RN MEDSURG EXAM Q & A
1) A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a bedridden client. Which of the following
findings should alert the nurse to a potential complication of the client’s immobility?
a. Confusion
b. Polyuria
c. Blurred vision
d. Diarrhea
2) A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse provide to the client to help prevent the development of
nephropathy?
a. Limiting protein intake
b. Voiding every 2 hr
c. Decreasing potassium intake
d. Controlling hypertension
Nephropathy: damaged kidney r/t hyptertension\
3) A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma about the use of a peak flow meter. After setting the
meter to the zero baseline, what is the sequence of steps the nurse should instruct the client to
take? (Use all steps)
a. “Stand upright.”1
b. “Fill your lungs with a deep breath.”3
c. “Seal your lips around the mouthpiece.”2
d. “Exhale forcefully and quickly.”4
e. “Record the highest of three consecutive readings.”5
4) A nurse is caring for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and reports increasing fatigue.
The nurse should instruct the client to take which of the following actions to conserve energy?
, RN MEDSURG EXAM Q & A
a. Avoid using large muscle groups
b. Allow others to perform her self-care activities
c. Determine priority activities to accomplish
d. Limit iron intake
5) A nurse is caring for a client who had a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to prevent hip dislocation?
a. Place two bed pillows between the legs when in bed.
b. Encourage the client to lean forward when attempting to stand.
c. Elevate the knees higher than the hips when sitting.
d. Remove the wedge device when turning.
6) A nurse working in the emergency department is assessing a client admitted with atrial
fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
a. Ventricular rate 120/min
b. Syncope
c. Atrial rate of 350/min
d. Shortness of breath
7) A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with heart failure. Which of the following
laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Hematocrit 24% - pg.444
b. Sodium 137 mEq/L
c. Glucose 112 mg/dL
d. BUN 19 mg/dL
, RN MEDSURG EXAM Q & A
8) The nurse is preparing the discontinue long term TPN therapy for a client. The nurse should
plan to discontinue the TPN gradually to reduce the risk of which of the following adverse
effects?
a. Hyperglycemia
b. Diarrhea
c. Constipation
d. Hypoglycemia- You taper it off to avoid this!!!
Rationale PDF p.298: Never abruptly stop TPN. Speeding up/slowing down the rate is
contraindicated. An abrupt rate change can alter blood glucose levels significantly.
Rationale PDF nutrition p.58: don’t discontinue abruptly, must taper to prevent rebound hypoglycemia
9) A nurse is preparing a client for an ECG. The client is anxious and says that he is afraid the
equipment will give him an electric shock. Which of the following is an appropriate response by
the nurse?
a. The machine only senses and records electrical currents coming from your heart – pg.170
➢ Electrocardiography uses an electrocardiograph to record the electrical activity of
the heart over time.
b. The lead wires and cables are insulated for your safety
c. The electrode pads will prevent the conduction of electricity to your skin
d. The machine voltage delivery is low enough that you won’t feel any discomfort
10) A nurse is caring for client who has hypertension and has a new prescription for lisinopril. The
nurse should consult with the provider about which of the following medications in the client’s
medication administration record?
a. Potassium chloride
b. Levothyroxine
c. Acetaminophen
d. Metformin
1) A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a bedridden client. Which of the following
findings should alert the nurse to a potential complication of the client’s immobility?
a. Confusion
b. Polyuria
c. Blurred vision
d. Diarrhea
2) A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse provide to the client to help prevent the development of
nephropathy?
a. Limiting protein intake
b. Voiding every 2 hr
c. Decreasing potassium intake
d. Controlling hypertension
Nephropathy: damaged kidney r/t hyptertension\
3) A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma about the use of a peak flow meter. After setting the
meter to the zero baseline, what is the sequence of steps the nurse should instruct the client to
take? (Use all steps)
a. “Stand upright.”1
b. “Fill your lungs with a deep breath.”3
c. “Seal your lips around the mouthpiece.”2
d. “Exhale forcefully and quickly.”4
e. “Record the highest of three consecutive readings.”5
4) A nurse is caring for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and reports increasing fatigue.
The nurse should instruct the client to take which of the following actions to conserve energy?
, RN MEDSURG EXAM Q & A
a. Avoid using large muscle groups
b. Allow others to perform her self-care activities
c. Determine priority activities to accomplish
d. Limit iron intake
5) A nurse is caring for a client who had a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to prevent hip dislocation?
a. Place two bed pillows between the legs when in bed.
b. Encourage the client to lean forward when attempting to stand.
c. Elevate the knees higher than the hips when sitting.
d. Remove the wedge device when turning.
6) A nurse working in the emergency department is assessing a client admitted with atrial
fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
a. Ventricular rate 120/min
b. Syncope
c. Atrial rate of 350/min
d. Shortness of breath
7) A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with heart failure. Which of the following
laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Hematocrit 24% - pg.444
b. Sodium 137 mEq/L
c. Glucose 112 mg/dL
d. BUN 19 mg/dL
, RN MEDSURG EXAM Q & A
8) The nurse is preparing the discontinue long term TPN therapy for a client. The nurse should
plan to discontinue the TPN gradually to reduce the risk of which of the following adverse
effects?
a. Hyperglycemia
b. Diarrhea
c. Constipation
d. Hypoglycemia- You taper it off to avoid this!!!
Rationale PDF p.298: Never abruptly stop TPN. Speeding up/slowing down the rate is
contraindicated. An abrupt rate change can alter blood glucose levels significantly.
Rationale PDF nutrition p.58: don’t discontinue abruptly, must taper to prevent rebound hypoglycemia
9) A nurse is preparing a client for an ECG. The client is anxious and says that he is afraid the
equipment will give him an electric shock. Which of the following is an appropriate response by
the nurse?
a. The machine only senses and records electrical currents coming from your heart – pg.170
➢ Electrocardiography uses an electrocardiograph to record the electrical activity of
the heart over time.
b. The lead wires and cables are insulated for your safety
c. The electrode pads will prevent the conduction of electricity to your skin
d. The machine voltage delivery is low enough that you won’t feel any discomfort
10) A nurse is caring for client who has hypertension and has a new prescription for lisinopril. The
nurse should consult with the provider about which of the following medications in the client’s
medication administration record?
a. Potassium chloride
b. Levothyroxine
c. Acetaminophen
d. Metformin
