1|Page
NUR 209 Final Exam Med Surg II 2026/2027
Study Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales Pass
1. The nurse is preparing to conduct a health history. Which of these
statements best describes the purpose of a health history?
Correct Answer: To provide a database of subjective information about
the patient's past and current health.
Rationale:
1. A health history collects subjective data (what the patient says about
themselves).
2. It provides a database for identifying health problems and risks.
3. It complements the physical examination (objective data).
2. A patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. What would be
the nurse's best response for this information?
Correct Answer: "Please describe what happens to you when you take
penicillin."
,2|Page
Rationale:
1. The nurse should assess the specific reaction (rash, anaphylaxis, etc.).
2. Many patients report "allergy" to penicillin that is actually a side effect.
3. Knowing the reaction determines future prescribing decisions.
3. During an assessment of a patient's family history, the nurse
constructs a genogram. Which statement best describes a genogram?
Correct Answer: A graphic tree that uses symbols to depict the gender,
relationship, and age of immediate family members.
Rationale:
1. A genogram is a visual representation of family relationships and medical
history.
2. It helps identify hereditary patterns and genetic risks.
3. Standard symbols: squares for males, circles for females, lines for
relationships.
4. A 90-year-old patient tells the nurse that he can't remember the
names of the medications he is taking or for what reason he is taking
them. An appropriate response from the nurse would be:
,3|Page
Correct Answer: "Would you have your family bring in your
medications?"
Rationale:
1. The patient's family can provide the medication bottles or list.
2. Medication reconciliation is essential for safe care.
3. Do not rely on patient recall alone in older adults with memory issues.
5. The nurse is preparing to complete a health assessment on a 16-year-
old girl whose parents have brought her to the clinic. Which instruction
would be appropriate for the parents before the interview begins?
Correct Answer: "While I interview your daughter, will you step out to
the waiting room and complete these family health history
questionnaires?"
Rationale:
1. Adolescents should be interviewed privately to encourage honesty.
2. Parents can provide family history information separately.
3. This respects the adolescent's developing autonomy.
6. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently
learned that she is pregnant and who has come to the clinic today to
, 4|Page
begin prenatal care. The woman states that she and her husband are
excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks
nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly.
Considering the concept of communication, the nurse knows that which
statement is most accurate? The woman is:
Correct Answer: Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behavior that does not
match.
Rationale:
1. Verbal statement indicates excitement; nonverbal signs (nervous hands,
sighing) suggest anxiety.
2. This is an example of incongruent communication.
3. The nurse should explore the discrepancy.
7. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment in
order to promote the success of an interview?
Correct Answer: Reduces noise by turning off television and radios.
Rationale:
1. A quiet environment promotes concentration and privacy.
2. Background noise interferes with communication.
3. Ensure a private, comfortable setting.
NUR 209 Final Exam Med Surg II 2026/2027
Study Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales Pass
1. The nurse is preparing to conduct a health history. Which of these
statements best describes the purpose of a health history?
Correct Answer: To provide a database of subjective information about
the patient's past and current health.
Rationale:
1. A health history collects subjective data (what the patient says about
themselves).
2. It provides a database for identifying health problems and risks.
3. It complements the physical examination (objective data).
2. A patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. What would be
the nurse's best response for this information?
Correct Answer: "Please describe what happens to you when you take
penicillin."
,2|Page
Rationale:
1. The nurse should assess the specific reaction (rash, anaphylaxis, etc.).
2. Many patients report "allergy" to penicillin that is actually a side effect.
3. Knowing the reaction determines future prescribing decisions.
3. During an assessment of a patient's family history, the nurse
constructs a genogram. Which statement best describes a genogram?
Correct Answer: A graphic tree that uses symbols to depict the gender,
relationship, and age of immediate family members.
Rationale:
1. A genogram is a visual representation of family relationships and medical
history.
2. It helps identify hereditary patterns and genetic risks.
3. Standard symbols: squares for males, circles for females, lines for
relationships.
4. A 90-year-old patient tells the nurse that he can't remember the
names of the medications he is taking or for what reason he is taking
them. An appropriate response from the nurse would be:
,3|Page
Correct Answer: "Would you have your family bring in your
medications?"
Rationale:
1. The patient's family can provide the medication bottles or list.
2. Medication reconciliation is essential for safe care.
3. Do not rely on patient recall alone in older adults with memory issues.
5. The nurse is preparing to complete a health assessment on a 16-year-
old girl whose parents have brought her to the clinic. Which instruction
would be appropriate for the parents before the interview begins?
Correct Answer: "While I interview your daughter, will you step out to
the waiting room and complete these family health history
questionnaires?"
Rationale:
1. Adolescents should be interviewed privately to encourage honesty.
2. Parents can provide family history information separately.
3. This respects the adolescent's developing autonomy.
6. The nurse is conducting an interview with a woman who has recently
learned that she is pregnant and who has come to the clinic today to
, 4|Page
begin prenatal care. The woman states that she and her husband are
excited about the pregnancy but have a few questions. She looks
nervously at her hands during the interview and sighs loudly.
Considering the concept of communication, the nurse knows that which
statement is most accurate? The woman is:
Correct Answer: Exhibiting verbal and nonverbal behavior that does not
match.
Rationale:
1. Verbal statement indicates excitement; nonverbal signs (nervous hands,
sighing) suggest anxiety.
2. This is an example of incongruent communication.
3. The nurse should explore the discrepancy.
7. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment in
order to promote the success of an interview?
Correct Answer: Reduces noise by turning off television and radios.
Rationale:
1. A quiet environment promotes concentration and privacy.
2. Background noise interferes with communication.
3. Ensure a private, comfortable setting.
