Use this medical surgical nursing quiz to practice case-based, exam-style questions, get instant scoring, and review a PDF answer key. Work at your pace to find gaps before clinicals or boards and build confidence for patient care. Topics include fluids, cardiac, respiratory, neuro, and wound care.
What is the normal range for serum potassium in adults?
8.5-10.5 mEq/L
1.5-2.5 mEq/L
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
5.5-7.0 mEq/L
Serum potassium is essential for normal cellular function, particularly in cardiac and neuromuscular activity. The normal adult range is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L, with values outside this range causing significant physiologic disturbances. Levels below 3.5 mEq/L result in hypokalemia with risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness, while levels above 5.0 mEq/L lead to hyperkalemia that may cause cardiac arrest. For more detailed information, visit .
Which oxygen delivery device provides the most precise fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2)?
Non-rebreather mask
Venturi mask
Simple face mask
Nasal cannula
A Venturi mask uses specific adapters to deliver an exact FiO2 by entraining a precise amount of room air. This accuracy makes it ideal for patients who require controlled oxygen delivery. Other devices, like nasal cannulae and simple masks, provide variable concentrations influenced by patient's breathing patterns. More details can be found at .
Which sign is most indicative of fluid volume overload in a patient?
Pitting edema
Dry mucous membranes
Decreased blood pressure
Elevated hematocrit
Pitting edema results from excess interstitial fluid and is a key clinical sign of volume overload. Elevated hematocrit typically suggests dehydration rather than overload. Dry mucous membranes also indicate fluid loss, not excess. For a comprehensive review, see .
What is the first nursing action when noticing infiltration at a peripheral IV site?
Discontinue the IV and restart in a different site
Apply warm compress to the area
Elevate the extremity
Slow the infusion rate
Infiltration of IV fluid into surrounding tissue can cause tissue damage and pain. The first priority is to stop the infusion and remove the catheter to prevent further leakage. Subsequent interventions may include warm or cold compresses depending on the infiltrate. Further guidelines are available at .
A patient's ABG results are pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L. These values indicate which acid-base disturbance?
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
A pH below 7.35 indicates acidemia. An elevated PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg) shows hypoventilation as the primary cause, confirming respiratory acidosis. The bicarbonate is within normal limits, indicating no metabolic compensation yet. More details can be found at .
Which is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis upon admission?
Administer IV regular insulin
Give subcutaneous insulin
Start potassium replacement
Encourage oral fluid intake
Administration of IV regular insulin is the primary treatment to reduce blood glucose levels and suppress ketone production. Fluid resuscitation and electrolyte management follow to restore perfusion and correct imbalances. Subcutaneous insulin is not appropriate until ketosis is resolved. For clinical protocols, see .
Which clinical finding is an early sign of a pulmonary embolism in a postoperative patient?
Decreased respiratory rate
Sudden onset dyspnea
Bradycardia
Hypertension
Sudden onset dyspnea and tachypnea are classic early signs of pulmonary embolism due to obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. Hypertension and bradycardia are less common; hypotension may occur in massive emboli. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical. More information at .
Addison's disease is characterized by deficiency in which primary hormone?
Cortisol
Insulin
Thyroxine
Epinephrine
Addison's disease involves adrenal cortex destruction leading to low cortisol production, which affects metabolism, stress response, and vascular tone. Aldosterone is also often deficient, but cortisol is the primary hormone involved in clinical presentation. For more, see .
A pulmonary artery catheter shows a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of 18 mm Hg. How should the nurse interpret this reading?
Low, indicating distributive shock
Elevated, suggesting left ventricular failure
Suggesting right ventricular failure
Normal
Normal PCWP ranges from 6 to 12 mm Hg. A value of 18 mm Hg indicates elevated left atrial pressure, often due to left ventricular failure or fluid overload. Lower values would suggest hypovolemia or distributive shock. See for details.
Which laboratory result should the nurse monitor as the highest priority for a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
Serum creatinine
Hemoglobin
Blood urea nitrogen
Blood glucose
TPN solutions contain high dextrose concentrations, putting patients at risk for hyperglycemia and associated complications. Frequent blood glucose monitoring helps prevent and manage these issues. Renal function tests and hemoglobin are important but secondary. For guidelines, visit .
