Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Exam Study Questions and Answers

Ms. Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of chest pressure. Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and improve cardiac output? a. Nitroprusside (Nipride) b. Diazepam (Valium) c. Morphine sulfate (MS) d. Dopamine (Intropin) - c. Morphine sulfate (MS) The nurse's assessment of Mr. Harrison's response to digoxin will include which of the following as the most common early indicator of toxicity. a. Anorexia b. Diarrhea c. Headache d. Confusion - a. Anorexia A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, SOB, malaise and a newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about: a. lifestyle modifications. b. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. c. self-administration of IV antibiotics. d. the need for fluid restrictions. - c. self-administration of IV antibiotics. A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastatin (Prevachol). The nurse should teach the patent about which of the following side effects for this medication? a. Muscle weakness b. Flushing c. Itching d. Hypotension - a. Muscle weakness The nurse is also aware that some of Mr. Harrison's medications can increase serum digitalis concentrations and thus the risk for digoxin toxicity. These include: a. calcium carbonate (Tums) b. cholestyramine (Questran) c. sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) d. amiodarone (Cordarone) - d. amiodarone (Cordarone) The nurse teaches Ms. Pratt about the use of nitroglycerin. Following teaching, it is most important for the patient to: a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain. b. identify flushing and dizziness as common side effects of the drug. c. verbalize understanding that nitroglycerin will help prevent her from having a myocardial infarction (MI) d. confirm she will not take the drug unless she is experiencing chest pain. - a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain.