Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
MED SURG II EXAM 2 PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |BRAND NEW VERSION!!
The nurse is caring for a patient whose spinal cord injury has caused recent
muscle spasticity. What medication should the nurse expect to be ordered to
control this?
A)
Baclofen (Lioresal)
B)
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
C)
Mannitol (Osmitrol)
D)
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Baclofen is classified as an antispasmodic agent in the treatment of muscles
spasms related to spinal cord injury. Decadron is an anti-inflammatory medication
used to decrease inflammation in both SCI and head injury. Mannitol is used to
decrease cerebral edema in patients with head injury. Phenobarbital is an
anticonvulsant that is used in the treatment of seizure activity.
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with a T1 spinal cord injury. The nurse
has identified the diagnosis of "risk for impaired skin integrity." How can the nurse
best address this risk?
A)
1|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
Change the patient's position frequently.
B)
Provide a high-protein diet.
C)
Provide light massage at least daily.
D)
Teach the patient deep breathing and coughing exercises.
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Frequent position changes are among the best preventative measures against
pressure ulcers. A high-protein diet can benefit wound healing, but does not
necessarily prevent skin breakdown. Light massage and deep breathing do not
protect or restore skin integrity.
A patient with a spinal cord injury has experienced several hypotensive episodes.
How can the nurse best address the patient's risk for orthostatic hypotension?
A)
Administer an IV bolus of normal saline prior to repositioning.
B)
Maintain bed rest until normal BP regulation returns.
C)
Monitor the patient's BP before and during position changes.
D)
Allow the patient to initiate repositioning.
Ans:
C
Feedback:
2|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
To prevent hypotensive episodes, close monitoring of vital signs before and during
position changes is essential. Prolonged bed rest carries numerous risks and it is
not possible to provide a bolus before each position change. Following the
patient's lead may or may not help regulate BP.
A nurse on the neurologic unit is providing care for a patient who has spinal cord
injury at the level of C4. When planning the patient's care, what aspect of the
patient's neurologic and functional status should the nurse consider?
A)
The patient will be unable to use a wheelchair.
B)
The patient will be unable to swallow food.
C)
The patient will be continent of urine, but incontinent of bowel.
D)
The patient will require full assistance for all aspects of elimination
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Patients with a lesion at C4 are fully dependent for elimination. The patient is
dependent for feeding, but is able to swallow. The patient will be capable of using
an electric wheelchair.
The nurse is providing health education to a patient who has a C6 spinal cord
injury. The patient asks why autonomic dysreflexia is considered an emergency.
What would be the nurse's best answer?
A)
3|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
"The sudden increase in BP can raise the ICP or rupture a cerebral blood vessel."
B)
"The suddenness of the onset of the syndrome tells us the body is struggling to
maintain its normal state."
C)
"Autonomic dysreflexia causes permanent damage to delicate nerve fibers that
are healing."
D)
"The sudden, severe headache increases muscle tone and can cause further nerve
damage."
Ans:
A
Feedback:
The sudden increase in BP may cause a rupture of one or more cerebral blood
vessels or lead to increased ICP. Autonomic dysreflexia does not directly cause
nerve damage.
The nurse caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury notes that the patient is
exhibiting early signs and symptoms of disuse syndrome. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A)
Limit the amount of assistance provided with ADLs.
B)
Collaborate with the physical therapist and immobilize the patient's extremities
temporarily.
C)
Increase the frequency of ROM exercises.
D)
Educate the patient about the importance of frequent position changes.
4|Page
MED SURG II EXAM 2 PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |BRAND NEW VERSION!!
The nurse is caring for a patient whose spinal cord injury has caused recent
muscle spasticity. What medication should the nurse expect to be ordered to
control this?
A)
Baclofen (Lioresal)
B)
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
C)
Mannitol (Osmitrol)
D)
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Baclofen is classified as an antispasmodic agent in the treatment of muscles
spasms related to spinal cord injury. Decadron is an anti-inflammatory medication
used to decrease inflammation in both SCI and head injury. Mannitol is used to
decrease cerebral edema in patients with head injury. Phenobarbital is an
anticonvulsant that is used in the treatment of seizure activity.
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with a T1 spinal cord injury. The nurse
has identified the diagnosis of "risk for impaired skin integrity." How can the nurse
best address this risk?
A)
1|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
Change the patient's position frequently.
B)
Provide a high-protein diet.
C)
Provide light massage at least daily.
D)
Teach the patient deep breathing and coughing exercises.
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Frequent position changes are among the best preventative measures against
pressure ulcers. A high-protein diet can benefit wound healing, but does not
necessarily prevent skin breakdown. Light massage and deep breathing do not
protect or restore skin integrity.
A patient with a spinal cord injury has experienced several hypotensive episodes.
How can the nurse best address the patient's risk for orthostatic hypotension?
A)
Administer an IV bolus of normal saline prior to repositioning.
B)
Maintain bed rest until normal BP regulation returns.
C)
Monitor the patient's BP before and during position changes.
D)
Allow the patient to initiate repositioning.
Ans:
C
Feedback:
2|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
To prevent hypotensive episodes, close monitoring of vital signs before and during
position changes is essential. Prolonged bed rest carries numerous risks and it is
not possible to provide a bolus before each position change. Following the
patient's lead may or may not help regulate BP.
A nurse on the neurologic unit is providing care for a patient who has spinal cord
injury at the level of C4. When planning the patient's care, what aspect of the
patient's neurologic and functional status should the nurse consider?
A)
The patient will be unable to use a wheelchair.
B)
The patient will be unable to swallow food.
C)
The patient will be continent of urine, but incontinent of bowel.
D)
The patient will require full assistance for all aspects of elimination
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Patients with a lesion at C4 are fully dependent for elimination. The patient is
dependent for feeding, but is able to swallow. The patient will be capable of using
an electric wheelchair.
The nurse is providing health education to a patient who has a C6 spinal cord
injury. The patient asks why autonomic dysreflexia is considered an emergency.
What would be the nurse's best answer?
A)
3|Page
, Med Surg II Exam 2 Practice Exam
"The sudden increase in BP can raise the ICP or rupture a cerebral blood vessel."
B)
"The suddenness of the onset of the syndrome tells us the body is struggling to
maintain its normal state."
C)
"Autonomic dysreflexia causes permanent damage to delicate nerve fibers that
are healing."
D)
"The sudden, severe headache increases muscle tone and can cause further nerve
damage."
Ans:
A
Feedback:
The sudden increase in BP may cause a rupture of one or more cerebral blood
vessels or lead to increased ICP. Autonomic dysreflexia does not directly cause
nerve damage.
The nurse caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury notes that the patient is
exhibiting early signs and symptoms of disuse syndrome. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A)
Limit the amount of assistance provided with ADLs.
B)
Collaborate with the physical therapist and immobilize the patient's extremities
temporarily.
C)
Increase the frequency of ROM exercises.
D)
Educate the patient about the importance of frequent position changes.
4|Page
