Medical Surgical Practice Exam Test Questions and Answers
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. the
client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. the nurse should further assess the client for which
condition?
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial assessment of a client who
presents to the emergency department with a painful ankle injury? (select all that apply)
Answer: Quality of the pain
Signs of inflammation
Ankle range of motion
Visible deformities of the joint
Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints
Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Answer: Hoarseness
A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the nurse
anticipate?
Answer: Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. which action by
the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
Answer: Assess neurovascular status
Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education is needed?
Answer: I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk for
toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
Answer: Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse
Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months
A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking cigarettes is
contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and wants to know if
other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. Which information is best for the nurse to
provide? (Select all that apply).
Answer: Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction
Low testosterone levels affect sperm production
Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility
, Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse (RN) observes
large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which assessment finding should the RN
report as early signs of hypovolemic shock?
Answer: lethargy
the registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe abdominal
cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. the RN discovers that the client has had 14 to 20 loose
stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history, which information is most for the
nurse to obtain?
Answer: Ulcerative colitis
A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the client's basic
knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys an understanding of the
etiology of diverticula?
Answer: Chronic constipation causes weakening of colon wall which results in out pouching sacs
The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management of chronic
hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
Answer: Sphygmomanometer
A young adult mail is diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic region and is
scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about becoming infertile. How should
the nurse respond?
Answer: Propose sperm banking before RT then artificial insemination is an option
A client's susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client's history?
Answer: Jewish European ancestry
Small bowl obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
Answer: Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea?
Answer: Obese older male client with a short, thick neck
Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood?
Answer: Completes education and becomes self-supporting
A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L).
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
Answer: Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring
Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the HCP?
Answer: episodes of vaginal bleeding
The nurse is teaching a female client about the best time to plan sexual intercourse in order to conceive.
Which information should the nurse provide?
Answer: Two weeks before menstruation
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. the
client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. the nurse should further assess the client for which
condition?
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial assessment of a client who
presents to the emergency department with a painful ankle injury? (select all that apply)
Answer: Quality of the pain
Signs of inflammation
Ankle range of motion
Visible deformities of the joint
Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints
Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Answer: Hoarseness
A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the nurse
anticipate?
Answer: Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. which action by
the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
Answer: Assess neurovascular status
Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education is needed?
Answer: I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk for
toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
Answer: Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse
Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months
A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking cigarettes is
contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and wants to know if
other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. Which information is best for the nurse to
provide? (Select all that apply).
Answer: Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction
Low testosterone levels affect sperm production
Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility
, Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse (RN) observes
large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which assessment finding should the RN
report as early signs of hypovolemic shock?
Answer: lethargy
the registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe abdominal
cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. the RN discovers that the client has had 14 to 20 loose
stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history, which information is most for the
nurse to obtain?
Answer: Ulcerative colitis
A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the client's basic
knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys an understanding of the
etiology of diverticula?
Answer: Chronic constipation causes weakening of colon wall which results in out pouching sacs
The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management of chronic
hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
Answer: Sphygmomanometer
A young adult mail is diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic region and is
scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about becoming infertile. How should
the nurse respond?
Answer: Propose sperm banking before RT then artificial insemination is an option
A client's susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client's history?
Answer: Jewish European ancestry
Small bowl obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
Answer: Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea?
Answer: Obese older male client with a short, thick neck
Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood?
Answer: Completes education and becomes self-supporting
A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L).
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
Answer: Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring
Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the HCP?
Answer: episodes of vaginal bleeding
The nurse is teaching a female client about the best time to plan sexual intercourse in order to conceive.
Which information should the nurse provide?
Answer: Two weeks before menstruation
