Medical-Surgical Nursing – Key Concepts and
Summaries Based on Lewis 10th Edition
Cardiovascular System
1. What is the primary function of the coronary arteries?
A) To carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart
B) To supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself
C) To pump blood into the systemic circulation
D) To regulate heart rate
2. Which lab value is the most specific indicator of a myocardial infarction
(MI)?
A) Creatine Kinase (CK)
B) Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
C) Troponin I or T
D) Myoglobin
3. A patient with chest pain is found to have ST-segment elevation on the 12-
lead ECG. This is most indicative of:
A) Unstable Angina
B) A non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
C) An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
D) Pericarditis
4. The first-line drug of choice for an acute angina attack is:
A) Metoprolol
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Aspirin
D) Morphine
5. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism in Heart Failure?
A) Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic needs
B) A sudden blockage of a coronary artery
,C) An infection of the heart valves
D) An irregular heart rhythm
6. In left-sided heart failure, the classic symptom is:
A) Peripheral edema
B) Jugular venous distension
C) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
D) Hepatomegaly
7. The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is:
A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Cardiomyopathy
8. Which medication for heart failure requires monitoring for potassium levels
and signs of digoxin toxicity?
A) Furosemide (Lasix)
B) Lisinopril
C) Digoxin (Lanoxin)
D) Metoprolol
9. What is the hallmark assessment finding in a patient with an abdominal
aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
A) A pulsating mass in the abdomen
B) Severe back pain
C) Diminished pedal pulses
D) Abdominal bruit
10. For a patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the nurse should:
A) Apply warm compresses and massage the limb
B) Ambulate the patient frequently to promote circulation
C) Elevate the leg and apply sequential compression devices
D) Keep the limb dependent to improve blood flow
11. The most critical complication of a pulmonary embolism is:
A) Pleuritic chest pain
, B) Hemoptysis
C) Right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock
D) Pulmonary hypertension
12. What is the primary goal during a hypertensive crisis?
A) Lower the blood pressure to normal within 30 minutes
B) Reduce the mean arterial pressure (MAP) by no more than 20-25% within the
first hour
C) Administer a bolus of IV antihypertensive medication
D) Focus solely on relieving the patient's headache
Respiratory System
13. A patient with chronic emphysema is best described as having which
physical appearance?
A) Barrel chest
B) Pectus excavatum
C) Kyphosis
D) Scoliosis
14. The primary goal of pursed-lip breathing is to:
A) Increase oxygen intake
B) Strengthen diaphragmatic muscles
C) Promote carbon dioxide elimination by keeping airways open
D) Prevent atelectasis
15. What is the most significant risk factor for developing lung cancer?
A) Family history
B) Exposure to radon gas
C) Tobacco smoking
D) Asbestos exposure
16. A patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism would most likely present
with:
A) Productive cough with yellow sputum
Summaries Based on Lewis 10th Edition
Cardiovascular System
1. What is the primary function of the coronary arteries?
A) To carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart
B) To supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself
C) To pump blood into the systemic circulation
D) To regulate heart rate
2. Which lab value is the most specific indicator of a myocardial infarction
(MI)?
A) Creatine Kinase (CK)
B) Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
C) Troponin I or T
D) Myoglobin
3. A patient with chest pain is found to have ST-segment elevation on the 12-
lead ECG. This is most indicative of:
A) Unstable Angina
B) A non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
C) An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
D) Pericarditis
4. The first-line drug of choice for an acute angina attack is:
A) Metoprolol
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Aspirin
D) Morphine
5. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism in Heart Failure?
A) Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic needs
B) A sudden blockage of a coronary artery
,C) An infection of the heart valves
D) An irregular heart rhythm
6. In left-sided heart failure, the classic symptom is:
A) Peripheral edema
B) Jugular venous distension
C) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
D) Hepatomegaly
7. The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is:
A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Cardiomyopathy
8. Which medication for heart failure requires monitoring for potassium levels
and signs of digoxin toxicity?
A) Furosemide (Lasix)
B) Lisinopril
C) Digoxin (Lanoxin)
D) Metoprolol
9. What is the hallmark assessment finding in a patient with an abdominal
aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
A) A pulsating mass in the abdomen
B) Severe back pain
C) Diminished pedal pulses
D) Abdominal bruit
10. For a patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the nurse should:
A) Apply warm compresses and massage the limb
B) Ambulate the patient frequently to promote circulation
C) Elevate the leg and apply sequential compression devices
D) Keep the limb dependent to improve blood flow
11. The most critical complication of a pulmonary embolism is:
A) Pleuritic chest pain
, B) Hemoptysis
C) Right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock
D) Pulmonary hypertension
12. What is the primary goal during a hypertensive crisis?
A) Lower the blood pressure to normal within 30 minutes
B) Reduce the mean arterial pressure (MAP) by no more than 20-25% within the
first hour
C) Administer a bolus of IV antihypertensive medication
D) Focus solely on relieving the patient's headache
Respiratory System
13. A patient with chronic emphysema is best described as having which
physical appearance?
A) Barrel chest
B) Pectus excavatum
C) Kyphosis
D) Scoliosis
14. The primary goal of pursed-lip breathing is to:
A) Increase oxygen intake
B) Strengthen diaphragmatic muscles
C) Promote carbon dioxide elimination by keeping airways open
D) Prevent atelectasis
15. What is the most significant risk factor for developing lung cancer?
A) Family history
B) Exposure to radon gas
C) Tobacco smoking
D) Asbestos exposure
16. A patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism would most likely present
with:
A) Productive cough with yellow sputum
