Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Exam
Study Questions and Rationales – Nursing
Certification Preparation – Comprehensive
Practice Q&A Material
Introduction:
This document contains a wide range of medical-surgical nursing
certification exam practice questions with detailed answers and
rationales. It covers key topics such as cardiovascular disorders,
renal function, musculoskeletal care, pharmacology, and clinical
nursing interventions.
The material is structured to reinforce critical thinking and exam
readiness, making it suitable for students preparing for nursing
certification or licensure exams. It also aligns with common exam
formats and clinical scenarios.
Exam Questions and Answers and Rationales
Which of the following is a sign of poor perfusion?
A. Mean arterial pressure <80 mmHg
B. Urine output <0.5 ml/kg/hr for 2 consecutive hours
C. Lactate levels > 1mmol/L
D. Systolic BP of 150 mmHg ---Correct precise answer---B
,UO should be greater or equal to .5ml per kg per hour.
MAPs should be between 65-85
Lactate levels should be less than 2.3
SBP of 150 is high but does not indicate poor perfusion
When performing discharge teaching with a patient who is taking
warfarin sodium (Coumadin), the nurse learns that patient used
complementary therapies at home. Which of the following
substances is most concerning?
A. Echinacea
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D
D. Garlic ---Correct precise answer---D. Garlic
When taking warfarin, caution with - garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
ibuprofen, pain drugs, vitamin E
Garlic may increase bleeding, so supplemental garlic may cause a
synergic effect when combined with coumadin
If the Purkinje system is damaged, conduction of the electrical
impulse is impaired through the:
,A. Atria
B. AV node
C. Ventricles
D. Bundle of His ---Correct precise answer---C
Purkinje fibers provide a high-speed distribution of excitation
throughout the ventricular myocardium; if the pattern of
contraction is disrupted, the ventricles will not efficiently eject
blood
Order of impulse is SA node to AV node to Bundle of His to bundle
branch to purkinje fibers
The P-wave on an EKG is representative of:
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Atrial repolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization ---Correct precise answer---B. Atrial
depolarization
, Ventricular repolarization is represented by the QRS There is no
distinctly visible wave representing atrial repolarization in the ECG
because it occurs during ventricular depolarization, ventricular
repolarization is shown as the interval between the start of the QRS
complex and the end of the T wave
A patient admitted with an abscess in her left thigh undergoes
incision and drainage. 3 days later, she develops fever (temperature
of 103°F), chills, lethargy, and shortness of breath. Infectious
endocarditis is suspected. In addition to blood cultures, the nurse
would expect which of these tests?
A. Transesophageal echocardiogram
B. Computed tomography of the chest
C. Cardiac stress test
D. Cardiac enzymes ---Correct precise answer---A.
Echocardiogram to visualize cardiac structures.
For the same patient - who is being discharged and is taking
warfarin (Coumadin), the nurse should also emphasize that:
A. Regular follow-up with healthcare provider is essential
Study Questions and Rationales – Nursing
Certification Preparation – Comprehensive
Practice Q&A Material
Introduction:
This document contains a wide range of medical-surgical nursing
certification exam practice questions with detailed answers and
rationales. It covers key topics such as cardiovascular disorders,
renal function, musculoskeletal care, pharmacology, and clinical
nursing interventions.
The material is structured to reinforce critical thinking and exam
readiness, making it suitable for students preparing for nursing
certification or licensure exams. It also aligns with common exam
formats and clinical scenarios.
Exam Questions and Answers and Rationales
Which of the following is a sign of poor perfusion?
A. Mean arterial pressure <80 mmHg
B. Urine output <0.5 ml/kg/hr for 2 consecutive hours
C. Lactate levels > 1mmol/L
D. Systolic BP of 150 mmHg ---Correct precise answer---B
,UO should be greater or equal to .5ml per kg per hour.
MAPs should be between 65-85
Lactate levels should be less than 2.3
SBP of 150 is high but does not indicate poor perfusion
When performing discharge teaching with a patient who is taking
warfarin sodium (Coumadin), the nurse learns that patient used
complementary therapies at home. Which of the following
substances is most concerning?
A. Echinacea
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D
D. Garlic ---Correct precise answer---D. Garlic
When taking warfarin, caution with - garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
ibuprofen, pain drugs, vitamin E
Garlic may increase bleeding, so supplemental garlic may cause a
synergic effect when combined with coumadin
If the Purkinje system is damaged, conduction of the electrical
impulse is impaired through the:
,A. Atria
B. AV node
C. Ventricles
D. Bundle of His ---Correct precise answer---C
Purkinje fibers provide a high-speed distribution of excitation
throughout the ventricular myocardium; if the pattern of
contraction is disrupted, the ventricles will not efficiently eject
blood
Order of impulse is SA node to AV node to Bundle of His to bundle
branch to purkinje fibers
The P-wave on an EKG is representative of:
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Atrial repolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization ---Correct precise answer---B. Atrial
depolarization
, Ventricular repolarization is represented by the QRS There is no
distinctly visible wave representing atrial repolarization in the ECG
because it occurs during ventricular depolarization, ventricular
repolarization is shown as the interval between the start of the QRS
complex and the end of the T wave
A patient admitted with an abscess in her left thigh undergoes
incision and drainage. 3 days later, she develops fever (temperature
of 103°F), chills, lethargy, and shortness of breath. Infectious
endocarditis is suspected. In addition to blood cultures, the nurse
would expect which of these tests?
A. Transesophageal echocardiogram
B. Computed tomography of the chest
C. Cardiac stress test
D. Cardiac enzymes ---Correct precise answer---A.
Echocardiogram to visualize cardiac structures.
For the same patient - who is being discharged and is taking
warfarin (Coumadin), the nurse should also emphasize that:
A. Regular follow-up with healthcare provider is essential
