MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM 1
120+ (Fully Updated 2026) Exam Questions + Verified & Rationalized
Answers | A+ Graded
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📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 126 Qs
This document, "Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 1," covers topics such as infection control, wound care,
shock, respiratory care, and chemotherapy management. The 126 questions are provided with correct
answers and detailed explanations, allowing students to review and understand medical-surgical nursing
concepts. The document is a valuable study resource for exam preparation , providing a comprehensive
review of key concepts and their rationales for students to reinforce their knowledge and retain
information.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
The nurse is caring for a client who has as a son with a streptococcus throat infection. Which nurse
recommendation would be best to advise the client to do in order to prevent acquiring the infection?
CORRECT ANSWER
Frequently wash her hands and surfaces of the home.
RATIONALE: This recommendation is best because handwashing and disinfecting surfaces are effective ways to eliminate
the streptococcus bacteria and prevent its transmission. Streptococcus throat infections are highly contagious and can be
spread through direct or indirect contact, making frequent handwashing and surface disinfection crucial in preventing the
infection.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 46
, QUESTION 2
The nurse is caring for a client infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The nurse should ask if the
client has experienced which of the following?
CORRECT ANSWER
Was bitten by a tick
RATIONALE: Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease, meaning it is transmitted to humans through the bite of
an infected tick, typically the American dog tick. Asking if the client was bitten by a tick is a crucial step in identifying the
potential source of the infection, which is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further transmission.
QUESTION 3
The nurse is caring for a client with a protozoa infection. Which is the most likely mode of transmission?
CORRECT ANSWER
Ingestion of contaminated food or water
RATIONALE: Protozoa infections, such as giardiasis and amoebiasis, are typically acquired through the ingestion of
contaminated food or water that contains infectious cysts or spores. This mode of transmission is a key characteristic of
protozoa infections, as they often require direct contact with infected feces or contaminated substances to initiate the
infection.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an allergic reaction. Which leukocyte level would
the nurse expect to be the most elevated?
CORRECT ANSWER
Eosinophils
RATIONALE: During an allergic reaction, the body's immune response is triggered, leading to the activation of eosinophils,
which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting parasitic infections and reducing inflammation. As a
result, eosinophil levels tend to increase in response to allergic reactions, making them the most elevated leukocyte level in
this context.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is caring for a client who has an infected wound on the great toe that is red with a purulent
exudate. The nurse expects that this client has which type of infection?
CORRECT ANSWER
Localized
RATIONALE: The presence of a purulent exudate, which is a thick, yellowish fluid containing pus, indicates a localized
infection. This type of infection is confined to a specific area, such as the infected wound on the great toe, and has not
spread to other parts of the body.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 46
, QUESTION 6
The client experienced a fall. Nursing assessment reveals that the client is experiencing tachycardia,
hypotension, confusion, tachypnea, and flat jugular veins. What should be the nurse's first response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Administer oxygen.
RATIONALE: The client's symptoms, including tachycardia, hypotension, confusion, tachypnea, and flat jugular veins,
indicate signs of respiratory distress and potential inadequate oxygenation. Administering oxygen would be the first
response to address the underlying issue of inadequate oxygenation, which is likely contributing to the client's other
symptoms.
QUESTION 7
The family wants to know why the nurse is putting a urinary catheter in a client experiencing shock.
What is the nurse's best response?
CORRECT ANSWER
"It will help monitor how much urine the kidneys are able to produce."
RATIONALE: When a client is experiencing shock, their kidneys may not be functioning properly, and the nurse is putting a
urinary catheter to accurately measure urine output, which is a critical indicator of kidney function and overall circulatory
status. This helps the nurse assess the client's hemodynamic status and make informed decisions regarding fluid
resuscitation and other interventions.
QUESTION 8
A client experiencing shock has had a urinary output of 250 mL in the last 10 hours. What is the nurse's
most appropriate response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Notify the physician.
