CJE Medical–Surgical Mega Reviewer: High-Yield
Questions + Verified Answers Practitioner Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations –
Updated 2025/2026 Study Resource
1. A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 2 kg in 24
hours. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Restrict dietary sodium
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Elevate the legs
D. Increase ambulation
Rationale:
A sudden weight gain indicates acute fluid retention and possible
worsening heart failure. This requires immediate provider notification for
medication adjustments (e.g., diuretics). Sodium restriction helps long-
term but is not the priority.
2. A postoperative patient is tachycardic, restless, and has cool,
clammy skin. Which complication is suspected?
A. Atelectasis
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Paralytic ileus
,Rationale:
Restlessness + tachycardia + cool clammy skin are classic early signs of
poor perfusion from blood loss or fluid deficit → hypovolemic shock.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with life-
threatening dysrhythmias?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
High potassium depresses cardiac conduction → ventricular
dysrhythmias → cardiac arrest.
4. A COPD patient is receiving 4 L/min oxygen. The nurse notes
decreased respiratory rate. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the oxygen
B. Lower the oxygen flow rate
C. Encourage coughing
D. Call respiratory therapy
Rationale:
High oxygen in COPD can reduce their hypoxic drive, causing decreased
respiratory effort.
,5. A patient with type 1 diabetes is confused, sweaty, and trembling.
What is the FIRST action?
A. Check urine ketones
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrates
C. Administer glucagon IM
D. Notify the provider
Rationale:
Symptoms = hypoglycemia → treat immediately with simple carbs before
anything else.
6. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with
pancreatitis?
A. Nausea
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Rigid, boardlike abdomen
D. Elevated amylase
Rationale:
Boardlike abdomen → possible hemorrhage or peritonitis → emergency.
7. A patient with pneumonia is experiencing productive cough with
green sputum and fever. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Administer antibiotics
, C. Provide antipyretics
D. Humidify oxygen
Rationale:
Antibiotics treat the underlying infection, preventing deterioration.
8. Which finding requires IMMEDIATE intervention in a patient with a
blood transfusion?
A. Back pain
B. Fever and chills
C. Mild headache
D. Fatigue
Rationale:
Fever + chills = acute hemolytic reaction → STOP transfusion
immediately.
9. A patient with CKD has pruritus and a metallic taste in the mouth.
What does this indicate?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Infection
C. Uremia
D. Potassium deficit
Rationale:
CKD → retention of nitrogenous wastes → uremia → metallic taste +
itching.
Questions + Verified Answers Practitioner Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations –
Updated 2025/2026 Study Resource
1. A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 2 kg in 24
hours. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Restrict dietary sodium
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Elevate the legs
D. Increase ambulation
Rationale:
A sudden weight gain indicates acute fluid retention and possible
worsening heart failure. This requires immediate provider notification for
medication adjustments (e.g., diuretics). Sodium restriction helps long-
term but is not the priority.
2. A postoperative patient is tachycardic, restless, and has cool,
clammy skin. Which complication is suspected?
A. Atelectasis
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Paralytic ileus
,Rationale:
Restlessness + tachycardia + cool clammy skin are classic early signs of
poor perfusion from blood loss or fluid deficit → hypovolemic shock.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with life-
threatening dysrhythmias?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
High potassium depresses cardiac conduction → ventricular
dysrhythmias → cardiac arrest.
4. A COPD patient is receiving 4 L/min oxygen. The nurse notes
decreased respiratory rate. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the oxygen
B. Lower the oxygen flow rate
C. Encourage coughing
D. Call respiratory therapy
Rationale:
High oxygen in COPD can reduce their hypoxic drive, causing decreased
respiratory effort.
,5. A patient with type 1 diabetes is confused, sweaty, and trembling.
What is the FIRST action?
A. Check urine ketones
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrates
C. Administer glucagon IM
D. Notify the provider
Rationale:
Symptoms = hypoglycemia → treat immediately with simple carbs before
anything else.
6. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with
pancreatitis?
A. Nausea
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Rigid, boardlike abdomen
D. Elevated amylase
Rationale:
Boardlike abdomen → possible hemorrhage or peritonitis → emergency.
7. A patient with pneumonia is experiencing productive cough with
green sputum and fever. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Offer oral fluids
B. Administer antibiotics
, C. Provide antipyretics
D. Humidify oxygen
Rationale:
Antibiotics treat the underlying infection, preventing deterioration.
8. Which finding requires IMMEDIATE intervention in a patient with a
blood transfusion?
A. Back pain
B. Fever and chills
C. Mild headache
D. Fatigue
Rationale:
Fever + chills = acute hemolytic reaction → STOP transfusion
immediately.
9. A patient with CKD has pruritus and a metallic taste in the mouth.
What does this indicate?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Infection
C. Uremia
D. Potassium deficit
Rationale:
CKD → retention of nitrogenous wastes → uremia → metallic taste +
itching.
