RN exams medical-surgical practice questions, set 20

RN exams · medical-surgical

RN exams medical-surgical practice questions set 20

You practice adult health stems across systems, then name the action that changes the outcome. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the RN exams exam guide or more RN exams practice questions.

Five medical-surgical questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

A patient presents with a pruritic, annular rash with fine scaling and central clearing, affecting the trunk and proximal extremities. The patient reports recent exposure to a new soap and laundry detergent. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?

  1. A. Tinea corporis (ringworm)
  2. B. Nummular eczema
  3. C. Pityriasis rosea
  4. D. Lichen planus Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Tinea corporis (ringworm)

The patient's presentation of a pruritic, annular rash with fine scaling and central clearing, affecting the trunk and proximal extremities, following exposure to a new soap and laundry detergent is most consistent with tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm. Ringworm is a superficial fungal infection caused by dermatophytes that can present with circular or annular lesions with central clearing and scaling. The exposure to new soap and laundry detergent may have disrupted the skin's microbiome, making it more vulnerable to fungal infections like tinea corporis. Nummular eczema typically presents as coin-shaped plaques rather than annular lesions, while pityriasis rosea presents with a herald patch followed by smaller similar lesions in a "Christmas tree" distribution. Lichen planus would not typically be associated with exposure to new soap and laundry detergent but can have distinct purple, polygonal papules.

Question 2

A nurse is preparing to change a dressing on a client's surgical incision. Which type of dressing should the nurse use to promote autolytic debridement of the wound?

  1. A. Alginate dressing
  2. B. Foam dressing
  3. C. Gauze dressing
  4. D. Hydrogel dressing
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Hydrogel dressing

Hydrogel dressing is the correct answer to promote autolytic debridement in a surgical incision. Autolytic debridement uses the body's enzymes and moisture to break down necrotic tissue, and hydrogel, being water- or glycerin-based, hydrates the wound, creating an ideal moist environment for this process. This is gentle and effective for incisions with minor necrosis or slough, preserving healthy tissue. Alginate dressing is absorbent and suited for heavy exudate, not dry or minimally draining wounds needing debridement. Foam dressing cushions and absorbs moderate exudate but doesn't hydrate enough for autolysis. Gauze dressing can dry out and stick, causing trauma upon removal, and lacks the moisture retention needed for autolytic action. Hydrogel's ability to donate moisture distinguishes it, supporting natural debridement while minimizing pain and disruption, making it the best choice for this healing mechanism.

Question 3

The type of epidemiologic study that is used to describe a group of persons enrolled in a study who share some characteristic of interest and who are followed over a period of time to observe some health outcome is a/an:

  1. A. Cross-sectional study
  2. B. Cohort study
  3. C. Experimental study
  4. D. Case control study
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Cohort study

Cohort studies are types of epidemiological studies that involve a group of individuals who share a common characteristic or experience and are followed over time to observe the development of a particular health outcome. This type of study is useful in determining the incidence of a disease, identifying risk factors, and studying the natural history of a disease. Cohort studies allow researchers to investigate the relationship between exposure and outcome by following participants forward in time. It helps in establishing causality and is particularly useful for studying rare exposures or outcomes. In contrast, cross-sectional studies involve collecting data from a population at a single point in time, experimental studies involve interventions and control groups, and case-control studies involve comparing individuals with a particular health outcome (cases) to those without the outcome (controls) retrospectively.

Question 4

After being hospitalized for 3 days with a right femur fracture, a patient suddenly develops shortness of breath and tachypnea. The patient tells the nurse, 'I feel like I am going to die!' Which action should the nurse take first?

  1. A. Stay with the patient and offer reassurance.
  2. B. Administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min.
  3. C. Check the patient’s legs for swelling or tenderness.
  4. D. Notify the health care provider about the symptoms.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min.

