BSN HESI 266 Med Surg Exam Questions and Answers and
Explanations | Latest For Nightingale V4
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected myocardial infarction. Which cardiac
biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Creatine kinase (CK)
B. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Answer: D
AI Analyzing: Troponin I is highly specific to cardiac muscle and is the preferred
biomarker for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). Which oxygen delivery rate is generally appropriate for this patient?
A. 15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
B. 6-10 L/min via simple mask
C. 1-2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. 8 L/min via partial rebreather mask
Answer: C
,AI Analyzing: Patients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. High levels of
oxygen can suppress this drive, so low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is typically recommended.
3. Which laboratory value is the most important to monitor for a patient
receiving heparin therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
AI Analyzing: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of unfractionated heparin
therapy.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with a blood glucose of 600
mg/dL and positive ketones in the urine. Which condition is the patient likely
experiencing?
A. Hypoglycemic unawareness
B. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS)
C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
,AI Analyzing: DKA is characterized by high blood glucose, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis,
and is most common in Type 1 Diabetes.
5. What is the primary goal of using a peak flow meter for a patient with
asthma?
A. To monitor the effectiveness of asthma management and detect early airway narrowing
B. To determine the need for antibiotic therapy
C. To measure oxygen saturation
D. To administer inhaled corticosteroids
Answer: A
AI Analyzing: Peak flow meters measure the highest speed at which air can be blown out
of the lungs, helping patients monitor their asthma control.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment must be performed prior to administration?
A. Check the radial pulse for 30 seconds
B. Measure blood pressure in both arms
C. Assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute
D. Auscultate lung sounds for crackles
Answer: C
AI Analyzing: The apical pulse must be checked for one full minute; digoxin is typically
withheld if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
, 7. A patient is 2 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
nursing intervention is a priority for preventing venous thromboembolism
(VTE)?
A. Placing a pillow under the patient’s knees
B. Massaging the patient’s calves
C. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
D. Encouraging early ambulation and applying sequential compression devices (SCDs)
Answer: D
AI Analyzing: Early ambulation and SCDs are evidence-based practices to prevent the
formation of blood clots post-surgery.
8. Which diet is most appropriate for a patient with Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)?
A. High protein, high potassium
B. High sodium, low fiber
C. Low protein, low potassium, low sodium
D. Low carbohydrate, high fat
Answer: C
AI Analyzing: In CRF, the kidneys cannot effectively excrete protein waste products,
potassium, or sodium, requiring dietary restriction.
Explanations | Latest For Nightingale V4
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected myocardial infarction. Which cardiac
biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Creatine kinase (CK)
B. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Answer: D
AI Analyzing: Troponin I is highly specific to cardiac muscle and is the preferred
biomarker for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). Which oxygen delivery rate is generally appropriate for this patient?
A. 15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
B. 6-10 L/min via simple mask
C. 1-2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. 8 L/min via partial rebreather mask
Answer: C
,AI Analyzing: Patients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. High levels of
oxygen can suppress this drive, so low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is typically recommended.
3. Which laboratory value is the most important to monitor for a patient
receiving heparin therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
AI Analyzing: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of unfractionated heparin
therapy.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with a blood glucose of 600
mg/dL and positive ketones in the urine. Which condition is the patient likely
experiencing?
A. Hypoglycemic unawareness
B. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS)
C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
,AI Analyzing: DKA is characterized by high blood glucose, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis,
and is most common in Type 1 Diabetes.
5. What is the primary goal of using a peak flow meter for a patient with
asthma?
A. To monitor the effectiveness of asthma management and detect early airway narrowing
B. To determine the need for antibiotic therapy
C. To measure oxygen saturation
D. To administer inhaled corticosteroids
Answer: A
AI Analyzing: Peak flow meters measure the highest speed at which air can be blown out
of the lungs, helping patients monitor their asthma control.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment must be performed prior to administration?
A. Check the radial pulse for 30 seconds
B. Measure blood pressure in both arms
C. Assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute
D. Auscultate lung sounds for crackles
Answer: C
AI Analyzing: The apical pulse must be checked for one full minute; digoxin is typically
withheld if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
, 7. A patient is 2 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
nursing intervention is a priority for preventing venous thromboembolism
(VTE)?
A. Placing a pillow under the patient’s knees
B. Massaging the patient’s calves
C. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
D. Encouraging early ambulation and applying sequential compression devices (SCDs)
Answer: D
AI Analyzing: Early ambulation and SCDs are evidence-based practices to prevent the
formation of blood clots post-surgery.
8. Which diet is most appropriate for a patient with Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)?
A. High protein, high potassium
B. High sodium, low fiber
C. Low protein, low potassium, low sodium
D. Low carbohydrate, high fat
Answer: C
AI Analyzing: In CRF, the kidneys cannot effectively excrete protein waste products,
potassium, or sodium, requiring dietary restriction.
