VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has atopic dermatitis and a prescription
for triamcinolone ointment. The nurse should assess the client to monitor for
which of the following adverse effects?: Thinning of the skin.
Only apply the ointment to dry patches of the skin to avoid atrophy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of left-sided
heart failure?: Frothy sputum
Pink-tinged frothy sputum can be an early indication of pulmonary edema and can be life-threatening. Therefore, the
nurse should notify the provider immediately.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety as well as numbness
and tingling of the lips and fingers. The client's ABGs are: pH 7.48, PCO2 30
mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, PaO2 85 mm Hg. Which of thefollowing acid-base
imbalances should the nurse identify that the client is experiencing?: Respiratory
alkalosis
- The pH is alkaline (increased)
- PCO2 is decreased representing alveolar hyperventilation & resultant respiratory alkalosis
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: Osteoporosis
Bone become thinner as a result of mineral loss & nitrogen depletion.
5. A nurse is inspecting the skin of a client who has basal cell carcinoma. The
nurse should identify which of the following lesion characteristics on the client's
skin?: A pearly, waxy nodule.
- Basal cell carcinoma has a nodular lesion with well defined borders & pearly or waxy appearance resulting from
overexposure to the sun. especially on the face, head, and neck.
-A client who has melanoma has a lesion with irregular borders and variegated colors of red, white, and blue, most
often on the upper back or lower legs.
-A client who has squamous cell carcinoma has a firm, nodular, and crusty lesion with a ulcerated center, resulting from
sun exposure, chronic irritation, burns, or irradiation to the skin.
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
6. A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who is overusing
prescribed diuretics and has a sodium level of 127 mEq/L. Which of the follow-
ing laboratory findings should the nurse expect?: LOW URINE SPECFIC GRAVITY.
-A client who has hyponatremia as a result of diuretic overuse has a low urine specific gravity. The increased excretion
of water alters the ratio of particulate matter, which attects the specific gravity.
7. A home health nurse is assisting a client with planning care for a family
member who has Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?: Remove clutter from rooms and hallways
- This allows the client is able to walk without the risk of falling or tripping over objects. Later in the disease, the client
can experience seizures, so cluttered areas could be a risk to the client
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as
a manifestation of this syndrome?: REFRACTORY HYPOXEMIA
- A client who has ARDS has refractory hypoxemia, which is hypoxemia that does not improve with oxygen therapy.
Extensive pulmonary edema evident on a chest x-ray is a manifestation of ARDS.
9. An emergency room nurse is assessing a client who has asthma and difficulty
breathing. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing status asthmaticus?: USE OF ASSCESSORY MUSCLES.
- A client who has status asthmaticus uses accessory muscles to help facilitate breathing, which is a manifestation of
a severe airflow obstruction. The situation is life-threatening and the nurse should intervene immediately with strong
systemic bronchodilators, epinephrine, corticosteroids, and oxygen.
10. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for PHENYTOIN to
treat a seizure disorder. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse
instruct the client to report IMMEDIATELY to the provider?: SKIN RASH.
- the nurse should determine that the priority finding is a rash, which can have a measles-like appearance and progress
to exfoliative dermatitis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The client should report this finding to the provider immediately.
11. A nurse is monitoring a client following a LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY. The client
has a drain and indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse should identify which of
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
the following findings as an indication of a COMPLICATION of the surgery?: CLEAR
DRAINAGE OF DRESSINGS
- This is an indication of a cerebral spinal leak
12. A nurse is assessing a client who has RIGHT-SIDED HEART FAILURE. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of RIGHT-
SIDED HEART FAILURE?: INCREASED ABDOMINAL GIRTH
13. A nurse is caring for a client who recently assumed the role of caregiver for
their aging parents who have chronic illnesses. The nurse should identify that
which of the following statements by the client indicates ACCEPTANCE of the
role change?: " I changed the floor plan of our homes to accommodate my father's wheelchair. "
14. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving VANCOMYCIN intermittent IV
bolus therapy for METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. Which
of the following findings is an indication to the nurse that the client is experi-
encing an ADVERSE EFFECT of the medication?: THE CLIENT IS BECOMING FLUSHED.
- Flushing is a manifestation of an infusion reaction to vancomycin that also causes a rash on the face and upper body,
called red man syndrome. Red man syndrome results from infusing vancomycin to rapidly. The nurse should infuse the
medication over at least 60 mins.
