Quiz: Test Your Med Surg Alternate Item Formats Knowledge!

1. A patient with diabetes is being discharged. What teaching is most important for the nurse to include?

Avoid exercise

Follow a regular meal plan.

Take medication only when symptomatic.

Increase carbohydrate intake

Following a regular meal plan is essential for diabetes management to help maintain stable blood glucose levels.

Explanation

Following a regular meal plan is essential for diabetes management to help maintain stable blood glucose levels.

2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food option should the nurse instruct the patient to choose?

Canned soup

Salted pretzels

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Processed cheese

Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally low in sodium and would be suitable for a patient with heart failure on a low-sodium diet, unlike processed or salted foods.

Explanation

Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally low in sodium and would be suitable for a patient with heart failure on a low-sodium diet, unlike processed or salted foods.

3. In a patient with acute pancreatitis, which laboratory value would the nurse monitor closely?

Hemoglobin

Serum amylase

Platelet count

White blood cell count

Serum amylase levels often increase with acute pancreatitis, making it a key laboratory value to monitor for this condition.

Explanation

Serum amylase levels often increase with acute pancreatitis, making it a key laboratory value to monitor for this condition.

4. Which of the following symptoms in a patient who has just had hip replacement surgery may indicate a pulmonary embolism?

Joint stiffness

Sudden dyspnea

Hip pain

Urinary retention

Sudden shortness of breath or dyspnea may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a potentially serious complication following hip replacement surgery.

Explanation

Sudden shortness of breath or dyspnea may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a potentially serious complication following hip replacement surgery.

5. A nurse is preparing to administer blood to a patient with anemia. Which type of IV solution should be used to prime the tubing?

0.9% NaCl

5% Dextrose in Water

Lactated Ringer's

0.45% NaCl

0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is the preferred solution for priming tubing for blood transfusion, as it is isotonic and compatible with blood.

Explanation

0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is the preferred solution for priming tubing for blood transfusion, as it is isotonic and compatible with blood.

6. Which of the following assessments would be a priority for a patient who just underwent a thyroidectomy?

Blood pressure

Bowel sounds

Respiratory rate

Urine output

After a thyroidectomy, the nurse should assess the respiratory rate due to potential swelling or bleeding that could compress the trachea, leading to respiratory distress.

Explanation

After a thyroidectomy, the nurse should assess the respiratory rate due to potential swelling or bleeding that could compress the trachea, leading to respiratory distress.

7. What would be the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?

Administer morphine

Obtain an EKG

Administer aspirin

Apply oxygen

Applying oxygen to a patient experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI) helps increase the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, which can minimize damage.

Explanation

Applying oxygen to a patient experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI) helps increase the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, which can minimize damage.

8. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action for a patient with a newly inserted central venous catheter?

Encourage deep breathing and coughing.

Monitor for signs of infection.

Administer IV fluids at a rapid rate.

Encourage the patient to avoid movement.

Monitoring for signs of infection is vital for a patient with a newly inserted central venous catheter, as infections associated with these catheters can be serious.

Explanation

Monitoring for signs of infection is vital for a patient with a newly inserted central venous catheter, as infections associated with these catheters can be serious.

9. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed supplemental oxygen therapy. What is the most appropriate delivery method for this patient?

Non-rebreather mask

Nasal cannula

Venturi mask

Face tent

A nasal cannula is typically used for patients with COPD to provide supplemental oxygen, as it allows for a more controlled and often lower flow of oxygen.

Explanation

A nasal cannula is typically used for patients with COPD to provide supplemental oxygen, as it allows for a more controlled and often lower flow of oxygen.

10. Which of the following is an early sign of hypoxia that the nurse should recognize?

Cyanosis

Restlessness

Clubbing of fingers

Bradycardia

Restlessness is an early sign of hypoxia, as inadequate oxygenation can lead to anxiety and agitation.

Explanation

Restlessness is an early sign of hypoxia, as inadequate oxygenation can lead to anxiety and agitation.

11. A patient with chronic kidney disease is experiencing hyperkalemia. Which of the following medications would be most appropriate to administer?

Calcium gluconate

Kayexalate

Furosemide

Magnesium sulfate

Kayexalate is used to treat hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels) as it works by binding to potassium in the intestines so that it can be eliminated from the body.

Explanation

Kayexalate is used to treat hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels) as it works by binding to potassium in the intestines so that it can be eliminated from the body.

12. A patient is experiencing malignant hyperthermia during surgery. What medication is most commonly administered to treat this condition?

Epinephrine

Nifedipine

Dantrolene

Metoprolol

Dantrolene is the medication most commonly used to treat malignant hyperthermia, a potentially life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetics.

Explanation

Dantrolene is the medication most commonly used to treat malignant hyperthermia, a potentially life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetics.

13. A patient is prescribed warfarin therapy. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid due to its potential to interact with the medication?

Grapefruit

Potatoes

Spinach

Apples

Spinach is high in Vitamin K, which can counteract the effects of warfarin, a blood thinner. Patients on warfarin should consume consistent amounts of Vitamin K and avoid sudden changes in intake.

Explanation

Spinach is high in Vitamin K, which can counteract the effects of warfarin, a blood thinner. Patients on warfarin should consume consistent amounts of Vitamin K and avoid sudden changes in intake.

14. For a patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism, which diagnostic test is most likely to be ordered?

Bronchoscopy

Chest X-ray

CT angiography

Spirometry

CT angiography is the preferred diagnostic test for a suspected pulmonary embolism, as it can provide detailed images of blood vessels in the lungs.

Explanation

CT angiography is the preferred diagnostic test for a suspected pulmonary embolism, as it can provide detailed images of blood vessels in the lungs.

15. A patient diagnosed with congestive heart failure has 2+ edema. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Encourage increased fluid intake.

Elevate the extremities

Administer diuretics as ordered.

Apply heat to the affected areas

Elevating the extremities helps reduce edema by encouraging the return of venous blood to the heart, which can be particularly beneficial for a patient with congestive heart failure.

Explanation

Elevating the extremities helps reduce edema by encouraging the return of venous blood to the heart, which can be particularly beneficial for a patient with congestive heart failure.