Exam 1 Med surg Galen Questions with
Correct Answers
Course
Med Surg
1. Question:
A 45-year-old patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Administer pain medications as prescribed
B) Encourage oral fluids to promote hydration
C) Provide a high-protein, low-fat diet
D) Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia
Answer:
A) Administer pain medications as prescribed
Acute pancreatitis often causes severe pain, and managing pain is the priority to prevent
complications such as further stress on the body and discomfort.
2. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A) Administer oxygen therapy at a high flow rate
B) Encourage the patient to take deep, rapid breaths
C) Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position
D) Decrease the room’s humidity to promote airflow
Answer:
C) Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position
High Fowler’s position (sitting upright with the head of the bed elevated) helps increase
lung expansion and eases the patient’s breathing.
3. Question:
A patient with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed nitroglycerin. Which of the
following is the most important teaching point for this patient?
A) Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset
B) Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid retention
,C) Sit down before taking nitroglycerin to prevent dizziness
D) Increase physical activity after taking nitroglycerin to improve heart function
Answer:
C) Sit down before taking nitroglycerin to prevent dizziness
Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure. It is
important to sit or lie down before taking it to prevent dizziness or fainting.
4. Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) infusion of potassium chloride to a
patient. What is the most important action the nurse should take before administering this
medication?
A) Ensure the infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hr
B) Dilute the potassium in a large volume of IV fluid
C) Administer the infusion with a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm
D) Assess the patient's blood glucose levels before administration
Answer:
A) Ensure the infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hr
Potassium chloride should be administered slowly to prevent complications like
hyperkalemia, which can cause dangerous arrhythmias.
5. Question:
A patient is being discharged after undergoing a hip replacement surgery. Which of the following
instructions is most important for the nurse to provide?
A) "You may resume weight-bearing activities on the hip immediately."
B) "Avoid crossing your legs to prevent dislocation of the hip joint."
C) "You can sleep on the affected side after the first week."
D) "You should take a warm bath to relax your muscles and improve circulation."
Answer:
B) "Avoid crossing your legs to prevent dislocation of the hip joint."
After hip replacement surgery, it is essential to avoid crossing the legs to reduce the risk
of dislocating the new hip joint.
,6. Question:
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent complications related to the patient’s diabetes?
A) Administer the patient’s regular insulin dose as prescribed, regardless of blood glucose levels
B) Monitor the patient’s blood glucose levels closely before, during, and after the surgery
C) Withhold all oral diabetic medications before the surgery
D) Provide the patient with a high-sugar diet before surgery to prevent hypoglycemia
Answer:
B) Monitor the patient’s blood glucose levels closely before, during, and after the surgery
It is crucial to manage blood glucose levels tightly around the time of surgery to reduce
the risk of complications, such as infection or delayed wound healing.
7. Question:
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which of the following findings is most
indicative of worsening heart failure?
A) Increased urinary output
B) Decreased oxygen saturation
C) Decreased heart rate
D) Bilateral lower extremity edema
Answer:
D) Bilateral lower extremity edema
Bilateral lower extremity edema is a common sign of fluid retention due to worsening
heart failure, indicating the need for further evaluation and treatment.
8. Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient with osteoarthritis about self-care strategies. Which of the following
statements indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should avoid exercise to prevent further joint damage."
B) "Using hot packs may help to relieve pain and stiffness in my joints."
C) "I should take aspirin daily to prevent the progression of the disease."
D) "It is important to avoid all forms of physical activity to prevent joint stress."
Answer:
B) "Using hot packs may help to relieve pain and stiffness in my joints."
, Heat therapy can be beneficial for alleviating pain and stiffness in joints affected by
osteoarthritis. Exercise and physical activity are also important for maintaining joint
function.
9. Question:
A patient with a history of seizure disorder is admitted for surgery. Which of the following is the
most important assessment for the nurse to make before the surgery?
A) Monitor the patient’s electrolyte levels
B) Determine the patient’s level of consciousness
C) Assess the patient’s seizure history and current medication regimen
D) Evaluate the patient’s nutritional intake
Answer:
C) Assess the patient’s seizure history and current medication regimen
Ensuring that the patient’s seizure medication regimen is managed and understanding the
patient's seizure history helps prevent seizure complications during the perioperative
period.
10. Question:
A patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is being treated with heparin. The nurse monitors
the patient for which potential complication of heparin therapy?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Thrombocytopenia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer:
B) Thrombocytopenia
Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia (a decrease in platelet count), which increases the
risk of bleeding. Monitoring platelet counts is crucial during heparin therapy.
11. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured femur. Which of the following is the priority
intervention in the immediate post-operative period?