RATIONALE: A urinary output of 250 mL in 10 hours is considered oliguria, which is a sign of inadequate renal perfusion
and potential hypovolemia in a client experiencing shock. Notifying the physician is the most appropriate response because
it alerts them to a critical change in the client's condition, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further complications.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 3 of 46
, QUESTION 9
Which client is most likely to be experiencing hypovolemic shock?
CORRECT ANSWER
A client who had surgery 24 hours ago and who also has a nasogastric tube
RATIONALE: A client who had surgery 24 hours ago and has a nasogastric tube is at risk for hypovolemic shock due to
potential blood loss and fluid shifts during the surgical procedure and the subsequent reabsorption of gastric contents
through the nasogastric tube, leading to fluid depletion. This client is also likely experiencing fluid loss due to the surgical
site's healing process, which may be exacerbated by the nasogastric tube's reabsorption of fluids.
QUESTION 10
The physician has ordered arterial blood gases for a client experiencing shock. The nurse knows that
which value indicates shock?
CORRECT ANSWER
pH 7.32
RATIONALE: The value of pH 7.32 indicates shock because it is lower than the normal range of 7.35-7.45, which signifies a
decrease in bicarbonate levels and a compensatory increase in respiratory rate to blow off CO2, a common metabolic
response in shock. This decrease in pH is a critical indicator of the underlying pathophysiology of shock, making it a crucial
value for the physician to assess and guide treatment.
QUESTION 11
A 63-year-old Arab American male states his left leg is "hot." What is the nurse's best first response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Assess for pain
RATIONALE: The nurse's best first response is to "Assess for pain" because the patient's description of his leg as "hot"
could be a subjective report of pain, and assessing pain is a critical step in determining the underlying cause of the patient's
complaint. By asking about pain, the nurse can clarify whether the patient is experiencing pain, which is a vital aspect of
the patient's health and needs to be addressed promptly.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 4 of 46
120+ (Fully Updated 2026) Exam Questions + Verified & Rationalized
Answers | A+ Graded
100% Guarantee Pass
📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 126 Qs
This document, "Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 1," covers topics such as infection control, wound care,
shock, respiratory care, and chemotherapy management. The 126 questions are provided with correct
answers and detailed explanations, allowing students to review and understand medical-surgical nursing
concepts. The document is a valuable study resource for exam preparation , providing a comprehensive
review of key concepts and their rationales for students to reinforce their knowledge and retain
information.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
The nurse is caring for a client who has as a son with a streptococcus throat infection. Which nurse
recommendation would be best to advise the client to do in order to prevent acquiring the infection?
CORRECT ANSWER
Frequently wash her hands and surfaces of the home.
RATIONALE: This recommendation is best because handwashing and disinfecting surfaces are effective ways to eliminate
the streptococcus bacteria and prevent its transmission. Streptococcus throat infections are highly contagious and can be
spread through direct or indirect contact, making frequent handwashing and surface disinfection crucial in preventing the
infection.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 46
, QUESTION 2
The nurse is caring for a client infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The nurse should ask if the
client has experienced which of the following?
CORRECT ANSWER
Was bitten by a tick
RATIONALE: Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease, meaning it is transmitted to humans through the bite of
an infected tick, typically the American dog tick. Asking if the client was bitten by a tick is a crucial step in identifying the
potential source of the infection, which is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further transmission.
QUESTION 3
The nurse is caring for a client with a protozoa infection. Which is the most likely mode of transmission?
CORRECT ANSWER
Ingestion of contaminated food or water
RATIONALE: Protozoa infections, such as giardiasis and amoebiasis, are typically acquired through the ingestion of
contaminated food or water that contains infectious cysts or spores. This mode of transmission is a key characteristic of
protozoa infections, as they often require direct contact with infected feces or contaminated substances to initiate the
infection.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an allergic reaction. Which leukocyte level would
the nurse expect to be the most elevated?
