CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing MCQ 4

Question 1

A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is mechanically ventilated. Which ventilator strategy is consistent with lung-protective ventilation?

Accepted Answer

Tidal volume of 4-6 mL/kg ideal body weight

Answer

Lung-protective ventilation in ARDS uses low tidal volumes (4-6 mL/kg IBW) to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury from barotrauma and volutrauma.

Question 2

A patient develops sudden-onset shortness of breath and hypotension 3 days after hip arthroplasty. Which complication is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Pulmonary embolism classically presents with sudden dyspnea and hypotension in the post-operative period due to DVT embolizing to the pulmonary vasculature.

Question 3

A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mEq potassium chloride IV to a patient with hypokalemia. Which action is most important?

Accepted Answer

Dilute in at least 100 mL and infuse no faster than 10 mEq/hr

Answer

Potassium chloride must be diluted and infused slowly (≤10 mEq/hr peripheral) to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and venous irritation.

Question 4

Which finding in a patient with a urinary catheter most strongly suggests catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

Accepted Answer

Urine that appears cloudy with a foul odor and patient has fever

Answer

Cloudy, malodorous urine combined with fever in a catheterized patient meets clinical criteria for suspected CAUTI and warrants urine culture.

Question 5

A patient with Addison's disease is admitted for surgery. Which perioperative consideration is most critical?

Accepted Answer

Administering stress-dose corticosteroids

Answer

Patients with Addison's disease cannot mount a cortisol stress response; stress-dose corticosteroids must be administered perioperatively to prevent adrenal crisis.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing MCQ 4