NSG 231 Medical-Surgical Nursing Course
Exam 1,2,3 and 4 Questions and Answers
Question 1
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?
Answer: Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., orange juice).
Rationale: Rapid glucose replacement prevents worsening hypoglycemia.
Question 2
Which lab test best monitors long-term glycemic control?
Answer: HbA1c.
Rationale: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
Question 3
What position should a patient with dyspnea be placed in?
Answer: High Fowler’s position.
Rationale: Upright positioning maximizes lung expansion.
Question 4
Which electrolyte is most important to monitor in a patient taking furosemide?
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, risking hypokalemia.
Question 5
What is the first-line antibiotic for acute otitis media?
Answer: Amoxicillin.
Rationale: Amoxicillin is the standard treatment for otitis media.
Question 6
Which vaccine is recommended for adults over 65 years?
Answer: Pneumococcal vaccine.
Rationale: It prevents serious respiratory infections in older adults.
Question 7
What is the priority nursing action for a patient showing signs of hypoxia?
Answer: Administer oxygen therapy.
Rationale: Oxygen delivery corrects tissue hypoxia.
Question 8
Which intervention most effectively reduces cardiovascular risk?
Answer: Smoking cessation.
Rationale: Quitting smoking lowers morbidity and mortality.
Question 9
What lab test confirms iron deficiency anemia?
, Answer: Serum ferritin.
Rationale: Low ferritin indicates depleted iron stores.
Question 10
What condition is Alzheimer’s disease classified as?
Answer: Dementia.
Rationale: Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative dementia.
Question 11
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 12
Which cranial nerve controls vision?
Answer: Optic nerve (CN II).
Rationale: The optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain.
Question 13
What is the normal range for serum sodium?
Answer: 135–145 mEq/L.
Rationale: Sodium levels outside this range indicate fluid/electrolyte imbalance.
Question 14
Which type of isolation is required for tuberculosis?
Answer: Airborne isolation.
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets, requiring N95 mask precautions.
Question 15
What is the first nursing action for a patient having a seizure?
Answer: Protect the airway and ensure safety.
Rationale: Preventing injury and maintaining airway patency are priorities.
Question 16
Which hormone regulates blood calcium levels?
Answer: Parathyroid hormone.
Rationale: PTH increases calcium release from bone and absorption in intestines.
Question 17
What is the primary symptom of left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Pulmonary congestion (dyspnea, crackles).
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes fluid backup into the lungs.
Question 18
Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets?
Answer: Vitamin D deficiency.
Rationale: Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization.
,Question 19
What is the therapeutic INR range for a patient on warfarin?
Answer: 2.0–3.0.
Rationale: This range balances clot prevention with bleeding risk.
Question 20
Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
Answer: Liver.
Rationale: The liver detoxifies and metabolizes most medications.
Question 21
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil.
Rationale: Flumazenil reverses the sedative effects of benzodiazepines.
Question 22
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with muscle cramps?
Answer: Hypokalemia.
Rationale: Low potassium disrupts neuromuscular function.
Question 23
What is the normal range for serum calcium?
Answer: 8.5–10.5 mg/dL.
Rationale: Calcium outside this range affects bone and cardiac function.
Question 24
Which type of insulin has the fastest onset?
Answer: Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., lispro).
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin works within minutes to lower glucose.
Question 25
What is the primary symptom of right-sided heart failure?
Answer: Peripheral edema.
Rationale: Right ventricular failure causes systemic fluid retention.
Question 26
Which vitamin deficiency causes pernicious anemia?
Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Rationale: Lack of B12 impairs red blood cell production.
Question 27
What is the normal range for serum potassium?
Answer: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.
Rationale: Potassium is essential for cardiac and muscle function.
Question 28
, Which cranial nerve controls facial movement?
Answer: Facial nerve (CN VII).
Rationale: CN VII innervates muscles of facial expression.
Question 29
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
Answer: N-acetylcysteine.
Rationale: NAC prevents liver damage by replenishing glutathione.
Question 30
Which condition is characterized by destruction of myelin in the CNS?
Answer: Multiple sclerosis.
Rationale: MS is an autoimmune disease that damages myelin sheaths.
Question 31
Which lab test is most specific for myocardial infarction?
Answer: Troponin.
Rationale: Troponin rises quickly and is highly specific to cardiac muscle injury.
Question 32
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with anaphylaxis?
Answer: Administer epinephrine.
Rationale: Epinephrine reverses airway constriction and shock.
Question 33
Which cranial nerve controls hearing and balance?
Answer: Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).
Rationale: CN VIII transmits auditory and equilibrium signals.
Question 34
What is the normal range for serum magnesium?
Answer: 1.5–2.5 mEq/L.
Rationale: Magnesium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function.
Question 35
Which condition is characterized by destruction of insulin-producing beta cells?
Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells leads to insulin deficiency.
Question 36
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity?
Answer: Digoxin immune Fab.
Rationale: This antibody binds digoxin and neutralizes its effects.
Question 37
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with cardiac arrhythmias?
