1
MEDSURG EXAM 2 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS COVERS 2026-27 VERSION
ALIGNED WITH CAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM
A client is brought to the emergency department from the site of a chemical
fire, where the client suffered a burn that involves the epidermis, dermis, and
the muscle and bone of the right arm. On inspection, the skin appears charred.
Based on these assessment findings, what is the depth of the burn on the
client's arm?
A. Superficial partial thickness
B. Deep partial thickness
C. Full partial thickness
D. Full thickness - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
Rationale: A full-thickness burn involves total destruction of the epidermis and
dermis and, in some cases, underlying tissue as well. Wound color ranges
widely from white to red, brown, or black. The burned area is painless because
the nerve fibers are destroyed. The wound can appear leathery; hair follicles
and sweat glands are destroyed. Edema may also be present. Superficial
partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and possibly a portion of the
dermis; the client will experience pain that is soothed by cooling. Deep partial-
thickness burns involve the epidermis, upper dermis, and portion of the deeper
dermis; the client will report pain and sensitivity to cold air. Full partial
thickness is not a depth of burn.
The current phase of a client's treatment for a burn injury prioritizes wound
care, nutritional support, and prevention of complications such as infection.
Based on these care priorities, the client is in what phase of burn care?
A. Emergent
B. Immediate resuscitative
C. Acute
D. Rehabilitation - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
,2
Rationale: The acute or intermediate phase of burn care follows the
emergent/resuscitative phase and begins 48 to 72 hours after the burn injury.
During this phase, attention is directed toward continued assessment and
maintenance of respiratory and circulatory status, fluid and electrolyte balance,
and gastrointestinal function. Infection prevention, burn wound care (i.e.,
wound cleaning, topical antibacterial therapy, wound dressing, dressing
changes, wound débridement, and wound grafting), pain management, and
nutritional support are priorities at this stage. Priorities during the emergent or
immediate resuscitative phase include first aid, prevention of shock and
respiratory distress, detection and treatment of concomitant injuries, and
initial wound assessment and care. The priorities during the rehabilitation
phase include prevention of scars and contractures, rehabilitation, functional
and cosmetic reconstruction, and psychosocial counseling.
A client in the emergent/resuscitative phase of a burn injury has had blood
work and arterial blood gases drawn. Upon analysis of the client's laboratory
studies, the nurse will expect the results to indicate what findings?
A. Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, elevated hematocrit
B. Hypokalemia, hypernatremia, decreased hematocrit
C. Hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, decreased hematocrit
D. Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, elevated hematocrit - CORRECT ANSWERS
ANS: A
Rationale: Fluid and electrolyte changes in the emergent/resuscitative phase of
a burn injury include hyperkalemia related to the release of potassium into the
extracellular fluid, hyponatremia from large amounts of sodium lost in trapped
edema fluid, and hemoconcentration that leads to an increased hematocrit.
A client has experienced an electrical burn and has developed thick eschar over
the burn site. Which of the following topical antibacterial agents will the nurse
expect the health care provider to order for the wound?
A. Silver sulfadiazine1% (Silvadene) water-soluble cream
B. Mafenide acetate 10% (Sulfamylon) hydrophilic-based cream
C. Silver nitrate 0.5% aqueous solution
,3
D. Acticoat - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Rationale: Mafenide acetate 10% hydrophilic-based cream is the agent of
choice when there is a need to penetrate thick eschar. Silver products do not
penetrate eschar; Acticoat is a type of silver dressing.
An occupational health nurse is called to the floor of a factory where a worker
has sustained a flash burn to the right arm. The nurse arrives and the flames
have been extinguished. The next step is to "cool the burn." How should the
nurse cool the burn?
A. Apply ice to the site of the burn for 5 to 10 minutes.
B. Wrap the client's affected extremity in ice until help arrives.
C. Apply an oil-based substance to the burned area until help arrives.
D. Wrap cool towels around the affected extremity intermittently. - CORRECT
ANSWERS ANS: D
Rationale: Once the burn has been sustained, the application of cool water is
the best first-aid measure. Soaking the burn area intermittently in cool water or
applying cool towels gives immediate and striking relief from pain, and limits
local tissue edema and damage. However, never apply ice directly to the burn,
never wrap the person in ice, and never use cold soaks or dressings for longer
than several minutes; such procedures may worsen the tissue damage and lead
to hypothermia in people with large burns. Oils are contraindicated.
An emergency department nurse has just admitted a client with a burn. What
characteristic of the burn will primarily determine whether the client
experiences a systemic response to this injury?
A. The length of time since the burn
B. The location of burned skin surfaces
C. The source of the burn
D. The total body surface area(TBSA) affected by the burn - CORRECT
ANSWERS ANS: D
, 4
Rationale: Systemic effects are a result of several variables. However, TBSA and
wound severity are considered the major factors that affect the presence or
absence of systemic effects.
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has a severe sunburn.
Which of the following classifications should the nurse use to document this
burn?
A. Superficial thickness
B. Superficial partial thickness
C. Deep partial thickness
D. Full thickness - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The nurse should recognize the cues from the clients daya collection and
document a sunburn as a superficial thickness burn. Superficial burns damage
the epidermis
A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained burns over 35% of total body
surface area. The client's voice has become hoarse, a brassy cough has
developed, and the client is drooling. The murse should identify these findings
as indications that the client has which of the following?