The correct action for the nurse to take first is to administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min (Choice B). This is the correct choice because the patient is showing signs of respiratory distress, which could indicate a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening complication following a femur fracture. Administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and stabilize the patient's condition. It is essential to address the immediate physiological need for oxygen before taking further action. Staying with the patient and offering reassurance (Choice A) may be important but addressing the respiratory distress is the priority. Checking the patient's legs for swelling or tenderness (Choice C) may help in assessing for a potential deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the most urgent action in this scenario. Notifying the health care provider (Choice D) can be done after stabilizing the patient's condition with oxygen.

Question 5

After being hospitalized for 3 days with a right femur fracture, a patient suddenly develops shortness of breath and tachypnea. The patient tells the nurse, 'I feel like I am going to die!' Which action should the nurse take first?

  1. A. Stay with the patient and offer reassurance.
  2. B. Administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min.
  3. C. Check the patient’s legs for swelling or tenderness.
  4. D. Notify the health care provider about the symptoms.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min.

The correct action for the nurse to take first is to administer prescribed PRN O2 at 4 L/min (Choice B). This is the correct choice because the patient is showing signs of respiratory distress, which could indicate a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening complication following a femur fracture. Administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and stabilize the patient's condition. It is essential to address the immediate physiological need for oxygen before taking further action. Staying with the patient and offering reassurance (Choice A) may be important but addressing the respiratory distress is the priority. Checking the patient's legs for swelling or tenderness (Choice C) may help in assessing for a potential deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the most urgent action in this scenario. Notifying the health care provider (Choice D) can be done after stabilizing the patient's condition with oxygen.

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Question 6

A postpartum client exhibits signs of anxiety, restlessness, and palpitations. Which nursing intervention should be prioritized?

  1. A. Providing education on relaxation techniques
  2. B. Encouraging the client to practice deep breathing exercises
  3. C. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately
  4. D. Administering a benzodiazepine for anxiety relief
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

Collaboration and teamwork are essential in public health to improve

  1. A. Staff performance
  2. B. Equity in services
  3. C. Proper use of resources
  4. D. Quality healthcare
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Question 8

Which of the following terms describes a bed that is completely made with the bedspread and blankets in place?

  1. A. Closed bed
  2. B. Open bed
  3. C. Occupied bed
  4. D. Unoccupied bed
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Question 9

A client is going to be admitted for a scheduled surgical procedure. Which action does the nurse explain is the most important thing the client can do to protect against errors?

  1. A. Bring a list of all medications and their purposes.
  2. B. Keep the doctor's phone number close by.
  3. C. Ensure all providers wash their hands before entering the room.
  4. D. Document the name of each caregiver who enters the room.
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Question 10

A pregnant woman presents with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding at 8 weeks gestation. On examination, the cervix is closed. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

  1. A. Ectopic pregnancy
  2. B. Threatened abortion
  3. C. Placenta previa
  4. D. Gestational trophoblastic disease
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Question 11

Lois Griffin has just had a heart transplant. The doctor made an incision, performed the surgery, and sutured the incision. This is:

  1. A. Primary intention
  2. B. Delayed primary intention
  3. C. Secondary intention
  4. D. Tertiary intention
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Question 12

Cells from the stratum germinativum reach the stratum corneum in approximately:

  1. A. 15-20 days
  2. B. 6-8 weeks
  3. C. 8-10 days
  4. D. 12-15 weeks
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Question 13

A patient has been diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. The patient is to begin taking interferon alfa 2b. What will the nurse include in her instructions to the patient concerning this drug?

  1. A. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug.
  2. B. Continue to maintain maximal physical activity.
  3. C. Increase fluid intake while taking the drug.
  4. D. Treat constipation with over-the-counter laxatives.
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Question 14

Cells from the stratum germinativum reach the stratum corneum in approximately:

  1. A. 15-20 days
  2. B. 6-8 weeks
  3. C. 8-10 days
  4. D. 12-15 weeks
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

Cells from the stratum germinativum reach the stratum corneum in approximately:

  1. A. 15-20 days
  2. B. 6-8 weeks
  3. C. 8-10 days
  4. D. 12-15 weeks
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

About these RN exams medical-surgical questions

RN exams medical-surgical practice questions, set 20 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the RN exams exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

Keep going past these 15 questions

Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.