On ECG monitoring, peaked T waves are most commonly associated with which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypermagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Elevated serum potassium levels speed up ventricular repolarization, causing peaked T waves on ECG. Hypokalemia typically produces flattened T waves. Calcium and magnesium imbalances present with different ECG changes. More information at .
Neurogenic shock differs from spinal shock in that neurogenic shock typically presents with:
Bradycardia and hypotension
Flaccid paralysis
Hyperreflexia
Increased systemic vascular resistance
Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone leading to vasodilation, hypotension, and bradycardia. Spinal shock is a temporary loss of all reflex activity below the injury level. Increased systemic vascular resistance and hyperreflexia are not features of neurogenic shock. Learn more at .
In the management of SIADH, which intervention is most appropriate to correct hyponatremia safely?
IV isotonic saline
Rapid infusion of 3% saline
Fluid restriction
High-dose loop diuretics alone
SIADH leads to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia, so fluid restriction is the primary treatment to gradually correct sodium levels. Hypertonic saline is reserved for severe neurological symptoms and must be infused slowly to avoid osmotic demyelination. Loop diuretics may be used adjunctively but are not first-line alone. See .
A patient with suspected compartment syndrome should undergo which assessment most frequently?
Hourly neurovascular checks including capillary refill and pulses
Check skin temperature every shift
Perform Doppler ultrasound weekly
Measure limb circumference once daily
Compartment syndrome can develop rapidly, so hourly neurovascular assessments including pulse checks and capillary refill are essential to detect ischemia early. Daily or shift-based checks are insufficient. Immediate reporting of any changes can prevent permanent damage. More guidance is available at .
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Study Outcomes
Apply Clinical Judgment -
Use medical surgical nursing test questions and answers PDF scenarios to prioritize patient care and make evidence-based decisions.
Analyze Pathophysiology Concepts -
Break down underlying disease processes in med-surg nursing quiz questions to understand symptom presentation and treatment rationale.
Implement Nursing Interventions -
Identify and apply appropriate nursing actions from med-surg nursing practice questions to enhance patient outcomes.
Interpret Diagnostic Data -
Evaluate laboratory and imaging results featured in the medical surgical nursing test prep questions to inform care planning.
Recall Medication Protocols -
Memorize key drug classifications, dosages, and adverse effects tested in the medical surgical nursing quiz questions.
Enhance Test-Taking Strategies -
Develop techniques for tackling complex med-surg nursing questions and improve performance on exams.
Cheat Sheet
ABC Framework for Prioritization -
The ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) model is the cornerstone of clinical decision-making in med-surg nursing. In med-surg nursing quiz questions, always secure the airway first, assess respiratory effort second, and then evaluate perfusion to address life-threatening issues. This systematic approach ensures you tackle critical problems efficiently under pressure.
Decode ABGs with ROME -
The ROME mnemonic (Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal) simplifies interpretation of arterial blood gases, a frequent topic in medical surgical nursing test questions and answers PDF. For example, a pH of 7.25 with CO₂ of 55 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis (pH ↓, CO₂ ↑). Mastering this rule helps you pinpoint acid - base disorders quickly.
Master IV Infusion Calculations -
Use the formula Volume (mL) ÷ Time (hr) = Rate (mL/hr) on med-surg nursing practice questions to compute accurate drip rates. For instance, 1,000 mL infused over 8 hours = 125 mL/hr. Practicing these calculations builds confidence for any scenario.
Apply the PQRST Pain Assessment -
The PQRST mnemonic (Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Timing) offers a structured way to evaluate pain in both patient care and medical surgical nursing test prep. Asking targeted questions like "What provokes your pain?" and "How would you rate it on a scale of 0 - 10?" yields reliable data for interventions. This technique enhances communication and care planning.
Assess Fluid & Electrolyte Balance -
Understanding lab values such as the BUN/Creatinine ratio (normal 10:1 - 20:1) is essential in med-surg nursing questions and answers. A ratio above 20:1 suggests dehydration or prerenal azotemia, guiding fluid resuscitation strategies. Memorize the "BUN Beats Creat" phrase to recall that BUN rises more quickly in volume depletion.