15. A nurse is caring for a male client who has a new prescription for CY-
CLOSPORINE following a kidney transplant. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of this therapy?: BUN 24 mg/dL.
- A BUN of 24 mg/dL is above the expected reference range of 10 to 20 mg/dL, indicating renal impairment. An adverse
ettect of cyclosporine is nephrotoxicity
16. A nurse is caring for a client who has DUMPING SYNDROME following a
gastric resection. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
complications of DUMPING SYNDROME?: IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA.
- The nurse should monitor the client for manifestations of anemia, such as pallor, tachycardia, and fatigue.
Rapid emptying of the stomach contents into the intestine can lead to reduced absorption of iron in the duodenum,
causing iron-deficiency anemia.
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
17. A nurse is assessing a client who takes SALMETEROL to treat moderate
asthma. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
medication has been effective?: The client's daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures 85% above
personal best.
- A client who has asthma should use a peak flow meter twice daily to monitor asthma control. A PEF in the green zone,
or 80% or above personal best, indicates the ettectiveness of medication therapy.
18. A nurse is providing teaching about health promotion activities for a client
who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?: " I WILL
CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL BEFORE EXCERCISING. "
- Clients who have diabetes mellitus should not exercise if their blood glucose level is less than 80 mg/dL or greater
than 250 mg/dL. A client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and is hyperglycemic can experience even higher blood
glucose levels. Hypoglycemia can also occur during exercise and up to 24 hr following exercise
19. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
WARFARIN. Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?: ASPIRIN & NAPROXEN.
- Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
- . Naproxen is an NSAID that relieves mild to moderate pain. It can increase the risk of bleeding if taken with warfarin.
20. A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is scheduled for a THO-
RACENTESIS. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to
take?: PLACE THE CLIENT LEANING FORWARD OVER THE BEDSIDE TABLE FOR THE PROCEDURE.
- This allows the provider complete access to the client's chest and back. This position also expands the spaces between
the ribs where the pleural fluid accumulates.
21. A nurse is providing discharge teaching about infection control at home for a
client who has TUBERCULOSIS. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?: " I will place my used tissues in a plastic bag. "
- The sputum of a client who has tuberculosis is considered infectious until there are three consecutive sputum samples
2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has atopic dermatitis and a prescription
for triamcinolone ointment. The nurse should assess the client to monitor for
which of the following adverse effects?: Thinning of the skin.
Only apply the ointment to dry patches of the skin to avoid atrophy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of left-sided
heart failure?: Frothy sputum
Pink-tinged frothy sputum can be an early indication of pulmonary edema and can be life-threatening. Therefore, the
nurse should notify the provider immediately.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety as well as numbness
and tingling of the lips and fingers. The client's ABGs are: pH 7.48, PCO2 30
mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, PaO2 85 mm Hg. Which of thefollowing acid-base
imbalances should the nurse identify that the client is experiencing?: Respiratory
alkalosis
- The pH is alkaline (increased)
- PCO2 is decreased representing alveolar hyperventilation & resultant respiratory alkalosis
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: Osteoporosis
Bone become thinner as a result of mineral loss & nitrogen depletion.
5. A nurse is inspecting the skin of a client who has basal cell carcinoma. The
nurse should identify which of the following lesion characteristics on the client's
skin?: A pearly, waxy nodule.
- Basal cell carcinoma has a nodular lesion with well defined borders & pearly or waxy appearance resulting from
overexposure to the sun. especially on the face, head, and neck.
-A client who has melanoma has a lesion with irregular borders and variegated colors of red, white, and blue, most
often on the upper back or lower legs.
-A client who has squamous cell carcinoma has a firm, nodular, and crusty lesion with a ulcerated center, resulting from
sun exposure, chronic irritation, burns, or irradiation to the skin.
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
6. A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who is overusing
prescribed diuretics and has a sodium level of 127 mEq/L. Which of the follow-
ing laboratory findings should the nurse expect?: LOW URINE SPECFIC GRAVITY.
-A client who has hyponatremia as a result of diuretic overuse has a low urine specific gravity. The increased excretion
of water alters the ratio of particulate matter, which attects the specific gravity.
7. A home health nurse is assisting a client with planning care for a family
member who has Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?: Remove clutter from rooms and hallways
- This allows the client is able to walk without the risk of falling or tripping over objects. Later in the disease, the client
can experience seizures, so cluttered areas could be a risk to the client
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as
a manifestation of this syndrome?: REFRACTORY HYPOXEMIA
- A client who has ARDS has refractory hypoxemia, which is hypoxemia that does not improve with oxygen therapy.
