Medical-Surgical Nursing MCQ Flashcards
7 cards from real CMSRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical-Surgical Nursing MCQ flashcards as text
A patient with liver cirrhosis develops confusion, asterixis, and elevated ammonia levels. Which dietary modification is most appropriate?
Answer: Restrict protein to 0.5-1.0 g/kg/day
Protein restriction reduces ammonia production from protein metabolism, helping to manage hepatic encephalopathy while maintaining adequate nutrition.
A patient is 24 hours post-total knee replacement. Which finding indicates a potential deep vein thrombosis?
Answer: Calf pain with dorsiflexion of the foot
Calf pain with dorsiflexion (Homans' sign) may indicate DVT, though duplex ultrasound is required for definitive diagnosis.
A patient with acute pancreatitis is prescribed nothing by mouth (NPO). After 48 hours the patient requests food. What is the nurse's best response?
Answer: Explain that pancreatic rest is needed and foods stimulate enzyme secretion
Food stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion, which worsens inflammation in acute pancreatitis; NPO status allows pancreatic rest and reduces enzyme-mediated autodigestion.
Which parameter is the most accurate indicator of fluid resuscitation adequacy in a patient with burns covering 40% TBSA?
Answer: Urine output of 0.5-1 mL/kg/hr
Urine output of 0.5-1 mL/kg/hr is the gold-standard endpoint for Parkland formula fluid resuscitation in major burns, reflecting adequate renal perfusion.
A patient taking warfarin has an INR of 5.8 and is not bleeding. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
Answer: Hold warfarin and monitor closely
For supratherapeutic INR without active bleeding, the standard approach is to hold warfarin doses and monitor until INR returns to the therapeutic range.
A patient with hypothyroidism is started on levothyroxine. Which symptom indicates the dose may be too high?
Answer: Palpitations and heat intolerance
Palpitations and heat intolerance are signs of hyperthyroidism, indicating over-replacement with levothyroxine.
A patient with a small bowel obstruction has a nasogastric tube in place. Which finding indicates the tube is functioning properly?
Answer: Abdominal girth decreasing
Decreasing abdominal girth indicates the NG tube is effectively decompressing the bowel by removing accumulated gas and fluid proximal to the obstruction.