NUR 1211 Medical-Surgical Final
Exam 2026 | Verified Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales .
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment
finding indicates that the medication is having the desired effect?
Select one:
• a. Decreased blood pressure
• b. Increased heart rate
• ☐ c. Decreased shortness of breath
• d. Increased jugular venous distention
Feedback: The correct answer is: Decreased shortness of breath. Furosemide
reduces preload, decreasing pulmonary congestion and dyspnea.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client with aortic stenosis. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
Select one:
• a. Bounding peripheral pulses
• ☐ b. Syncope with exertion
• c. Mid-diastolic murmur
• d. Blood pressure discrepancy between arms
,Feedback: The correct answer is: Syncope with exertion. Aortic stenosis obstructs
left ventricular outflow, leading to decreased cerebral perfusion during activity.
Question 3
A client is admitted with infective endocarditis. Which assessment finding is most
critical to report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Select one:
• a. Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
• b. Complaints of joint pain
• c. Petechiae on the conjunctiva
• ☐ d. Sudden onset of severe left arm pain
Feedback: The correct answer is: Sudden onset of severe left arm pain. This may
indicate an embolic event (e.g., arterial occlusion), a life-threatening complication
of endocarditis.
Question 4
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client after a myocardial infarction
(MI). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
Select one:
• ☐ a. "I will need to avoid all forms of physical activity to let my heart heal."
• b. "I should take a daily aspirin as prescribed to prevent another clot."
• c. "I will monitor my weight daily and report a gain of 2-3 pounds in a day."
• d. "I need to stop smoking to reduce my risk of another heart attack."
Feedback: The correct answer is: "I will need to avoid all forms of physical activity
to let my heart heal." Gradual, prescribed activity is essential for recovery;
complete inactivity leads to deconditioning.
,Question 5
A client is receiving a continuous heparin infusion for a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The nurse reviews the aPTT results, which are 110 seconds (normal range
25-35 seconds). What is the priority nursing action?
Select one:
• a. Document the finding as it indicates therapeutic range.
• b. Increase the infusion rate per protocol.
• ☐ c. Stop the infusion and prepare to administer protamine sulfate.
• d. Administer vitamin K as ordered.
Feedback: The correct answer is: Stop the infusion and prepare to administer
protamine sulfate. This aPTT is critically high, indicating an overdose of heparin,
which requires stopping the infusion and administering the antidote.
Question 6
A client is diagnosed with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical manifestation
would the nurse expect to find?
Select one:
• a. Jugular vein distention
• b. Hepatomegaly
• ☐ c. Crackles in the lung bases
• d. Peripheral edema
Feedback: The correct answer is: Crackles in the lung bases. Left-sided heart
failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in crackles, dyspnea, and cough.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
Select one:
, • a. A small amount of bruising at the insertion site
• b. Client reports a need to void
• c. The pedal pulse on the affected leg is 2+ and warm
• ☐ d. The puncture site is bleeding and the client reports severe pain in the
groin
Feedback: The correct answer is: The puncture site is bleeding and the client
reports severe pain in the groin. This could indicate a retroperitoneal bleed or
pseudoaneurysm, which is a medical emergency.
Question 8
A client with hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. The nurse should
reinforce which instruction regarding this medication?
Select one:
• a. "Take this medication at bedtime to avoid dizziness."
• b. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
• ☐ c. "Rise slowly from a sitting to a standing position."
• d. "Monitor your blood pressure only once a week."
Feedback: The correct answer is: "Rise slowly from a sitting to a standing
position." Thiazide diuretics can cause orthostatic hypotension, so clients should
change positions slowly to prevent falls.
Question 9
The nurse is interpreting an ECG for a client and notes a normal P wave followed
by a QRS complex. The rhythm is irregular, with a heart rate of 88 beats per
minute. How should the nurse document this rhythm?
