NSG 1240 Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Final Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has gained 5
pounds in 2 days. What should the nurse do first?
a. Restrict fluids
b. Assess for edema and lung sounds
c. Increase diuretic dose
d. Notify provider immediately
Rationale: Weight gain in heart failure indicates fluid retention;
assessment is the first step before implementing interventions.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a patient on
furosemide?
, a. Sodium
b. Potassium
c. Calcium
d. Chloride
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia;
potassium must be closely monitored.
3. A patient with COPD is on oxygen therapy. Which finding indicates
oxygen toxicity?
a. Dry mucous membranes
b. Decreased respiratory rate
c. Increased sputum
d. Tachycardia
Rationale: High oxygen concentrations can suppress the hypoxic
drive in COPD, leading to decreased respiratory rate.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about foot care.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
a. “I will soak my feet every day.”
b. “I can walk barefoot inside my house.”
c. “I will inspect my feet daily with a mirror.”
d. “I should trim my toenails very short.”
Rationale: Daily inspection prevents unnoticed injuries, reducing risk
of infection and ulcers.
,5. A patient with pneumonia is receiving antibiotics. Which finding
indicates effective treatment?
a. Elevated white blood cell count
b. Persistent fever
c. Decreased sputum production
d. Shortness of breath
Rationale: Improvement in symptoms like sputum and fever indicates
effectiveness.
6. Which position is best for a patient with difficulty breathing?
a. Supine
b. High Fowler’s
c. Prone
d. Side-lying
Rationale: High Fowler’s maximizes lung expansion and promotes
easier breathing.
7. A nurse is administering digoxin. Which vital sign must be checked
before giving the medication?
a. Respiratory rate
b. Apical pulse
c. Blood pressure
d. Temperature
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; hold if apical pulse is below 60
bpm.
, 8. A patient is receiving blood transfusion. The nurse notices chills and
fever. What should the nurse do first?
a. Stop the transfusion
b. Notify the physician
c. Administer antihistamines
d. Increase IV fluids
Rationale: The first action is to stop the transfusion to prevent
further reaction.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about diet. Which food
should be avoided?
a. Fresh fruits
b. Canned soup
c. Brown rice
d. Fresh fish
Rationale: Canned foods contain high sodium, which increases blood
pressure.
10. Which sign indicates hypocalcemia?
a. Flaccid muscles
b. Decreased reflexes
c. Positive Trousseau’s sign
d. Bradycardia
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign indicates neuromuscular irritability
caused by low calcium.
Final Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has gained 5
pounds in 2 days. What should the nurse do first?
a. Restrict fluids
b. Assess for edema and lung sounds
c. Increase diuretic dose
d. Notify provider immediately
Rationale: Weight gain in heart failure indicates fluid retention;
assessment is the first step before implementing interventions.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a patient on
furosemide?
, a. Sodium
b. Potassium
c. Calcium
d. Chloride
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia;
potassium must be closely monitored.
3. A patient with COPD is on oxygen therapy. Which finding indicates
oxygen toxicity?
a. Dry mucous membranes
b. Decreased respiratory rate
c. Increased sputum
d. Tachycardia
Rationale: High oxygen concentrations can suppress the hypoxic
drive in COPD, leading to decreased respiratory rate.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about foot care.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
a. “I will soak my feet every day.”
b. “I can walk barefoot inside my house.”
c. “I will inspect my feet daily with a mirror.”
d. “I should trim my toenails very short.”
Rationale: Daily inspection prevents unnoticed injuries, reducing risk
of infection and ulcers.
,5. A patient with pneumonia is receiving antibiotics. Which finding
indicates effective treatment?
a. Elevated white blood cell count
b. Persistent fever
c. Decreased sputum production
d. Shortness of breath
Rationale: Improvement in symptoms like sputum and fever indicates
effectiveness.
6. Which position is best for a patient with difficulty breathing?
a. Supine
b. High Fowler’s
c. Prone
d. Side-lying
Rationale: High Fowler’s maximizes lung expansion and promotes
easier breathing.
7. A nurse is administering digoxin. Which vital sign must be checked
before giving the medication?
a. Respiratory rate
b. Apical pulse
c. Blood pressure
d. Temperature
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; hold if apical pulse is below 60
bpm.
, 8. A patient is receiving blood transfusion. The nurse notices chills and
fever. What should the nurse do first?
a. Stop the transfusion
b. Notify the physician
c. Administer antihistamines
d. Increase IV fluids
Rationale: The first action is to stop the transfusion to prevent
further reaction.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about diet. Which food
should be avoided?
a. Fresh fruits
b. Canned soup
c. Brown rice
d. Fresh fish
Rationale: Canned foods contain high sodium, which increases blood
pressure.
10. Which sign indicates hypocalcemia?
a. Flaccid muscles
b. Decreased reflexes
c. Positive Trousseau’s sign
d. Bradycardia
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign indicates neuromuscular irritability
caused by low calcium.
