Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam –
Detailed Answer Key with
Complete Solutions | 2026–2027
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) covering key areas of Medical-Surgical Nursing, including cardiovascular,
respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal,
hematologic, oncologic, and perioperative care. Each question includes four options
with the correct answer clearly marked with a ✅. Answers are intentionally mixed (not
aligned to any single letter) to simulate real exam conditions.
Keywords: Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCQ, revision, exam prep, cardiovascular,
respiratory, neurology, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, hematology,
oncology, perioperative, nursing assessment, patient care, pharmacology, 2026–2027.
Cardiovascular System (Questions 1–25)
1. Which assessment finding is most indicative of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. ✅ Crackles in the lung bases
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at highest risk for which complication?
A. ✅ Embolic stroke
B. Pulmonary stenosis
,C. Aortic aneurysm
D. Bradycardia
3. Which medication is a first-line treatment for chronic heart failure to reduce
mortality?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. ✅ Lisinopril
D. Amiodarone
4. A patient on warfarin has an INR of 5.2. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. ✅ Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose
D. Encourage green leafy vegetables
5. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. ✅ Visual halos and nausea
C. Blood pressure 130/80
D. Increased urine output
6. A patient with acute myocardial infarction reports crushing chest pain. Which
action is priority?
A. ✅ Administer aspirin 325 mg chewed
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
D. Insert an IV line
7. Which rhythm is shockable in cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. ✅ Ventricular fibrillation
,C. Pulseless electrical activity
D. Sinus bradycardia
8. A patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which lab value
should the nurse monitor?
A. ✅ Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Phosphorus
9. Which position best facilitates breathing for a patient with heart failure?
A. Supine
B. ✅ High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
10. A patient develops sudden shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain after
surgery. What is the priority suspicion?
A. Atelectasis
B. ✅ Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Pleurisy
11. Which assessment is most important before administering metoprolol?
A. Respiratory rate
B. ✅ Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation
12. A patient with peripheral arterial disease typically reports:
A. ✅ Intermittent claudication
B. Dependent edema
, C. Warm extremities
D. Improved pain with elevation
13. Which finding is expected in a patient with cardiac tamponade?
A. ✅ Muffled heart sounds
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Increased urine output
14. A patient receiving heparin has a PTT of 90 seconds (control 30). What is the
priority action?
A. Increase the infusion
B. ✅ Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Administer vitamin K
D. Continue as prescribed
15. Which dietary instruction is appropriate for a patient with heart failure?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. ✅ Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Avoid potassium-rich foods
16. A patient with a new pacemaker should avoid:
A. Walking
B. ✅ MRI without clearance
C. Showering
D. Driving after 1 week
17. Which symptom is most common in a woman experiencing myocardial
infarction?
A. Crushing chest pain
B. ✅ Fatigue and shortness of breath
Detailed Answer Key with
Complete Solutions | 2026–2027
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) covering key areas of Medical-Surgical Nursing, including cardiovascular,
respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal,
hematologic, oncologic, and perioperative care. Each question includes four options
with the correct answer clearly marked with a ✅. Answers are intentionally mixed (not
aligned to any single letter) to simulate real exam conditions.
Keywords: Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCQ, revision, exam prep, cardiovascular,
respiratory, neurology, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, hematology,
oncology, perioperative, nursing assessment, patient care, pharmacology, 2026–2027.
Cardiovascular System (Questions 1–25)
1. Which assessment finding is most indicative of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. ✅ Crackles in the lung bases
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at highest risk for which complication?
A. ✅ Embolic stroke
B. Pulmonary stenosis
,C. Aortic aneurysm
D. Bradycardia
3. Which medication is a first-line treatment for chronic heart failure to reduce
mortality?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. ✅ Lisinopril
D. Amiodarone
4. A patient on warfarin has an INR of 5.2. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. ✅ Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose
D. Encourage green leafy vegetables
5. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. ✅ Visual halos and nausea
C. Blood pressure 130/80
D. Increased urine output
6. A patient with acute myocardial infarction reports crushing chest pain. Which
action is priority?
A. ✅ Administer aspirin 325 mg chewed
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
D. Insert an IV line
7. Which rhythm is shockable in cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. ✅ Ventricular fibrillation
,C. Pulseless electrical activity
D. Sinus bradycardia
8. A patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which lab value
should the nurse monitor?
A. ✅ Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Phosphorus
9. Which position best facilitates breathing for a patient with heart failure?
A. Supine
B. ✅ High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
10. A patient develops sudden shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain after
surgery. What is the priority suspicion?
A. Atelectasis
B. ✅ Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Pleurisy
11. Which assessment is most important before administering metoprolol?
A. Respiratory rate
B. ✅ Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation
12. A patient with peripheral arterial disease typically reports:
A. ✅ Intermittent claudication
B. Dependent edema
, C. Warm extremities
D. Improved pain with elevation
13. Which finding is expected in a patient with cardiac tamponade?
A. ✅ Muffled heart sounds
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Increased urine output
14. A patient receiving heparin has a PTT of 90 seconds (control 30). What is the
priority action?
A. Increase the infusion
B. ✅ Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Administer vitamin K
D. Continue as prescribed
15. Which dietary instruction is appropriate for a patient with heart failure?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. ✅ Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Avoid potassium-rich foods
16. A patient with a new pacemaker should avoid:
A. Walking
B. ✅ MRI without clearance
C. Showering
D. Driving after 1 week
17. Which symptom is most common in a woman experiencing myocardial
infarction?
A. Crushing chest pain
B. ✅ Fatigue and shortness of breath
