NUR 2356 Multidimensional Care I (MDC I)
Exam 2 Practice Questions & Answers 2026 |
200 Questions Full Prep Guide for Nursing
Success
• This 200-question practice guide covers all core MDC I Exam 2 topics — pain
management, fluids & electrolytes, acid-base balance, wound care, perioperative
care, oxygenation, mobility, nutrition, elimination, infection control, IV therapy, and
medication safety — each question paired with five options (A–E), a bolded correct
answer, and a clear EXPERT RATIONALE to deepen your understanding.
• Study tip: Work section by section, review every EXPERT RATIONALE regardless
of whether you got the question right, and flag any area where you score below
80% for focused review before your exam.
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═ SECTION 1: PAIN MANAGEMENT
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which assessment tool is MOST
appropriate for a patient who is unconscious and cannot self-report pain?
A. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
B. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
C. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale
D. Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)
E. McGill Pain Questionnaire
✓ Correct Answer: D. Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) EXPERT RATIONALE: The BPS
assesses facial expressions, upper limb movements, and ventilator compliance in
unconscious or non-verbal patients. Self-report tools like NRS, VAS, FACES, and the McGill
questionnaire all require patient cooperation and verbal ability.
,2. A nurse administers an opioid analgesic to a patient in pain. Which side
effect requires IMMEDIATE intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
D. Mild sedation
E. Pruritus
✓ Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min EXPERT RATIONALE:
Respiratory depression is the most life-threatening opioid side effect. A rate of 8
breaths/min requires immediate intervention, including stimulating the patient, applying
oxygen, and potentially administering naloxone. Constipation, nausea, mild sedation,
and pruritus are common but non-life-threatening.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic low back pain. Which non-
pharmacological intervention is BEST supported by evidence for pain relief?
A. Complete bed rest
B. Heat application and physical therapy
C. Immobilization with a rigid brace
D. Avoidance of all physical activity
E. Cold application only
✓ Correct Answer: B. Heat application and physical therapy EXPERT RATIONALE:
Evidence supports heat therapy and physical therapy for chronic low back pain.
Complete bed rest, immobilization, and activity avoidance worsen long-term outcomes.
Cold application alone is less effective than combined modalities.
,4. A patient is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The family
member is pressing the PCA button while the patient sleeps. What should the
nurse do FIRST?
A. Remove the PCA pump and switch to oral analgesics
B. Educate the family that only the patient should press the button
C. Notify the physician immediately
D. Reassess the patient's pain level
E. Document the behavior in the chart
✓ Correct Answer: B. Educate the family that only the patient should press the
button EXPERT RATIONALE: PCA is designed so that only the patient controls dosing —
the patient's level of consciousness is a built-in safety mechanism against overdose.
Family-activated PCA can cause respiratory depression. Education is the priority first
action.
5. Which statement BEST describes the gate control theory of pain?
A. Pain signals travel directly to the brain without modification
B. Non-painful stimuli can close the "gate" and reduce pain perception
C. Pain is purely a psychological phenomenon
D. Pain transmission occurs only through C fibers
E. Opioids work exclusively at the spinal cord level
✓ Correct Answer: B. Non-painful stimuli can close the "gate" and reduce pain
perception EXPERT RATIONALE: Gate control theory proposes that non-painful input
(touch, vibration) can close neural gates in the spinal cord, reducing the transmission of
pain signals. This is the physiological basis for interventions like massage and TENS
therapy.
, 6. A nurse notices a patient grimacing and guarding their abdomen but denies
pain when asked. What is the nurse's BEST response?
A. Accept the patient's denial and continue care
B. Document that the patient has no pain
C. Reassess using a behavioral pain tool and address findings
D. Administer PRN analgesic without further assessment
E. Notify the physician of suspected drug-seeking behavior
✓ Correct Answer: C. Reassess using a behavioral pain tool and address
findings EXPERT RATIONALE: Nonverbal cues such as grimacing and guarding are valid
pain indicators. Some patients underreport due to cultural factors, fear of addiction, or
reluctance to bother staff. Using behavioral tools and exploring barriers to pain
reporting is the appropriate response.
7. Which of the following is an example of adjuvant analgesia?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Ibuprofen
C. Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain
D. Acetaminophen
E. Codeine
✓ Correct Answer: C. Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain EXPERT RATIONALE:
Adjuvant analgesics are drugs not primarily developed as pain relievers but that have
pain-reducing properties in specific conditions. Amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant)
is used for neuropathic pain. Morphine, codeine, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all
primary analgesics.
