Spots → Petechiae
These are excellent NCLEX-style questions and are commonly tested in medical-surgical nursing.
Skeletal Traction
Remember "Traction is Continuous."
Weights hang freely.
Never remove weights unless prescribed.
Never allow weights to rest on the floor.
Maintain body alignment.
Report disruption of skeletal traction promptly.
Gout
Cause: Hyperuricemia → uric acid crystal deposits.
Common triggers:
Red meat
Shellfish
Alcohol (especially beer)
Organ meats
, Acute attack:
Severe pain
Redness
Swelling
Warmth (often the great toe)
Osteomyelitis
Expected findings:
Elevated ESR and CRP
Bone pain
Fever (may be absent in chronic disease)
Drainage from wound
Positive bone culture (gold standard)
Meniere's Disease
Remember: "Low Salt = Less Vertigo."
Teach clients to:
Eat a low-sodium diet
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Stop smoking
Change positions slowly
Glaucoma Medications (Timolol)
Monitor for:
Bronchospasm
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Fatigue
Multiple Sclerosis (Interferon Beta)
Monitor for:
✅ Infection (fever, sore throat, cough)
✅ Depression or suicidal thoughts
✅ Liver dysfunction (jaundice, dark urine)
✅ Flu-like symptoms (take acetaminophen or ibuprofen before injection if prescribed)
Parkinson's Disease
Think TRAP:
Tremor at rest
Rigidity
Akinesia/Bradykinesia
Postural instability
Advanced disease often requires an interdisciplinary team:
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Nutrition
Social work
Nursing
,Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)
Classic Triad:
Hypoxemia (dyspnea, tachypnea)
Neurologic changes (confusion, lethargy, restlessness)
Petechial rash (chest, neck, axillae, conjunctiva)
Memory Trick: "FAT = Lungs, Brain, Spots."
Lungs → Hypoxemia
Brain → Lethargy/confusion
Spots → Petechiae
These are excellent NCLEX-style questions and are commonly tested in medical-surgical nursing.
Skeletal Traction
Remember "Traction is Continuous."
Weights hang freely.
Never remove weights unless prescribed.
Never allow weights to rest on the floor.
Maintain body alignment.
Report disruption of skeletal traction promptly.
Gout
Cause: Hyperuricemia → uric acid crystal deposits.
Common triggers:
Red meat
Shellfish
Alcohol (especially beer)
Organ meats
, Acute attack:
Severe pain
Redness
Swelling
Warmth (often the great toe)
Osteomyelitis
Expected findings:
Elevated ESR and CRP
Bone pain
Fever (may be absent in chronic disease)
Drainage from wound
Positive bone culture (gold standard)
Meniere's Disease
Remember: "Low Salt = Less Vertigo."
Teach clients to:
Eat a low-sodium diet
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Stop smoking
Change positions slowly
Glaucoma Medications (Timolol)
Monitor for:
Bronchospasm
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Fatigue
