CMSRN FREE Medical Surgical Nurse Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate first?

Accepted Answer

Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Answer

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) binds potassium in the GI tract and is a priority intervention for hyperkalemia.

Question 2

Which assessment finding in a patient 6 hours post-thyroidectomy requires immediate nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Tingling around the mouth and fingertips

Answer

Perioral and fingertip tingling indicates hypocalcemia from accidental parathyroid removal, which can progress to tetany and requires urgent calcium replacement.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a patient receiving a blood transfusion who develops fever, chills, and flank pain 15 minutes into the infusion. What is the priority action?

Accepted Answer

Stop the transfusion immediately and keep the IV open with normal saline

Answer

Fever, chills, and flank pain suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, requiring immediate cessation of the transfusion while maintaining IV access.

Question 4

Which finding would the nurse expect in a patient with right-sided heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema

Answer

Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, manifesting as jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, and dependent peripheral edema.

Question 5

A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is an air leak in the system

Answer

Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak either at the insertion site, in the tubing connections, or from the lung itself.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN FREE Medical Surgical Nurse Questions and Answers 2