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Medical -Surgical Exam (Updated 2026) Questions And
Rationale Exam Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam
Latest Version Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100
%
1. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome
statement is the priority for this client?
a. Fluid and electrolyte balance.
b. Prevention of water toxicity.
c. Reduced glucose in the urine.
d. Adequate cellular nourishment.
D
Rationale
Diabetes mellitus Type 1 is characterized by hyperglycemia that precipitates
glucosuria and polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and
polyphagia (excessive hunger). Polyphagia is a consequence of cellular
malnourishment when insulin deficiency prevents utilization of glucose into the cell
for energy, so the outcome statement should include stabilization of adequate
cellular nutrition which is done by providing the insulin supplement the client needs.
2. A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function
is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
a. pulse rate, both apically and radially.
b. blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
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c. temperature.
d. skin color and turgor.
C
Rationale
It is very important to check the client's temperature. Long term use of steroids use
COPD clients is effective in suppressing inflammation in their airways making it
easier for them to breath, but at the same time suppresses the immune system,
placing the client at risk for infection.
3. Which intervention should the nurse plan to implement when caring for a
client who has just undergone a right above-the-knee amputation?
a. Maintain the residual limb on three pillows at all times.
b. Place a large tourniquet at the client's bedside.
c. Apply constant, direct pressure to the residual limb.
d. Do not allow the client to lie in the prone position.
B
Rationale
A large tourniquet should be placed in plain sight at the client's bedside, in the event
severe bleeding occurs. The purpose is to have the tourniquet available to applied to
the residual limb to control bleeding if hemorrhaging was to occur. The residual limb
should not be placed on a pillow because a flexion contracture of the hip may result
and the client should be encouraged to lie in the prone position to prevent flexion
contracture of the hip.
4. The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older client. Which
data would the nurse expect to find when reviewing laboratory values of an 80-
year-old male?
a. Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
b. Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
c. Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose levels.
d. Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity.
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C
Rationale
As older adults aged, the protein found in urine slightly rises as a result of kidney
changes and the serum glucose increases slightly, also due to changes in the
kidney. The specific gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to 1.024.
5. In preparing to administer intravenous albumin to a client following surgery,
what is the priority nursing intervention? (Select all that apply.)
a. Set the infusion pump to infuse the albumin within four hours.
b. Compare the client's blood type with the label on the albumin.
c. Assign a UAP to monitor blood pressure q15 minutes.
d. Administer through a large gauge catheter.
e. Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
f. Assess for increased bleeding after administration.
A, C, D, E, F
Rationale
Albumin should be infused within four hours because it does not contain any
preservatives. Any fluid remaining after four hours should be discarded. Albumin
administration does not require blood typing. Vital signs should be monitored
periodically to assess for fluid volume overload. A large gauge catheter allows for
fast infusion rate, which may be necessary. Hemodilution may decrease hemoglobin
(HgB) and hematocrit (HCT) levels, so the HgB and HCT levels should be monitored.
While monitoring for bleeding because of the increased blood volume and blood
pressure.
6. The healthcare provider prescribes aluminum and magnesium hydroxide
(Maalox), 1 tablet PO PRN, for a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who
is complaining of indigestion. What intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Administer 30 minutes before eating.
b. Evaluate the effectiveness 1 hour after administration.
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c. Instruct the client to swallow the tablet whole.
d. Question the healthcare provider's prescription.
D
Rationale
Magnesium agents are not usually used for clients with CKD due to the risk of
hypermagnesemia, so this prescription should be questioned by the nurse.
7. Small bowel obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
a. Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
b. Metabolic acidosis.
c. Ribbon-like stools.
d. Intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
A
Rationale
Among the findings characteristic of a small bowel obstruction is the presence of
severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
8. The nurse is taking a history of a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic who is
beginning treatment. Which subjective information is most important for the
nurse to note?
a. A history of obesity.
b. An allergy to sulfa drugs.
c. Cessation of smoking three years ago.
d. Numbness in the soles of the feet.
