MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING ASSISTANT
50 High-Yield Exam Questions & Premium Clinical Review Guide
Strategic Overview: This study guide is optimized for modern Nursing Assistants (CNAs/PCTs) operating
within complex med-surg units. Aligned directly with the Donna Ignatavicius Clinical Judgment
Framework and the NCSBN measurement criteria, this repository contains 30 high-yield Multiple Choice
Questions (MCQs) and 20 critical Short Answer conceptual tasks.
PART I: HIGH-YIELD CLINICAL MATRIX & CORE CONCEPT MAPPING
Before testing analytical limits with the questions below, review the core operational parameters required
for assistive safety across high-acuity medical-surgical environments:
Clinical Ecosystem High-Alert Pathophysiology & Signs Critical Nursing Assistant Action
Fluid & Electrolyte Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) causing Report immediate changes in muscle
Imbalances muscle weakness, dangerous cardiac strength; ensure meticulous intake/
dysrhythmias, or severe thready pulses. output (I&O) recording.
Cardiovascular Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) / Place patient on immediate bed rest;
Emergencies Myocardial Infarction. Presentation of alert the registered nurse (RN)
substernal chest pain radiating to jaw/left instantly via emergency channels.
arm.
Respiratory Acute respiratory distress, oxygen Elevate the head of the bed (Semi-
Complications saturation dropping (SpO2 < 90%), sudden Fowler's to High-Fowler's position);
tachypnea, cyanosis. immediately check oxygen tubing
connection.
Shock Syndromes Hypovolemic/Septic shock. Signs: severe Obtain instant vital signs; report low
hypotension, tachycardia, cold clammy skin, blood pressure metrics immediately;
or altered mental status. keep patient warm.
Stuvia Premium Series • Med-Surg Nursing Assistant Mastery Page 1
, PART II: HIGH-YIELD MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 TO 30)
1. A patient on a medical-surgical unit has a documented serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which
symptom must a nursing assistant report to the supervising nurse immediately?
A) Increased flatulence B) Severe muscle weakness and cramping
C) Mild dry skin D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Severe muscle weakness is a hallmark sign of hypokalemia which can progress to lethal
cardiac complications.
2. While ambulating a patient recovering from an acute myocardial infarction, the patient complains of
sudden substernal chest tightness. What is the priority intervention for the nursing assistant?
B) Assist the patient to sit down immediately and notify
A) Instruct the patient to walk faster to return to bed
the RN
C) Administer a glass of water D) Measure blood pressure after finishing the walk
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Immediate cessation of activity minimizes myocardial oxygen demand during potential
ischemic events.
3. A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula. The nursing assistant notices the pulse oximeter reads 89%. What should be done first?
B) Verify if the oxygen tubing is connected and check the
A) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 6 liters per minute
patient's position
C) Leave the room to find a new oximeter probe D) Tell the patient to take deep breaths for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Verifying equipment integrity and validating patient positioning (e.g., Fowler's) are
critical assistive tasks before escalating status.
4. Which of the following tasks falls within the scope of responsibility for an advanced nursing
assistant on a surgical floor?
B) Measuring and recording strict urine output from a
A) Interpreting complex baseline electrolyte panels
Foley catheter
C) Adjusting a patient's intravenous infusion rate D) Obtaining informed surgical consent from a patient
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Measurement and accurate collection of observational data like output values are basic
tenets of assistive nursing practice.
Stuvia Premium Series • Med-Surg Nursing Assistant Mastery Page 2
50 High-Yield Exam Questions & Premium Clinical Review Guide
Strategic Overview: This study guide is optimized for modern Nursing Assistants (CNAs/PCTs) operating
within complex med-surg units. Aligned directly with the Donna Ignatavicius Clinical Judgment
Framework and the NCSBN measurement criteria, this repository contains 30 high-yield Multiple Choice
Questions (MCQs) and 20 critical Short Answer conceptual tasks.
PART I: HIGH-YIELD CLINICAL MATRIX & CORE CONCEPT MAPPING
Before testing analytical limits with the questions below, review the core operational parameters required
for assistive safety across high-acuity medical-surgical environments:
Clinical Ecosystem High-Alert Pathophysiology & Signs Critical Nursing Assistant Action
Fluid & Electrolyte Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) causing Report immediate changes in muscle
Imbalances muscle weakness, dangerous cardiac strength; ensure meticulous intake/
dysrhythmias, or severe thready pulses. output (I&O) recording.
Cardiovascular Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) / Place patient on immediate bed rest;
Emergencies Myocardial Infarction. Presentation of alert the registered nurse (RN)
substernal chest pain radiating to jaw/left instantly via emergency channels.
arm.
Respiratory Acute respiratory distress, oxygen Elevate the head of the bed (Semi-
Complications saturation dropping (SpO2 < 90%), sudden Fowler's to High-Fowler's position);
tachypnea, cyanosis. immediately check oxygen tubing
connection.
Shock Syndromes Hypovolemic/Septic shock. Signs: severe Obtain instant vital signs; report low
hypotension, tachycardia, cold clammy skin, blood pressure metrics immediately;
or altered mental status. keep patient warm.
Stuvia Premium Series • Med-Surg Nursing Assistant Mastery Page 1
, PART II: HIGH-YIELD MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 TO 30)
1. A patient on a medical-surgical unit has a documented serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which
symptom must a nursing assistant report to the supervising nurse immediately?
A) Increased flatulence B) Severe muscle weakness and cramping
C) Mild dry skin D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Severe muscle weakness is a hallmark sign of hypokalemia which can progress to lethal
cardiac complications.
2. While ambulating a patient recovering from an acute myocardial infarction, the patient complains of
sudden substernal chest tightness. What is the priority intervention for the nursing assistant?
B) Assist the patient to sit down immediately and notify
A) Instruct the patient to walk faster to return to bed
the RN
C) Administer a glass of water D) Measure blood pressure after finishing the walk
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Immediate cessation of activity minimizes myocardial oxygen demand during potential
ischemic events.
3. A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula. The nursing assistant notices the pulse oximeter reads 89%. What should be done first?
B) Verify if the oxygen tubing is connected and check the
A) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 6 liters per minute
patient's position
C) Leave the room to find a new oximeter probe D) Tell the patient to take deep breaths for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Verifying equipment integrity and validating patient positioning (e.g., Fowler's) are
critical assistive tasks before escalating status.
4. Which of the following tasks falls within the scope of responsibility for an advanced nursing
assistant on a surgical floor?
B) Measuring and recording strict urine output from a
A) Interpreting complex baseline electrolyte panels
Foley catheter
C) Adjusting a patient's intravenous infusion rate D) Obtaining informed surgical consent from a patient
Correct Answer: B | Rationale: Measurement and accurate collection of observational data like output values are basic
tenets of assistive nursing practice.
Stuvia Premium Series • Med-Surg Nursing Assistant Mastery Page 2
