Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
Practice Test v1 – 150 Questions and
Answers with Rationales, Comprehensive
Review Material
Introduction:
This document contains a full set of 150 multiple-choice practice
questions designed for medical-surgical nursing certification
preparation. It covers a wide range of topics including
cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal, and neurological
conditions, along with detailed rationales for each answer.
The material is ideal for exam revision and self-assessment, helping
learners reinforce clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills
aligned with nursing board standards.
Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales
1. You are caring for a 42 y/o male who asks you about his risk
for cancer. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A. "You can reduce the risk of colon cancer by getting regular
colonoscopies that can detect cancer early."
,B. "Because you are male, you cannot get breast or cervical
cancer." C "Even people who live healthy lifestyles may develop
cancer."
D. "Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancers.": ---
Correct precise answer---"Because you are male, you cannot get
breast or cervical cancer."
Rationale:-While males cannot get cervical cancer, they may still
develop breast cancer. Breast cancer primarily attects females, but
it can occur in males.
Smoking is a significant risk factor for many types of cancers.
Regular colonoscopies are recommended to screen for colon cancer
& reduce the risk of this type of cancer. Unfortunately, even those
who live healthy lifestyles may develop cancer, & there is no way to
completely eliminate this risk.
2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Cushing's
triad?
A. Increasing pulse pressure
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased O2 saturation
D. Irregular respirations: ---Correct precise answer---Decreased
O2 saturation
,Rationale:-Cushing's triad is a set of 3 symptoms that indicates
elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Cushing's triad is a very late
sign of elevated ICP, and they are
-increasing pulse pressure
-bradycardia
-irregular respirations
Decreased O2 saturation may occur due to irregular respiration, but
it isn't considered a component of Cushing's triad.
3. Which of the following best describes crepitus?
A. A joint that does move smoothly
B. A type of breathing pattern that occurs immediately preceding
death
C. A crackling or grating sensation
, D. Air trapped under the skin: ---Correct precise answer---A
crackling or grating sensation
Rationale:-Crepitus refers to a crackling or grating sensation that
typically is noted with joints that don't move smoothly. Sometimes
is called "creaky joints".
Air trapped under the skin is technically subcutaneous emphysema.
While crepitus is used to describe the crackling sensation caused by
subcutaneous emphysema, it's not the definition of this condition,
but a description of the sensation it causes. Crepitus can also be
used to describe the creaky or grating sensations in joints that don't
move smoothly.
4. Which of the following characteristics is more commonly seen
with os- teoarthritis (OA) than rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A. Incidence decreases with age
B. Joint deformity
C. Periods of remission & exacerbation
D. Noninflammatory joint pain: ---Correct precise answer---
Noninflammatory joint pain
Practice Test v1 – 150 Questions and
Answers with Rationales, Comprehensive
Review Material
Introduction:
This document contains a full set of 150 multiple-choice practice
questions designed for medical-surgical nursing certification
preparation. It covers a wide range of topics including
cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal, and neurological
conditions, along with detailed rationales for each answer.
The material is ideal for exam revision and self-assessment, helping
learners reinforce clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills
aligned with nursing board standards.
Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales
1. You are caring for a 42 y/o male who asks you about his risk
for cancer. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A. "You can reduce the risk of colon cancer by getting regular
colonoscopies that can detect cancer early."
,B. "Because you are male, you cannot get breast or cervical
cancer." C "Even people who live healthy lifestyles may develop
cancer."
D. "Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancers.": ---
Correct precise answer---"Because you are male, you cannot get
breast or cervical cancer."
Rationale:-While males cannot get cervical cancer, they may still
develop breast cancer. Breast cancer primarily attects females, but
it can occur in males.
Smoking is a significant risk factor for many types of cancers.
Regular colonoscopies are recommended to screen for colon cancer
& reduce the risk of this type of cancer. Unfortunately, even those
who live healthy lifestyles may develop cancer, & there is no way to
completely eliminate this risk.
2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Cushing's
triad?
A. Increasing pulse pressure
B. Bradycardia
C. Decreased O2 saturation
D. Irregular respirations: ---Correct precise answer---Decreased
O2 saturation
,Rationale:-Cushing's triad is a set of 3 symptoms that indicates
elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Cushing's triad is a very late
sign of elevated ICP, and they are
-increasing pulse pressure
-bradycardia
-irregular respirations
Decreased O2 saturation may occur due to irregular respiration, but
it isn't considered a component of Cushing's triad.
3. Which of the following best describes crepitus?
A. A joint that does move smoothly
B. A type of breathing pattern that occurs immediately preceding
death
C. A crackling or grating sensation
, D. Air trapped under the skin: ---Correct precise answer---A
crackling or grating sensation
Rationale:-Crepitus refers to a crackling or grating sensation that
typically is noted with joints that don't move smoothly. Sometimes
is called "creaky joints".
Air trapped under the skin is technically subcutaneous emphysema.
While crepitus is used to describe the crackling sensation caused by
subcutaneous emphysema, it's not the definition of this condition,
but a description of the sensation it causes. Crepitus can also be
used to describe the creaky or grating sensations in joints that don't
move smoothly.
4. Which of the following characteristics is more commonly seen
with os- teoarthritis (OA) than rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A. Incidence decreases with age
B. Joint deformity
C. Periods of remission & exacerbation
D. Noninflammatory joint pain: ---Correct precise answer---
Noninflammatory joint pain