A. Pulmonary Edema
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Inhalation injury
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
The nurse should identify wheezing and hoarseness indicate inhalation injury
with impending loss of the airway
MEDSURG EXAM 2 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS COVERS 2026-27 VERSION
ALIGNED WITH CAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM
A client is brought to the emergency department from the site of a chemical
fire, where the client suffered a burn that involves the epidermis, dermis, and
the muscle and bone of the right arm. On inspection, the skin appears charred.
Based on these assessment findings, what is the depth of the burn on the
client's arm?
A. Superficial partial thickness
B. Deep partial thickness
C. Full partial thickness
D. Full thickness - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
Rationale: A full-thickness burn involves total destruction of the epidermis and
dermis and, in some cases, underlying tissue as well. Wound color ranges
widely from white to red, brown, or black. The burned area is painless because
the nerve fibers are destroyed. The wound can appear leathery; hair follicles
and sweat glands are destroyed. Edema may also be present. Superficial
partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and possibly a portion of the
dermis; the client will experience pain that is soothed by cooling. Deep partial-
thickness burns involve the epidermis, upper dermis, and portion of the deeper
dermis; the client will report pain and sensitivity to cold air. Full partial
thickness is not a depth of burn.
The current phase of a client's treatment for a burn injury prioritizes wound
care, nutritional support, and prevention of complications such as infection.
Based on these care priorities, the client is in what phase of burn care?
A. Emergent
B. Immediate resuscitative
C. Acute
D. Rehabilitation - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
,2
Rationale: The acute or intermediate phase of burn care follows the
emergent/resuscitative phase and begins 48 to 72 hours after the burn injury.
During this phase, attention is directed toward continued assessment and
maintenance of respiratory and circulatory status, fluid and electrolyte balance,
and gastrointestinal function. Infection prevention, burn wound care (i.e.,
wound cleaning, topical antibacterial therapy, wound dressing, dressing
changes, wound débridement, and wound grafting), pain management, and
nutritional support are priorities at this stage. Priorities during the emergent or
immediate resuscitative phase include first aid, prevention of shock and
respiratory distress, detection and treatment of concomitant injuries, and
initial wound assessment and care. The priorities during the rehabilitation
phase include prevention of scars and contractures, rehabilitation, functional
and cosmetic reconstruction, and psychosocial counseling.
A client in the emergent/resuscitative phase of a burn injury has had blood
work and arterial blood gases drawn. Upon analysis of the client's laboratory
studies, the nurse will expect the results to indicate what findings?
A. Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, elevated hematocrit
B. Hypokalemia, hypernatremia, decreased hematocrit
C. Hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, decreased hematocrit
D. Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, elevated hematocrit - CORRECT ANSWERS
ANS: A
Rationale: Fluid and electrolyte changes in the emergent/resuscitative phase of
a burn injury include hyperkalemia related to the release of potassium into the
extracellular fluid, hyponatremia from large amounts of sodium lost in trapped
edema fluid, and hemoconcentration that leads to an increased hematocrit.
A client has experienced an electrical burn and has developed thick eschar over
the burn site. Which of the following topical antibacterial agents will the nurse
expect the health care provider to order for the wound?
A. Silver sulfadiazine1% (Silvadene) water-soluble cream
B. Mafenide acetate 10% (Sulfamylon) hydrophilic-based cream
C. Silver nitrate 0.5% aqueous solution
,3
D. Acticoat - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Rationale: Mafenide acetate 10% hydrophilic-based cream is the agent of
choice when there is a need to penetrate thick eschar. Silver products do not
penetrate eschar; Acticoat is a type of silver dressing.
An occupational health nurse is called to the floor of a factory where a worker
has sustained a flash burn to the right arm. The nurse arrives and the flames
have been extinguished. The next step is to "cool the burn." How should the
nurse cool the burn?
A. Apply ice to the site of the burn for 5 to 10 minutes.
B. Wrap the client's affected extremity in ice until help arrives.
C. Apply an oil-based substance to the burned area until help arrives.
D. Wrap cool towels around the affected extremity intermittently. - CORRECT
ANSWERS ANS: D
Rationale: Once the burn has been sustained, the application of cool water is
the best first-aid measure. Soaking the burn area intermittently in cool water or
applying cool towels gives immediate and striking relief from pain, and limits
local tissue edema and damage. However, never apply ice directly to the burn,
never wrap the person in ice, and never use cold soaks or dressings for longer
than several minutes; such procedures may worsen the tissue damage and lead
to hypothermia in people with large burns. Oils are contraindicated.
An emergency department nurse has just admitted a client with a burn. What
characteristic of the burn will primarily determine whether the client
experiences a systemic response to this injury?
A. The length of time since the burn
B. The location of burned skin surfaces
C. The source of the burn
D. The total body surface area(TBSA) affected by the burn - CORRECT
ANSWERS ANS: D
, 4
Rationale: Systemic effects are a result of several variables. However, TBSA and
wound severity are considered the major factors that affect the presence or
absence of systemic effects.
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has a severe sunburn.
Which of the following classifications should the nurse use to document this
burn?
A. Superficial thickness
B. Superficial partial thickness
C. Deep partial thickness
D. Full thickness - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The nurse should recognize the cues from the clients daya collection and
document a sunburn as a superficial thickness burn. Superficial burns damage
the epidermis
A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained burns over 35% of total body
surface area. The client's voice has become hoarse, a brassy cough has
developed, and the client is drooling. The murse should identify these findings
as indications that the client has which of the following?
A. Pulmonary Edema
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Inhalation injury
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: C
The nurse should identify wheezing and hoarseness indicate inhalation injury
with impending loss of the airway
