© 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
Test – Practice Exam Questions And 100%
Correct Answers With Verified Rationales | Instant
Pdf Download
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Fatigue with activity
C. Crackles throughout both lungs
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
Answer: C. Crackles throughout both lungs
Rationale: Diffuse crackles may indicate pulmonary edema and
worsening heart failure requiring urgent treatment.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance places a patient at greatest risk for
cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
1
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Potassium is critical for cardiac electrical conduction,
and low levels can trigger dysrhythmias.
3. A patient with COPD should be positioned in which manner to
improve breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: High Fowler’s position promotes maximum lung
expansion and decreases work of breathing.
4. Which symptom is most commonly associated with
hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Cool clammy skin
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C. Cool clammy skin
2
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous
system, causing sweating and clammy skin.
5. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a
patient taking warfarin?
A. WBC count
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Sodium level
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates the effectiveness and safety of
anticoagulant therapy.
6. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular vein distention
Answer: C. Pulmonary congestion
3
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into the
lungs.
7. A patient reports chest pain relieved by nitroglycerin. This
finding is most consistent with:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Stable angina
C. Pericarditis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina typically resolves with rest or
nitroglycerin.
8. Which intervention is priority during an asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Administer bronchodilator medication
C. Restrict coughing
D. Place patient flat
Answer: B. Administer bronchodilator medication
4
Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
Test – Practice Exam Questions And 100%
Correct Answers With Verified Rationales | Instant
Pdf Download
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Fatigue with activity
C. Crackles throughout both lungs
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
Answer: C. Crackles throughout both lungs
Rationale: Diffuse crackles may indicate pulmonary edema and
worsening heart failure requiring urgent treatment.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance places a patient at greatest risk for
cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
1
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Potassium is critical for cardiac electrical conduction,
and low levels can trigger dysrhythmias.
3. A patient with COPD should be positioned in which manner to
improve breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: High Fowler’s position promotes maximum lung
expansion and decreases work of breathing.
4. Which symptom is most commonly associated with
hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Cool clammy skin
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C. Cool clammy skin
2
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous
system, causing sweating and clammy skin.
5. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a
patient taking warfarin?
A. WBC count
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Sodium level
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: INR evaluates the effectiveness and safety of
anticoagulant therapy.
6. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular vein distention
Answer: C. Pulmonary congestion
3
, © 2026/27 Qs & Ans
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into the
lungs.
7. A patient reports chest pain relieved by nitroglycerin. This
finding is most consistent with:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Stable angina
C. Pericarditis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina typically resolves with rest or
nitroglycerin.
8. Which intervention is priority during an asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Administer bronchodilator medication
C. Restrict coughing
D. Place patient flat
Answer: B. Administer bronchodilator medication
4
