Capstone Med Surg Assessment 1
Question 1
A 68-year-old male patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) presents with increased shortness of breath and productive cough. Which of
the following interventions is the priority?
A. Increase fluid intake to 3 liters per day.
B. Administer a high-flow oxygen at 100%.
C. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate to improve lung function.
Answer: C. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
,Question 2
A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory result would the nurse
expect to be elevated?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: B. Serum amylase
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents with confusion and diaphoresis. What
is the most appropriate initial action by the nurse?
A. Administer insulin as ordered.
B. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Check the patient's urine for ketones.
D. Call the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: B. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure who reports shortness of breath.
Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is experiencing left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
,Question 5
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which intervention is
most appropriate to prevent aspiration?
A. Offer thin liquids.
B. Position the patient in a supine position.
C. Provide large meals to reduce the number of times the patient has to swallow.
D. Teach the patient to tuck the chin while swallowing.
Answer: D. Teach the patient to tuck the chin while swallowing.
Question 6
A 55-year-old patient with peptic ulcer disease is admitted with severe abdominal
pain and a rigid, board-like abdomen. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Administer pain medication.
B. Insert a nasogastric (NG) tube.
C. Prepare the patient for surgery.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Answer: D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Question 7
Which of the following nursing interventions is most important for a patient with
chronic kidney disease?
A. Monitor daily weight.
B. Encourage a high-protein diet.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 3 liters per day.
D. Administer nephrotoxic medications as prescribed.
Answer: A. Monitor daily weight.
Question 8
, A patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is receiving anticoagulant therapy.
Which of the following findings would indicate a potential complication of this
therapy?
A. Hematuria
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: A. Hematuria
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has developed ascites. Which
intervention will help manage the patient's ascites?
A. Encourage a high-sodium diet.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
D. Increase protein intake.
Answer: B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
Question 10
A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Which of the following findings would
indicate a need for immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. Fever of 101°F (38.3°C)
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Question 11
Question 1
A 68-year-old male patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) presents with increased shortness of breath and productive cough. Which of
the following interventions is the priority?
A. Increase fluid intake to 3 liters per day.
B. Administer a high-flow oxygen at 100%.
C. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
D. Encourage the patient to ambulate to improve lung function.
Answer: C. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
,Question 2
A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory result would the nurse
expect to be elevated?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: B. Serum amylase
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents with confusion and diaphoresis. What
is the most appropriate initial action by the nurse?
A. Administer insulin as ordered.
B. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Check the patient's urine for ketones.
D. Call the healthcare provider immediately.
Answer: B. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure who reports shortness of breath.
Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is experiencing left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
,Question 5
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which intervention is
most appropriate to prevent aspiration?
A. Offer thin liquids.
B. Position the patient in a supine position.
C. Provide large meals to reduce the number of times the patient has to swallow.
D. Teach the patient to tuck the chin while swallowing.
Answer: D. Teach the patient to tuck the chin while swallowing.
Question 6
A 55-year-old patient with peptic ulcer disease is admitted with severe abdominal
pain and a rigid, board-like abdomen. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Administer pain medication.
B. Insert a nasogastric (NG) tube.
C. Prepare the patient for surgery.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Answer: D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Question 7
Which of the following nursing interventions is most important for a patient with
chronic kidney disease?
A. Monitor daily weight.
B. Encourage a high-protein diet.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 3 liters per day.
D. Administer nephrotoxic medications as prescribed.
Answer: A. Monitor daily weight.
Question 8
, A patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is receiving anticoagulant therapy.
Which of the following findings would indicate a potential complication of this
therapy?
A. Hematuria
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: A. Hematuria
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has developed ascites. Which
intervention will help manage the patient's ascites?
A. Encourage a high-sodium diet.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
D. Increase protein intake.
Answer: B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
Question 10
A patient is admitted with pneumonia. Which of the following findings would
indicate a need for immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. Fever of 101°F (38.3°C)
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Question 11
