Rasmussen College MDC 1 Exam 2 Fundamentals of
Medical-Surgical Nursing I Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (Questions 1–30)
Q1: Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for regulating fluid volume and blood
pressure?
● A. Potassium
● B. Sodium [CORRECT]
● C. Calcium
● D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining fluid
volume and blood pressure through osmotic pressure and fluid balance regulation.
Potassium (A) is primarily intracellular and regulates cardiac rhythm and muscle
contraction. Calcium (C) is essential for bone health and neuromuscular function.
Magnesium (D) acts as a cofactor for enzyme reactions but does not primarily regulate
fluid volume.
Q2: A patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg,
HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse suspect?
● A. Metabolic acidosis
● B. Metabolic alkalosis
● C. Respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
, ● D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pH of 7.32 indicates acidosis (normal 7.35-7.45), and the elevated PaCO₂
of 48 mmHg indicates respiratory cause, confirming respiratory acidosis. The normal
HCO₃⁻ shows no metabolic compensation yet. Metabolic acidosis (A) would show
decreased HCO₃⁻. Metabolic alkalosis (B) would show elevated pH and HCO₃⁻.
Respiratory alkalosis (D) would show elevated pH and decreased PaCO₂.
Q3: Which finding is most characteristic of a Stage 2 pressure injury?
● A. Non-blanchable erythema on intact skin
● B. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis [CORRECT]
● C. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible adipose tissue
● D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed muscle or bone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting
as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed. Non-blanchable erythema on
intact skin (A) describes Stage 1. Full-thickness loss with visible adipose (C) describes
Stage 3. Full-thickness loss with exposed muscle/bone (D) describes Stage 4.
Q4: A patient receiving loop diuretic therapy is at highest risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
● A. Hyperkalemia
● B. Hypokalemia [CORRECT]
● C. Hypernatremia
● D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption, causing increased
urinary excretion of potassium, leading to hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia (A) is associated
, with potassium-sparing diuretics. Loop diuretics actually cause calcium excretion,
leading to hypocalcemia, not hypercalcemia (D).
Q5: Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient on Contact Precautions for
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
● A. Place the patient in a negative pressure room
● B. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
● C. Perform hand hygiene and wear gloves and gown [CORRECT]
● D. Keep the door closed at all times
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Contact Precautions require gloves and gown for room entry, plus hand
hygiene. Negative pressure rooms (A) and N95 respirators (B) are for Airborne
Precautions. Door closure (D) is required for Airborne Precautions but not Contact
Precautions.
Q6: Which clinical manifestation is most consistent with hypocalcemia?
● A. Positive Trousseau's sign [CORRECT]
● B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
● C. Muscle weakness
● D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with blood pressure cuff inflation) is
a classic indicator of hypocalcemia due to increased neuromuscular irritability. Cardiac
dysrhythmias (B) are more characteristic of potassium imbalances. Muscle weakness
(C) and decreased reflexes (D) are associated with hypercalcemia.
Q7: A patient post-abdominal surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
Medical-Surgical Nursing I Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (Questions 1–30)
Q1: Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for regulating fluid volume and blood
pressure?
● A. Potassium
● B. Sodium [CORRECT]
● C. Calcium
● D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining fluid
volume and blood pressure through osmotic pressure and fluid balance regulation.
Potassium (A) is primarily intracellular and regulates cardiac rhythm and muscle
contraction. Calcium (C) is essential for bone health and neuromuscular function.
Magnesium (D) acts as a cofactor for enzyme reactions but does not primarily regulate
fluid volume.
Q2: A patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg,
HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse suspect?
● A. Metabolic acidosis
● B. Metabolic alkalosis
● C. Respiratory acidosis [CORRECT]
, ● D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pH of 7.32 indicates acidosis (normal 7.35-7.45), and the elevated PaCO₂
of 48 mmHg indicates respiratory cause, confirming respiratory acidosis. The normal
HCO₃⁻ shows no metabolic compensation yet. Metabolic acidosis (A) would show
decreased HCO₃⁻. Metabolic alkalosis (B) would show elevated pH and HCO₃⁻.
Respiratory alkalosis (D) would show elevated pH and decreased PaCO₂.
Q3: Which finding is most characteristic of a Stage 2 pressure injury?
● A. Non-blanchable erythema on intact skin
● B. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis [CORRECT]
● C. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible adipose tissue
● D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed muscle or bone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting
as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed. Non-blanchable erythema on
intact skin (A) describes Stage 1. Full-thickness loss with visible adipose (C) describes
Stage 3. Full-thickness loss with exposed muscle/bone (D) describes Stage 4.
Q4: A patient receiving loop diuretic therapy is at highest risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
● A. Hyperkalemia
● B. Hypokalemia [CORRECT]
● C. Hypernatremia
● D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption, causing increased
urinary excretion of potassium, leading to hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia (A) is associated
, with potassium-sparing diuretics. Loop diuretics actually cause calcium excretion,
leading to hypocalcemia, not hypercalcemia (D).
Q5: Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient on Contact Precautions for
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
● A. Place the patient in a negative pressure room
● B. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
● C. Perform hand hygiene and wear gloves and gown [CORRECT]
● D. Keep the door closed at all times
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Contact Precautions require gloves and gown for room entry, plus hand
hygiene. Negative pressure rooms (A) and N95 respirators (B) are for Airborne
Precautions. Door closure (D) is required for Airborne Precautions but not Contact
Precautions.
Q6: Which clinical manifestation is most consistent with hypocalcemia?
● A. Positive Trousseau's sign [CORRECT]
● B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
● C. Muscle weakness
● D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with blood pressure cuff inflation) is
a classic indicator of hypocalcemia due to increased neuromuscular irritability. Cardiac
dysrhythmias (B) are more characteristic of potassium imbalances. Muscle weakness
(C) and decreased reflexes (D) are associated with hypercalcemia.
Q7: A patient post-abdominal surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