Extensive pulmonary edema evident on a chest x-ray is a manifestation of ARDS.
9. An emergency room nurse is assessing a client who has asthma and difficulty
breathing. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing status asthmaticus?: USE OF ASSCESSORY MUSCLES.
- A client who has status asthmaticus uses accessory muscles to help facilitate breathing, which is a manifestation of
a severe airflow obstruction. The situation is life-threatening and the nurse should intervene immediately with strong
systemic bronchodilators, epinephrine, corticosteroids, and oxygen.
10. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for PHENYTOIN to
treat a seizure disorder. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse
instruct the client to report IMMEDIATELY to the provider?: SKIN RASH.
- the nurse should determine that the priority finding is a rash, which can have a measles-like appearance and progress
to exfoliative dermatitis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The client should report this finding to the provider immediately.
11. A nurse is monitoring a client following a LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY. The client
has a drain and indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse should identify which of
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
the following findings as an indication of a COMPLICATION of the surgery?: CLEAR
DRAINAGE OF DRESSINGS
- This is an indication of a cerebral spinal leak
12. A nurse is assessing a client who has RIGHT-SIDED HEART FAILURE. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of RIGHT-
SIDED HEART FAILURE?: INCREASED ABDOMINAL GIRTH
13. A nurse is caring for a client who recently assumed the role of caregiver for
their aging parents who have chronic illnesses. The nurse should identify that
which of the following statements by the client indicates ACCEPTANCE of the
role change?: " I changed the floor plan of our homes to accommodate my father's wheelchair. "
14. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving VANCOMYCIN intermittent IV
bolus therapy for METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. Which
of the following findings is an indication to the nurse that the client is experi-
encing an ADVERSE EFFECT of the medication?: THE CLIENT IS BECOMING FLUSHED.
- Flushing is a manifestation of an infusion reaction to vancomycin that also causes a rash on the face and upper body,
called red man syndrome. Red man syndrome results from infusing vancomycin to rapidly. The nurse should infuse the
medication over at least 60 mins.
15. A nurse is caring for a male client who has a new prescription for CY-
CLOSPORINE following a kidney transplant. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of this therapy?: BUN 24 mg/dL.
- A BUN of 24 mg/dL is above the expected reference range of 10 to 20 mg/dL, indicating renal impairment. An adverse
ettect of cyclosporine is nephrotoxicity
16. A nurse is caring for a client who has DUMPING SYNDROME following a
gastric resection. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
complications of DUMPING SYNDROME?: IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA.
- The nurse should monitor the client for manifestations of anemia, such as pallor, tachycardia, and fatigue.
Rapid emptying of the stomach contents into the intestine can lead to reduced absorption of iron in the duodenum,
causing iron-deficiency anemia.
,VATI MED SURG QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026-
2027
17. A nurse is assessing a client who takes SALMETEROL to treat moderate
asthma. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
medication has been effective?: The client's daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures 85% above
personal best.
- A client who has asthma should use a peak flow meter twice daily to monitor asthma control. A PEF in the green zone,
or 80% or above personal best, indicates the ettectiveness of medication therapy.
18. A nurse is providing teaching about health promotion activities for a client
who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?: " I WILL
CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL BEFORE EXCERCISING. "
- Clients who have diabetes mellitus should not exercise if their blood glucose level is less than 80 mg/dL or greater
than 250 mg/dL. A client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and is hyperglycemic can experience even higher blood
glucose levels. Hypoglycemia can also occur during exercise and up to 24 hr following exercise
19. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
WARFARIN. Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid?: ASPIRIN & NAPROXEN.
- Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
- . Naproxen is an NSAID that relieves mild to moderate pain. It can increase the risk of bleeding if taken with warfarin.
20. A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is scheduled for a THO-
RACENTESIS. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to
take?: PLACE THE CLIENT LEANING FORWARD OVER THE BEDSIDE TABLE FOR THE PROCEDURE.
- This allows the provider complete access to the client's chest and back. This position also expands the spaces between
the ribs where the pleural fluid accumulates.
21. A nurse is providing discharge teaching about infection control at home for a
client who has TUBERCULOSIS. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?: " I will place my used tissues in a plastic bag. "
- The sputum of a client who has tuberculosis is considered infectious until there are three consecutive sputum samples
