CMSRN FREE CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing General Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?

Accepted Answer

Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L

Answer

A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a dangerous side effect of loop diuretics that can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.

Question 2

Which intervention is the priority for a postoperative patient with a PCA pump who has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute?

Accepted Answer

Stop the PCA infusion and administer naloxone as ordered

Answer

A respiratory rate of 8 indicates opioid-induced respiratory depression requiring immediate cessation of the PCA and naloxone administration.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has developed ascites. Which dietary modification is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Sodium restriction to 2 g per day

Answer

Sodium restriction helps reduce fluid retention and ascites formation in patients with cirrhosis.

Question 4

A patient with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose of 648 mg/dL, serum osmolality of 340 mOsm/kg, and no ketonuria. Which condition does the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state

Answer

Markedly elevated glucose and osmolality without ketones is characteristic of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, seen in type 2 diabetes.

Question 5

Which assessment finding in a patient 6 hours post-thyroidectomy requires the most urgent nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Tingling and numbness around the mouth and fingertips

Answer

Perioral and fingertip tingling indicates hypocalcemia from accidental parathyroid removal, which can progress to tetany and laryngospasm.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN FREE CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing General Questions and Answers 2