A) Administering pain medications
B) Assessing the patient’s neurovascular status
Correct Answers
Course
Med Surg
1. Question:
A 45-year-old patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Administer pain medications as prescribed
B) Encourage oral fluids to promote hydration
C) Provide a high-protein, low-fat diet
D) Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia
Answer:
A) Administer pain medications as prescribed
Acute pancreatitis often causes severe pain, and managing pain is the priority to prevent
complications such as further stress on the body and discomfort.
2. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A) Administer oxygen therapy at a high flow rate
B) Encourage the patient to take deep, rapid breaths
C) Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position
D) Decrease the room’s humidity to promote airflow
Answer:
C) Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position
High Fowler’s position (sitting upright with the head of the bed elevated) helps increase
lung expansion and eases the patient’s breathing.
3. Question:
A patient with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed nitroglycerin. Which of the
following is the most important teaching point for this patient?
A) Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset
B) Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid retention
,C) Sit down before taking nitroglycerin to prevent dizziness
D) Increase physical activity after taking nitroglycerin to improve heart function
Answer:
C) Sit down before taking nitroglycerin to prevent dizziness
Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure. It is
important to sit or lie down before taking it to prevent dizziness or fainting.
4. Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) infusion of potassium chloride to a
patient. What is the most important action the nurse should take before administering this
medication?
A) Ensure the infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hr
B) Dilute the potassium in a large volume of IV fluid
C) Administer the infusion with a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm
D) Assess the patient's blood glucose levels before administration
Answer:
A) Ensure the infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hr
Potassium chloride should be administered slowly to prevent complications like
hyperkalemia, which can cause dangerous arrhythmias.
5. Question:
A patient is being discharged after undergoing a hip replacement surgery. Which of the following
instructions is most important for the nurse to provide?
A) "You may resume weight-bearing activities on the hip immediately."
B) "Avoid crossing your legs to prevent dislocation of the hip joint."
C) "You can sleep on the affected side after the first week."
D) "You should take a warm bath to relax your muscles and improve circulation."
Answer:
B) "Avoid crossing your legs to prevent dislocation of the hip joint."
After hip replacement surgery, it is essential to avoid crossing the legs to reduce the risk
of dislocating the new hip joint.
,6. Question:
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent complications related to the patient’s diabetes?
A) Administer the patient’s regular insulin dose as prescribed, regardless of blood glucose levels
B) Monitor the patient’s blood glucose levels closely before, during, and after the surgery
C) Withhold all oral diabetic medications before the surgery
D) Provide the patient with a high-sugar diet before surgery to prevent hypoglycemia
Answer:
B) Monitor the patient’s blood glucose levels closely before, during, and after the surgery
It is crucial to manage blood glucose levels tightly around the time of surgery to reduce
the risk of complications, such as infection or delayed wound healing.
7. Question:
A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which of the following findings is most
indicative of worsening heart failure?
A) Increased urinary output
B) Decreased oxygen saturation
C) Decreased heart rate
D) Bilateral lower extremity edema
Answer:
D) Bilateral lower extremity edema
Bilateral lower extremity edema is a common sign of fluid retention due to worsening
heart failure, indicating the need for further evaluation and treatment.
8. Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient with osteoarthritis about self-care strategies. Which of the following
statements indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should avoid exercise to prevent further joint damage."
B) "Using hot packs may help to relieve pain and stiffness in my joints."
C) "I should take aspirin daily to prevent the progression of the disease."
D) "It is important to avoid all forms of physical activity to prevent joint stress."
Answer:
B) "Using hot packs may help to relieve pain and stiffness in my joints."
, Heat therapy can be beneficial for alleviating pain and stiffness in joints affected by
osteoarthritis. Exercise and physical activity are also important for maintaining joint
function.
9. Question:
A patient with a history of seizure disorder is admitted for surgery. Which of the following is the
most important assessment for the nurse to make before the surgery?
A) Monitor the patient’s electrolyte levels
B) Determine the patient’s level of consciousness
C) Assess the patient’s seizure history and current medication regimen
D) Evaluate the patient’s nutritional intake
Answer:
C) Assess the patient’s seizure history and current medication regimen
Ensuring that the patient’s seizure medication regimen is managed and understanding the
patient's seizure history helps prevent seizure complications during the perioperative
period.
10. Question:
A patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is being treated with heparin. The nurse monitors
the patient for which potential complication of heparin therapy?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Thrombocytopenia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer:
B) Thrombocytopenia
Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia (a decrease in platelet count), which increases the
risk of bleeding. Monitoring platelet counts is crucial during heparin therapy.
11. Question:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured femur. Which of the following is the priority
intervention in the immediate post-operative period?
A) Administering pain medications
B) Assessing the patient’s neurovascular status