Answer: Hyperkalemia.
Exam 1,2,3 and 4 Questions and Answers
Question 1
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?
Answer: Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., orange juice).
Rationale: Rapid glucose replacement prevents worsening hypoglycemia.
Question 2
Which lab test best monitors long-term glycemic control?
Answer: HbA1c.
Rationale: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
Question 3
What position should a patient with dyspnea be placed in?
Answer: High Fowler’s position.
Rationale: Upright positioning maximizes lung expansion.
Question 4
Which electrolyte is most important to monitor in a patient taking furosemide?
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, risking hypokalemia.
Question 5
What is the first-line antibiotic for acute otitis media?
Answer: Amoxicillin.
Rationale: Amoxicillin is the standard treatment for otitis media.
Question 6
Which vaccine is recommended for adults over 65 years?
Answer: Pneumococcal vaccine.
Rationale: It prevents serious respiratory infections in older adults.
Question 7
What is the priority nursing action for a patient showing signs of hypoxia?
Answer: Administer oxygen therapy.
Rationale: Oxygen delivery corrects tissue hypoxia.
Question 8
Which intervention most effectively reduces cardiovascular risk?
Answer: Smoking cessation.
Rationale: Quitting smoking lowers morbidity and mortality.
Question 9
What lab test confirms iron deficiency anemia?
, Answer: Serum ferritin.
Rationale: Low ferritin indicates depleted iron stores.
Question 10
What condition is Alzheimer’s disease classified as?
Answer: Dementia.
Rationale: Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative dementia.
Question 11
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 12
Which cranial nerve controls vision?
Answer: Optic nerve (CN II).
Rationale: The optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain.
Question 13
What is the normal range for serum sodium?
Answer: 135–145 mEq/L.
Rationale: Sodium levels outside this range indicate fluid/electrolyte imbalance.
Question 14
Which type of isolation is required for tuberculosis?
Answer: Airborne isolation.
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets, requiring N95 mask precautions.
Question 15
What is the first nursing action for a patient having a seizure?
Answer: Protect the airway and ensure safety.
Rationale: Preventing injury and maintaining airway patency are priorities.
Question 16
Which hormone regulates blood calcium levels?
Answer: Parathyroid hormone.
Rationale: PTH increases calcium release from bone and absorption in intestines.
Question 17
What is the primary symptom of left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Pulmonary congestion (dyspnea, crackles).
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes fluid backup into the lungs.
Question 18
Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets?
Answer: Vitamin D deficiency.
Rationale: Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization.
,Question 19
What is the therapeutic INR range for a patient on warfarin?
Answer: 2.0–3.0.
Rationale: This range balances clot prevention with bleeding risk.
Question 20
Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
Answer: Liver.
Rationale: The liver detoxifies and metabolizes most medications.
Question 21
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil.
Rationale: Flumazenil reverses the sedative effects of benzodiazepines.
Question 22
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with muscle cramps?
Answer: Hypokalemia.
Rationale: Low potassium disrupts neuromuscular function.
Question 23
What is the normal range for serum calcium?
Answer: 8.5–10.5 mg/dL.
Rationale: Calcium outside this range affects bone and cardiac function.
Question 24
Which type of insulin has the fastest onset?
Answer: Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., lispro).
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin works within minutes to lower glucose.
Question 25
What is the primary symptom of right-sided heart failure?
Answer: Peripheral edema.
Rationale: Right ventricular failure causes systemic fluid retention.
Question 26
Which vitamin deficiency causes pernicious anemia?
Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Rationale: Lack of B12 impairs red blood cell production.
Question 27
What is the normal range for serum potassium?
Answer: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.
Rationale: Potassium is essential for cardiac and muscle function.
Question 28
, Which cranial nerve controls facial movement?
Answer: Facial nerve (CN VII).
Rationale: CN VII innervates muscles of facial expression.
Question 29
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
Answer: N-acetylcysteine.
Rationale: NAC prevents liver damage by replenishing glutathione.
Question 30
Which condition is characterized by destruction of myelin in the CNS?
Answer: Multiple sclerosis.
Rationale: MS is an autoimmune disease that damages myelin sheaths.
Question 31
Which lab test is most specific for myocardial infarction?
Answer: Troponin.
Rationale: Troponin rises quickly and is highly specific to cardiac muscle injury.
Question 32
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with anaphylaxis?
Answer: Administer epinephrine.
Rationale: Epinephrine reverses airway constriction and shock.
Question 33
Which cranial nerve controls hearing and balance?
Answer: Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).
Rationale: CN VIII transmits auditory and equilibrium signals.
Question 34
What is the normal range for serum magnesium?
Answer: 1.5–2.5 mEq/L.
Rationale: Magnesium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function.
Question 35
Which condition is characterized by destruction of insulin-producing beta cells?
Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells leads to insulin deficiency.
Question 36
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity?
Answer: Digoxin immune Fab.
Rationale: This antibody binds digoxin and neutralizes its effects.
Question 37
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with cardiac arrhythmias?
Answer: Hyperkalemia.