Medical-Surgical Nursing (Med-Surg) Certification –
Practice Questions with Detailed Answers for Exam
Preparation – Comprehensive Nursing Exam Review
Question Bank
Introduction:
This document contains a large collection of medical-surgical
nursing certification practice questions with detailed
explanations for each answer. The material reviews major
clinical topics such as cardiovascular disorders, renal diseases,
infectious diseases, oncology, hematologic disorders,
respiratory conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries.
The questions are structured similarly to nursing board or
certification exams and include rationales that reinforce
clinical reasoning and test-taking strategies. It is designed as a
review resource for nursing students and practicing nurses
preparing for Med-Surg certification or exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Detailed Answers:
While assessing an older adult client admitted 2 days ago with
a fractured hip, the nurse notes that the client is confused,
tachypneic, and restless. Which is the nurse's first action?
,a. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula
b. Applying restraints
c. Slowing the IV flow rate
d. Discontinuing the pain medication -Answer:-A
The client is at high risk for a fat embolism and has some of
the clinical manifestations. Although this is a life-threatening
emergency, the nurse should take the time to administer
oxygen first and then notify the health care provider. Oxygen
administration can reduce the risk for cerebral damage from
hypoxia. The nurse would not restrain a client who is confused
without further assessment and orders. Pain medication would
most likely not cause the client to be restless.
The nurse notes that the skin around the client's skeletal
traction pin site is swollen, red, and crusty, with dried
drainage. Which is the nurse's priority intervention?
a. Decreasing the traction weight
b. Applying a new dressing
c. Cleansing the area, scrubbing off the crusty areas
d. Culturing the drainage -Answer:-D
,These clinical manifestations indicate inflammation and
possible infection. Infected pin sites can lead to osteomyelitis
and should be treated immediately. The nurse should obtain a
culture and assess vital signs. The health care provider should
also be notified.
Which gait-training technique is correct when teaching the
client who has left leg weakness to walk with a cane?
a. Placing the cane in the client's left hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the left leg one step forward
b. Placing the cane in the client's left hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the right leg one step
forward
c. Placing the cane in the client's right hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the left leg one step forward
d. Placing the cane in the client's right hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the right leg one step
forward -Answer:-c. Placing the cane in the client's right hand
, and moving the cane forward, followed by moving the left leg
one step forward
Placing the cane in the client's left hand does not provide
sufficient stability. After the cane in the right hand (stronger
side) is moved ahead, the cane and the stronger leg provide a
stable base for movement of the weaker leg.
The patient is prescribed a prick epicutaneous test to
determine the cause of hypersensitivity reactions. Which
result indicates the client is hypersensitive to the allergen?
A. The patient complains of shortness of breath
B. The skin is dry, intact, and without redness
C. The pricked blood tests positive for allergens
D. A pruritic wheal and erythema occurs -Answer:-D
The nurse is alerted to possible anaphylactic shock
immediately after a patient has received intramuscular
penicillin by the development of:
A. Edema and itching at the injection site
Practice Questions with Detailed Answers for Exam
Preparation – Comprehensive Nursing Exam Review
Question Bank
Introduction:
This document contains a large collection of medical-surgical
nursing certification practice questions with detailed
explanations for each answer. The material reviews major
clinical topics such as cardiovascular disorders, renal diseases,
infectious diseases, oncology, hematologic disorders,
respiratory conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries.
The questions are structured similarly to nursing board or
certification exams and include rationales that reinforce
clinical reasoning and test-taking strategies. It is designed as a
review resource for nursing students and practicing nurses
preparing for Med-Surg certification or exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Detailed Answers:
While assessing an older adult client admitted 2 days ago with
a fractured hip, the nurse notes that the client is confused,
tachypneic, and restless. Which is the nurse's first action?
,a. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula
b. Applying restraints
c. Slowing the IV flow rate
d. Discontinuing the pain medication -Answer:-A
The client is at high risk for a fat embolism and has some of
the clinical manifestations. Although this is a life-threatening
emergency, the nurse should take the time to administer
oxygen first and then notify the health care provider. Oxygen
administration can reduce the risk for cerebral damage from
hypoxia. The nurse would not restrain a client who is confused
without further assessment and orders. Pain medication would
most likely not cause the client to be restless.
The nurse notes that the skin around the client's skeletal
traction pin site is swollen, red, and crusty, with dried
drainage. Which is the nurse's priority intervention?
a. Decreasing the traction weight
b. Applying a new dressing
c. Cleansing the area, scrubbing off the crusty areas
d. Culturing the drainage -Answer:-D
,These clinical manifestations indicate inflammation and
possible infection. Infected pin sites can lead to osteomyelitis
and should be treated immediately. The nurse should obtain a
culture and assess vital signs. The health care provider should
also be notified.
Which gait-training technique is correct when teaching the
client who has left leg weakness to walk with a cane?
a. Placing the cane in the client's left hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the left leg one step forward
b. Placing the cane in the client's left hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the right leg one step
forward
c. Placing the cane in the client's right hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the left leg one step forward
d. Placing the cane in the client's right hand and moving the
cane forward, followed by moving the right leg one step
forward -Answer:-c. Placing the cane in the client's right hand
, and moving the cane forward, followed by moving the left leg
one step forward
Placing the cane in the client's left hand does not provide
sufficient stability. After the cane in the right hand (stronger
side) is moved ahead, the cane and the stronger leg provide a
stable base for movement of the weaker leg.
The patient is prescribed a prick epicutaneous test to
determine the cause of hypersensitivity reactions. Which
result indicates the client is hypersensitive to the allergen?
A. The patient complains of shortness of breath
B. The skin is dry, intact, and without redness
C. The pricked blood tests positive for allergens
D. A pruritic wheal and erythema occurs -Answer:-D
The nurse is alerted to possible anaphylactic shock
immediately after a patient has received intramuscular
penicillin by the development of:
A. Edema and itching at the injection site
