MEDICAL SURGICAL END OF COURSE EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔A family member of a patient in shock says that being in shock should not be that
critical because it can be treated. What should the nurse explain about the major body
damage caused by shock? - ✔✔Inadequate oxygen delivered to cells
✔✔A patient with extracardiac obstructive shock is diagnosed with a condition that
causes blood to fill the sac around the heart, compressing it and limiting its filling
capacity. For which health problem should the nurse plan interventions for this patient? -
✔✔Pericardial tamponade
✔✔The nurse is reviewing the process of pain perception and control. In which group of
chemical substances should the nurse find prostaglandins and substance P? -
✔✔Neurotransmitters
✔✔During a home visit, the nurse is collecting data from a patient recovering from
spinal surgery conducted 3 weeks ago. Which wound finding should the nurse expect in
the patient? - ✔✔Raised scar
✔✔The nurse is assisting in the care of a patient admitted with suspected carbon
monoxide poisoning. Which laboratory value should the nurse evaluate first? -
✔✔Carboxyhemoglobin
✔✔Five patients with suspected smallpox exposure are brought into the emergency
department. What actions should the nurse take to prevent exposure to other patients
and health care personnel?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Cleanse room surfaces with ammonia.
Apply surgical masks to each of the patients.
Place the patients' laundry and linens in biohazard bags.
Staff should wear fit-tested N95 respirators if not vaccinated against smallpox.
✔✔The nurse is planning interventions for a patient with shock. On which body organ
should the nurse focus interventions first? - ✔✔Kidneys
✔✔During morning report, the nurse caring for a patient experiencing chronic pain
doubts the patient is in pain and does not want to provide any pain medication all shift.
What myths about pain should the nurse manager review with the nurse?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Pain is often overtreated
, A patient who is talking on the phone and laughing is not really in pain.
Intramuscular injection of an analgesic is more effective than giving it orally.
Addiction to opioids given to relieve pain is common, especially in teenagers.
Morphine has a ceiling effect; therefore, its use should be reserved for severe pain.
✔✔A patient is diagnosed with distributive shock. What should the nurse explain to the
family as the cause of this type of shock? - ✔✔Excessive dilation of venules and
arterioles
✔✔A college student is brought into the emergency department with possible frostbite
of both feet after losing consciousness in a snow drift while walking home from a party.
What actions should the nurse take at this time?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Handle the feet gently.
Elevate the feet to heart level.
Cover the feet with dry sterile gauze.
✔✔The nurse provides prescribed pain medication to a patient recovering from surgery.
What additional actions should the nurse take to provide comfort for this patient?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Relieve a full bladder
Reduce overhead lighting
Reduce environmental noise
Place in a comfortable position
✔✔A patient with a neck injury is experiencing nausea and begins to vomit. What
should the nurse do to help this patient? - ✔✔Log roll onto one side.
✔✔A high school football player suffered an injury while playing and is brought to the
emergency room. The primary survey shows an alert patient with patent airway,
breathing, a carotid pulse, and skin color within normal limits. The patient reports, "I
can't flex my foot or point my toes." On which area should the nurse expect diagnostic
tests to focus for this patient? - ✔✔The lower back
✔✔The nurse suspects a patient is experiencing anaphylaxis after a bee sting to the
arm. What did the nurse most likely assess in this patient?
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔A family member of a patient in shock says that being in shock should not be that
critical because it can be treated. What should the nurse explain about the major body
damage caused by shock? - ✔✔Inadequate oxygen delivered to cells
✔✔A patient with extracardiac obstructive shock is diagnosed with a condition that
causes blood to fill the sac around the heart, compressing it and limiting its filling
capacity. For which health problem should the nurse plan interventions for this patient? -
✔✔Pericardial tamponade
✔✔The nurse is reviewing the process of pain perception and control. In which group of
chemical substances should the nurse find prostaglandins and substance P? -
✔✔Neurotransmitters
✔✔During a home visit, the nurse is collecting data from a patient recovering from
spinal surgery conducted 3 weeks ago. Which wound finding should the nurse expect in
the patient? - ✔✔Raised scar
✔✔The nurse is assisting in the care of a patient admitted with suspected carbon
monoxide poisoning. Which laboratory value should the nurse evaluate first? -
✔✔Carboxyhemoglobin
✔✔Five patients with suspected smallpox exposure are brought into the emergency
department. What actions should the nurse take to prevent exposure to other patients
and health care personnel?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Cleanse room surfaces with ammonia.
Apply surgical masks to each of the patients.
Place the patients' laundry and linens in biohazard bags.
Staff should wear fit-tested N95 respirators if not vaccinated against smallpox.
✔✔The nurse is planning interventions for a patient with shock. On which body organ
should the nurse focus interventions first? - ✔✔Kidneys
✔✔During morning report, the nurse caring for a patient experiencing chronic pain
doubts the patient is in pain and does not want to provide any pain medication all shift.
What myths about pain should the nurse manager review with the nurse?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Pain is often overtreated
, A patient who is talking on the phone and laughing is not really in pain.
Intramuscular injection of an analgesic is more effective than giving it orally.
Addiction to opioids given to relieve pain is common, especially in teenagers.
Morphine has a ceiling effect; therefore, its use should be reserved for severe pain.
✔✔A patient is diagnosed with distributive shock. What should the nurse explain to the
family as the cause of this type of shock? - ✔✔Excessive dilation of venules and
arterioles
✔✔A college student is brought into the emergency department with possible frostbite
of both feet after losing consciousness in a snow drift while walking home from a party.
What actions should the nurse take at this time?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Handle the feet gently.
Elevate the feet to heart level.
Cover the feet with dry sterile gauze.
✔✔The nurse provides prescribed pain medication to a patient recovering from surgery.
What additional actions should the nurse take to provide comfort for this patient?
Select all that apply. - ✔✔Relieve a full bladder
Reduce overhead lighting
Reduce environmental noise
Place in a comfortable position
✔✔A patient with a neck injury is experiencing nausea and begins to vomit. What
should the nurse do to help this patient? - ✔✔Log roll onto one side.
✔✔A high school football player suffered an injury while playing and is brought to the
emergency room. The primary survey shows an alert patient with patent airway,
breathing, a carotid pulse, and skin color within normal limits. The patient reports, "I
can't flex my foot or point my toes." On which area should the nurse expect diagnostic
tests to focus for this patient? - ✔✔The lower back
✔✔The nurse suspects a patient is experiencing anaphylaxis after a bee sting to the
arm. What did the nurse most likely assess in this patient?
