LATEST UPDATED NUR 242 MED SURG EXAM 1
- MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE
EXAM WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES. A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours
postoperative after abdominal surgery. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A) The client reports pain of 6 on a 0-to-10
scale
B) The client's heart rate is 110 beats per
minute and blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg
C) The client's oxygen saturation is 94% on
room air
D) The client has not yet voided
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension in the
postoperative period may indicate
hypovolemia from hemorrhage or dehydration
and requires immediate assessment. Pain of 6
is expected. Oxygen saturation of 94% is
acceptable. Not voiding at 2 hours is not yet
concerning.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client with
hypokalemia (serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L).
Which finding is most consistent with this
condition?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds
B) Muscle weakness and lethargy
C) Tetany and positive Chvostek sign
D) Hypertension and bounding pulses
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes muscle
weakness, lethargy, and hypoactive bowel
sounds. Tetany and Chvostek sign are seen in
hypocalcemia. Hypertension and bounding
pulses are not typical.
3. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery.
Which statement by the client indicates a need
for further teaching about informed consent?
A) I can change my mind about the surgery at
any time
B) The surgeon has explained the risks and
benefits of the procedure
C) I signed the consent form before receiving
my preoperative sedative
,D) My cousin who is a nurse will be in the
operating room with me
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent must be obtained
before any preoperative sedatives are given
because sedatives can impair decision-making
capacity. The other statements are correct
regarding informed consent.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with metabolic
alkalosis. Which finding is most consistent with
this condition?
A) Deep, rapid respirations (Kussmaul
breathing)
B) Hypoventilation and confusion
C) Hyperreflexia and muscle twitching
D) Bradycardia and hypotension
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis causes
hypoventilation (compensatory) and confusion.
Kussmaul breathing is seen in metabolic
acidosis. Hyperreflexia and muscle twitching
can occur but hypoventilation is more
, characteristic. Bradycardia and hypotension
are not typical.
5. A nurse is providing postoperative teaching
to a client who will use a patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) pump. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A) I will ask my family member to press the
button if I am asleep
B) I will press the button whenever I feel pain,
even if it is soon after the last dose
C) The pump is programmed to prevent me
from giving myself too much medication
D) I will stop using the PCA pump when I feel
drowsy
Correct answer: C
Rationale: PCA pumps have a lockout interval
that prevents overdosing. Only the client
should press the button. The pump should be
used for pain, but the lockout prevents too-
frequent dosing. Drowsiness is an expected
side effect; the pump should not be stopped for
mild drowsiness.
- MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE
EXAM WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES. A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours
postoperative after abdominal surgery. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A) The client reports pain of 6 on a 0-to-10
scale
B) The client's heart rate is 110 beats per
minute and blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg
C) The client's oxygen saturation is 94% on
room air
D) The client has not yet voided
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension in the
postoperative period may indicate
hypovolemia from hemorrhage or dehydration
and requires immediate assessment. Pain of 6
is expected. Oxygen saturation of 94% is
acceptable. Not voiding at 2 hours is not yet
concerning.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client with
hypokalemia (serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L).
Which finding is most consistent with this
condition?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds
B) Muscle weakness and lethargy
C) Tetany and positive Chvostek sign
D) Hypertension and bounding pulses
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes muscle
weakness, lethargy, and hypoactive bowel
sounds. Tetany and Chvostek sign are seen in
hypocalcemia. Hypertension and bounding
pulses are not typical.
3. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery.
Which statement by the client indicates a need
for further teaching about informed consent?
A) I can change my mind about the surgery at
any time
B) The surgeon has explained the risks and
benefits of the procedure
C) I signed the consent form before receiving
my preoperative sedative
,D) My cousin who is a nurse will be in the
operating room with me
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent must be obtained
before any preoperative sedatives are given
because sedatives can impair decision-making
capacity. The other statements are correct
regarding informed consent.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with metabolic
alkalosis. Which finding is most consistent with
this condition?
A) Deep, rapid respirations (Kussmaul
breathing)
B) Hypoventilation and confusion
C) Hyperreflexia and muscle twitching
D) Bradycardia and hypotension
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis causes
hypoventilation (compensatory) and confusion.
Kussmaul breathing is seen in metabolic
acidosis. Hyperreflexia and muscle twitching
can occur but hypoventilation is more
, characteristic. Bradycardia and hypotension
are not typical.
5. A nurse is providing postoperative teaching
to a client who will use a patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) pump. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A) I will ask my family member to press the
button if I am asleep
B) I will press the button whenever I feel pain,
even if it is soon after the last dose
C) The pump is programmed to prevent me
from giving myself too much medication
D) I will stop using the PCA pump when I feel
drowsy
Correct answer: C
Rationale: PCA pumps have a lockout interval
that prevents overdosing. Only the client
should press the button. The pump should be
used for pain, but the lockout prevents too-
frequent dosing. Drowsiness is an expected
side effect; the pump should not be stopped for
mild drowsiness.
