CMSRN FREE Medical Surgical Nurse Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value is most consistent with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated serum lipase

Answer

Serum lipase is the most sensitive and specific marker for acute pancreatitis and remains elevated longer than amylase.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient in skeletal traction. Which assessment finding warrants immediate notification of the healthcare provider?

Accepted Answer

The patient reports numbness and tingling distal to the fracture site

Answer

Numbness and tingling distal to the fracture suggest neurovascular compromise, which can lead to permanent damage if not addressed promptly.

Question 3

A patient with cirrhosis develops asterixis. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of which complication?

Accepted Answer

Hepatic encephalopathy

Answer

Asterixis, a flapping tremor of the hands, is a classic neurological sign of hepatic encephalopathy caused by the accumulation of ammonia in the brain.

Question 4

Which nursing intervention is most important for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in an intubated patient?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining the head of the bed at 30 to 45 degrees

Answer

Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees reduces the risk of aspiration of gastric contents, which is a primary cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Question 5

A patient with a new colostomy asks why the stoma appears dark red and moist. What is the best nursing response?

Accepted Answer

This is normal because the stoma is made of intestinal mucosa which is naturally red and moist

Answer

A healthy stoma is red and moist because it is composed of intestinal mucosa with a rich blood supply, similar to the inside of the cheek.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN FREE Medical Surgical Nurse Questions and Answers 3