B
Rationale
An allergy to sulfa drugs may make the client unable to use some of the most
Medical -Surgical Exam (Updated 2026) Questions And
Rationale Exam Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam
Latest Version Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100
%
1. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome
statement is the priority for this client?
a. Fluid and electrolyte balance.
b. Prevention of water toxicity.
c. Reduced glucose in the urine.
d. Adequate cellular nourishment.
D
Rationale
Diabetes mellitus Type 1 is characterized by hyperglycemia that precipitates
glucosuria and polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and
polyphagia (excessive hunger). Polyphagia is a consequence of cellular
malnourishment when insulin deficiency prevents utilization of glucose into the cell
for energy, so the outcome statement should include stabilization of adequate
cellular nutrition which is done by providing the insulin supplement the client needs.
2. A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function
is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
a. pulse rate, both apically and radially.
b. blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
, Page 2 of 56
c. temperature.
d. skin color and turgor.
C
Rationale
It is very important to check the client's temperature. Long term use of steroids use
COPD clients is effective in suppressing inflammation in their airways making it
easier for them to breath, but at the same time suppresses the immune system,
placing the client at risk for infection.
3. Which intervention should the nurse plan to implement when caring for a
client who has just undergone a right above-the-knee amputation?
a. Maintain the residual limb on three pillows at all times.
b. Place a large tourniquet at the client's bedside.
c. Apply constant, direct pressure to the residual limb.
d. Do not allow the client to lie in the prone position.
B
Rationale
A large tourniquet should be placed in plain sight at the client's bedside, in the event
severe bleeding occurs. The purpose is to have the tourniquet available to applied to
the residual limb to control bleeding if hemorrhaging was to occur. The residual limb
should not be placed on a pillow because a flexion contracture of the hip may result
and the client should be encouraged to lie in the prone position to prevent flexion
contracture of the hip.
4. The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older client. Which
data would the nurse expect to find when reviewing laboratory values of an 80-
year-old male?
a. Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
b. Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
c. Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose levels.
d. Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity.
, Page 3 of 56
C
Rationale
As older adults aged, the protein found in urine slightly rises as a result of kidney
changes and the serum glucose increases slightly, also due to changes in the
kidney. The specific gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to 1.024.
5. In preparing to administer intravenous albumin to a client following surgery,
what is the priority nursing intervention? (Select all that apply.)
a. Set the infusion pump to infuse the albumin within four hours.
b. Compare the client's blood type with the label on the albumin.
c. Assign a UAP to monitor blood pressure q15 minutes.
d. Administer through a large gauge catheter.
e. Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
f. Assess for increased bleeding after administration.
A, C, D, E, F
Rationale
Albumin should be infused within four hours because it does not contain any
preservatives. Any fluid remaining after four hours should be discarded. Albumin
administration does not require blood typing. Vital signs should be monitored
periodically to assess for fluid volume overload. A large gauge catheter allows for
fast infusion rate, which may be necessary. Hemodilution may decrease hemoglobin
(HgB) and hematocrit (HCT) levels, so the HgB and HCT levels should be monitored.
While monitoring for bleeding because of the increased blood volume and blood
pressure.
6. The healthcare provider prescribes aluminum and magnesium hydroxide
(Maalox), 1 tablet PO PRN, for a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who
is complaining of indigestion. What intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Administer 30 minutes before eating.
b. Evaluate the effectiveness 1 hour after administration.
, Page 4 of 56
c. Instruct the client to swallow the tablet whole.
d. Question the healthcare provider's prescription.
D
Rationale
Magnesium agents are not usually used for clients with CKD due to the risk of
hypermagnesemia, so this prescription should be questioned by the nurse.
7. Small bowel obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
a. Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
b. Metabolic acidosis.
c. Ribbon-like stools.
d. Intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
A
Rationale
Among the findings characteristic of a small bowel obstruction is the presence of
severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
8. The nurse is taking a history of a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic who is
beginning treatment. Which subjective information is most important for the
nurse to note?
a. A history of obesity.
b. An allergy to sulfa drugs.
c. Cessation of smoking three years ago.
d. Numbness in the soles of the feet.
B
Rationale
An allergy to sulfa drugs may make the client unable to use some of the most