CORRECT ANSWER
Eosinophils
RATIONALE: During an allergic reaction, the body's immune response is triggered, leading to the activation of eosinophils,
which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting parasitic infections and reducing inflammation. As a
result, eosinophil levels tend to increase in response to allergic reactions, making them the most elevated leukocyte level in
this context.
QUESTION 5
The nurse is caring for a client who has an infected wound on the great toe that is red with a purulent
exudate. The nurse expects that this client has which type of infection?
CORRECT ANSWER
Localized
RATIONALE: The presence of a purulent exudate, which is a thick, yellowish fluid containing pus, indicates a localized
infection. This type of infection is confined to a specific area, such as the infected wound on the great toe, and has not
spread to other parts of the body.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 46
, QUESTION 6
The client experienced a fall. Nursing assessment reveals that the client is experiencing tachycardia,
hypotension, confusion, tachypnea, and flat jugular veins. What should be the nurse's first response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Administer oxygen.
RATIONALE: The client's symptoms, including tachycardia, hypotension, confusion, tachypnea, and flat jugular veins,
indicate signs of respiratory distress and potential inadequate oxygenation. Administering oxygen would be the first
response to address the underlying issue of inadequate oxygenation, which is likely contributing to the client's other
symptoms.
QUESTION 7
The family wants to know why the nurse is putting a urinary catheter in a client experiencing shock.
What is the nurse's best response?
CORRECT ANSWER
"It will help monitor how much urine the kidneys are able to produce."
RATIONALE: When a client is experiencing shock, their kidneys may not be functioning properly, and the nurse is putting a
urinary catheter to accurately measure urine output, which is a critical indicator of kidney function and overall circulatory
status. This helps the nurse assess the client's hemodynamic status and make informed decisions regarding fluid
resuscitation and other interventions.
QUESTION 8
A client experiencing shock has had a urinary output of 250 mL in the last 10 hours. What is the nurse's
most appropriate response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Notify the physician.
RATIONALE: A urinary output of 250 mL in 10 hours is considered oliguria, which is a sign of inadequate renal perfusion
and potential hypovolemia in a client experiencing shock. Notifying the physician is the most appropriate response because
it alerts them to a critical change in the client's condition, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further complications.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 3 of 46
, QUESTION 9
Which client is most likely to be experiencing hypovolemic shock?
CORRECT ANSWER
A client who had surgery 24 hours ago and who also has a nasogastric tube
RATIONALE: A client who had surgery 24 hours ago and has a nasogastric tube is at risk for hypovolemic shock due to
potential blood loss and fluid shifts during the surgical procedure and the subsequent reabsorption of gastric contents
through the nasogastric tube, leading to fluid depletion. This client is also likely experiencing fluid loss due to the surgical
site's healing process, which may be exacerbated by the nasogastric tube's reabsorption of fluids.
QUESTION 10
The physician has ordered arterial blood gases for a client experiencing shock. The nurse knows that
which value indicates shock?
CORRECT ANSWER
pH 7.32
RATIONALE: The value of pH 7.32 indicates shock because it is lower than the normal range of 7.35-7.45, which signifies a
decrease in bicarbonate levels and a compensatory increase in respiratory rate to blow off CO2, a common metabolic
response in shock. This decrease in pH is a critical indicator of the underlying pathophysiology of shock, making it a crucial
value for the physician to assess and guide treatment.
QUESTION 11
A 63-year-old Arab American male states his left leg is "hot." What is the nurse's best first response?
CORRECT ANSWER
Assess for pain
RATIONALE: The nurse's best first response is to "Assess for pain" because the patient's description of his leg as "hot"
could be a subjective report of pain, and assessing pain is a critical step in determining the underlying cause of the patient's
complaint. By asking about pain, the nurse can clarify whether the patient is experiencing pain, which is a vital aspect of
the patient's health and needs to be addressed promptly.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 4 of 46
