MEDSURG-BC — Medical-Surgical Nursing
Board Certified, WITH CORRECT ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECTLY WELL
DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST ALREADY
GRADED A+ (2025/2026)
Domain: Assessment & Diagnosis (Questions 1-35)
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most important to monitor?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Hypokalemia ✅
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle, leading to increased
potassium excretion. Hypokalemia is a common and potentially
dangerous adverse effect that can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias,
especially in patients taking digoxin .
,Question 2
Which assessment finding indicates worsening respiratory status in a
COPD patient?
A) Barrel chest
B) Use of accessory muscles
C) Chronic cough
D) Clubbing of fingers
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Use of accessory muscles ✅
Rationale: Accessory muscle use (sternocleidomastoid, scalene,
trapezius, and intercostal muscles) indicates increased work of breathing
and signals acute deterioration or impending respiratory failure. Barrel
chest and clubbing are chronic changes, not acute worsening indicators .
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with confusion and fruity breath
odor. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
D) Stroke
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) ✅
Rationale: Fruity breath odor results from ketone production (acetone) in
DKA from fat breakdown. Confusion reflects cerebral dehydration and
acidosis. Hypoglycemia causes diaphoresis and shakiness without fruity
breath .
,Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
Which intervention should the nurse expect?
A) Oral potassium supplements
B) IV calcium gluconate
C) High-potassium diet
D) Fluid restriction
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) IV calcium gluconate ✅
Rationale: A potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L represents severe
hyperkalemia requiring immediate intervention. IV calcium gluconate
rapidly stabilizes cardiac membranes to prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias while other measures lower serum potassium .
Question 5
A patient with anemia will likely experience which manifestation?
A) Hypertension
B) Fatigue
C) Bradycardia
D) Weight gain
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Fatigue ✅
Rationale: Fatigue is the most common symptom of anemia due to
decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, leading to reduced
, tissue oxygenation. Patients typically experience tachycardia, not
bradycardia .
Question 6
A patient is admitted with suspected appendicitis. Which manifestation is
most characteristic?
A) Diffuse abdominal pain
B) Pain localized to the right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
C) Left upper quadrant pain radiating to the shoulder
D) Epigastric pain relieved by antacids
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Pain localized to the right lower quadrant
(McBurney's point) ✅
Rationale: Appendicitis typically presents with pain migrating to the right
lower quadrant at McBurney's point, the anatomical location of the
appendix. Diffuse pain may occur initially but localizes as inflammation
progresses .
Question 7
A patient is being discharged after a myocardial infarction. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will take my aspirin every day as prescribed."
B) "I will avoid all physical activity to prevent another heart attack."
Board Certified, WITH CORRECT ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECTLY WELL
DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST ALREADY
GRADED A+ (2025/2026)
Domain: Assessment & Diagnosis (Questions 1-35)
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most important to monitor?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Hypokalemia ✅
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle, leading to increased
potassium excretion. Hypokalemia is a common and potentially
dangerous adverse effect that can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias,
especially in patients taking digoxin .
,Question 2
Which assessment finding indicates worsening respiratory status in a
COPD patient?
A) Barrel chest
B) Use of accessory muscles
C) Chronic cough
D) Clubbing of fingers
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Use of accessory muscles ✅
Rationale: Accessory muscle use (sternocleidomastoid, scalene,
trapezius, and intercostal muscles) indicates increased work of breathing
and signals acute deterioration or impending respiratory failure. Barrel
chest and clubbing are chronic changes, not acute worsening indicators .
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with confusion and fruity breath
odor. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C) Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
D) Stroke
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) ✅
Rationale: Fruity breath odor results from ketone production (acetone) in
DKA from fat breakdown. Confusion reflects cerebral dehydration and
acidosis. Hypoglycemia causes diaphoresis and shakiness without fruity
breath .
,Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
Which intervention should the nurse expect?
A) Oral potassium supplements
B) IV calcium gluconate
C) High-potassium diet
D) Fluid restriction
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) IV calcium gluconate ✅
Rationale: A potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L represents severe
hyperkalemia requiring immediate intervention. IV calcium gluconate
rapidly stabilizes cardiac membranes to prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias while other measures lower serum potassium .
Question 5
A patient with anemia will likely experience which manifestation?
A) Hypertension
B) Fatigue
C) Bradycardia
D) Weight gain
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Fatigue ✅
Rationale: Fatigue is the most common symptom of anemia due to
decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, leading to reduced
, tissue oxygenation. Patients typically experience tachycardia, not
bradycardia .
Question 6
A patient is admitted with suspected appendicitis. Which manifestation is
most characteristic?
A) Diffuse abdominal pain
B) Pain localized to the right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
C) Left upper quadrant pain radiating to the shoulder
D) Epigastric pain relieved by antacids
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B) Pain localized to the right lower quadrant
(McBurney's point) ✅
Rationale: Appendicitis typically presents with pain migrating to the right
lower quadrant at McBurney's point, the anatomical location of the
appendix. Diffuse pain may occur initially but localizes as inflammation
progresses .
Question 7
A patient is being discharged after a myocardial infarction. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will take my aspirin every day as prescribed."
B) "I will avoid all physical activity to prevent another heart attack."