8. A patient rates their pain 9/10 after receiving IV morphine 30 minutes ago.
What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
Exam 2 Practice Questions & Answers 2026 |
200 Questions Full Prep Guide for Nursing
Success
• This 200-question practice guide covers all core MDC I Exam 2 topics — pain
management, fluids & electrolytes, acid-base balance, wound care, perioperative
care, oxygenation, mobility, nutrition, elimination, infection control, IV therapy, and
medication safety — each question paired with five options (A–E), a bolded correct
answer, and a clear EXPERT RATIONALE to deepen your understanding.
• Study tip: Work section by section, review every EXPERT RATIONALE regardless
of whether you got the question right, and flag any area where you score below
80% for focused review before your exam.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
═ SECTION 1: PAIN MANAGEMENT
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which assessment tool is MOST
appropriate for a patient who is unconscious and cannot self-report pain?
A. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
B. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
C. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale
D. Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)
E. McGill Pain Questionnaire
✓ Correct Answer: D. Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) EXPERT RATIONALE: The BPS
assesses facial expressions, upper limb movements, and ventilator compliance in
unconscious or non-verbal patients. Self-report tools like NRS, VAS, FACES, and the McGill
questionnaire all require patient cooperation and verbal ability.
,2. A nurse administers an opioid analgesic to a patient in pain. Which side
effect requires IMMEDIATE intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
D. Mild sedation
E. Pruritus
✓ Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min EXPERT RATIONALE:
Respiratory depression is the most life-threatening opioid side effect. A rate of 8
breaths/min requires immediate intervention, including stimulating the patient, applying
oxygen, and potentially administering naloxone. Constipation, nausea, mild sedation,
and pruritus are common but non-life-threatening.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic low back pain. Which non-
pharmacological intervention is BEST supported by evidence for pain relief?
A. Complete bed rest
B. Heat application and physical therapy
C. Immobilization with a rigid brace
D. Avoidance of all physical activity
E. Cold application only
✓ Correct Answer: B. Heat application and physical therapy EXPERT RATIONALE:
Evidence supports heat therapy and physical therapy for chronic low back pain.
Complete bed rest, immobilization, and activity avoidance worsen long-term outcomes.
Cold application alone is less effective than combined modalities.
,4. A patient is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The family
member is pressing the PCA button while the patient sleeps. What should the
nurse do FIRST?
A. Remove the PCA pump and switch to oral analgesics
B. Educate the family that only the patient should press the button
C. Notify the physician immediately
D. Reassess the patient's pain level
E. Document the behavior in the chart
✓ Correct Answer: B. Educate the family that only the patient should press the
button EXPERT RATIONALE: PCA is designed so that only the patient controls dosing —
the patient's level of consciousness is a built-in safety mechanism against overdose.
Family-activated PCA can cause respiratory depression. Education is the priority first
action.
5. Which statement BEST describes the gate control theory of pain?
A. Pain signals travel directly to the brain without modification
B. Non-painful stimuli can close the "gate" and reduce pain perception
C. Pain is purely a psychological phenomenon
D. Pain transmission occurs only through C fibers
E. Opioids work exclusively at the spinal cord level
✓ Correct Answer: B. Non-painful stimuli can close the "gate" and reduce pain
perception EXPERT RATIONALE: Gate control theory proposes that non-painful input
(touch, vibration) can close neural gates in the spinal cord, reducing the transmission of
pain signals. This is the physiological basis for interventions like massage and TENS
therapy.
, 6. A nurse notices a patient grimacing and guarding their abdomen but denies
pain when asked. What is the nurse's BEST response?
A. Accept the patient's denial and continue care
B. Document that the patient has no pain
C. Reassess using a behavioral pain tool and address findings
D. Administer PRN analgesic without further assessment
E. Notify the physician of suspected drug-seeking behavior
✓ Correct Answer: C. Reassess using a behavioral pain tool and address
findings EXPERT RATIONALE: Nonverbal cues such as grimacing and guarding are valid
pain indicators. Some patients underreport due to cultural factors, fear of addiction, or
reluctance to bother staff. Using behavioral tools and exploring barriers to pain
reporting is the appropriate response.
7. Which of the following is an example of adjuvant analgesia?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Ibuprofen
C. Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain
D. Acetaminophen
E. Codeine
✓ Correct Answer: C. Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain EXPERT RATIONALE:
Adjuvant analgesics are drugs not primarily developed as pain relievers but that have
pain-reducing properties in specific conditions. Amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant)
is used for neuropathic pain. Morphine, codeine, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all
primary analgesics.
8. A patient rates their pain 9/10 after receiving IV morphine 30 minutes ago.
What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
