VATI RN MED-SURG ASSESSMENT TEST – 200
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS)
Complete A+ Guide for 2026
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGY (Questions 1-
20)
QUESTION 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which finding requires immediate
reporting to the provider?
A) Urine output 50 mL/hr
B) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D) Weight loss of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
Answer: B) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Hypokalemia (normal 3.5-5.0
mEq/L) increases the risk of fatal dysrhythmias, especially in clients with underlying
cardiac issues. The nurse should report this immediately to the provider .
,QUESTION 2
A client with heart failure has jugular vein distention, peripheral edema, and crackles in
the lung bases. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Lisinopril
D) Metoprolol
Answer: B) Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces preload by decreasing fluid volume,
relieving symptoms of fluid overload such as edema, JVD, and crackles .
QUESTION 3
A client is receiving IV heparin for a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B) aPTT
Rationale: aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is used to monitor unfractionated
heparin therapy, with a therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value.
,PT/INR monitors warfarin, and platelet count monitors for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia .
QUESTION 4
A client is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). Which finding
indicates a transfusion reaction?
A) Flushing and wheezing
B) Temperature 37.2°C
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D) Heart rate 72/min
Answer: A) Flushing and wheezing
Rationale: Flushing and wheezing are signs of an allergic or anaphylactic transfusion
reaction. Other signs include fever, chills, hypotension, and back pain. Any signs of
transfusion reaction require immediate discontinuation of the transfusion .
QUESTION 5
A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) complains of leg pain when walking that
resolves with rest. The nurse should document this as:
A) Rest pain
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Venous stasis
D) Neuropathy
, Answer: B) Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain induced by exercise and
relieved by rest. Rest pain indicates severe disease. Venous stasis presents with edema and
skin changes, not exercise-induced pain .
QUESTION 6
Which of the following are risk factors for coronary artery disease? (Select all that apply)
A) Hypertension
B) High-density lipoprotein (HDL) >60 mg/dL
C) Smoking
D) Diabetes mellitus
E) Sedentary lifestyle
Answer: A) Hypertension, C) Smoking, D) Diabetes mellitus, E) Sedentary lifestyle
Rationale: High HDL (>60 mg/dL) is protective against CAD. Low HDL is a risk factor. All
others are modifiable risk factors for CAD .
QUESTION 7
A client with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. The nurse should
teach the client to report which finding?
A) Tinnitus
B) Black, tarry stools
C) Dry cough
D) Headache
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS)
Complete A+ Guide for 2026
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGY (Questions 1-
20)
QUESTION 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which finding requires immediate
reporting to the provider?
A) Urine output 50 mL/hr
B) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D) Weight loss of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
Answer: B) Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Hypokalemia (normal 3.5-5.0
mEq/L) increases the risk of fatal dysrhythmias, especially in clients with underlying
cardiac issues. The nurse should report this immediately to the provider .
,QUESTION 2
A client with heart failure has jugular vein distention, peripheral edema, and crackles in
the lung bases. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Lisinopril
D) Metoprolol
Answer: B) Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces preload by decreasing fluid volume,
relieving symptoms of fluid overload such as edema, JVD, and crackles .
QUESTION 3
A client is receiving IV heparin for a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B) aPTT
Rationale: aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is used to monitor unfractionated
heparin therapy, with a therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value.
,PT/INR monitors warfarin, and platelet count monitors for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia .
QUESTION 4
A client is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). Which finding
indicates a transfusion reaction?
A) Flushing and wheezing
B) Temperature 37.2°C
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D) Heart rate 72/min
Answer: A) Flushing and wheezing
Rationale: Flushing and wheezing are signs of an allergic or anaphylactic transfusion
reaction. Other signs include fever, chills, hypotension, and back pain. Any signs of
transfusion reaction require immediate discontinuation of the transfusion .
QUESTION 5
A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) complains of leg pain when walking that
resolves with rest. The nurse should document this as:
A) Rest pain
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Venous stasis
D) Neuropathy
, Answer: B) Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain induced by exercise and
relieved by rest. Rest pain indicates severe disease. Venous stasis presents with edema and
skin changes, not exercise-induced pain .
QUESTION 6
Which of the following are risk factors for coronary artery disease? (Select all that apply)
A) Hypertension
B) High-density lipoprotein (HDL) >60 mg/dL
C) Smoking
D) Diabetes mellitus
E) Sedentary lifestyle
Answer: A) Hypertension, C) Smoking, D) Diabetes mellitus, E) Sedentary lifestyle
Rationale: High HDL (>60 mg/dL) is protective against CAD. Low HDL is a risk factor. All
others are modifiable risk factors for CAD .
QUESTION 7
A client with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. The nurse should
teach the client to report which finding?
A) Tinnitus
B) Black, tarry stools
C) Dry cough
D) Headache
