Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Sample Questions

Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Sample Questions

The following sample questions are similar to those on the examination but do not represent the full range of content or levels of difficulty. The answers to the sample questions are provided after the last question.

To respond to the sample questions, first enter your first and last names in the boxes below (this information will not be recorded; it is strictly for purposes of identifying your results). Then click the button corresponding to the best answer for each question. When you are finished, click the "Evaluate" button at the bottom of the page. A new browser window will open, displaying your results, which you may print, if you wish.

This practice exam is not timed, and you may take it as many times as you wish. Good luck!

1. The main goal of treatment for acute glomerulonephritis is to:

 encourage activity.
 encourage high protein intake.
 maintain fluid balance.
 teach intermittent urinary catheterization.

2. Nursing diagnoses mostly differ from medical diagnoses in that they are:

 dependent upon medical diagnoses for the direction of appropriate interventions.
 primarily concerned with caring, while medical diagnoses are primarily concerned with curing.
 primarily concerned with human response, while medical diagnoses are primarily concerned with pathology.
 primarily concerned with psychosocial parameters, while medical diagnoses are primarily concerned with physiologic parameters.

3. A patient who received spinal anesthesia four hours ago during surgery is transferred to the surgical unit and, after one and a half hours, now reports severe incisional pain. The patient's blood pressure is 170/90 mm Hg, pulse is 108 beats/min, temperature is 99^oF (37.2^oC), and respirations are 30 breaths/min. The patient's skin is pale, and the surgical dressing is dry and intact. The most appropriate nursing intervention is to:

 medicate the patient for pain.
 place the patient in a high Fowler position and administer oxygen.
 place the patient in a reverse Trendelenburg position and open the IV line.
 report the findings to the provider.

4. To prevent a common, adverse effect of prolonged use of phenytoin sodium (Dilantin), patients taking the drug are instructed to:

 avoid crowds and obtain an annual influenza vaccination.
 drink at least 2 L of fluids daily, including 8 to 10 glasses of water.
 eat a potassium-rich, low sodium diet.
 practice good dental hygiene and report gum swelling or bleeding.

5. The most common, preventable complication of abdominal surgery is:

 atelectasis.
 fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
 thrombophlebitis.
 urinary retention.

6. A 78-year-old patient is scheduled for transition to home after treatment for heart disease. The patient's spouse, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, plans to care for the patient at home. The spouse says that their grown children, who live nearby, will help. The best approach to discharge planning is to:

 arrange nursing home placement for the couple.
 consult the spouse's healthcare provider about the spouse's ability to care for the patient.
 contact the children to ascertain their commitment to help.
 discuss community resources with the spouse and offer to make referrals.

7. During an assessment of a patient who sustained a head injury 24 hours ago, the medical-surgical nurse notes the development of slurred speech and disorientation to time and place. The nurse's initial action is to:

 continue the hourly neurologic assessments.
 inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status.
 prepare the patient for emergency surgery.
 recheck the patient's neurologic status in 15 minutes.

8. For the evaluation feedback process to be effective, a manager:

 conducts weekly meetings with staff members.
 considers staff members' interests and abilities when delegating tasks.
 informs staff members regularly of how well they are performing their jobs.
 provides goals for staff members to meet.

9. An 80-year-old patient is placed in isolation when infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was alert and oriented on admission, but is now having visual hallucinations and can follow only simple directions. The medical-surgical nurse recognizes that the changes in the patient's mental status are related to:

 a fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
 a stimulating environment.
 sensory deprivation.
 sundowning.

10. To prepare a patient on the unit for a bronchoscopic procedure, a medical-surgical nurse administers the IV sedative. The medical-surgical nurse then instructs the licensed practical nurse to:

 educate the patient about the pending procedure.
 give the patient small sips of water only.
 measure the patient's blood pressure and pulse readings.
 take the patient to the bathroom one more time.

11. Which physiological response is often associated with surgery-related stress?

 Bronchial constriction
 Decreased cortisol levels
 Peripheral vasodilation
 Sodium and water retention

12. A patient's family does not know the patient's end-of-life care preferences, but assumes that they know what is best for the patient under the circumstances. This assumption reflects:

 justice.
 paternalism.
 pragmatism.
 veracity.

13. Which statement by a patient with diabetes mellitus indicates an understanding of the medication insulin glargine (Lantus)?

 "Lantus causes weight loss."
 "Lantus is used only at night."
 "The duration of Lantus is six hours."
 "There is no peak time for Lantus."

14. Which action occurs primarily during the evaluation phase of the nursing process?

 Data collection
 Decision-making and judgment
 Priority-setting and expected outcomes
 Reassessment and audit

15. Which action best describes a sentinel event alert?

 Documenting the breakdown in communication during a shift report
 Indicating that a community or institution is unsafe
 Recording the harm done when a medication error occurs
 Signaling the need for immediate investigation and response

16. Which is primarily a developmental task of middle age?

 Learning and acquiring new skills and information
 Rediscovering or developing satisfaction in one's relationship with a significant other
 Relying strongly upon spiritual beliefs
 Risk taking and its perceived consequences

17. A medical-surgical nurse, who is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis of cancer, observes the patient becoming angry with the physicians and nursing staff. The best approach to diffuse the emotionally charged discussion is to:

 allow the patient and family members time to be alone.
 arrange time for the patient to speak with another patient with cancer.
 direct the discussion and validation of emotion, without false reassurance.
 request a consultation from a social worker on the oncology unit.

18. It is hospital policy to assess and record a patient's pulse before administering digoxin (Lanoxin). By auditing the nursing records to determine the frequency of compliance with this policy, the quality assessment and improvement committee is conducting:

 a process analysis.
 a quality analysis.
 a system analysis.
 an outcome analysis.

19. The nursing diagnosis for a patient with a myocardial infarction is activity intolerance. The plan of care includes the patient outcome criterion of:

 agreeing to discontinue smoking.
 ambulating 50 feet without experiencing dyspnea.
 experiencing no dyspnea on exertion.
 tolerating activity well.

20. A nursing department in an acute care setting decides to redesign its nursing practice based on a theoretical framework. The feedback from patients, families, and staff reflects that caring is a key element. Which theorist best supports this concept?

 Erikson
 Maslow
 Rogers
 Watson

21. Which statement by a patient demonstrates an accurate understanding about herbal supplements?

 "Herbs may interact with prescribed medications but not other herbs."
 "Most herbs have been tested and found to be safe and therapeutic."
 "The Food and Drug Administration regulates herbs and allows advertising."
 "There is no standardization among the manufacturers of herbs in this country."

22. For a patient with Crohn's disease, the medical-surgical nurse recommends a diet that is:

 high in fiber, and low in protein and calories.
 high in potassium.
 low in fiber, and high in protein and calories.
 low in potassium.

23. When examining a patient who is paralyzed below the T4 level, the medical-surgical nurse expects to find:

 flaccidity of the upper extremities.
 hyperreflexia and spasticity of the upper extremities.
 impaired diaphragmatic function requiring ventilator support.
 independent use of upper extremities and efficient cough.

24. After completing a thorough neurological and physical assessment of a patient who is admitted for a suspected stroke, a medical-surgical nurse anticipates the next step in the immediate care of this patient to include:

 administering tissue plasminogen activator.
 obtaining a computed tomography scan of the head without contrast.
 obtaining a neurosurgical consultation.
 preparing for carotid Doppler ultrasonography.

25. The first step in applying the quality improvement process to an activity in a clinical setting is to:

 assemble a team to review and revise the activity.
 collect data to measure the status of the activity.
 select an activity for improvement.
 set a measurable standard for the activity.