Select one:
• a. Atrial fibrillation
• b. Ventricular tachycardia
Exam 2026 | Verified Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales .
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment
finding indicates that the medication is having the desired effect?
Select one:
• a. Decreased blood pressure
• b. Increased heart rate
• ☐ c. Decreased shortness of breath
• d. Increased jugular venous distention
Feedback: The correct answer is: Decreased shortness of breath. Furosemide
reduces preload, decreasing pulmonary congestion and dyspnea.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client with aortic stenosis. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
Select one:
• a. Bounding peripheral pulses
• ☐ b. Syncope with exertion
• c. Mid-diastolic murmur
• d. Blood pressure discrepancy between arms
,Feedback: The correct answer is: Syncope with exertion. Aortic stenosis obstructs
left ventricular outflow, leading to decreased cerebral perfusion during activity.
Question 3
A client is admitted with infective endocarditis. Which assessment finding is most
critical to report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Select one:
• a. Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
• b. Complaints of joint pain
• c. Petechiae on the conjunctiva
• ☐ d. Sudden onset of severe left arm pain
Feedback: The correct answer is: Sudden onset of severe left arm pain. This may
indicate an embolic event (e.g., arterial occlusion), a life-threatening complication
of endocarditis.
Question 4
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client after a myocardial infarction
(MI). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
Select one:
• ☐ a. "I will need to avoid all forms of physical activity to let my heart heal."
• b. "I should take a daily aspirin as prescribed to prevent another clot."
• c. "I will monitor my weight daily and report a gain of 2-3 pounds in a day."
• d. "I need to stop smoking to reduce my risk of another heart attack."
Feedback: The correct answer is: "I will need to avoid all forms of physical activity
to let my heart heal." Gradual, prescribed activity is essential for recovery;
complete inactivity leads to deconditioning.
,Question 5
A client is receiving a continuous heparin infusion for a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The nurse reviews the aPTT results, which are 110 seconds (normal range
25-35 seconds). What is the priority nursing action?
Select one:
• a. Document the finding as it indicates therapeutic range.
• b. Increase the infusion rate per protocol.
• ☐ c. Stop the infusion and prepare to administer protamine sulfate.
• d. Administer vitamin K as ordered.
Feedback: The correct answer is: Stop the infusion and prepare to administer
protamine sulfate. This aPTT is critically high, indicating an overdose of heparin,
which requires stopping the infusion and administering the antidote.
Question 6
A client is diagnosed with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical manifestation
would the nurse expect to find?
Select one:
• a. Jugular vein distention
• b. Hepatomegaly
• ☐ c. Crackles in the lung bases
• d. Peripheral edema
Feedback: The correct answer is: Crackles in the lung bases. Left-sided heart
failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in crackles, dyspnea, and cough.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
Select one:
, • a. A small amount of bruising at the insertion site
• b. Client reports a need to void
• c. The pedal pulse on the affected leg is 2+ and warm
• ☐ d. The puncture site is bleeding and the client reports severe pain in the
groin
Feedback: The correct answer is: The puncture site is bleeding and the client
reports severe pain in the groin. This could indicate a retroperitoneal bleed or
pseudoaneurysm, which is a medical emergency.
Question 8
A client with hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. The nurse should
reinforce which instruction regarding this medication?
Select one:
• a. "Take this medication at bedtime to avoid dizziness."
• b. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
• ☐ c. "Rise slowly from a sitting to a standing position."
• d. "Monitor your blood pressure only once a week."
Feedback: The correct answer is: "Rise slowly from a sitting to a standing
position." Thiazide diuretics can cause orthostatic hypotension, so clients should
change positions slowly to prevent falls.
Question 9
The nurse is interpreting an ECG for a client and notes a normal P wave followed
by a QRS complex. The rhythm is irregular, with a heart rate of 88 beats per
minute. How should the nurse document this rhythm?
Select one:
• a. Atrial fibrillation
• b. Ventricular tachycardia
