KAPLAN MEDICAL SURGICAL COMP
IEN A 2025/2026 EXAM QUESTION
AND ANSWER
Exam
Ace your Kaplan Medical-Surgical Comprehensive IEN A Exam with this targeted guide,
designed to master clinical concepts and evidence-based nursing interventions for adult
health conditions. This resource delivers integrated practice questions that build critical
thinking for patient prioritization and complex care management
A client with heart failure has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
and crackles bilaterally. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Assess oxygen saturation
C) Administer furosemide as ordered
D) Restrict oral fluids
Answer: B) Assess oxygen saturation
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority. Assessing oxygen saturation
guides immediate interventions such as supplemental oxygen before
diuretic administration.
Question 2 — Respiratory
,A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 3 L/min via nasal cannula. The
client becomes increasingly somnolent with a respiratory rate of 8. What
is the nurse’s best action?
A) Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B) Assess client and notify provider
C) Encourage deep breathing exercises
D) Remove nasal cannula
Answer: B) Assess client and notify provider
Rationale: Hypoventilation with somnolence may indicate carbon dioxide
retention; the nurse must assess and report findings immediately.
Question 3 — Endocrine
A client with type 1 diabetes reports nausea, abdominal pain, and
fruity-scented breath. Which lab should the nurse check first?
A) A1C
B) Serum potassium
C) Blood glucose
D) Serum bicarbonate
Answer: C) Blood glucose
Rationale: These signs suggest diabetic ketoacidosis; immediate glucose
measurement is critical for diagnosis and treatment.
Question 4 — GI
A client with peptic ulcer disease reports sharp epigastric pain 2 hours
after meals. Which statement is most appropriate?
A) “Avoid eating before bedtime.”
B) “Take your proton-pump inhibitor before breakfast.”
, C) “Eat small frequent meals.”
D) “Drink milk with meals.”
Answer: C) “Eat small frequent meals.”
Rationale: Small frequent meals help reduce gastric acid secretion and
minimize post-prandial pain.
Question 5 — Renal
A client with acute kidney injury has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B) Potassium chloride supplement
C) Encourage increased oral potassium
D) Withhold all medications
Answer: A) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Rationale: High potassium is dangerous; sodium polystyrene helps lower
serum potassium.
Question 6 — Neurological
A client demonstrates right facial droop, slurred speech, and difficulty
raising the right arm. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Begin physical therapy
B) Obtain CT scan stat
C) Administer aspirin
D) Monitor vital signs
IEN A 2025/2026 EXAM QUESTION
AND ANSWER
Exam
Ace your Kaplan Medical-Surgical Comprehensive IEN A Exam with this targeted guide,
designed to master clinical concepts and evidence-based nursing interventions for adult
health conditions. This resource delivers integrated practice questions that build critical
thinking for patient prioritization and complex care management
A client with heart failure has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
and crackles bilaterally. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Assess oxygen saturation
C) Administer furosemide as ordered
D) Restrict oral fluids
Answer: B) Assess oxygen saturation
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority. Assessing oxygen saturation
guides immediate interventions such as supplemental oxygen before
diuretic administration.
Question 2 — Respiratory
,A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 3 L/min via nasal cannula. The
client becomes increasingly somnolent with a respiratory rate of 8. What
is the nurse’s best action?
A) Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B) Assess client and notify provider
C) Encourage deep breathing exercises
D) Remove nasal cannula
Answer: B) Assess client and notify provider
Rationale: Hypoventilation with somnolence may indicate carbon dioxide
retention; the nurse must assess and report findings immediately.
Question 3 — Endocrine
A client with type 1 diabetes reports nausea, abdominal pain, and
fruity-scented breath. Which lab should the nurse check first?
A) A1C
B) Serum potassium
C) Blood glucose
D) Serum bicarbonate
Answer: C) Blood glucose
Rationale: These signs suggest diabetic ketoacidosis; immediate glucose
measurement is critical for diagnosis and treatment.
Question 4 — GI
A client with peptic ulcer disease reports sharp epigastric pain 2 hours
after meals. Which statement is most appropriate?
A) “Avoid eating before bedtime.”
B) “Take your proton-pump inhibitor before breakfast.”
, C) “Eat small frequent meals.”
D) “Drink milk with meals.”
Answer: C) “Eat small frequent meals.”
Rationale: Small frequent meals help reduce gastric acid secretion and
minimize post-prandial pain.
Question 5 — Renal
A client with acute kidney injury has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B) Potassium chloride supplement
C) Encourage increased oral potassium
D) Withhold all medications
Answer: A) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Rationale: High potassium is dangerous; sodium polystyrene helps lower
serum potassium.
Question 6 — Neurological
A client demonstrates right facial droop, slurred speech, and difficulty
raising the right arm. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Begin physical therapy
B) Obtain CT scan stat
C) Administer aspirin
D) Monitor vital signs
